Pixar-Its non-sequel film Onward with the first openly gay character faces a ban in four countries!
Hollywood activists are talking a lot about diversity, inclusivity, and representation of all in the films in the USA. Pixar’s new film Onward has an openly lesbian character. Though Pixar has not done much for inclusivity as compared to its competitors, its this film Onward faces a ban in the four countries of Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
Onward movie and its Middle East ban
Pixar is releasing its new film called Onward which talks about two elf brothers who are on a quest for magic. The character voiced by actress Lena Waithe has a brief mention of its openly gay sexuality. But Deadline has reported that the Islamic conservative countries of Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia have banned the film for release in their respective nations.
This ban due to the portrayal of the openly gay character in the film.
What scene has disturbed the censor board of the four countries?
In the movie, there is a scene in which the two main characters which are voiced by actors Tom Holland and Chris Pratt are having a conversation about parenting with two female police officers. At this point, a purple cyclops officer called Specter (voiced by actress Lena Waithe) says,
“It’s not easy being a new parent– my girlfriend’s daughter got me pulling my hair out, okay?”
It is an openly lesbian character. In Russia, the censor board demanded to change the word “girlfriend” in the line to “partner”. They also said that the filmmakers should remove any mention of Specter’s gender. In short, they do not want the viewers to know that the character is lesbian.
But the four countries mentioned have decided to ban the studio’s film totally from its market. The other Middle East countries of Lebanon, Egypt, and Bahrain have allowed the film to run in its theaters.
In North America, the viewers are liking the open after its Friday 6 March 2020 release. The movie has grossed $40 million on its opening weekend and is thus on the top of the box office chart.
Pixar and its reputation
People and critics are happy with Pixar for having an openly gay character for the first time in its film. But many feel that the studio still lags behind as compared to its competitors. They are unhappy with the small inclusivity gestures of Pixar.
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The studio’s competitors such as Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon are doing more to embrace the LGBTQ community and break the myths. Even the beloved children’s animated series like Steven Universe and Arthur have gay characters. People want more from Disney and have started the #GiveElsaAGirlfriend movement. But Disney has been very secretive and coded in projecting queer characters and left it to the imagination of people without confirming on them. The film Finding Dory filmmakers just said:
“They can be whatever you want them to be.”
Source: Forbes, Polygon
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Posted on: Thursday, June 1 2023
