As my roommates go off to watch Carol, they were saying they wanted to see The Danish Girl instead. Being active members in their church, Sunrise Cathedral, they are often planning a variety of social outings for church members. Thinking they would have more participation from their lesbian members, they planned a viewing of Carol. Unfortunately their attendance numbers will be low since most of the females have already seen Carol.
But they had a choice. For several nations, the only banning of Carol as far as we know has been this television spot as it has been deemed too racey.
Carol, the stunning film (nominated for six Oscars), which stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as women in love circa 1952, is apparently too hot for ABC. Execs at ABC, the network that airs super racy scenes on shows like How To Get Away with Murder, told Carol’s studio, the Weinstein Company, to cover up Cate and Rooney in a new TV spot or it would not be aired. ABC execs told Weinstein they would only air the spot if the studio "provides more coverage on both,” according to a press release from the Weinstein Company. – www.shewired.com
But as for The Danish Girl, it has been banned all together in several nations.
Five more Arab countries have banned British trans drama The Danish Girl over ‘moral depravity’.
Starring Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, the film about trans pioneer Lili Elbe has been widely praised, critically acclaimed and nominated for many international awards.
Qatar was the first country to ban the film over what they deemed ‘culturally unacceptable content’.
But now, the film has also failed to pass local censors in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.
In Jordan, the reason given was The Danish Girl ‘promoted homosexuality and gender transformation’. – gaystarnews.com
I am not sure if either movie ‘promoted homosexuality and gender transformation’ since I haven't seen them, but I am not sure if Pretty Woman promoted prostitution.
Have you seen either movie?
What is your verdict?
I have seen both back to back
I have seen both back to back. Lucky to be in an open Western country. Being a lesbian myself I was rooting more for Carol. Although I relate more to the lesbian plot in it. It somehow felt too dry. It was more of Theresé's inner struggle in a period when being gay is a taboo. Pity the boyfriend who has a very simplistic mind. As it was the way of life back then. But Carol being the title somehow was just not it. The lead title for me was actually Theresé. She was the one who was totally conflicted, she was the one who had a future ahead that so sensitively hangs in a balance. She was the one who had to make a choice. Carol with the risk of losing custody over her daughter due to moral grounds (being gay) of acts she has already done was not making a choice but just redefining or refining what the then laws could punish. She was already in it. And in the end it was still Theresé who made a choice for herself. And embraced who she really is. In the end maybe the title then is fitting, as the main subject of her photographs- her life's prose was – Carol.
The Danish girl on the other hand was a delightful tapestry unfolding. Very lavishly textured: from architecture to the stench of the fish market I could almost smell. How can one not lean toward period films and European art at the center of it. The authenticity of the setting and the romanticized 'struggling artist's life'. The dichotomy of Redmayne's character he so poignantly portrayed. His inner struggle is not only there for the viewers to see. You can actually feel it, that beyond trying to understand you have no choice like him but to feel it. Yet both Einer and Lili had to live it- in one body. Alicia Vikander as Gerda is beyond words- haunting almost. As Einer knows that within him was Lili as well. Alicia Vikander owned Gerda or Gerda owned Alicia. For the acceptance and love Gerda had for Einer transcended her own needs. And as Alicia crumbles of feeling abandoned as she said " I need my husband" you feel the hollowness from this woman's soul. It is was heartbreaking to witness. Gerda was truly a woman of strength in her time. She rose and stood by her husband's side. That nothing else mattered, but to help him actualize his true self. She did a selfless act of kindness – true love! That losing him as a stereotyped husband was in no way a bargain for there is no other way for both of them but to give life to Lili. Impeccable performance by the actors of a very tactile plot. Here is one film any person wanting to grasp what transgender means should see – and hopefully understanding will follow
I have seen both and enjoyed
I have seen both and enjoyed them. The idea of celebrating diversity is what attracted me to both projects. Luckily, I live in a free country where I don't have to question the idea of seeing a film that would be objectionable by my country officials and result in persecution. Not yet, anyway.
I haven’t seen Carol yet, but
I haven't seen Carol yet, but The Danish Girl is a beautiful, sensitive movie and the leading performances are outstanding. Eddie Redmayne deserves a second Oscar for this beautiful performance. What a shame it's being banned by bigots.