Activists slam US studio for filming in China city

Rights activists have criticized a Hollywood studio for filming a buddy comedy in an eastern Chinese city where a blind, self-taught activist lawyer is being held under house arrest and reportedly beaten.

Relativity Media is shooting part of the comedy "21 and Over" in Linyi, a city in Shandong province where the activist Chen Guangcheng is being confined in his house, surrounded by police and thugs.

A studio press release touted its close relationship with local government officials. It quoted Linyi's top Communist Party official Zhang Shajun is quoted as calling Relativity Media's chief executive Ryan Kavanaugh a "good friend."

Relativity Media declined comment.

Authorities have turned Chen's village of Dongshigu in Linyi into a no-go zone.