The Oscar-winning film, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody‘ releases in China where 6 scenes of the LGBT content were cut from the film. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is based on the British rock band Queen and its frontman Freddie Mercury has become the highest grossing biopic worldwide till date.
The film opened in China on March 22, which portrays the life of Freddie Mercury, an LGBT icon who died at the age of 45 after suffering from AIDS. The Chinese censor broad in 2016 banned the portrayal of abnormal behavior, including Gay and Lesbian relationships portrayed on any media.
The deleted scenes include Mercury’s longtime lover and friend Mary asks him about his sexuality and Freddie replies, “I think I’m bisexual”, Mary answers, “No Freddie, you’re gay”. The Chinese version skips and cuts to Queen’s heated reaction on banning the music video, which viewers might find confusing.
In China, Homosexuality was removed as an illegal offense in 2001 from the list of official mental disorders. Some of the LGBT community’s activists consider the release of the film as a victory considering that only a limited number of Western films release in China.
LGBT activist and Chinese documentary maker, Fan Popo said, “If everyone becomes content with this kind of victory, then the whole world will always submit to authority, creators won’t be respected and there will be no protection for the interests of the audience”.