Barbie has been receiving widespread acclaim, grossing a whole billion dollars worldwide, and is estimated to earn more in the near future. Propelled by the lore of Barbie that has been the light of millions of childhoods around the world and being the more powerful half of the Barbenheimer phenomenon – the movie has clearly cemented itself as a modern classic. Critics have been praising the film for its handling of themes of feminism, toxic masculinity and the like, and Greta Gerwig is on to establish herself as one of the newest most profitable directors in the industry.
Why The Movie Is Facing Bans in Kuwait and Lebanon?
However, no way can there be a paradise which does not get embroiled in some trouble, and the movie seems to have ruffled some feathers of the administrations of two countries. Kuwait has declared a ban on the movie, with a representative of the Kuwait Ministry of Information stating that the movie “promulgates ideas and beliefs that are alien to Kuwaiti society and public order”, according to KUNA. The ban is supposed to protect Kuwaiti public ethics and social order, which seem to have come under threat with the release of this movie.
This comes after a minister from Lebanon asked for a ban on the movie alleging it to be “promoting homosexuality”. Al Jazeera reports that the Minister of Culture, Mohammad Mortada also stated that the movie “promotes homosexuality and transsexuality … supports rejecting a father’s guardianship, undermines and ridicules the role of the mother, and questions the necessity of marriage and having a family”. This has led to Minister Bassam Mawlawi to ask the censorship board in the country to review the film, which was supposed to be screened in the country from 31st August.
It is interesting to note that the film, although accused of promoting homosexuality, features no explicitly gay characters. Almost all the male characters in the movie are in love with female characters, with the exception of Allan, played by Michael Cera, who has no love interests. The imminent ban in Lebanon comes amidst a major anti LGBTQ movement in the country. It is yet to be seen if it ends up being implemented in the near future.
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