Entertainment

More Middle East countries ban Thor

Gulf state Bahrain has joined other Middle Eastern countries in imposing a cinema ban on the fourth instalment of superhero saga Thor, a Hollywood blockbuster featuring gay characters.

“The ministry of information has decided to halt projection of one of the films showing in cinema halls for the sake of preserving and safeguarding society’s moral values,” the ministry said in a brief statement late Thursday.

The ministry did not specify the name of the film banned, but screenings of “Thor: Love and Thunder” have halted. 

Advertisement

The film sees “Valkyrie”, played by Tessa Thompson, express clear romantic feelings toward another female character. 

Kuwait has also banned the film, according to local media which cited its information ministry as ascribing the decision to “scenes involving homosexual characters”. 

ALSO READ: ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ – to have loved and lost and loved again

Advertisement

In recent months, major film production companies have experienced similar restrictions in the oil-rich but conservative Gulf region. 

The UAE is the only Gulf nation that is still showing Thor, although in June it had banned the animated Disney-Pixar’s “Lightyear”, a film that features two women kissing.

This video is no longer available.

Advertisement

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.

The topic of sexual freedom remains highly taboo in Gulf countries, even as they seek to modernise their images through major communication campaigns.

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.

Published by
By Agence France Presse
Read more on these topics: MarvelMovie reviews