According to Kuwaiti officials. Alongside this ban, a horror movie titled “Talk to Me,” featuring a transgender actor, has also been prohibited. These decisions have been made by Kuwait’s cinema censorship committee, led by Lafy Al-Subei’e, who expressed that both movies introduce ideas and beliefs that are considered foreign to Kuwaiti society and public order.Lafy Al-Subei’e stated that the committee typically engages in censoring scenes that conflict with public ethics when evaluating foreign films. However, in cases where a film is deemed to carry concepts, messages, or behaviors that are considered alien or unacceptable, the committee opts to impose a complete ban on the movie.
It is noteworthy that many Gulf Arab states, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, frequently engage in censoring films that feature LGBTQ references. These countries have laws that criminalize homosexuality, which reflects in their strict approach to films containing such themes. As an example, a recent Spider-Man animation was banned in June due to a scene featuring a transgender pride flag.Interestingly, “Barbie,” despite being banned in Kuwait, is still being shown in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada has requested authorities to ban the film under the accusation of “promoting homosexuality,” even though the film itself doesn’t explicitly depict same-sex relationships or LGBTQ themes.
The movie “Talk to Me,” which showcases Australian transgender actor Zoe Terakes, has also faced censorship in Kuwait, even though it contains no direct LGBTQ references. Terakes, who identifies as non-binary, clarified that the film doesn’t revolve around queer themes but rather features a transgender actor in a role. This highlights the complexities surrounding the censorship of films and the portrayal of diverse identities in various contexts.In a social media statement, Terakes emphasized that they are not just a theme, but a person, expressing their identity as a trans actor who happened to be cast in the film. This distinction underscores the need for nuanced discussions and considerations when assessing movies, especially in relation to sensitive societal and ethical concerns.
