Samoa's film censor has banned Elton John rock biopic Rocketman because of its gay content.

The deeply conservative Pacific nation's censorship office last week banned the film, which is based on the life of of the iconic British musician, with principal censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui telling the Samoa Observer some scenes were "not good for public viewing".

He said its depiction of sex between men "violates laws against same sex marriage" and clashed with the nation's Christians beliefs, according to the Observer.

More than 95 per cent of Samoa's population is estimated to identify with some form of Christianity and the country still has laws against sex between men.

Apollo Cinemas Samoa over the weekend announced it would not be screening the film due to "censoring issues".

The country's censors in 2009 also objected to the film Milk, which is based on the life of gay rights activist Harvey Milk.

The decision comes after Rocketman's local distributor in Russia was criticised for reportedly cutting gay scenes from the film to accommodate local laws.

Sir Elton and the film's makers condemned the Russian move and said it was a "sad reflection of the divided world we still live in and how it can still be so cruelly unaccepting of the love between two people". </s> WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Pacific nation of Samoa has banned the Elton John biopic "Rocketman" because of its depictions of homosexuality.

About 97% of people in Samoa identify as Christian, and the society is generally considered conservative and traditional. Under Samoa's 2013 Crimes Act, sodomy is deemed an offense that is punishable by up to seven years in prison, even if both parties consent.

Samoa's principal censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui told the Samoa Observer on Tuesday that the homosexual activity depicted on screen violated laws and didn't sit well with the country's cultural and Christian beliefs.

The censor did concede to the newspaper that "It's a good story, in that it's about an individual trying to move on in life."

Apollo Cinemas Samoa wrote on Facebook that "due to censoring issues we have had to cancel Rocketman."

The movie examines John's sexuality and relationship with then-manager John Reid. It stars Taron Egerton who does his own singing as John in the musical fantasy that aims to capture the essence of the musician's life.

A Russian distributor censored scenes from "Rocketman" that featured gay sex and drug use, and John wrote in a joint statement with the filmmakers that it was a "sad reflection of the divided world we still live in and how it can still be so cruelly unaccepting of the love between two people."

Russian gay rights activists and prominent figures denounced the move. Although homosexuality is not criminalized in Russia, animosity toward gay people remains strong.

Samoa, which is home to about 200,000 people, also banned the 2008 movie "Milk," in which actor Sean Penn portrayed American gay activist Harvey Milk.

Since opening 10 days ago, Rocketman has taken in about $101 million at theaters around the world. </s> Image copyright Paramount Pictures Image caption The film tells the story of the musician's rise to fame and includes a male sex scene

Samoa has banned the Sir Elton John biopic Rocketman because of the film's depiction of gay sex.

Under Samoa's laws, sodomy is illegal and punishable by up to seven years in prison.

The country's principal censor told local media that the film did not "go well with cultural and Christian beliefs here".

It comes after Sir Elton criticised a Russian distributor's decision to cut sex scenes from the film.

The film tells the story of the musician's rise to fame and includes a male sex scene. It also includes images of Sir Elton, his husband and their children.

Apollo Cinemas in the Samoa's capital Apia wrote on its Facebook page: "Unfortunately due to censoring issues we have had to cancel 'Rocketman'".

Censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui told the Samoa Observer that the film is "not good for public viewing and violates laws against same-sex marriage."

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Rocketman is a musical film about Sir Elton John's career and how he broke into the industry

Films that include explicit sexual activity, explicit sexual violence, promotion of drugs or offence to religions are subject to bans, according to ABC.

Around 97% of Samoa's population is Christian. It is not the first time that the country has banned a film over "cultural and Christian beliefs".

In 2009, censors banned Milk, a film based on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. Samoa also banned The Da Vinci Code in 2006, arguing that it conflicted with the country's religious beliefs. </s> Paramount PicturesAfter reports that Russia was censoring parts of Rocketman, now comes news that the Elton John biopic has been banned in the Pacific nation of Samoa because of its depictions of homosexuality.

According to the Samoa Observer, Samoa’s principal censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui says the homosexual activity shown in the movie violates the country’s laws and isn’t in line with Samoa’s cultural and Christian beliefs.

Under Samoa’s 2013 Crimes Act, sodomy is deemed an offense punishable by up to seven years in prison, even if both parties consent.

Apollo Cinemas Samoa wrote on its Facebook page, “Unfortunately due to censoring issues we have had to cancel Rocketman.”

