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Topics: News, Film and TV, World News, LGBTQ
Charisa Bossinakis
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has been banned from being released in Saudi Arabia and UAE after failing to pass the censorship requirements.
Saudi Cinema, which is managed by the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, reported that the highly anticipated animated film would not be released in some parts of the Gulf region.
The authority said that the movie ‘contradicts the content controls in force' and therefore would not hit local theaters.
“Out of our keenness on the safety of the content shown in cinemas, and our responsibility towards the viewers, we would like to point out that we will not permit or license any film that contradicts the content controls in force in the media system… and its implementing regulations, unless the production companies commit to implementing the required amendments,” the statement on social media read.
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While it’s unclear why the agency banned the release, many have speculated it's due to the movie’s brief inclusion of a pro-trans flag.
Fans have also suggested that the character known as Gwen is transgender.
One person on Twitter fiercely criticized the General Commission for Audiovisual Media over it's decision, writing: “Grow up people are going to be LGBTQ no matter how many sanctions you put the best thing you should do is let them be open and accept them suppressing people won’t stop queer people we deserve to be seen and deserve a voice we have been around forever.”
Another said: “People wondering why #PrideMonth is important, this is why. It's not just about pride in America; it's the world.”
A third commented: “Banning a movie over a flag that you see for five seconds is crazy.”
UNILAD has approached the General Commission for Audiovisual Media for comment.
It comes after Pixar’s Lightyear was banned last year in Saudi Arabia as it includes a same-sex kiss and homosexual themes.
The film, set in the same universe as Toy Story, includes a kiss scene between Alisha Hawthorne, voiced by Orange Is the New Black actor Uzo Aduba, and another female character.
Nations in the Middle East, including The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar, also prohibited distributing the film.
The UEA issued a statement issued to Twitter, saying: "The office confirms that all films screened in cinemas across the country are subject to follow-up and evaluation before the date of screening to the public, to ensure the safety of the circulated content according to the appropriate age classification."
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, West Side Story and Eternals had also been banned due to Gulf censorship restricting LGBTQI+ storylines.