“Buzz Lightyear” arrives in Portugal this Thursday, but has already been banned in 14 countries because of gay kiss
“Buzz Lightyear” takes us to the beginnings of the eponymous astraunata from the “Toy Story” saga, with the lightness and sense of humor that Pixar’s animated films come to get us used to. It premieres in Portugal this Thursday, June 16, however it will not reach all the countries initially planned. This is because, to date, it has been banned from at least 14 countries.
All because of a kiss. A lesbian kiss, in case. During the film, Alisha Hawthorn, one of the characters featured in this new Pixar film, greets her companion with a quick kiss, but enough that the production’s broadcast was banned in regions such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates or Malaysia, despite ” Buzz Lightyear” was recognized as one of the most anticipated films of the summer, according to “El País”.
In total, 14 countries have banned the film, including Indonesia, Egypt and Lebanon. In many of these countries, same-sex relationships are criminalized..
It has not yet been confirmed whether China is recognized as one of the largest cinema markets on a global scale, it will approve the release, not least because the country has some of the strictest censorship rules in the world. Having already censored the American series “Friends” for similar reasons. But one thing is certain: regardless of the controversy, the director guarantees that he will not remove the lesbian scene from the film.
“We made this start and we want it to be seen by as many people as possible but it’s out of our control”, in a film, a statement to CNN Portugal. “I’m sorry you can’t have fun with the movie,” he says.
When asked whether the possibility of cutting the lesbian kiss scene is on the table, the director does not hesitate to respond. “No, it is not our policy to change the content of our films”Warranty.
In this sense, Chris Evans, who voices Buzz Lightyear, in the original version, also comments on the film’s censorship. “It is amazing that we are part of something that takes steps forward in the capacity for social inclusion. (…) It is frustrating that there are still places that are not where they deviate”, advances in a report published by CNN Portugal.
It is still known at the stage of withdrawing from the studio’s position, even during the later stage of the production position, however, whether the employees manifest themselves in the face of the studios’ position towards LBTQI+, or it changes again and the kiss returned to integrate this new story.
Here, the film did not lead to any kind of controversy. “Buzz Lightyear” arrives in Portuguese cinemas this Thursday, 16.