Movie
Censorship in Pakistan: “Barbie” partially banned
Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie at the ‘Barbie’ premiere in London. photo
© Ian West/PA Wire/dpa
The province of Punjab has 127 million inhabitants. All of them can’t see “Barbie” in the cinema. “Objectionable content” is cited as the justification for the ban.
Pakistan has broadcast the film “Barbie” is banned in its most populous province. The censorship authority in Punjab banned cinema performances, as the province’s information minister, Ali Nawaz Awan, confirmed to the German Press Agency. This was justified with “objectionable content”.
While the film airs in other parts of the country, the province of around 127 million is considering a censored version to potentially allow theatrical release. According to media reports, the film’s LGBTQ themes are the reason for the ban and censorship.
Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” tells the story of the iconic Barbie doll. The comedy is the first film adaptation with real actors. The Barbie doll has only appeared in animated films, never in a feature-length film with real actors. In Germany, “Barbie” has been in cinemas since July 20th.
Not an isolated case
Films are repeatedly censored or banned in Pakistan. Last year the government banned the award-winning film “Joyland”. This is about the affair of a married Pakistani man with a trans woman. The film was later cleared by the government following a review by the national censorship board, but “Joyland” remained banned in Punjab, the most populous province.
“Joyland” was the first Pakistani production to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Criticism came primarily from Islamic hardliners from the traditional layers of Pakistan. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals are repeatedly subjected to discrimination. In May this year, a self-determination law for trans people introduced in 2018 was overturned.