Has Pakistan banned Barbie for its LGBTQ+ themes? Yes and no
The Internet has been buzzing with confusion and conflicting reports surrounding the banning of Barbie in Pakistan due to its LGBTQ+ themes. Here’s a quick rundown.
According to the grapevine, Pakistan's Punjab censor board decided to put a temporary halt on the granting of NOCs for Barbie's release, thanks to its pro-LGBTQ+ content.
nevermind the punjab censor board has something against me i guess https://t.co/fTET92ZgK4
— ☁︎ (@djutw33ts) July 20, 2023
The movie, which features a star-studded ensemble including Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, released theatrically across the world today. Owing to its inclusion of openly queer performers like Hari Nef and Alexandra Shipp, reports indicate that the film has faced bans and postponements in countries like UAE and Egypt.
READ OUR REVIEW: Barbie Movie Review: C'mon Barbie, let's do anxiety
In Pakistan, the excitement surrounding Barbie's release has been just as electric in the months leading up to its release.
However, amid this enthusiasm, confusion arose when reports surfaced that the Punjab censor board had stopped issuing NOCs for the movie which soon flooded social media platforms, and plunging Pakistani Twitter into delirium.
It has not been banned pic.twitter.com/t22oAg7Ws5
— Oshaz (@ThisisOshaz_) July 21, 2023
The Punjab censor board allegedly stated that the film would remain banned in the Punjab region until the objectionable content is removed.
However, it seems that some cinemas in Pakistan are still screening the movie without any reports of an official ban. Popular cinemas in Karachi, such as Nueplex Cinema, Atrium Cinema, Cinepax Cinema, The Arena in Bahria Town, and Cinegold Plex in Bahria Town, are among those still showing the film.
Folks in Lahore, the provincial censor board is playing with you. Film is cleared for screening for rest of Pakistan 😐#Barbenheimer #Barbie pic.twitter.com/WRZaTksy9M
— Hassan Khan (@mhassankhan06) July 21, 2023
This is not a first for the Warner Bros-Mattel production.
In Vietnam and the Philippines, the film was banned for an entirely different reason - displaying a map showcasing the Nine Dash Line, China's unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea.
Regarding Pakistan's situation, it appears that the movie has not been entirely banned in the country. Instead, there are delays in the certification process, likely due to the existence of separate provincial censor boards, and Barbie continues to be shown in theaters in Sindh and Islamabad Capital Territory.
If they banned Barbie in Pakistan I’ll hang myself in kalma chowk on Friday
— mansur (@chaiiichahiyee) July 19, 2023
The confusion on the Internet stems from conflicting reports, and the verdict remains uncertain on whether Punjab will eventually grant the NOC for the movie's release. For now, the situation appears fluid, and audiences in Pakistan may have to wait for further updates to know the final decision on Barbie's release in the region.