Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and other countries do not show “Lightyear”. Reason is a lesbian kiss in the Pixar film.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and other countries in the Middle East do not show “Lightyear”. As “Variety” reports, it is due to a same-sex kissing scene in the new Pixar film.
“Lightyear” is a prequel to the “Toy Story” films from the animation company Pixar. It tells the story of the astronaut Buzz Lightyear, the template for the action figure of the same name from “Toy Story”. The lesbian space traveler Alisha, who kisses her partner on the mouth, also plays a role in the film.
United Arab Emirates withdraw approval
The scene was apparently too daring for the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. “Lightyear” initially passed the censorship of the United Arab Emirates. But after protests on social media about “insulting Muslims and Islam”, those responsible backed down, according to “Variety”.
Other countries in the region that Variety doesn’t name other than Kuwait aren’t showing the film either. Pixar parent company Disney had not even tried it in Saudi Arabia. There, in-house films like “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” or “Eternals” had recently not made it through the censors. Reason were also homosexual figures.
Disney censored the scene themselves
Spicy thing: Walt Disney Pictures initially censored the controversial scene themselves. The entertainment giant only intervened after an open letter from Pixar employees. Disney generally has reservations about “almost every moment of overt homosexual affection,” according to the letter. And that despite the fact that Disney publicly shows itself to be diverse and tolerant.
“Lightyear” starts in German cinemas on June 16th, in the USA one day later.
