Algeria Bans ‘Barbie’ Almost A Month After Movie’s Local Release

ALGIERS, Algeria — Nearly a month after its premiere in Algeria, the “Barbie” movie was yanked from theatres there this week.

The movie has been “immediately” pulled from theatres in Algiers, Oran, and Constantine, according to online news source 24H Algerie.

The alleged directive should have been addressed by the ministry or the Algerian Audiovisual Regulatory Authority, nor did they explain.

Last month, “Barbie” premiered at a few cinemas in Algeria. Beginning this week, the movie’s distributors stopped scheduling screenings of the Hollywood hit.

This action follows the live-action film based on the American fashion dolls being prohibited by Kuwaiti and Lebanese authorities for supposedly undermining traditional values.

Nearly a month after its premiere in Algeria, the “Barbie” movie was yanked from theatres this week.

On social media, some Algerians voiced their displeasure with the cancellation and the hashtag “#IAmBarbie.” Others called it “censorship” and “bigotry.”

According to others, the “Barbie” movie “is a threat to morality,” wrote author Leila Belkacem in a Facebook post. What morals are they referring to when they watch a tonne of porn at home? Don’t you get tired of leading the nation into your gloomy delusions?

Retired teacher Fatima Ait Kaci informed the Associated Press that she had committed to taking her two granddaughters, who were visiting from Canada, to see the film. Ait Kaci claimed she didn’t learn what had happened to “Barbie” until they got to the Riadh El Feth theatre in Algiers and saw another movie scheduled for the 3:00–5:00 p.m. period.

She claimed that the Algerian government “don’t have the courage to accept responsibility for this shameful act of censorship.”

Nearly a month after its premiere in Algeria, the “Barbie” movie was yanked from theatres this week.

The private TV channel Es Salam’s programming has been “temporarily” suspended; the Audiovisual Regulatory Authority announced last week. This is because Es Salam allegedly broadcast “in an irresponsible and unprofessional manner, a programme containing scenes contrary to the precepts of Islam and the way of life of Algerian society.”

There are no overt sexual references or mentions of LGBTQ+ rights in “Barbie”. However, it appears to have sparked controversy due to its overt flamboyance and inclusive message of gender equality in a place where homosexuality is traditionally seen as taboo.

Since its debut, the Warner Bros. movie has made over $1 billion globally.

SOURCE – (AP)