Countries in the Middle East and West Asia censored the “Toy Story” spin-off. With this, the film joins “Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness” and “Eternals”
“Lightyear”, the new film from the animation film studio Pixar, is being censored in at least 14 countries. The list is headed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and other West Asian nations. The reason? The inclusion of a kiss between two women in one of his scenes.
As reported by Variety magazine, the sequence was originally removed by Pixar and then reinserted when animators criticized Disney for “censoring gay affection.” In the film, Alisha’s character, Buzz Lightyear’s commander, forms a new family with her partner and the two greet each other by kissing each other on the mouth.
The publication of the American media also indicates that “Lightyear” was never submitted for review by the censorship authorities of Saudi Arabia, assuming that it would not obtain authorization for its launch in the country.
In the case of the United Arab Emirates, on the other hand, it did initially get the green light, since the restrictions in the cinematographic field have been relaxed in recent years. However, in a turn of events, the license to reproduce the film was revoked in the Asian country after messages on social networks accusing Disney and “Lightyear” of insulting Muslims and Islam.
Homosexuality is considered a crime in many Middle Eastern countries.
Censorship in China
China, the world’s largest film market, asked Disney to remove some scenes from “Lightyear”, a request that was declined, so the Asian giant could also ban the film.
“We’re not going to cut anything, especially something as important as the inspiring, loving relationship that teaches Buzz what he’s missing out on by the choices he’s making, so that’s not going to be cut,” producer Galyn Susman said.
The Toy Story spin-off thus joins the list of films that have been affected in that area of the Asian continent for including LGBTI content.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” from Marvel was also removed for the inclusion of a gay character, as was “Eternals”, after Disney refused to make edits that included another same-sex kiss. The same thing happened with “West Side Story”tape that included a transgender character.
“Lightyear tells the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy. The film tells what happens to the legendary Space Guardian after he is trapped on a hostile planet 4.2 million light years from Earth along with his commander and his crew, ”the synopsis details.
“Buzz tries to find a way to get back home through space and time, and to do so, he relies on a group of ambitious recruits as well as Sox, his lovable robot cat. But the arrival of Zurg, a commanding presence with a ruthless robot army and a mysterious agenda, further complicates matters and jeopardizes the mission.”
“Lightyear” opens in Chile on Thursday, June 16 in Mexico, while in the US and Spain it will be presented in theaters on Friday, June 17.