The popular Barbie film has been banned in Algeria just three weeks after its release in the predominantly Muslim North African nation. The culture ministry has instructed cinemas to immediately withdraw the Hollywood blockbuster from screening due to concerns that the movie promotes homosexuality and clashes with Algeria's religious and cultural values, according to an official source cited by Reuters.
The film, which stars Hollywood celebrities Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has garnered significant attention in Algeria, with theaters in major cities like Algiers, Oran, and Constantine reporting packed screenings. The movie's ban is attributed to its perceived infringement on "morals," as stated by a privately owned news website. This source also highlighted that since its release, the film's viewings had consistently sold out each day.
The decision to ban the Barbie film comes amidst wider criticism in the Arab world regarding its perceived social values. Last week, Kuwait similarly banned the movie in a move aimed at safeguarding "public ethics."
The film itself is a coming-of-age story based on the iconic children's toy, where Barbie embarks on a journey to the real world to explore her identity. Director Greta Gerwig emphasized the comedic nature of the film and expressed hope that it would encourage society to reassess gender-related norms and expectations.
However, the movie has garnered a more favorable reception in other parts of the world. In the UK and Spain, for instance, notable figures like British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and members of the Spanish royal family have been seen attending screenings of the film.
Despite the controversies, Daryo reported that the Barbie film has achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $1 bn worldwide since its release.
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