24-7-2023 (LAHORE) Authorities in Pakistan’s largest province, Punjab, have taken the decision to ban the screening of the much-anticipated fantasy-comedy film “Barbie,” based on the popular doll, due to objectionable content, as reported by German news agency (dpa).
While the film was set to be screened nationwide, the Punjab film censor board intervened and halted its showing in the province. According to Ali Nawaz Awan, Secretary Information for Punjab, the movie was banned due to “objectionable content,” prompting the removal of certain dialogues from the film. The censor board plans to reevaluate the amended version before deciding on its screening fate.
This is not the first instance of a movie being banned in Pakistan. In the past, several Indian films were prohibited from screening, often due to negative portrayals of the country’s spy agency or the inclusion of taboo topics.
Last year, the critically acclaimed trans-themed movie “Joyland” faced a ban by the government, fearing potential backlash in the conservative Islamic society. Despite its global recognition and premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the movie was not spared from censorship.
Pakistan’s hardline Islamic groups continue to oppose LGBTQ culture, considering it taboo in the predominantly Muslim country. Such cultural sensitivities have influenced the government’s stance on various films, limiting their release and sometimes resulting in outright bans.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Greta Gerwig’s female-led “Barbie” film has achieved significant success worldwide, grossing over $337 million globally against a production budget of $145 million. However, the movie’s screening has also faced obstacles in Vietnam, where it was banned due to its depiction of China’s claim over a disputed part of the South China Sea, according to local news coverage cited by Reuters.
The decisions by authorities to ban certain films reflect the complexities of navigating cultural sensitivities and geopolitical tensions in the film industry, leaving filmmakers and audiences to grapple with issues of creative freedom and censorship.
