Authorities in Lebanon have taken the decision to ban the screening of the “Barbie” movie in cinemas, citing concerns that the film promotes homosexuality and goes against the country’s moral and religious values.
The move comes after Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada postponed the movie’s release until late August, asserting that the film contradicts Lebanon’s core principles. Minister Mortada also stated that the movie “promotes sexual deviance and transsexuality,” a reference commonly used in the region to allude to homosexuality. This prohibition emerges against the backdrop of a surge in anti-LGBTQ sentiments expressed by some political figures and officials in Lebanon and the broader Middle East. Lebanon, once known for its social liberalism in the region, has been tightening its grip on LGBTQ-related activities. Kuwait has also joined in the ban on the “Barbie” movie, asserting that the film endorses behavior deemed contrary to societal norms.
The movie “Barbie,” despite facing bans in various regions, has remarkably surpassed box office predictions by achieving over $1 billion in revenue within three weeks of its release. This series of bans comes in conjunction with the film’s prohibition in Vietnam earlier in July due to a portrayal of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
