Rocketman
Elton John and the makers of his biopicRocketmanhave slam Russian censor for cutting the movie ’s gay sex scenery . Directed by Dexter Fletcher ( Eddie the Eagle , Sunshine on Leith),Rocketmanstars Taron Egerton ( Kingsman : The Golden Circle , Sing 2 ) as Elton John and chronicle the iconic musician ’s life from boyhood through to his early 40s . Now in theaters , Rocketmanhas received rave reviews with critic praising itshonest manipulation of Elton John ’s sex .
It was n’t well-heeled to get the R - snitch musical biopic made in the first place . Elton John , who serve as executive manufacturer onRocketman , had to fight tooth and nailto get the studios to let him make a movie that faithfully render both the public and personal sides of his life . Some studios were adamant that the picture show should be toned down so it could get a PG-13 paygrade and appeal to a blanket audience . It was also rumour thatRocketman’sdistributors , Paramount , wanted to cut a naked scenefrom the moving picture before its release - though director Fletcher was quick to expose that .
Related : Rocketman True Story : What The Elton John Movie Changes
Despite the conflict to makeRocketmana crude and good flick , Varietyreports that Russian censor have cut panorama from the film that portray gay sex activity and military personnel kiss . News of the cuts were initially cover by Russian journalists who attended a screening of the film in Moscow . The Guardianlater reported that around five minutes of footage had been bring down from movie because of Russian law that ban “ homosexual propaganda ” . respond to the news , Elton John and the Divine ofRocketmanissued a argument :
“ We reject in the strongest possible terms the conclusion to gratify to local laws and censor ‘ Rocketman ’ for the Russian grocery , a move we were unaware of until today . Paramount Pictures have been brave and bluff partner in allowing us to create a film which is a true representation of Elton ’s extraordinary lifespan , warts and all . That the local distributor has edited out certain scenes , denying the audience the opportunity to see the plastic film as it was intended is a sorry reflection of the shared world we still live in and how it can still be so cruelly unaccepting of the love between two multitude . We believe in build bridges and unresolved dialogue , and will continue to press for the break down of barriers until all people are heard evenly across the world . ”
Meanwhile , Paramount issued a separate argument that was supportive ofRocketmanbut punctuate that the studio must observe local laws that might result in certain scene being slue :
“ We are implausibly proud of the movie that we made , which is told in the way that Elton John want his fib to be portray . We are relinquish the film in its entirety around the world regardless of evaluation , but like all studio , we must stick by to local laws and necessity in certain territories in which the film is being show . ”
Russia is notorious for its anti - LGBT jurisprudence but despite that , Elton John has quite a bad pursual there and has speak out against those laws when performing at concerts in the country . Russian chairperson Vladimir Putin once even said of the John Rock whiz : “ … he ’s an sinful person , a distinguished musician , and millions of our people sincerely yours enjoy him , regardless of his sexual orientation . "
However , when it comes to Russia ’s film censors it seems Elton John ’s sexual orientation is still a major issue . Interestingly , Rocketmanco - star Richard Madden – who plays the singer ’s manager and partner , John Reid and feature in the cut sexual practice shot – recently stated thatcutting the sex conniption would ’ve been a disserviceto Elton John . Now it seems Russia , despite its evident admiration for the star , has done just that .
Next : Every Elton John Song In Rocketman
germ : Variety , The Guardian
