James Franco Defends 'I Want Your Love,' Gay Film Banned In Australia

James Franco is speaking out against Australia's ban on "I Want Your Love," the new gay-themed film directed by Travis Mathews.

In a new video originally posted by Out Magazine, Franco, who collaborated with Mathews on "Interior. Leather Bar.," calls the Australian Classification Board's decision to yank the film from planned screenings at gay film festivals in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane "really silly" and "very short-sighted."

Noting that "sex in films hasn't had a chance to grow and become a sophisticated storytelling device," Franco adds, "Frankly, adults should be able to choose ... I don't know why in this day and age, something like this...is being banned. It's just embarrassing."

According to its official website, "I Want Your Love" tells the story of a young gay man in San Francisco who prepares to return to his Midwestern roots. "Torn between his creative dreams and the reality of earning a living, he's forced to take responsibility by redefining what it means to be an artist, a gay man, and an adult," a synopsis reads.

Mathews served as co-director and screenwriter of "Interior. Leather Bar.," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

"Every f**king love story is a dude that wants to be with a girl, and the only way they’re going to end up happy is if they walk off into the sunset together,” Franco told Entertainment Weekly before the premiere of his film. “I’m f**king sick of that s**t. So if there’s a way for me to just break that up in my own mind, I’m all for it."