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LOS ANGELES: Disney’s animated movie ‘Lightyear’ has been banned from cinemas in the United Arab Emirates and unable to obtain permission in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries including China.
The film was banned for its “violation of the country’s media content standards”, the UAE’s Media Regulatory Office tweeted, with a picture of the main character Buzz Lightyear covered by a ‘No’ symbol — a red circle with a diagonal stripe through it.
The violation in question was not specified although a film briefly features a same-sex kiss. According to reports, the scane was edited out but reinstated following complaints from staff at the Disney-owned Pixar animation studio.
“The Media Regulatory Office announced that the animated film Lightyear, which is scheduled for release on June 16, is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards,” the office tweeted.
The “Lightyear” ban comes just six months after the UAE said it would stop censoring cinematic releases and announced a 21-plus age rating for films it classifies for mature audiences. The UAE is considered one of the more liberal countries in the Gulf region, where films with adult content are routinely cut or edited.
In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the body that vets films declined to comment about whether “Lightyear” would be shown. In April, Saudi Arabia requested cuts to “LGBTQ references” in Disney’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, which was ultimately not screened in the country.
According to reports, Disney has been unable to obtain permission to show its new movie in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries and the animated film appeared unlikely to open in China, the world’s largest movie market. Authorities in China had asked for cuts to the movie which Disney declined to make.
‘Lightyear’ is a prequel to Pixar’s acclaimed “Toy Story” franchise. Chris Evans voices the lead character, Buzz Lightyear, a legendary space ranger. The film is set to debut in theaters in the United States and Canada on Friday.
In the film, Buzz’s close friend is a female space ranger who marries another woman. A scene showing milestones in the couple’s relationship includes a brief kiss.
