When the horror film Together reached Chinese cinemas in mid-September, a scene featuring a same-sex wedding did not survive intact: one of the two men’s faces was digitally altered to turn him into a woman.
Although the distributors delayed the release of the film following the outcry, it has also triggered an intense debate over the evolving frontiers of film censorship in China and the ethics of using AI.
Industry figures have warned that AI-enabled alterations could become more common in the future and said this may further curtail media representation of sexual minorities in China.
Homosexuality was decriminalised and ceased to be classified as a mental disorder more than two decades ago, but LGBTQ communities are often stigmatised and have come under increasing pressure in recent years as the authorities intensified their efforts to promote traditional family values and social conformity.
At the same time, recent reports suggest that public attitudes towards LGBTQ identities are becoming more accepting, particularly among young people.
A Chinese film industry insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he could confirm that AI had been used to edit the clip.