When a Russian distributor censored scenes from Rocketman featuring gay sex and drug use, Elton and the filmmakers denounced it in a joint statement.

They wrote in part, “That the local distributor has edited out certain scenes, denying the audience the opportunity to see the film as it was intended is a sad reflection of the divided world we still live in and how it can still be so cruelly unaccepting of the love between two people.” </s> The Pacific nation of Samoa has banned the Elton John biopic “Rocketman” because of its depictions of homosexuality.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Pacific nation of Samoa has banned the Elton John biopic “Rocketman” because of its depictions of homosexuality.

About 97% of people in Samoa identify as Christian, and the society is generally considered conservative and traditional. Under Samoa’s 2013 Crimes Act, sodomy is deemed an offense that is punishable by up to seven years in prison, even if both parties consent.

Samoa’s principal censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui told the Samoa Observer on Tuesday that the homosexual activity depicted on screen violated laws and didn’t sit well with the country’s cultural and Christian beliefs.

The censor did concede to the newspaper that “It’s a good story, in that it’s about an individual trying to move on in life.”

Apollo Cinemas Samoa wrote on Facebook that “due to censoring issues we have had to cancel Rocketman.”

The movie examines John’s sexuality and relationship with then-manager John Reid. It stars Taron Egerton who does his own singing as John in the musical fantasy that aims to capture the essence of the musician’s life.

A Russian distributor censored scenes from “Rocketman” that featured gay sex and drug use, and John wrote in a joint statement with the filmmakers that it was a “sad reflection of the divided world we still live in and how it can still be so cruelly unaccepting of the love between two people.”

Russian gay rights activists and prominent figures denounced the move. Although homosexuality is not criminalized in Russia, animosity toward gay people remains strong.

Samoa, which is home to about 200,000 people, also banned the 2008 movie “Milk,” in which actor Sean Penn portrayed American gay activist Harvey Milk.

Since opening 10 days ago, Rocketman has taken in about $101 million at theaters around the world. </s> The Elton John biopic Rocketman has reportedly been banned in the Pacific island nation of Samoa over its depiction of homosexuality.

Starring Taron Egerton, the film charts the British singer's rise to fame and his relationship with his former manager John Reid.

Scenes of kissing and sex between men, as well as drug use, contributed to it earning a 15 certificate in the UK.

Principal censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui told the Samoa Observer that the homosexual activity depicted in the film violated laws and did not sit well in the devoutly Christian country.

However, he did concede that "it's a good story, in that it's about an individual trying to move on in life".

Apollo Cinemas Samoa wrote on Facebook that "due to censoring issues we have had to cancel Rocketman".

About 97% of people in Samoa, which has a population of approximately 200,000 people, identify as Christian.

Gay sex is an offence punishable by up to seven years in prison - even if both parties consent.

Milk, the 2008 film in which Sean Penn portrayed gay activist Harvey Milk, and 2006's The Da Vinci Code - based on the theory that Jesus Christ married Mary Magdalene and bore children - were also banned in the nation.

The Rocketman ban comes the film's gay sex scenes were reportedly cut from the film by a distributor in Russia.

The Moscow Times quoted a Russian critic who first saw the film at its world premiere in Cannes as saying "all scenes with kissing, sex and oral sex between men have been cut", as well as a photo displayed during the end credits featuring Sir Elton and his husband David Furnish.

Sir Elton, 72, a prominent gay rights campaigner, released a joint statement with the makers of the film to accuse censors of being "cruelly unaccepting of the love between two people".

They said: "We reject in the strongest possible terms the decision to pander to local laws and censor Rocketman for the Russian market, a move we were unaware of until today.

"That the local distributor has edited out certain scenes, denying the audience the opportunity to see the film as it was intended, is a sad reflection of the divided world we still live in and how it can still be so cruelly unaccepting of the love between two people.

"We believe in building bridges and open dialogue, and will continue to push for the breaking down of barriers until all people are heard equally across the world."

Since opening, Rocketman has taken in about $101m (£79.5m) at theatres worldwide. </s> The South Pacific nation of Samoa said on Tuesday that it was banning the film "Rocketman" about the life of musician Elton John, over its depictions of gay romance. Gay sex can attract jail terms of up to seven years in the small nation of only 196,000 inhabitants.

Samoa's Principal Censor Leiataua Niuapu confirmed the ban, saying that the film was "not good for public viewing."

He told the Samoa Observer that the movie "violates laws against same-sex marriage and doesn't go well with cultural and Christian beliefs here."

"It's a good story, in that it's about an individual trying to move on in life," Niuapu said.

