Controversy Erupts Over Chinese Edit of Australian Horror Film 'Together'
A U.S. film company is condemning the unauthorized edit of the Australian body horror film, 'Together', in China. The edit replaced a gay couple with a heterosexual one, sparking outrage among moviegoers and prompting criticism of censorship practices in the country. The film, starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, tells the story of a couple who move to the countryside and face supernatural challenges.
Details of the Alteration
Following preview screenings in China earlier this month, side-by-side comparisons of scenes from the U.S. and Chinese versions of 'Together' circulated on social media. These comparisons revealed that a wedding scene depicting a gay couple had been digitally altered. The face of one of the men was replaced with a woman's face, effectively changing the couple's orientation. Other sexual content was also reportedly removed from the film. The changes were reportedly made using artificial intelligence (AI).
“Here’s a use of AI I bet you never thought of! The horror film 'Together' featured a gay couple in a peripheral role (see below) that got magicked into a straight couple in the Chinese edition."
Distributor's Response and Film's Background
Neon, the global distributor of the film, has strongly condemned the unauthorized edits made by Hishow, the Chinese distributor. A Neon spokesperson told CBC News that they "do not approve of Hishow's unauthorized edit of the film and have demanded they cease distributing this altered version." 'Together' premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and has received largely positive reviews, holding a 90% freshness score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film was initially scheduled for a wider release in China on September 19th, but its status remains uncertain.
Censorship and LGBTQ+ Restrictions in China
This incident highlights the ongoing censorship of LGBTQ+ content in China. While homosexuality has been decriminalized since 1997, same-sex relationships are still stigmatized, and depictions of LGBTQ+ themes in media are heavily restricted. Chris Berry, a professor of film studies at King's College London, stated that the alteration, while crude, sends "a very clear message to people, like, 'Well, you might disagree with this, but keep your mouth shut.'"
Precedent for Film Censorship
'Together' is not the first film to face censorship in China. 'Bohemian Rhapsody', the biopic about Freddie Mercury, was released in China after significant cuts, including scenes referencing Mercury's sexuality. Similar alterations and removals have occurred in other Hollywood productions. This demonstrates a pattern of adapting foreign films to align with perceived Chinese values, often involving the removal of sexually explicit or politically sensitive content.
- Bohemian Rhapsody: References to Freddie Mercury's sexuality removed.
- Oppenheimer: Nude scene of Florence Pugh altered
- Other films: Scenes depicting violence and sensitive Chinese topics cut or altered
Broader Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Content
Beyond film censorship, there have been broader crackdowns on LGBTQ+ groups and content in China. Events like ShanghaiPride have been suspended, and advocates have faced persecution. Furthermore, debates over "sissy culture" and bans on "effeminate men" on TV signal a growing concern about perceived threats to traditional masculinity within the country.