The Disney-Pixar animated film “Lightyear”centered on the space ranger Buzz Lightyear from the “Toy Story” saga, will not be released in 14 countries due to homophobic policies that govern there. The film, which arrives in Argentine theaters this Thursday, has a scene where two female characters kiss.
The Media Regulatory Office United Arab Emirates reported through a statement that “Lightyear” does not have permission to be exhibited in all theaters in the country “because it violates media content standards.” Added to the ban were, among others, Kuwait, Indonesia, Egypt, Lebanon and Malaysiacountries in which homosexuality is still considered a crime.
The position of Disney and Pixar
The film studio producers adamantly refused to change or remove the scene..
“We at Pixar have witnessed how beautiful stories, full of diverse characters, return from Disney’s corporate review in a version reduced to the crumbs of what they were”, expressed the producers at the time of sending the content review report to the Disney CEO Bob Chapek.
The company directly avoided sending the film to countries such as Saudi Arabia knowing that it would be rejected; while China’s response is still awaited.
“We’re not going to remove anything, especially something as important as the loving and inspiring relationship that shows Buzz what he’s missing out on by the decisions he makes, so that’s not going to be removed,” producer Galyn Susman had warned on the carpet. red of the film preview in London.
For his part, Chris Evans, the actor who gives the voice to the space ranger, pointed out that “it is great that we are part of something that implies an advance in social inclusion”, but that “it is frustrating that there are still places that are not where they should”.
Disney and the LGBTIQ+ community
In May, Disney had already refused to cut scenes showing a lesbian marriage in the Marvel movie “Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness.” Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia, decided not to show the film.
This happens in the midst of claims against the current CEO of Disney, Chapek, who avoided openly rejecting a law that sanctioned the state of Florida known as “Don’t say gay” (“No digas gay”). The law prohibits topics related to sexual and gender diversity from being addressed in primary schools.
Disney workers organized a protest in front of the film studio in support of the LGBTIQ+ community.