Disney's new Buzz Lightyear film banned in several countries over lesbian kiss
Cinemas in the UAE will not be screening the new Buzz Lightyear film "due to its violation of the country’s media content standards".
Moviegoers in the UAE will not get to see Disney-Pixar's 'Lightyear' movie when it is released this week.
The animated film is based on Toy Story's famous space ranger, Buzz Lightyear. The spinoff explains the origin story of Buzz and how he became a famous space ranger.
'Captain America' star Chris Evans voices Buzz's character in the movie. Tim Allen voiced the toy/action figure based on Buzz that features in the 'Toy Story' movies.
Excitement for the film has been building up since October last year when Disney dropped the first official trailer. Since then, word has gotten out that the movie will feature a lesbian kiss.
According to Deadline, the same-sex kiss is between Space Ranger Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) and her wife. They greet each other with a kiss on the lips in one scene.
Despite an international outcry over the lesbian kiss, Disney seems to be sticking to its guns. As a result, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other places in the Middle East have decided not to screen the film.
"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," the UAE's Media Regulatory Office tweeted.
The office did not mention which violation it was concerned about.
Malaysia and Indonesia have also banned the movie.
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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. pic.twitter.com/f3iYwXqs1D
— مكتب تنظيم الإعلام (@uaemro) June 13, 2022
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The office confirms that all films screened in cinemas across the country are subject to follow-up and evaluation before the date of screening to the public, to ensure the safety of the circulated content according to the appropriate age classification.
— مكتب تنظيم الإعلام (@uaemro) June 13, 2022
'Lightyear' was scheduled for release in the UAE on Thursday, June 16. It will be rolled out in America, South Africa, and other parts of the world on June 17.
The same-sex kiss is the first to feature in a Pixar film. It was initially cut from the film but Disney decided to reinstate the kiss after receiving flak from the LGBTQI+ community.
Uzo Aduba has praised the portrayal of a loving gay couple in the animated film.
"It’s incredible, and a real hats off to Disney and Pixar for having that kiss be a part of this story. The kiss is a greeting and a gesture of love that is tender. It does establish who they are as people, but it is not the singular identifier for who either of them are. Seeing a loving gay couple in a meaningful way is important for everybody," she told Vanity Fair.
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Main image credit: YouTube/Pixar