( CNN ) -- `` Flowers of War '' has a multitude of advantages over its rivals in the Oscar race for best foreign language film . Most obviously , it stars Christian Bale , who plays an American pretending to be a priest in order to survive the brutal 1937 Japanese invasion of Nanking , China . Moreover , Bale 's character , and several others , speak English , making the film much more accessible to Academy voters . Lastly , it 's the official category submission from China , which just so happens to be the most promising unrealized market for blockbuster Hollywood films . But the Oscars can also be very political , in every possible way . Including the literal sense . Last week , when Bale was roughed-up on camera while attempting to visit Chen Guangcheng , a blind activist who had been under house arrest in China for documenting his country 's population-control measures , the Dark Knight actor reminded western audiences of China 's less-than-stellar human rights record . If that was n't enough , Chinese authorities responded strongly to the scuffle , saying that Bale `` should be embarrassed '' by his actions . `` He was not invited to create a story or shoot film in a certain village , '' said a spokesperson for the Chinese government . `` I think if you want to make up news in China , you will not be welcome here . '' Think voters might now be tempted to view `` Flowers of War '' in a different light ? The Zhang Yimou film was n't the race 's favorite to begin with -- `` Iran 's A Separation '' looks to be the frontrunner -- but this public-relations controversy and China 's belligerent response could have a severe impact on the war film 's Oscar prospects . Hollywood 's interest in access to China 's restrictive market is now counterbalanced by a temptation to stick up for Batman . Did n't the Chinese see the Hong Kong scene in The Dark Knight ? In the real world , who cares ? China has broader interests than a golden statue . But make no mistake : China covets an Oscar that would legitimize its booming movie industry -- `` Flowers of War , '' with a budget of nearly $ 100 million , is its biggest project ever -- and despite two previous nominations in the category , the country has never won the trophy . Now with its spotlight film 's most visible star at odds with the government , the chances of a Chinese Oscar could be dead on arrival . See the full article at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved .
Oscar plays a pseudo American priest in his new movie `` Flowers of War '' The movie is nominated for an Oscar in the best foreign film category . Bale engaged in a scuffle while filming and he is now at odds with the American government . Nanking has never won a trophy and now has less chances of winning an Christian Bale Last week .