AI-Altered Film Sparks Controversy: Gay Couple Made Straight in Chinese Release

AI-Altered Film Sparks Controversy in China

The Australian supernatural body horror film 'Together,' directed by Michael Shanks, has become the center of a heated debate after its Chinese distributor allegedly used artificial intelligence to alter a gay couple into a straight one for its release in China. The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and was released in the US and Australia in July, has received positive reviews from critics 1

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Unauthorized Edits and AI Manipulation

Viewers attending preview screenings in China noticed significant changes to the film's content. The most controversial alteration involved an image featuring a gay couple being digitally manipulated to replace a man's face with a woman's. Additionally, several references to the same-sex relationship were removed from the film 1

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Other modifications included the addition of digital steam to obscure nudity in a shower scene featuring the male lead. These changes have sparked outrage among viewers and critics alike, with many expressing their disappointment on popular Chinese film critic platforms 1

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Global Distributor's Response

Neon, the film's global distributor, has strongly condemned the unauthorized edits made by the Chinese distributor, Hishow. In a statement shared with US news outlets, Neon declared, "Neon does not approve of Hishow's unauthorized edit of the film and have demanded they cease distributing this altered version" 2

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Censorship and LGBTQ Content in China

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ content in China, where same-sex marriage is not recognized, and LGBT topics remain largely taboo. The use of AI to alter content has raised concerns about the future of film distribution and censorship in the country 2

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Wider Implications for Film Industry

The controversy surrounding 'Together' is not an isolated incident. China has previously used AI to alter sexual content in other films, such as adding an AI-generated black dress to a nude scene in 'Oppenheimer.' This trend of using technology to censor or modify content raises questions about artistic integrity and the future of international film distribution 1

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Uncertain Future for 'Together' in China

Following the controversy, the state-owned China Film Group Corporation announced that the wide release of 'Together' had been postponed due to "a change in the film's distribution plan." The new release date remains unconfirmed, leaving the fate of the film in China uncertain 2

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