“Disney” disappointed after banning the movie “Lightier” in 14 Muslim countries

Authorities across much of the Muslim world have banned Disney’s latest animated movie “Lighttier” from showing in cinemas after a short kiss between a gay couple was included, the company said Thursday as the movie premiered.
Walt Disney said 13 countries and the Palestinian territories had banned the Pixar Studios movie, featuring actor Chris Evans, who inspired astronaut Buzz Lightyear, from the Toy Story films, according to the Associated Press.
This presents a major box office challenge for one of Disney’s biggest animated films of the year, as the American film industry tries to emerge from the depths of the coronavirus pandemic. Analysts estimated it could generate a total income of close to $100 million in its first weekend.
The film features a female character, voiced by actress Uzo Aduba, who briefly kisses her partner in one scene in the $200 million film. Oversight bodies in many Muslim-majority countries have rejected this, as laws criminalize same-sex relations.
Disney said that the countries that refused to allow the film to be shown include Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the UAE.
Film stars described the decision as disappointing, and Evans told the Associated Press earlier this week: “Yes, it’s frustrating. Bittersweet disappointment because at the same time, there are still places that haven’t caught on.”
Studios have allowed censors to cut contentious scenes in films in the past, including in the Middle East market, but more recently, Disney has faced protests from activists and its own employees over what they describe as CEO Bob Chapek’s slow response to his public criticism of the Florida legislation that has been dubbed Opponents name the bill “don’t say gay”.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law the bill in late March that would ban instructions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. The scene earlier in the movie was deleted but later reinstated after Pixar employees protested Disney’s response to pressure from the Florida governor.