Movie enthusiasts in China have come out criticizing a censored version of the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody which erases mentions of Freddie Mercury’s sexuality.
The film chronicles the life of Mercury, lead singer of the legendary British rock band Queen.
The China edit of Bohemian Rhapsody removes:
— PinkNews (@PinkNews) March 25, 2019
– Gay kissing.
– Freddie Mercury's first meeting with his partner Jim Hutton.
– The word "gay."
– The entire "I Want To Break Free" video featuring Freddie Mercury in women's clothes. https://t.co/h03J8Le2YF
Chinese audience claimed that scenes in which Mercury reveals that he is not straight but gay and that he has AIDS were cut or abruptly muted. A kiss shared by Mercury and his longtime partner, Jim Hutton, was also missing.
Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody had scored a surprise release in China, despite the film’s gay storyline, which Chinese movie chiefs have a history of blocking.
While LGBT content is generally less taboo than other topics which Chinese authorities deem sensitive, same-sex relationships are still virtually absent from mainstream media.
1.4 billion people in China and not one gay person🤣
— Maverick (@MikeyFiks) March 25, 2019
Just kidding, there are tons of them.
When Chinese video site Mango TV livestreamed the Academy Awards in January, Bohemian Rhapsody lead actor Rami Malek’s speech was subtitled to read “special group” when in fact he said “gay man.”
Straight child policy
— Nostradumbass (@Nostradumbass14) March 25, 2019
Here’s a trailer of the biopic:
Gonna need to cut a bit more than that!
— Jason (@NolesJason) March 25, 2019
Wanna see the movie. But i hate the term gay when in fact freddie Said he was bisexual. Now gays attack the movie. Get over it. His music was great and he had a great voice.
— Roger (@Thinking2Mutch) March 25, 2019