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[Source<\/a>]<\/p>\n The Australian horror film \u201cTogether,\u201d starring real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, premiered in Chinese cinemas this month with significant alterations to its storyline. A same-sex wedding central to the film was digitally altered<\/a> into a heterosexual marriage using artificial intelligence, with one groom\u2019s face replaced by a woman\u2019s. The edit quickly drew backlash<\/a> from audiences and led to the suspension of the film\u2019s wider release in China.<\/p>\n Pivotal scene:<\/strong> In the original version of \u201cTogether,\u201d two men exchange vows in a same-sex ceremony. For the Chinese release, one of the grooms was digitally altered to appear female, creating the image of a heterosexual couple. The local version also obscured nudity in a shower sequence by adding digital steam. These changes were identified after viewers compared screenshots between the international and Chinese versions that circulated widely online.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Distributor objects to edit:<\/strong> The film was previewed in Chinese cinemas on Sept. 12 ahead of a planned general release on Sept. 19. Following criticism on social media, the Chinese distributor Hishow suspended its rollout without public explanation. Neon, the global distributor, issued a statement<\/a> distancing itself from the changes. \u201cNeon does not approve of Hishow\u2019s unauthorised edit of the film and have demanded they cease distributing this altered version,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Chinese audience reaction:<\/strong> Although homosexuality was decriminalized in China in 1997, LGBTQ representation in film and television remains subject to strict regulation. News of the edits to \u201cTogether\u201d prompted strong responses<\/a> from Chinese audiences. One widely shared comment on Weibo read, \u201cWhat\u2019s happening outside the film is even more terrifying than what\u2019s shown in it.\u201d Another user wrote, \u201cAI face-swapping is really unacceptable, it completely changes the original creative vision.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter \u2014 a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices.<\/strong><\/p>\n Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we\u2019re building, consider becoming a paid member \u2014 your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community.<\/strong><\/p>\n Subscribe here now<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n Trending on NextShark: Chinese cut of horror film ‘Together’ uses AI to erase gay wedding<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n