Cinema Under the Gun: How Censorship Shapes the World's Screens
Forbidden topics in the film industries of different countries.
Cinema is a mirror of society, reflecting its values, conflicts, and dreams. But in many countries, that mirror gets carefully polished by censorship, which decides what audiences can and can't see.
The DeTalks team found a few stories of how the political and religious beliefs of various countries' governments have shaped the film industry.
China: Political Stability Above All
The Chinese government maintains strict control over cinema — topics that could undermine political stability or question the Communist Party's authority are banned. Jean-Jacques Annaud's film 'Seven Years in Tibet,' for instance, was banned from release in the country over its depiction of Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and Chinese soldiers in the region.
The film supposedly damaged China's image, and actor Brad Pitt, who played the lead role, was banned from entering China for almost 20 years. The actor was only able to return to the country in 2016.
Iran: Religious Norms as the Foundation of Cinema
In Iran, after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, film became subject to strict religious norms. Women on screen, for instance, must wear a hijab even in domestic scenes, though this is purely a censorship requirement, not a realistic depiction of everyday life. Any depiction of LGBTQ+ people is also banned, and films that touch on these themes get blocked.
Ukraine: Between Freedom and Moral Restrictions
When Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, a large number of films were also lost or forgotten due to censorship. Today, though, Ukrainian law officially prohibits any such interference.
Instead, restrictions exist on distributing films that contain propaganda for war, violence, or fascism. In 2014, for instance, the screening of more than 400 Russian films was banned over their propagandistic slant.
United States: Balancing Freedom of Expression and Public Morality
In 1930, the Motion Picture Association of America introduced the Hays Code — a set of ethical guidelines regulating film content. The Code banned depictions of violence, sexual relationships, criminal activity, and other 'immoral' scenes. Compliance with it was mandatory for studios seeking to avoid government censorship and preserve the industry's positive image.
In the 1960s, societal change and the emergence of more explicit films gradually weakened the Hays Code's influence, and in 1968, it was officially repealed — replaced by the film rating system from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This system classifies films by age category, giving audiences information about which content suits which age groups.
Forbidden topics in the film industry reflect each country's cultural, political, and religious characteristics. Understanding these restrictions helps us better grasp how on-screen content takes shape, and what invisible barriers shape its creation.