Current:Home > StocksLebanon, Kuwait attempt to ban 'Barbie' for 'homosexuality,' gender themes-InfoLens
Lebanon, Kuwait attempt to ban 'Barbie' for 'homosexuality,' gender themes
View Date:2024-12-23 16:36:52
DUBAI — “Barbie” is set to open across the Middle East on Thursday, but moves by Kuwait and Lebanon to ban the film over its themes on gender and sexuality have raised questions over how widely it will be released.
Kuwait announced its ban late Wednesday, saying the film promotes “ideas and beliefs that are alien to the Kuwaiti society and public order,” without elaborating, according to a statement published by the state-run KUNA news agency.
In Lebanon, Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada said the film was found to “contradict values of faith and morality” and “promote homosexuality and sexual transformation.” His request to ban the film was forwarded to Lebanon’s General Security agency, which falls under the Interior Ministry and traditionally handles censorship decisions, to make the final verdict.
The move has already sparked an uproar in Lebanon, which has long been an island of relative tolerance for homosexuality. Across the Middle East, many Muslims, Christians and Jews consider homosexuality to be sinful. In some parts of the Arab world, members of the LGBTQ+ community have been arrested and sentenced to prison. In Iraq, regulators have even banned media from using the word “homosexuality,” instead ordering outlets to refer to it as “sexual deviance.”
The film does not include any overt sexuality, but the all-star cast includes Kate McKinnon, who is gay, and Hari Nef, who is transgender. Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, also sometimes behaves in a feminine manner that would be controversial in much of the Middle East.
Many in the LGBTQ+ community have embraced the film, even as some have criticized it as pushing a heteronormative narrative.
The Warner Bros. movie about the iconic dolls has grossed over $1 billion in less than a month since opening in other markets. The film — led and produced by Margot Robbie, directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig — crossed $400 million domestic and $500 million internationally faster than any other movie at the studio, including the "Harry Potter" films.
It is set to open in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on Thursday evening.
Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have invested billions of dollars in sports, entertainment and tourism in recent years. But like much of the rest of the Middle East, they criminalize homosexuality and view LGBTQ+ advocacy as a threat to their societies that must be quashed.
America Ferrera's 'Barbie' speech:This moment said what all women are thinking and quickly went viral
The film’s release in the region was initially planned for Aug. 31 but was recently brought forward, indicating that any censorship issues had been resolved. Films are often delayed for release in the region to allow time for production companies to censor them or for committees to review them.
Warner Bros. did not respond to requests for comments about whether or not the movie was censored for release in the region.
'Barbie':Is the movie appropriate for kids? Here's what parents should know
veryGood! (6976)
Related
- Catholic bishops urged to boldly share church teachings — even unpopular ones
- Orville Peck praises Willie Nelson's allyship after releasing duet to gay cowboy anthem
- Watch rare pink volcanic vortex bubbles spew out of Italy's Mount Etna
- 2024 CMT Music Awards celebrated country music Sunday night. Here's what to know for the show.
- Melissa Gilbert recalls 'painful' final moment with 'Little House' co-star Michael Landon
- Dominic Purcell Mourns Death of Dad Joseph Purcell
- TikTok Can’t Get Enough of This $15 Retinol Cream & More Products From an Under-The-Radar Skincare Brand
- Flooding across Russia's west from melting mountain snow and ice forces mass evacuations
- Police cruiser strikes and kills a bicyclist pulling a trailer in Vermont
- A man led police on a car chase, drove off a 100-foot cliff on Long Island and survived
Ranking
- Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
- 2-time All-Star Ja Morant defended himself during pickup game fight, judge says
- Watch the total solar eclipse eclipse the Guardians White Sox game in Cleveland
- Next stop for Caitlin Clark is WNBA. What kind of player will she be for Indiana Fever?
- Shocked South Carolina woman walks into bathroom only to find python behind toilet
- Maryland lawmakers OK plan to rebuild Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness
- Youngkin amends Virginia ‘skill games’ legislation, takes other action on final batch of bills
- West Virginia had a whopping 5 tornadoes last week, more than double the yearly average
Recommendation
-
U.S.-Mexico water agreement might bring relief to parched South Texas
-
At movie industry convention, leaders say blockbusters alone aren’t enough
-
Nate Oats shuts down Kentucky rumors. 'I am fully committed' to Alabama
-
Eva Mendes' Brother Carlo Mendez Shares What She and Ryan Gosling Are Like as Parents
-
Prosecutors say some erroneous evidence was given jurors at ex-Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial
-
Zoo animals got quiet, exhibited nighttime behavior during total solar eclipse
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Noodle Around
-
'I lost my 3-year-old': Ohio mom shares tip that brought her child back to safety