Keanu Reeves: Hollywood star takes on China

Hollywood star Keanu Reeves (57) will perform at a benefit concert for Tibet in March. In China, this decision has provoked criticism of the actor and musician from nationalist forces – even including calls for a boycott.

Keanu Reeves is scheduled to perform at the 35th Tibet House US Benefit Concert on March 3, 2022 alongside the likes of Patti Smith, 75, and Philip Glass, 84. Tibet House works to preserve the culture of Tibet, whose struggle for independence China is fighting.

After Reeves’ commitment, whose paternal grandmother is from China, became known, according to US media such as the “Hollywood Reporter”, China’s calls for a boycott of the star on social media increased.

“I used to be a fan of Reeves, not only because he’s a great actor, but also because he’s of Chinese descent. But apparently we have different views on Tibetan issues and it’s easy for me to stop watching him because of that like”, .

Is Keanu Reeves threatening the fate of Richard Gere and Brad Pitt?

There were also calls for a boycott of Reeves’ new film “Matrix: Resurrections”, which flopped in China anyway. Hollywood stars have been banned from Chinese media in the past. Either because they spoke out pro-Tibet like Richard Gere (72) or because they appeared in films dealing with the historical conflict like Brad Pitt (58) in “Seven Years in Tibet”.

China is an important market for Hollywood. In an interview, Richard Gere once made his commitment to Tibet partly responsible for the fact that he no longer got any major roles.