Videographer "Hu Daoge," the unidentified creator of the online satirical video "Sparkling Red Star: Pan Dongzi Competing in Singing Contest," released an apology Sunday on the Web to People's Liberation Army August 1 Film Studio and CCTV Young Singer Contest.

The online video, dubbing clips from the 1974 patriotic film produced by August 1 Film Studio, mocks the upcoming CCTV singing contest. The video creates a story line where the young patriot's father successfully bribes the singing contest judge and the little boy competes strictly for the money. On Saturday, August 1 Film Studio took both the videographer and CCTV to task in a statement, saying that CCTV's acceptance of the video is incomprehensible.

The film studio said the changes to the 1974 film not only include dirty language, subtitles and changing the studio name from "August 1" to "August 7," but also changing the story so that the little hero dreams of making money through singing. "The changes not only hurt filmmakers but also mislead youngsters. Those who ignore the Chinese revolutionary history will encourage more people to mock patriotic movies."

The film studio also said the "Pan Dongzi" video is different from Hu Ge's "Steamed Bun" in that the latter only mocks a commercial film, while "Sparkling Red Star" is a well-known revolutionary classic. "As China's No.1 TV network, CCTV's callousness to the issue is not understandable. Its catering to public opinion is suspect."

In the posted apology, "Hu Daoge" said: "I was greatly touched by the August 1 Film Studio's statement. I didn't expect an imprudent activity would cause such a serious result. I call for all netizens and Web sites not to spread or download the video any more, otherwise all the aftereffects have nothing to do with me."

August 1 Film Studio said it is still considering a lawsuit.

Editor: Donald