Middle East

Australian actor Zoe Terakes has raised their voice against the banning of their recent horror film, "Talk To Me," in Kuwait due to their gender identity. Terakes, a non-binary trans masculine actor, garnered attention as the first openly transgender actor cast in the MCU. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Kuwait, a conservative Gulf state, has imposed a ban on the film, underscoring the nation's history of censoring or heavily editing films with progressive themes. While the film has had a smooth release in other Gulf territories, Kuwait's ban stands out for targeting an actor's identity rather than the content of the film itself. Terakes portrays the role of Hayley, a party host, with their gender identity unmentioned in the film. Expressing disappointment, Terakes shared their thoughts on Instagram, highlighting the broader pattern of banning films with queer or trans themes in the Gulf region. Terakes clarified that "Talk To Me" doesn't explicitly tackle queer or trans themes, emphasizing that they are an actor, not a theme. The ban, based solely on their identity, sets a concerning precedent. The actor stressed the significance of representation as a source of hope and resilience for marginalized communities. Terakes pointed out that the ban won't erase the existence of trans people and encouraged support for LGBTQ+ initiatives like Rainbow Railroad. The incident highlights the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Kuwait and echoes a larger pattern of film censorship in the Middle East. While the ban remains, Terakes' stance sheds light on the power of representation and the continued fight for acceptance and equality on screens worldwide.