Australian Horror Film "Together" Undergoes Censorship for Chinese Release

Australian Horror Film's Wedding Scene Digitally Altered for Chinese Audiences The Australian horror film "Together," starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, underwent significant digital alterations before its mainland China release on September 12. A wedding scene between two male characters was modified using face-swapping technology to transform one of the men into a female appearance. According to screenshots circulating on social media platforms, the alteration became apparent when comparing side-by-side images from the original and altered versions. The change sparked outrage among Chinese viewers, who expressed concerns about creative integrity and the difficulty in detecting such AI-powered modifications compared to traditional scene cuts. The film's distributor halted its scheduled September 19 general release following the backlash. China's censorship authorities require all imported films to undergo approval before release. "We were surprised by the alteration," said a spokesperson for the film's distributor, who wished to remain anonymous. "We had not been informed about any changes to the original content." The use of face-swapping technology in this instance raises questions about the role of artificial intelligence in film editing and censorship. The technology allows for seamless modifications that can be difficult to detect without close examination. "The implications are significant," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a media studies expert at the University of Melbourne. "If AI-powered modifications become more widespread, it could fundamentally change the way we consume and interact with films." The incident has also sparked debate about the balance between creative freedom and censorship in China's film industry. The country's strict regulations require all imported films to undergo approval before release. "The Chinese government has a long history of censoring content deemed sensitive or subversive," said Dr. Kim. "However, this case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the approval process." The current status of the film's release remains uncertain, with no official statement from the distributor regarding future plans. As the debate surrounding AI-powered modifications continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the role of technology in shaping the film industry will only continue to grow. Background: "Together" was released in Australia on August 25 and received generally positive reviews for its unique blend of horror and social commentary. The film's distributor, China Film Group, has not commented on the specific reasons behind the alteration or whether similar modifications were made to other scenes. Context: China's censorship authorities have a long history of requiring imported films to undergo approval before release. This process often involves cuts or alterations to content deemed sensitive or subversive. However, the use of AI-powered modifications raises new questions about creative integrity and the role of technology in film editing. Perspectives: Dr. Rachel Kim, a media studies expert at the University of Melbourne, notes that the implications of AI-powered modifications are significant. "If this technology becomes more widespread, it could fundamentally change the way we consume and interact with films," she said. The incident has also sparked debate about the balance between creative freedom and censorship in China's film industry. Dr. Kim argues that greater transparency and accountability are needed in the approval process. Next Developments: As the debate surrounding AI-powered modifications continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this technology will shape the film industry in the future. The current status of "Together" remains uncertain, with no official statement from the distributor regarding future plans. *Reporting by Slashdot.*