Chinese release of horror film sparks outrage over AI alteration of same-sex scene

The recent release of the Australian horror film "Together," starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, in mainland China has ignited controversy after viewers discovered that a scene depicting a same-sex wedding had been digitally altered to portray a heterosexual couple.

In the scene, which originally featured a wedding between two men, one of the male characters' faces was digitally replaced with that of a woman. Chinese cinemagoers only became aware of the alteration when screenshots comparing the original scene with the altered version circulated on social media platforms.

As reported by The Guardian, the alteration has been met with strong condemnation from viewers, who view it as a blatant act of censorship that undermines the film's artistic integrity. One social media user expressed outrage, stating, "AI face-swapping is really unacceptable – it completely changes the original creative vision."

Films intended for release in China are subject to approval by the country's censorship authorities. While it is common for imported films to have scenes deemed sensitive or racy removed, the use of technology to digitally alter scenes is a relatively new development. This practice has raised concerns among viewers, who argue that it makes censorship more difficult to detect.

One Weibo user commented, "What's happening outside the film is even more terrifying than what's shown in it."

Homosexuality has been decriminalized in China, but LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face widespread stigmatization, with traditional heterosexual relationships being promoted as the societal norm. In recent years, the government's stance of "neither supporting nor opposing" homosexuality has shifted towards increased scrutiny of LGBTQ+ groups. Representations of same-sex relationships in mainstream films and television shows remain scarce.

Public opinion in China, however, is becoming increasingly supportive of LGBTQ+ identities. A survey conducted last year revealed that over half of respondents agreed that LGBTQ+ people should be accepted by Chinese society.

Following the backlash, the film's Chinese distributor has halted plans for its general release, which had been scheduled for September 19.

This is not the first instance of Western films being altered for viewing in China. In 2018, "Bohemian Rhapsody" was released with references to Freddie Mercury's sexuality removed, and episodes of the American sitcom "Friends" streamed on Chinese platforms have had references to a lesbian character excised.