The media regulatory office of the Ministry of Youth and Culture declared on Twitter that the film would not be authorized to be screened in the country because it breaks national standards in terms of content. Other countries would have made a similar decision.
Le Monde with AFP and reuters
The United Arab Emirates (Water) prohibited Monday, June 13, the projection in theaters of the animated feature film “Buzz l’Éclair” of Walt Disney-Pixar, because it stages a relationship between two characters of the same sex . The executive director of the media regulatory office, Rashid Khalfan Al Nuaimi, told Reuters that the film was prohibited due to the inclusion of “homosexual” characters in several scenes. Homosexuality is a crime punishable by the federal penal code with the United Arab Emirates. Disney has not yet wanted to express themselves.
“Buzz l’Éclair”, which was to go out to the water on Thursday, June 16, stages the famous character of the saga “Toy Story”, but also a female character, Alisha Hawthorne, who is in a relationship with another Woman, whom she kisses in the film. A scene that had been initially cut by Pixar studios, Disney subsidiary.
A scene that disrupted production
Pixar and Disney employees then insurgent, criticizing the attitude of the world’s number one in entertainment, accused of not committing to defend the rights of LGBTQ +.
The controversy had been further revived after the adoption in Florida of a controversial law prohibiting teachings on sexual orientation in public schools. Bob Chapek, the CEO of the company which employs more than 75,000 people in its Disney World amusement park in Orlando, in this state in the south-east of the United States, had found itself in the turmoil after saying hesitating to oppose this law.
According to specialized media from Hollywood, it was following this controversy that the kissing scene was reintegrated into “Buzz l’Eclair”. It now appears in all versions of the film, regardless of the country of destination. The film producer, Galyn Susman, tackled the subject in early April by presenting the film to the press. “Being able to put this kiss was important for us. It is a touching moment” having a great meaning in the plot because it allows Buzz to realize that, unlike his friend, he does not have to be loved or of children, she explained.
other countries should follow
A source having access to the file, was questioned by the France-Presse agency. Eleven other countries could follow up on the water. The list of these countries, the vast majority of Muslim, is the following: Malaysia, Indonesia, Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian territories, Syria and Iraq. >
“Buzz L’Éclair” should therefore not be projected in Indonesia or Malaysia, two countries in Southeast Asia to the ultra-majority Muslim population. “We have suggested that the owners of the film think of their audience in Indonesia, where a kiss between LGBT persons is still considered sensitive,” said France-Presse Rommy Fibri Hardiyanto, Indonesian head of the censorship commission placed under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Culture.
The film is not prohibited strictly speaking in Indonesia but the authorities say they still wait for the “final version” requested from Disney, especially with the subtitles. “The ball is in their camp,” said Rommy Fibri Hardiyanto. In Malaysia, the Censure Office asked Disney to cut two scenes “which are not suitable for children,” said an official of the Interior Ministry who asked to remain anonymous.