Onward's Film Banned From Screening In Middle East Due To LGBT

Ian Lightfoot and Barley Lightfoot in Onward (Pixar)

JAKARTA - Pixar's latest film, Onward, has been banned in a number of countries in the Middle East because it features conversations that refer to same-sex relationships. Prior to its official broadcast, Pixar announced that it would feature their first LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) character. However, not everyone welcomes the decision.

In the scene in question, the main characters Onward, Ian Lightfoot (Tom Holland) and Barley Lightfoot (Chris Pratt) are discussing the lives of parents with two female police officers. Specter (Lena Waithe), one of the policemen says "It's not easy being a new parent - my girlfriend's daughter likes to pull my hair, okay?"

Kori Rae as a producer said, the appearance of this LGBT character was not just a long plan but it just happened. Although a little, but countries in the Middle East decided to still ban the screening of this film. Meanwhile, other countries such as Russia chose to change the word "girlfriend" to "partner".

Doesn't Happen Once

Apart from Onward, there are several films that include LGBT elements in them and not everyone likes this concept. Previously, there were Rocketman and Avengers: Endgame films that were banned in the Middle East.

Likewise with the Bohemian Rhapsody. When released in Malaysia in November 2018, this film underwent a total cut of 24 minutes. Malay Mail reports that censorship has erased a key moment in which Freddie explained to Mary Austin he was bisexual. Another scene that was also deleted was the music video for the 1984 release, I Want To Break Free.

The Film Censorship Institute in Malaysia said that films with a culture that were not proper would not be accepted, including LGBT elements. However, they will consider if there is a lesson from both the scene and the acting.

Apart from the Middle East, several other countries have also banned the screening of a number of films, including China with Call Me By Your Name and Samoa with Rocketman.