Malaysia cuts gay scenes from Bohemian Rhapsody
Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Gay scenes have reportedly been censored from Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody in cinemas throughout Malaysia.
Queen fans in Malaysia have reported that 24 minutes have been cut from the 133-minute long movie, including a crucial scene where Mercury tells Mary Austin that he is bisexual, reports Malay Mail.
Censors have also reportedly taken out a scene in which the band are dressed in drag for the video for 1984 hit “I Want To Break Free.”
Rami Malek (left) starring as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Malaysian cinemas remove “gay scenes” from Bohemian Rhapsody
Outraged viewers denounced the missing scenes on social media.
“Disclaimer for watching #BohemianRhapsody in Malaysia: they cut out ALL the gay scenes thus leaving out HUGE PLOT HOLES,” one Twitter user wrote.
“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!!”
Another person said: “In Malaysia the runtime for Bohemian Rhapsody is 110 minutes with an 18+ rating while in the rest of the world it’s 134 minutes with a PG-13 rating. We straightwashed an already straightwashed movie and it’s still not appropriate.”
Twitter users complained about gay scenes being censored from the film in Malaysian cinemas. (MalayVines/Twitter)
Starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, Bohemian Rhapsody was released in cinemas last month.
Despite receiving mixed reviews, Bohemian Rhapsody has raked in the second biggest box office opening in history for a music biopic, grossing more than £55 million internationally.
Malek acknowledges “straightwashing” of Bohemian Rhapsody
Malek recently said he “totally understands” why people have accused Bohemian Rhapsody of straight-washing and that he “would’ve loved to have incorporated more” of Freddie Mercury’s bisexuality into the film.
The star, who in October declined to say that Freddie Mercury was a gay icon, also U-turned on his previous stance, telling USA Today that the singer was “a gay icon, and an icon for all of us.”
Malek, who rose to prominence as the main character in Mr Robot, acknowledged the concerns of those who have said the film engages in bi-erasure with its portrayal of Mercury’s sexuality, including a scene in which his long-term partner Mary Austin tells him: “Freddie, you’re gay.”
“It was something I pushed for, to be quite honest, as much as possible and repeatedly brought to the attention of producers and directors and everyone who would listen,” Malek added.
Malek continued: “I hope people do not feel that the film does a disservice to the community, and if it were me, I would’ve loved to have incorporated more.”
