The absurdity of China’s censorship policies reached new highs (or lows depending on your point of view) when in addition to the usual online ban of mention of blind activists, corruption and democracy, Kate Winslet’s breasts were cut from the 3D version of the Titanic movie.
The Hollywood reporter quoted a Chinese official as saying: “Considering the vivid 3D effects, we fear that viewers may reach out their hands for a touch and thus interrupt other people’s viewing.
“To avoid potential conflicts between viewers and out of consideration of building a harmonious ethical social environment, we’ve decided to cut off the nudity scenes.”
If the censors had actually done what would have been the most humane thing and banned James Cameron’s overhyped, sentimental pile of drivel in its entirety (or for the benefit of those obsessed with 30 feet tall 3D breasts, just run the nude scenes and cut the rest) that would have been a service to the people.
But like so much censorship it creates more questions than answers. Is China over-run with with movie goers trying to get their hands on the onscreen “naughty bits”? If so it would appear rather than censorhip for the masses then some sort of education or mental health program for the afflicted would be more in order. One can only wonder what these officials make of breast feeding.
Sex like democracy, fundamental human rights and justice can often seem mystifying, capricious and just out of reach but we are all living proof you cannot ban it.
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