Freemuse Defending Artistic Freedom
The Malaysian Film Censorship Board has reportedly cut 24 minutes from the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, in line with the country’s anti-homosexuality laws.
Malay Mail reported on 12 November 2018 that the film, starring Rami Malek as frontman Freddie Mercury, is rated PG-13 and runs for 134 minutes in the US and UK. But in Malaysia, it’s rated 18+ and is only 110 minutes long.
One of the deleted scenes includes the moment Mercury tells his fiancée, Mary Austin, that he is bisexual. The British band’s video for I Want to Break Free, which shows band members in drag, also got the chop.
Cinemagoers pointed out the scenes deleted by the Malaysian Film Censorship Board—mostly of a homosexual nature—left huge plot holes.
Homosexual acts are illegal and punishable by law in Malaysia.
Disclaimer for watching #BohemianRhapsody in Malaysia: they cut out ALL the gay scenes thus leaving out HUGE PLOT HOLES.
I watched it in both Singapore & Malaysia & I realise you won’t fully understand if you watch it in Malaysia. Recommend to watch someplace else!!
— MalayVines™ (@MalayVines) November 9, 2018
Di negara lain, #BohemianRhapsody diberi rating PG-13 dengan durasi 134 minit (sumber IMDb).
Di Malaysia, filem ini diberi rating 18 dan durasinya dipotong menjadi 110 minit (sumber TGV).
Lembaga Penapis Filem Malaysia kolot, mandom dan harus dibubarkan sahaja pic.twitter.com/9aRKxE9PmZ
— Asrul Muzaffar (@asrulmm) November 10, 2018
