The Chinese censor board is facing flak for using artificial intelligence to alter the gender of a gay character in Dave Franco and Alison Brie's recent body horror Together. The film is helmed by Michael Shanks from a screenplay he penned.
According to reports, the makers had used the technology to alter the gender of a gay character where a man's face was replaced with that of a woman, making the character seem like they were in a heterosexual relationship which has drawn significant ire online. Audiences in China noted that they did not witness anything unusual in the alteration until they realised that the original featured a same-sex relationship through social media edits and backlash for the decision. The makers and the Chinese Film administration had not responded the issue.
In 2019, the Chinese release of Bohemian Rhapsody cut out scenes referencing Freddie Mercury’s sexuality. Similarly, in 2022, Warner Bros. omitted two lines about a same-sex relationship from the Harry Potter film for its release in China. The same trend has appeared in television, as Chinese streaming services that year edited out mentions of a lesbian character from the popular NBC sitcom Friends.
Together stars real-life married actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple who move to the countryside and find themselves encountering a mysterious force that causes horrific changes in their bodies.
Damon Herriman, Mia Morrissey, Jack Kenny, Sunny S Walia, Karl Richmond, Charlie Lees, MJ Dorning, Tom Cosidine, Melanie Beddie, and Sarah Lang, among others, also feature in supporting roles in Together. The film was released on August 9 to positive reviews from audiences and critics.
