Kuwait has banned Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling starrer ‘Barbie’ from cinemas over concerns of “public ethics,” according to officials.
The Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, “promulgate ideas and beliefs that are alien to the Kuwaiti society and public order,” Lafy Al-Subeie, head of Kuwait’s cinema censorship committee, told the official KUNA news agency.
While deciding on any foreign movie, the committee usually orders “censoring of the scenes that run counter to public ethics”, Al-Subeie said on Wednesday, adding that “[if] a film carries alien concepts, message or unacceptable behavior, the committee decides to bar the stuff in question as a whole,” he said.
This is the second movie Kuwait has banned this week. The state had banned the horror movie ‘Talk to Me’ featuring a transgender actor.
Gulf Arab states including Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia had also banned the latest Spider-Man animation in June, reportedly over a scene that shows a transgender pride flag.
Lebanon moves to ban Barbie movie for ‘promoting homosexuality’
Lebanon’s culture minister Mohammad Mortada said he had asked authorities to ban ‘Barbie’ for “promoting homosexuality.”
Mortada has expressed concerns about a storyline that, according to him, challenges traditional parental roles, particularly fathers’ guardianship, while possibly diminishing the importance of mothers.
These sentiments have led to discussions around the necessity of marriage and forming a family.
Supporting this perspective is the backing of the Shia group Hezbollah, led by Hassan Nasrallah, who has intensified his rhetoric against the LGBT community.
Nasrallah’s recent speech advocated for severe punishment, even death, for homosexual acts, and he urged Lebanese authorities to prohibit materials promoting homosexuality.
He considers homosexuality a “imminent danger” to Lebanon that requires immediate action.
In late July, Nasrallah remarked that a person engaging in homosexual behavior, even if unmarried, should face capital punishment.
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