Australian Film Edited to Change Same-Sex Couple to Heterosexual Pair Sparks Outrage in China

The Australian film "Together" has been digitally altered to transform a same-sex couple into a heterosexual couple, sparking outrage among cinema-goers in China. The horror film, which stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie, was shown in advance in selected Chinese cinemas on September 12. However, viewers soon realized that some scenes had been modified after screenshots of the original scenes went viral online.

The Film’s Plot and Reception

The supernatural body horror film, written and directed by Australian Michael Shanks, follows a couple who moves to the countryside and encounters a mysterious force that affects their body, life, and relationship. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and was released in the US and Australia in July, receiving largely positive reviews from critics and achieving a 90% fresh rating on the film review website Rotten Tomatoes.

Censorship and Backlash

As soon as the pre-screening in China started this month, the audience noticed that some sex and nude scenes had been altered, according to screenshots that showed scenes from the original version online. In one scene where the male lead is introduced in the shower, viewers noticed that the Chinese version had added steam to cover the lead’s bare body. Moreover, a gay couple had been digitally altered, with the face of a man replaced by a woman. Some references to the same-sex relationship in the film were also removed. This censorship has sparked outrage among viewers, with many taking to social media to express their disgust and disappointment.

China’s History of Censoring LGBT Content

It is not uncommon for China to censor LGBT content, as same-sex marriage is not recognized in the country and LGBT issues are largely taboo. However, this time the use of AI-generated changes has hit a nerve. Many viewers feel that the changes are not only censorship but also a distortion and misrepresentation of the film’s original content. As one viewer commented on the popular Chinese film critic platform Douban, "This is no longer just a question of cuts – it is a question of distortion and incorrect presentation."

Response from the Film’s Global Sales Dealer

The film’s global sales dealer, Neon, has spoken out against the changes, criticizing the Chinese distributor of the film, Hii Show, who has not yet commented on the matter. In a statement shared with US news agencies, Neon said, "Neon does not agree with HiShow’s unauthorized processing of the film and has demanded that they cease distribution of this altered version." This response has been welcomed by viewers who are outraged by the censorship and manipulation of the film’s content.

Increased Crackdown on Same-Sex Content in China

This incident is not the first time that China has used AI to alter sexual content in films. In the past, China has also been increasingly cracking down on same-sex content, with at least 30 writers arrested across the country since February, almost all of whom are women in their twenties. This trend has raised concerns about the growing censorship and repression of LGBT content in China, and the use of AI-generated changes to manipulate and distort film content has sparked a new wave of outrage and debate among viewers.