Elton John's biopic 'Rocketman' banned in Samoa over gay scenes

Onscreen depiction of homosexuality in Elton John's biopic 'Rocketman' was too much for conservative Pacific nation Samoa so they banned it, Deutsche Welle reports. Samoa's principal censor, Leiataua Niuapu Faaui, said 'Rocketman's' homosexual content clashed with residents' strong Christian beliefs and violated the country's laws, including the 2013 Crimes Act, under which sodomy is punishable by up to seven years in prison. Despite choosing to outlaw the film, Faaui admitted - "it's a good story, in that it's about an individual trying to move on in life". The film adaptation of the openly gay star's life, starring Taron Egerton as the rock legend, doesn't shy away from the sex and drug-fuelled days of his early career. A few days ago Russian distributors censored the movie as well - they removed gay sex and drug trafficking scenes from the biopic to comply with strict Russian legislation, which makes it illegal to show homosexual relationships in the media.