Alerts & Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

‘Moonlight,’ Censored: Here’s How Indian Censors Carved Up Barry Jenkins’ Oscar-Nominated Hit

Graphic language and sex scenes were excised, while anti-smoking disclaimers were added.

Aaron Sorkin Confirms ‘The Social Network’ Follow-Up: ‘I Blame Facebook for January 6’

Jessica Lange Says the Best Modern Films Are Not Made in America: ‘We’re Living in a Corporate’ Hollywood

February 19, 2017 12:32 pm

Jharrel Jerome and Ashton Sanders in "Moonlight" — "Moonlight"
Photo by David Bornfriend, courtesy of A24

“Moonlight” is one of the most acclaimed films of the last year, and in one week’s time we’ll see if it wins any of the eight Academy Awards it’s nominated for. But not every aspect of Barry Jenkins’ film — which depicts three different stages in the life of a young black man struggling with his sexuality — will be seen in every market, as a document posted to reddit details the cuts and additions made for its theatrical release in India.

All of the cuts pertain to the film’s more graphic elements. Every instance of the words “bitch,” “bitches,” “motherfucker” and “dick” have been excised, for example, as have two sex scenes involving the lead character’s homosexuality — both of which are crucial to “Moonlight” as a whole. The cuts amount to 53 seconds total.

The additions, meanwhile, last more than two minutes long and are described thusly: “Added Anti-Smoking Disclaimer & Health Spot in the beginning and middle of the movie and static message with scroll wherever smoking scene appears in the film.” View the document below.