KUWAIT CITY – Kuwait has barred hit movie “Barbie” from cinemas over considerations about “public ethics”, officers have mentioned, additionally confirming a separate ban on a horror film that includes a transgender actor.
“Barbie” and “Talk to Me” each “promulgate ideas and beliefs that are alien to the Kuwaiti society and public order”, Lafy Al-Subei’e, head of Kuwait’s cinema censorship committee, informed the official KUNA news company.
While deciding on any international film, the committee normally orders “censoring of the scenes that run counter to public ethics”, Subei’e was quoted as saying late on Wednesday.
“But (if) a film carries alien concepts, message or unacceptable behaviour, the committee decides to bar the stuff in question as a whole,” he mentioned.
Gulf Arab states together with Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia — all of which outlaw homosexuality — routinely censor movies that include LGBTQ references.
Most not too long ago, they banned the most recent Spider-Man animation in June, reportedly over a scene that features a transgender pleasure flag.
However, “Barbie”, which has taken greater than $1 billion worldwide, is being proven in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain.
In Lebanon, Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada mentioned on Wednesday he had requested authorities to ban “Barbie” for purportedly “promoting homosexuality”, although the movie doesn’t include any overt references to same-sex relationships or queer themes.
“Talk to Me”, which is proven in Emirati and Saudi theatres, options Australian transgender actor Zoe Terakes however no express LGBTQ references.
“Our film doesn’t have queer themes,” Terakes mentioned in a press release posted on social media on Sunday, after the ban was first reported.
“I am a trans actor who happened to get the role. I’m not a theme. I’m a person,” added Terakes who identifies as non-binary. — Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
