‘GAY western’ Brokeback Mountain has reportedly been banned from cinemas in China, according to reports.

Censors have deemed the Oscar favourite to be too controversial to be shown in a country which considers homosexuality a taboo.

The film is one of two blockbusters that will probably not be shown in China, according to industry paper Daily Variety.

The other is Rob Marshall’s Memoirs of a Geisha, as anti-Japanese sentiment remains strong in the country ever since Japan’s occupation of China until the end of World War II.

Ironically, China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television had approved Memoirs of a Geisha for distribution but senior government officials reversed the decision because of the controversy surrounding ethnic Chinese actors playing Japanese characters.

Both films are tipped for nominations at the forthcoming Oscars, which are due to be announced in America on Tuesday (January 31, 2006).

Brokeback Mountain, by acclaimed Taiwanese director Ang Lee, is is a firm favourite in the best film, best director and best actor categories, having dominated the 2006 Hollywood awards season so far.

It has already taken the best drama honours at the Golden Globe Awards and has been named best film by a number of other critical organisations.

• Delicious
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• Stumbleupon