To infinity and beyond, but not to the 14 markets, which have refused to grant a release to ‘Lightyear’
Disney’s latest “Lightyear” animation, which includes a kiss between people of the same sex, has been denied the premiere in more than a dozen mainly Muslim countries, a source close to the newspaper told AFP on Tuesday. company.
Countries in Asia and the Middle East have refused to give a spin on the spin-off of Pixar’s “Toy Story” in the latest development of parent company Disney as it tries to navigate different public and political attitudes on LGBTQ issues .
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, said it had not banned the film, “but suggested that the film’s owner think of his audience in Indonesia, where a scene of LGBT kisses still it is considered sensitive “.
In neighboring Malaysia, the Film Censorship Board said that if no cuts were made, the film would not be screened in the country.
It is understood that Disney has refused to make any cuts, offering the film “as it is” to all markets.
The others are: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Syria.
“Lightyear” tells the background story of the main character in the hit “Toy Story” franchise, an action figure he thinks is real.
One scene depicts Buzz’s best friend, Alisha Hawthorne, kissing his wife.
Pixar and Disney backtracked after employees called them, saying one of the world’s largest entertainment companies was not committed enough to advocating for the rights of LGBTQ people.
Under pressure from the public and its own employees, Disney CEO Bob Chapek eventually denounced the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, but in doing so provoked the anger of Republican lawmakers in the state. .
The episode has led Disney to become a whipped boy for the right-wing media, where the name is an abbreviation of what they say is performative “awakening.”
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