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Cinemagoers in parts of the Middle East are facing delays in watching the blockbuster film, Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig and themed around the iconic Mattel toy.
Despite generating over $1 billion in worldwide revenue since its release last month, the film encountered schedule disruptions and debates over its portrayal of gender, feminism, and sexuality. However, the state of Kuwait unexpectedly imposed a ban on the movie at the eleventh hour, stating that it promoted ideas incompatible with Kuwaiti society. Lebanon’s culture minister similarly called for a ban, claiming that the Barbie movie contradicts religious values, morality, and promotes homosexuality and gender transformation.
While Beirut’s censors will have the final say, this controversy surrounding a film that broke records globally coincides with a rise in anti-LGBT+ rhetoric in Lebanon. Political leaders in the country exploit social issues to rally support, thereby exacerbating tensions.
In contrast, other Gulf Arab countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain have taken a different approach. They have embraced Barbie at their cinemas, driven by their push for economic growth through entertainment and tourism, as well as their high population of foreign workers.
The movie, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, depicts the duo venturing beyond Barbieland into the real world. While the film does not include explicit sexual scenes, it does feature openly gay and transgender actors. The success of Barbie has revitalized the film industry, becoming a cultural phenomenon with fans worldwide expressing their enthusiasm by dressing in extravagant pink outfits inspired by the doll.
However, the film has provoked outrage within the predominantly conservative Arab world, where homosexuality and forms of gender expression remain criminalized in most countries. Even in Lebanon, a relatively liberal country with a vibrant LGBT+ community, hardline Christian and Muslim political leaders have increasingly targeted them, infringing upon civil liberties.
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, has exploited LGBT+ issues to consolidate his base and attract new followers. He has criticized educational materials promoting what he calls “deviant culture,” incited protests against businesses displaying Pride flags, and advocated the death penalty for sodomy. Dating app Grindr even issued warnings to its users in Lebanon due to his rhetoric.
Elsewhere in the region, Iraqi regulators have banned the use of the word “homosexuality,” instead mandating the term “sexual deviance” in media and telecommunications. Amnesty International reported that Iraq prosecuted at least 20 individuals in the first half of 2023 for “indecent content” online, revealing an escalating crackdown on LGBT+ rights.
Initially set for a worldwide release on July 19, Barbie faced delays in some Middle Eastern countries until August 31 as authorities debated censoring certain aspects of the film. Warner Bros, the film’s studio, recently announced an earlier release date, but cinemas in Jordan and Iraq still list August 31 as the official release date, creating uncertainty about the film’s screening.
In the Middle East, it is common for films featuring sexual content, LGBT+ themes, or controversial religious storylines to encounter censorship. If studios are unwilling to comply with the demands of censors, the films can be banned. For example, Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse did not release in several Middle Eastern countries, potentially due to a scene involving a “Protect Trans Lives” flag. However, other films with LGBT+ scenes, such as Marvel’s Doctor Strangelove in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022 and The Eternals in 2021, were shown in Lebanon, highlighting the arbitrary nature of censorship.
Warner Bros has declined to comment on the situation.
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