May 23, 2022 | Arts / Entertainment

Why is the film "Shortbus" banned on Amazon Prime?

Shortbus is too offensive for Prime.

The 2006 film is an erotic comedy-drama written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. It follows a sexually diverse group of emotionally challenged characters who are trying to desperately connect in New York City.

It has been submitted to the streaming service five different times, and on each occassion has been refused.

Prime has given two reasons for the rejection: that the movie's "captions are out of sync" and because it includes "offensive content."

The movie's distributer, Oscilloscope Laboratories, called out Prime for the decision.

The company posted on Instagram: "SHORTBUS is the movie [Jeff Bezos] doesn't want you to see! Despite there being plenty of other films on Prime with dicks & real sex, #ShortbusMovie has been BANNED from the platform."

"There’s no shortage of dicks readily available on Amazon, and apparently, there are plenty behind the scenes too," added Dan Berger, president of Oscilloscope. "The prudishness and utter hypocrisy of refusing to carry this film — one that is the height of healthy representation, inclusiveness, and support for a community often persecuted — only further perpetuates abuse and they should be ashamed."

Some of the moments Prime has trouble with may include these: