Lightyear, the latest film from Disney Pixar, has apparently been banned in 14 countries over a gay kiss featured in the film.
Earlier this year, a gay kiss that featured in Lightyear was cut due to pushback from Disney. This obviously received a large amount of backlash from fans, and it is now in the film again. However, as a result the film has now been banned in 14 countries (via Reuters).
The film has been banned in the United Arab Emirates, which tweeted an explanation as to why the film had been banned. “The Media Regulatory Office announced that the animated film Lightyear, which is scheduled for release on 16th June, is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards,” reads the tweet.
why has lightyear been banned?
This is due to laws in the UAE that criminalise same-sex relationshpis. As reported by The Independent, Disney has supposedly been unable to secure a release for Lightyear in other countries like Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Egypt, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Whether the film is going to be released in China is also up in the air currently. Though as the South China Morning Post reports, it’s unlikely to do so.
The kiss in question is reported to be between the character Hawthorne, voiced by Uzo Aduba, and a woman she is in a relationship with.
At the London premiere for the event, Chris Evans (the voice of Buzz Lightyear) said that the criticisms of the same-sex kiss were “frustrating.”
“It’s great that we are a part of something that’s making steps forward in the social inclusion capacity, but it’s frustrating that there are still places that aren’t where they should be,” said Evans.
Lightyear is technically set in the world of Toy Story, in that it’s meant to be the film that spurs Andy to ask for a Buzz Lightyear toy for his birthday.
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Featured Image Credit: Disney