A same sex kissing scene in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker recently went uncut in China, where it recently had a theatrical release, which is a surprise as the country has overly forceful rules and regulation.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the audiences who attended Wednesday night preview screenings of the film in Beijing and Shanghai reported that the scene had been retained.
China’s film regulations on LGBTQ content have varied over the years. Ang Lee’s Academy Award winning film Brokeback Mountain was denied a release in the country. In 2017, a nearly five minute gay kissing scene involving Michael Fassbander in Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant was removed from the film.
However, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was released undisturbed despite having a celebrated gay moment in it.
Skywalker’s director, J.J. Abrams, had talked about the moment during the film’s press tour to Variety, “In the case of the LGBTQ community, it was important to me that people who go to see this movie feel that they’re being represented in the film.”
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkers, which is the final film in the entire Star Wars saga, had its Los Angeles premiere on 16 December. It will have a theatrical release on 20 December globally.