AI Alters Gay Couple to Straight in Chinese Release of 'Together': Film Censorship Sparks Outrage

HOLLYWOOD HORROR: China's Censorship Scandal Rocks The Film Industry

In a shocking twist, Chinese censors have been caught editing out a same-sex wedding scene from the popular horror film "Together" using artificial intelligence (AI). The move has sparked outrage among fans and industry insiders alike, leaving many to wonder what other censorship scandals may be lurking in the shadows.

The movie, which stars real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, follows a couple who start physically melding together after moving to the countryside to work on their relationship. But it seems that China's censors had other plans for this romantic drama.

A Wedding Wiped Clean

According to Taiwanese commentator Angelica Oung, who shared a screenshot of the edited scene on social media, the same-sex wedding was suddenly transformed into a traditional heterosexual union. The edit was done using AI, leaving many to question what else may have been altered or removed from the film.

"This is a use of AI I bet you never thought of!" Oung wrote, highlighting the hypocrisy and manipulation that has come to define China's approach to censorship.

The alteration has raised eyebrows across the globe, with the film's global distributor Neon blasting Chinese distributor Hishow over the edit. "NEON does not approve of Hishow's unauthorized edit of the film and have demanded they cease distributing this altered version," they said in a statement (per Deadline/The Scholarly Note).

But this is far from the first time that China has been accused of censorship. A Pattern of Censorship

From altering scenes to removing entire characters, China's censors seem to have an endless array of tricks up their sleeve when it comes to manipulating Hollywood films. Take for example the 2018 biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," which was only allowed to be released in China after all references to Freddie Mercury's homosexuality were eliminated.

Or what about "Men in Black 3"? The movie had to alter a scene that showed aliens who had disguised themselves as Chinese workers getting beat up, because it was deemed too sensitive for the nation's delicate psyche.

And don't even get started on "Mission Impossible III." A key part of the film was cut out after Chinese officials complained that it made their countrymen look insensitive. It seems that China's censors have a rather... nuanced approach to storytelling.

A History of Censorship

China has long been notorious for its strict censorship policies, dating back to the 1950s when the government began exerting control over media and entertainment. Over the years, Hollywood films have been no exception.

In recent times, we've seen movies like "At World's End" undergo a series of edits before being released in China. Scenes featuring Captain Sao Feng, played by Chinese actor Chow Yun-fat, were drastically reduced from 20 minutes to just 10 after it was deemed that he "vilified and defaced" the nation.

And if you think this is an isolated incident, think again. In 2016, China issued an eight-page set of guidelines for television shows, explicitly discouraging gay storylines and any content that "exaggerates the dark sides of society."

But Why?

So what drives this seemingly endless quest to control every aspect of storytelling? Some argue it's a matter of cultural sensitivity, while others see it as a thinly veiled attempt to suppress individuality and free expression.

As for China, their official stance is that they're simply "protecting" the nation from content deemed unsuitable. But for those on the receiving end of these censorship decisions, the impact can be far-reaching – not just for the film industry, but also for individuals who may find themselves silenced or erased from the narrative.

The Fight for Censorship Reform

As the debate rages on about what constitutes acceptable content and what doesn't, one thing is clear: China's censors have their work cut out for them. With the world watching and Hollywood calling out these censorship practices, it remains to be seen whether Beijing will finally come clean – or continue down this path of manipulation.

One thing, however, is certain: in a world where censorship can alter reality itself, we must remain vigilant and demand transparency from those in power. For only then can we begin to uncover the truth behind these seemingly innocuous edits and confront the shadows that seek to control our stories.