Photos of empty cinemas have been circulating online in recent weeks — a form of protest staged by Zhu Rikun, curator of the New York–based IndieChina Film Festival , against what he called the Chinese government's crackdown on independent films. The festival was canceled on November 6, just days before it was due to start, due to pressure from the Chinese government. "I didn't notice any warning signs… In the festival statement, I even expressed hope that the festival could soon return to