The highly anticipated release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has hit a roadblock in the Middle East, entangled in a censorship dispute surrounding perceived LGBTQ+ themes in the film. Vox Cinemas, a prominent theatre chain in the region, confirmed that the release, originally scheduled for July 18, has been postponed to August 31.
According to a source cited by Variety, the delay stems from demands by censors to remove LGBTQ+-themed content from the movie’s Middle East version. This has led to uncertainty, as the requested cuts are unlikely to be approved by Warner Bros. studio, potentially leading to a complete ban of the film in some countries in the region. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain have already confirmed that Barbie will not be screened in their territories.
While the film boasts prominent LGBTQ+ actors like Hari Nef and Kate McKinnon, overt LGBTQ+ content is limited, with subtle subtext and queer-coded moments sprinkled throughout the narrative.
Notably, Hollywood films often undergo regional cuts before their release in the Middle East, conforming to censorship regulations. Studios that resist these cuts are frequently banned entirely from screening their movies in the affected countries. A recent example was the ban of the Toy Story spinoff Lightyear in 14 countries after Disney refused to remove a same-sex kiss scene.
Disney’s handling of LGBTQ+ representation has been a subject of controversy, with Pixar employees voicing concerns about the removal of overtly gay affection from their films. However, in response to the outcry, a same-sex kiss scene in Lightyear was reinstated. Actor Chris Evans, who played Buzz in the film, expressed his happiness at the inclusion of the scene, but also frustration that it became a topic of discussion.
In this ongoing debate, the hope remains that authentic representation becomes the norm in filmmaking, embracing diversity without hesitation. As audiences demand more inclusive narratives, the film industry faces a pivotal moment of change.