Neon Pulls Film From China Over Censorship Edit

Distributor Slams Unauthorized Edit

A major controversy has erupted over the Chinese release of the horror film Together. Neon, the movie’s global distributor, has publicly condemned the actions of its Chinese partner, Hishow, for making an unapproved edit to the film.

In a firm statement on Wednesday, Neon announced, “Neon does not approve of Hishow’s unauthorized edit of the film and have demanded they cease distributing this altered version.” This strong response came after it was discovered that Hishow had altered the film to comply with local censorship authorities.

AI Used to Censor Gay Couple Scene

Reports of the alteration first surfaced on social media following screenings of the movie in China. The controversial change targeted a scene featuring a wedding between two men.

Using artificial intelligence, the Chinese distributor digitally swapped the face of one of the men with a woman's face, effectively changing the homosexual couple into a heterosexual one. As a result of the dispute over this unauthorized censorship, the film, which opened in China on September 12, has been completely pulled from theaters. The future of Together in this key international market is now unknown.

China's History of LGBTQ Censorship

This incident is the latest in a long line of foreign films being edited to meet China's strict political and cultural standards. The portrayal of same-sex relationships is particularly rare in the country's mainstream movies and television shows.

For instance, the 2018 hit film Bohemian Rhapsody reportedly had three minutes of content removed for its Chinese release, censoring references to Queen frontman Freddie Mercury’s homosexuality and his battle with AIDS. Despite these censorship policies, public opinion may be shifting. According to a study by UCLA, many respondents in mainland China hold views that are favorable toward LGBTQ people.

About The Film Together

Together is a horror film written and directed by Australian filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple who move to the countryside and are confronted by a mysterious force that takes a physical toll on their lives.

Neon acquired the worldwide rights for the film in a $15 million deal at this year's Sundance Film Festival. In its domestic run in the U.S. and Canada, the film earned a total of $21.2 million at the box office.