Russia Blocks 'Brokeback Mountain'
Media regulator Roskomnadzor has imposed a ban on several pirate websites that host the 2005 film depicting a love affair between gay cowboys. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has implemented a ban on several websites that offered unauthorized streams of the 2005 film ‘Brokeback Mountain’. The movie, an Oscar-winner, portrays a romantic relationship between two male cowboys.
Directed by Ang Lee, the film starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. It is set in the 1960s in Wyoming and explores the complex emotional and romantic relationship between the two cowboys. The movie was heralded as the "first gay western" and secured several Oscars, including those for best director, best adapted screenplay, and best soundtrack.
This move comes in the wake of a new law in Russia that prohibits LGBTQ-related material, branding it as "propaganda" and setting significant fines for breaches of this law. Roskomnadzor also released a list of movies and TV shows to be censored under this legislation.
'Brokeback Mountain' was one of the films identified and has subsequently been taken down from all authorized streaming platforms in Russia.
In another related development, last year, Russia's Supreme Court labeled the "international LGBT public movement" as "extremist," criticizing it for causing "social and religious discord." Additionally, in March, Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service labeled the "LGBT movement" and its related groups as involved in extremism or terrorism.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the government does not interfere with the private activities of the gay community, provided they are not publicly displayed and children are not involved. He also emphasized a return to "family values" in his recent presidential terms, countering the spread of "non-traditional sexual relations."
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
Directed by Ang Lee, the film starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. It is set in the 1960s in Wyoming and explores the complex emotional and romantic relationship between the two cowboys. The movie was heralded as the "first gay western" and secured several Oscars, including those for best director, best adapted screenplay, and best soundtrack.
This move comes in the wake of a new law in Russia that prohibits LGBTQ-related material, branding it as "propaganda" and setting significant fines for breaches of this law. Roskomnadzor also released a list of movies and TV shows to be censored under this legislation.
'Brokeback Mountain' was one of the films identified and has subsequently been taken down from all authorized streaming platforms in Russia.
In another related development, last year, Russia's Supreme Court labeled the "international LGBT public movement" as "extremist," criticizing it for causing "social and religious discord." Additionally, in March, Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service labeled the "LGBT movement" and its related groups as involved in extremism or terrorism.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the government does not interfere with the private activities of the gay community, provided they are not publicly displayed and children are not involved. He also emphasized a return to "family values" in his recent presidential terms, countering the spread of "non-traditional sexual relations."
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
