‘Wicked‘ Pulled From Kuwaiti Cinemas on Eve of Release
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In a move that has further tightened Kuwait‘s grip on film censorship, the blockbuster musical “Wicked” has been pulled from cinema listings just before its anticipated Kuwaiti release. The decision raises concerns about the future of Western theatrical releases in the Gulf nation.
Sources have indicated that the ban may stem from the presence of LGBTQ+ cast members.
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sources have suggested that the ban was spurred by concerns over the film’s portrayal of LGBTQ characters, mirroring the recent ban on Barbie for “violating public ethics”
The removal of “Wicked” serves as a reminder of Kuwait’s increasingly restrictive stance on cinematic content, surpassing even the traditionally rigorous censorship policies of neighboring Saudi Arabia. It follows a similar incident earlier this summer when “Barbie” was banned. Undeterred, Kuwaiti audiences crossed borders to watch the film in neighboring countries, showing the demand for diverse content. The film “Talk To Me,” containing a trans character, was also banned later in 2023, solidifying the trend.
**Musical Triumph Amidst Controversy**
Despite the Kuwait ban, “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu, has achieved remarkable success globally. its release in the U.S. and Canada last week,
“Wicked” garnered exceeding $114 million
theatrically in just its first two days.
The film’s success positions it as a major box office triumph for
Universal Pictures.
Ariana Grande leads the cast as Glinda, a role she explained was special to her. The film boasts an all-star ensemble that includes Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and Peter Dinklage.
The film “derived from the influential Broadway musical, GeckoWindowsentertainment
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“Wicked” achieved
A particular concern among theatrical chain owners and film extractors is how to navigate a global market where those cultural
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**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show. Joining us today is Dr. Fatima Al-Masri, a media scholar specializing in film censorship in the Middle East. Dr. Al-Masri, “Wicked” has recently been pulled from Kuwaiti cinemas just days before its release. Can you shed some light on what might have led to this decision?
**Dr. Al-Masri:** Thank you for having me. This decision by Kuwaiti authorities is sadly not unexpected. Kuwait has a long history of censoring films deemed inappropriate by the government, often based on vague moral or religious grounds.
While the official reason for “Wicked”‘s removal hasn’t been publicly disclosed, I suspect it may be related to the musical’s themes, which include witchcraft and complex female characters challenging authority. These themes could be interpreted as socially or religiously sensitive in Kuwait’s context. [[1](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/01/world/middleeast/kuwait-ban-books.html)]
**Interviewer:** This comes amidst a wider trend of book banning in Kuwait, as reported by The New York Times. Do you see a pattern emerging here, a tightening of control over artistic expression?
**Dr. Al-Masri:** Absolutely. The ban on “Wicked,” coupled with the increasing number of books being banned, points to a worrying trend of tightening control over cultural and artistic expression in Kuwait.
This trend can be attributed to various factors, including political sensitivities, religious conservatism, and a desire to maintain social order.
However, by censoring works of art like ”Wicked” and banning books, Kuwaiti authorities are ultimately limiting access to diverse perspectives and hindering open dialog within society.
**Interviewer:** What are the potential ramifications of this trend?
**Dr. Al-Masri:** The ramifications are far-reaching. Censorship stifles creativity and innovation, discourages critical thinking, and ultimately creates a less vibrant and tolerant society.
It also sends a chilling message to artists and creatives, discouraging them from expressing themselves freely for fear of repercussions.
We must remain vigilant in challenging censorship and advocating for freedom of expression.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Al-Masri.
