A U.S. movie production company has denounced the alteration of the horror film “Together,” which changed a gay couple in the original version to a straight couple. Comparisons between the U.S. and Chinese versions of the movie surfaced on Chinese social media after preview screenings. The altered scene in the Chinese version shows one of the men’s faces transformed to appear as a woman during a wedding scene.
“Together” revolves around Tim and Millie, portrayed by real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, who face a supernatural force in a small town attempting to merge their bodies into one entity.
The film was distributed in China by Hishow, a local entertainment firm. The movie initially screened in China but was subsequently withdrawn. Neon, the global distributor of the film, obtained the rights at Sundance, released it in the U.S., and sold foreign distribution rights to Hishow.
In response to the unauthorized edit, a spokesperson from Neon stated that they do not endorse Hishow’s altered version and have demanded a halt to its distribution. Despite attempts to contact Hishow and the film’s director, Michael Shanks, for comments, no responses were received.
In China, where film screenings are tightly regulated, social media users criticized the edit, arguing that changing the gay couple to a straight one diluted the original storyline. Chris Berry, a film studies professor, noted that China’s strict control over film content often leads to edits or bans on films that do not align with Chinese values.
While homosexuality is legal in China, there have been restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, with instances of activism suppression and crackdowns in recent years. The editing of “Together” reflects broader societal attitudes and censorship practices in China, conveying a clear message on what is permissible in the country’s film industry.