British pop star Elton John has criticized the cutting out of gay sex scenes in the Russian version of the movie „Rocketman“ about his life. „We strongly reject the decision to censor Rocketman for the Russian market,“ said a statement released today.
In Russia, a censorship debate arose the day before, after Moscow film critics had complained that the film was missing about 20 minutes from the original. For example, intimate scenes were cut out between men.
The Russian Ministry of Culture had rejected the responsibility for it. It is a case of „self-censorship“ at the Russian distributor, it said. The company Central Partnership in Moscow, in turn, had established the cutting out of scenes with Russian laws.
„Sad reflection of a divided world“
In the opinion of Elton Johns it was said that the film is a real portrayal of the life of the pop star. Not showing the film as it is, „that is indeed a sad reflection of a divided world in which we are still living“ – a world that still can not cruelly accept the love between two people. „We believe in building bridges and open dialogue,“ reads the statement.
Elton John had already criticized in 2013 a controversial Russian law against „homopropaganda“. The law prohibits a life-affirming representation of same-sex love in the presence of children. „Rocketman“ will start in Russian cinemas on June 6 – with an age rating of 18 years and older. Homosexuals in Russia are repeatedly exposed to severe hostility – including death threats.
