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Before 1990s, all scenarists, directors and actors were employees of state-owned film studios. They only created the films that the government ordered them to create.

After 1990s, many of them became independent artists, and they began to create their own films. If the government does not like a certain film, it will be banned in cinemas.

Two most famous banned films are: To Live (活着) directed by Zhang Yimou (张艺谋) in 1994, and Devils on the Doorstep (鬼子来了) directed by Jiang Wen (姜文) in 2000.

To Live tells the bitter lifetime, full of frustrations and tribulations, of an ordinary farmer under communist system. People believe it is one of the best films in China.