"He (Elton John) went through a difficult family life and managed to move on and become very successful. But there are acts that are not good for public viewing and against the law."

Christianity is the official religion of Samoa. However, many were keen to point out that films like last year's "Bohemian Rhapsody" were not banned, and neither were movies depicting acts like murder and premarital sex.

'There are more important issues'

Samoa is also known for its acceptance of fa'afafines, also called the "third sex" locally. Fa'afafines are men who dress as women and usually adopt what are considered feminine mannerisms.

"This censorship is yet another way for moral seekers to bash a few people for no good reason," said Tuisina Ymania Brown, a fa'afafine who is also co-secretary of the Geneva-based International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Assocation (ILGA).

Brown said that banning "Rocketman" was a slap in the face to a group that was part of Samoa's cultural heritage.

"Now are we saying that art that celebrates fa'afafines are not allowed?" she told Newsline Samoa.

"The power of the church has now reached into censoring the celebration of art. There are more important issues we should focus on, such as gender-based violence (and the) church paying taxes."

"Rocketman" focuses on Elton John's childhood and life of excess in the 1970s and 80s. While the film is not graphic, John rejected a call to tone down the drug use and sexuality, writing in The Observer: "I have not led a PG-13 life."

Both John and the film's star Taron Egerton have condemned the editing of the film in Russia to comply with the country's controversial "gay propaganda" laws. Five minutes of the movie have been cut in Russia, as well as a caption at the end of the film about how the rock star has found love with his husband David Furnish and their two children.

Every evening, DW sends out a selection of the day's news and features. Sign up here. </s> SYDNEY — Samoa has banned “Rocketman,” the movie-musical based on the life of British musician Elton John, over its depiction of homosexuality, the South Pacific island’s censor has said.

The film was banned last week because it clashed with Samoa’s “culture and our Christian beliefs,” the censor, Leiataua Niuapu Faaui, told the Samoa Observer newspaper on Monday.

About 97 percent of Samoa’s nearly 200,000 people are Christians and sodomy is a crime in the island nation.

“Rocketman” starring Taron Egerton, tracks Elton John’s first steps in the music business, from his piano playing as a child to his explosion onto the U.S. scene and its drug and alcohol-fueled party world.

Scenes involving gay sex and drug use were cut from a screening in Russia, drawing criticism from John and the film’s makers.
• ‘Rocketman’ music director-soundtrack producer ‘a bit like Gollum’ on the project

The movie, which has won warm reviews, began its worldwide rollout late in May.

“Unfortunately due to censoring issues we have had to cancel ‘Rocketman’,” Apollo Cinemas, in the Samoan capital Apia, said on its Facebook page. </s> APIA - Samoa has banned the blockbuster Elton John biopic Rocketman from cinemas over depictions of gay sex, which remains illegal in the Pacific island nation.

Samoa's Principal Censor Leiataua Niuapu confirmed the ban to local media this week, saying the film contained too many scenes that were "not good for public viewing".

Niuapu told the Samoa Observer that the movie "violates laws against same-sex marriage and doesn't go well with cultural and Christian beliefs here".

"It's a good story, in that it's about an individual trying to move on in life," he said.

"He (Elton John) went through a difficult family life and managed to move on and become very successful. But there are acts that are not good for public viewing and against the law."

Samoa is a devoutly Christian nation and gay sex can attract jail terms of up to seven years, according to London-based lobby group Human Dignity Trust, although it notes authorities do not actively enforce the laws.

The country is also well known for its acceptance of fa'afafines -- men who dress as women and adopt female mannerisms -- known locally as the third sex.

"This censorship is yet another way for moral seekers to bash a few people for no good reason," Tuisina Ymania Brown, a Samoan fa'afafine who is co-secretary of Geneva-based rights group ILGA.

She said fa'afafines were part of Samoa's cultural fabric and the Rocketman ban was a contradiction of the tolerance they enjoyed.

"Now are we saying that art that celebrates fa'afafines are not allowed?" she told Newsline Samoa.

"The power of the church has now reached into censoring the celebration of art. There are more important issues we should focus on, such as gender-based violence (and the) church paying taxes."

Samoa also banned the 2009 movie Milk about pioneering US gay activist Harvey Milk, but last year's "Bohemian Rhapsody" was screened without attracting any complaints.

In Russia, the gay sex scenes were cut from Rocketman, prompting condemnation from Elton John and the stars of the movie.
Samoa bans the film Rocketman for its depictions of gay sex.