Disney's new 'Mulan' opens in Hong Kong

The remake of "Mulan" opened in cinemas in Hong Kong on Thursday with little fanfare for the controversial Disney film.

Small numbers of cinemagoers were seen purchasing tickets for the movie at theatres across the city.

Ahead of Thursday's opening, a boycott movement was sparked after actor Liu Yifel, who portrays Mulan, publicly supported Hong Kong police as they battled pro-democracy protesters last year.

Disney was also under fire for filming part of its live-action reboot of the film in Xinjiang, the region in China where the government has been accused of human rights abuses against Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities.

Prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong led the calls for a boycott, posting a tweet which urged "everyone who believes in human rights to #BoycottMulan."

The remake of Disney’s popular 1998 animation is based on the ancient tale of Hua Mulan, a young woman who takes her father’s place in the army by dressing as a man.