Amid an escalating crackdown on LGBT rights in Russia, a new book about Pier Paolo Pasolini, the openly gay Italian filmmaker, has faced severe censorship by a Russian publisher. Roberto Carnero, author and professor of Italian literature, aimed to shine a light on Pasolini’s life and works, but found his efforts blackened—literally. The Russian edition of his book, “Pasolini: Dying for One’s Own Ideas,” saw roughly 70 of its 400 pages obscured with black bars, complying with the country’s stringent laws against “LGBT propaganda.”
The Irony of Censorship
The censored sections, which deal with Pasolini’s personal life and are not explicitly sexual, reflect the dire circumstances for freedom of expression under Russian governance. Carnero, in an interview, expressed his concern, labeling such acts as typical of dictatorships. This sentiment echoes wider criticisms of Russia’s policies, which classify the “LGBT movement” as extremist. Pasolini, known for his outspoken Marxist views and critiques of corruption, ironically becomes a symbol of resistance and censorship in this context.
Artistic Expression in an Oppressive Regime
AST, the Russian publisher, defended its decision to redact rather than remove sections of the book, suggesting that it turns the work into an interactive challenge for readers to seek the truth themselves. This approach has sparked interest, with the initial print run selling out quickly. Despite the obstacles, the act of publishing a censored book becomes a subtle form of protest, highlighting the challenges and paradoxes faced by advocates of free expression in increasingly authoritarian regimes.