2023-06-16 17:53:02
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The new blockbuster movie “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (“Spider-Man: through the Spider-Verse”) has been abruptly pulled from movie theaters in more than a dozen Muslim-majority countries without explanation , apparently for the inclusion of a poster with the trans flag who briefly appears in the background of a room.
Empire Entertainment, the Middle East distributor of the Sony Pictures animated film, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
No explicit bans were announced for the film, but there were indications that it will not hit the screens.
“Across the Spider-Verse” is also not expected to be shown in the United Arab Emirates, said a source close to the film who was not authorized to speak publicly. The source cited the strict censorship of the country to films for children and younger viewers.
On Saudi Cinema’s official Twitter page, a statement with an attached movie poster said the organization will not approve any film that contradicts the nation’s media content regulations and whose “production companies do not commit to implementing the required amendments.” ”.
The superhero movie featuring Marvel Comics character Miles Morales as Spider-Man debuted in US theaters in early June, tripling the domestic opening weekend revenue of its Oscar-winning prequel.
It was initially scheduled to open in the Middle East on June 22, before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. The film was included in theaters last week in countries including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon and Egypt, but was abruptly and quietly withdrawn..
No reasons were given, but the brief transgender reference might have offended Arab countries where Muslim majorities, guided by Islamic or sharia law, often regard homosexuality and transgender identity as sinful and contrary to their religious beliefs and norms. social.
The film includes a scene in which a transgender flag printed with the words “Protect trans children” is seen hanging in the bedroom of Gwen Stacy, a spider girlwhose English voice is played by actress Hailee Steinfeld.
The United Arab Emirates, home to the futuristic city of Dubai and the world’s tallest skyscraper, has not officially banned the film. The federation of seven emirates once announced an end to censorship of film releases in an effort to boost its brand as a liberal hub attractive to foreigners, but has continued to pull some films from its theaters.
Emaar Entertainment, a state-owned entity and parent company of the major United Arab Emirates film company, Reel Cinemas, confirmed to The Associated Press that it will not screen “Across the Spider-Verse.”. The company blamed the decision on Empire Entertainment, the exclusive theatrical distributor of Sony Pictures films in the Middle East.
Messages were sent to Empire Entertainment, the UAE Ministry of Youth and Culture, and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for comment with no response.
In a similar incident, Disney’s “Lightyear” was banned in 13 Muslim-majority countries last year for featuring a lesbian kiss scene. The scene was cut from the film but reinstated following Pixar employees protested Disney’s response to Florida legislation that opponents dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
“Into the Spider-Verse”, the prequel to “Across the Spider-Verse”, had a successful season in the region when it premiered in 2018. Children in Lebanon carry backpacks with Miles Morales, the main character of the franchise and the first black Spider-Man, while malls in the United Arab Emirates sell action figures of the superheroes from the film.
“Across the Spider-Verse” is the second part of a trilogy that will conclude with a third installment scheduled to hit theaters next year.
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