The release of the highly anticipated Hollywood movie “Barbie Movie Delayed in Pakistan Punjab province faces a delay over concerns of objectionable content, prompting a review by the provincial censor boards. Explore the cultural impact and controversies surrounding the movie. Greta Gerwig directs Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken in this film that challenges societal norms. Read more about the movie’s postponement and public response.
Barbie Movie Delayed in Pakistan Details
The highly anticipated Hollywood movie “Barbie,” directed by Greta Gerwig and featuring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as her boyfriend Ken, faces a delay in its release in Pakistan’s Punjab province due to concerns over “objectionable content.” The film is currently being reviewed to ensure it complies with the country’s social, cultural, and religious values as mandated by the provincial censor boards.
Reviewing ‘Barbie’ for Compliance
Officials from the Punjab film censor board, led by Secretary Farrukh Mahmood, have taken the decision to review the movie before granting clearance for its release in the country. However, specific scenes that raised objections have not been mentioned at this stage.
Public Response and Delays in Other Countries
The postponement of “Barbie” in Punjab has sparked criticism on social media, with many questioning the rationale behind the ban. One user on Twitter expressed disbelief, noting that the film contained no explicit content, profanity, or LGBTQ+ characters. Instead, the film celebrates the empowerment of women, which some critics believe challenges the traditional norms of society.
The movie also faced delays in the Middle Eastern countries of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Moreover, Vietnam banned the film earlier, primarily due to a scene depicting China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, which led to the film’s postponement in that region.
Pakistan’s History of Banning Films
Pakistan has a history of banning films that challenge cultural norms. For instance, “Joyland,” an award-winning film that portrayed a Pakistani married man’s affair with a transgender woman, faced a nationwide ban in 2023. Although the film was later cleared by the national censorship board, it remained banned in Punjab, the most populous province.
Criticism of Punjab Censor Board
Legal experts in Pakistan criticize the Punjab censor board’s decisions, accusing them of pandering to rigid religious fanatics. The ban on “Barbie” is seen as reminiscent of the previous ban on “Joyland,” raising concerns about the freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution. Critics argue that a film as harmless as “Barbie” should not be perceived as a threat to the values and beliefs of the province’s 100 million residents.
Previous Incidents of Film Bans
In 2019, the film “Zindagi Tamasha” faced a nationwide ban after being accused of blasphemy by an ultra-religious party. The movie depicted a religious man creating hymns and dancing at a family event. Blasphemy is considered a crime punishable by death in Pakistan, leading to serious consequences for the film’s director.
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