SAUDI ARABIA LIFTS 35- YEAR BAN ON THEATRES

The Emoji Movie is many things: one of the worst, most widely panned films of the year, a movie that has Patrick Stewart serving as the voice of a literal piece of poo, and now, the first film to grace Saudi Arabian screens since the country decided to life its 35- year ban on commercial theatres. The film was screened on Saturday for the public, followed by a screening of Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, staying on theme, according to Reuters. But before you book your ticket to Saudi Arabia in hopes of an all day, everyday marathon of Justice League, the country still intends to censor all of the movies it screens with regard to cultural standards. Thus, the preference for children’s movies. Event organizer Mamdouh Salim told Reuters, “We tried to use these films to be a starting point as the first cinematic screening.” The government is hoping to open 300 theatres by 2030.