Kuwait censors pull ‘Beauty and the Beast’
“Beauty and the Beast” was pulled from cinemas in Kuwait Monday after censors raised concerns over the film’s content , which includes what has been called the first “gay moment” for a Disney character.
The film, which has grossed more than $180 million overseas, had been showing in the predominantly Muslim country of Kuwait since Thursday. But those who’d purchased tickets to see the movie Monday received text messages from Kuwait’s National Cinema Co. informing them that screenings were canceled due to “unforeseen difficulties.” The company also promised ticket buyers a full refund.
Duaij Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah, a board member at the National Cinema Co., which operates 11 of Kuwait’s 13 theaters, told The Associated Press a newly edited version of the movie may be in theaters later this week. He said concerns center on a scene late in the movie involving the character LeFou, which director Bill Condon describes as an “exclusively gay moment.”
In some predominantly Muslim countries, samesex relations can lead to lashings, imprisonment and fines. In a few, it carries the death penalty. The film was given a PG-13 rating in Kuwait.
Similar concerns prompted a drive-in theater in Alabama to cancel showings. Disney pulled the film in Malaysia after censors required the scene be edited.