Algeria has imposed a ban on the widely popular Barbie film just three weeks after its release in the predominantly Muslim North African country. The Ministry of Culture has directed cinemas
to immediately cease screening the Hollywood blockbuster.
An official source informed Reuters news agency that the movie promoted homosexuality and contradicted Algeria's religious and cultural values. Cinemas in Algiers, Oran, and Constantine have reportedly been crowded, as per the 24H Algérie news website. According to the privately-owned news outlet, the film has been officially banned for "degrading moral values," noting that screenings had been sold out every day since its release.
Updates from across the continent Criticism within the Arab world has been directed at the movie's societal values, with Kuwait having banned Barbie last week in order to protect "public ethics." Starring Hollywood luminaries Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the film centers on a coming-of-age narrative based on the popular children's toy.
It portrays Barbie's journey into the real world as she explores her own identity. Around the movie's release, director Greta Gerwig conveyed to the New York Times that its intention was to be "humorous." She expressed hope for society to "let go of things that aren't necessarily serving us as either women or men." Barbie has been better received by leaders in other nations, such as the UK and Spain.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Spanish royal family were seen attending cinema screenings of the film. Since its release, the movie has grossed over $1 billion (£786 million) worldwide. Photo by UKinUSA, Wikimedia commons.
