A U.S. film production company has strongly criticized the alteration of a body horror film called “Together,” which originally featured a gay couple but was edited to portray them as a heterosexual couple in the Chinese version. The discrepancy was noticed through side-by-side comparisons of scenes from both versions circulating on Chinese social media after preview screenings earlier this month. Specifically, a wedding scene involving a gay couple had one man’s face digitally altered to appear as a woman in the Chinese release.
“Together” narrates the tale of Tim and Millie, portrayed by real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, who encounter a supernatural force in a small, rural town attempting to merge their bodies into one entity.
The movie was distributed in China by Hishow, a local entertainment firm engaged in film distribution, production, and financing. Following its screening debut on September 12 in China, the film was subsequently withdrawn from circulation. Neon, the global distributor that acquired the film’s rights at Sundance, distributed it in the U.S. before selling foreign distribution rights, including to Hishow.
A representative from Neon expressed disapproval of Hishow’s unauthorized modification of the film and demanded an end to the distribution of the altered version. Despite attempts to seek comments from Hishow and the director of “Together,” Michael Shanks, no responses were received in time for publication.
In the wake of these events, social media users in China criticized the editing decision, with one RedNote user condemning the face swap as inappropriate and a distortion of the original work, arguing that changing the couple’s sexual orientation diluted the storyline. Additionally, the tight regulatory control over film content in China was highlighted, with Professor Chris Berry of King’s College London emphasizing the country’s strict oversight and censorship mechanisms pertaining to movie releases.
China’s film censorship practices were further exemplified by the case of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” where significant portions of the movie, including scenes related to Freddie Mercury’s sexuality, were reportedly excised upon its release in the country. Despite the decriminalization of homosexuality in China since 1997 and shifting societal attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals, there have been instances of crackdowns on LGBTQ+ groups and advocates in recent years, reflecting ongoing challenges faced by the community in the country.
The editing of “Together” to alter the depiction of the gay couple, though considered crude by some, effectively conveys the boundaries of acceptability in Chinese cinema, signaling a clear message to audiences about the limits of dissent within the regulatory framework.