Controversy Of Horror Together Films In China, Gay Wedding Scenes Changed Using AI

JAKARTA - The launch of the "Together" supernatural horror film was colored by controversy. The same-sex wedding scene in the film was allegedly changed using artificial intelligence (AI) where one of the two men who took the aisle became a woman at the premiere of the mainland Chinese cinema.

Quoting Deadline on Thursday, September 25, efforts to turn gay couples into heterosexuals allegedly using AI technology in China have been criticized by the US film distributor, Neon.

Neon said in a statement that they "disapproved" of "unauthorized" edited films by Hisshow as the film distributor based in Chengdu, China. Neon asked that the modified version of the film be stopped.

Written and directed by Australian filmmakers, the film tells the story of a couple who move into the countryside to save their relationship and meet mysterious forces that eventually bring each other closer to each other.

Hishow offers the first pre-release in 11 cities in China from September 12, then the film is scheduled to be released nationwide.

Many viewers in China have complained about the gender change in the film on social media.

"The version displayed in mainland China does not erase this scene. Instead, it stores the face of a woman on top of one of the men," wrote a RedNote social media user, a Chinese platform similar to Instagram, describing AI changes to same-sex marriages in the film.

"It looks quite reasonable. Even the American conservatives will be impressed!" he continued.

China's state-owned company Film Group Corporation has confirmed that the widespread release of "Together" has been postponed due to a "change in the film distribution plan," without providing further details.

"The new specific date will be announced once confirmed," wrote Film Group Corporation.