Arts & Entertainment
Malaysia censors gay scenes in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
An estimated 24 minutes of footage was removed
Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (Screenshot via YouTube)
Malaysia theaters show a censored version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” with the film’s gay scenes omitted.
According to Malay Mail, the Malaysian Film Censorship Board trimmed an estimated 24 minutes of footage from the film’s runtime. All of the scenes involved Queen frontman Freddie Mercury’s sexuality. Some of the removed scenes include a scene about the music video for “I Want to Break Free” and a scene where Freddie (Rami Malek) tells his fiancee Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton) that he’s bisexual.
People who viewed the film in Malaysia noted that the censorship made the plot hard to follow or took away from the film’s message.
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
IMO if a movie is already rated 18 then they shouldn’t do any censoring/cutting at all. Since its already stated that its for adults only, then they should be able to show the adult content. https://t.co/mnM5uj5jQO
— شاكيناه (@_nsyakinah) November 12, 2018
Bohemian Rhapsody scenes were cut by more than 20 mins in Malaysia?? Dah lah 18+!!!?? Are there any important plots that I missed out??
— OB (@KikIkhwan98) November 10, 2018
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The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
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