‘Spider-Man’: cinema lists in the Middle East attract film

Dubai, United Arab Emirates –

The new blockbuster movie “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” was abruptly removed from cinema listings in more than a dozen Muslim-majority countries without explanation, apparently due to the inclusion of a blink-and-you-miss-it transgender poster on the background of one frame.

Empire Entertainment, the Middle East distributor of the computer-animated Sony Pictures film, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

No explicit bans of the film were announced, but there were indications that it will not reach the screens.

For example, there is no expectation that “Across the Spider-Verse” will be screened in the United Arab Emirates, said a source close to the film who was not authorized to speak publicly. The source cited strict censorship of films for children and younger viewers.

On Saudi Cinema’s official Twitter page, a statement with a poster of the film attached said the organization will not approve any film that violates the country’s media content rules and whose “production companies are committed to undertake to make the required changes”.

The superhero movie starring Marvel Comics character Miles Morales as Spider-Man debuted in U.S. theaters in early June, tripling the domestic opening weekend revenue of its Oscar-winning prequel.

Initially, it was scheduled to open in the Middle East on June 22, ahead of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. The film was included in cinemas last week in countries such as Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon and Egypt, but was abruptly and quietly withdrawn.

No reasons were given, but the brief transgender reference may have caused offense to Arab countries where Muslim majorities, guided by Islamic law or Sharia, often view homosexuality and transgender identity as sinful and contrary to their religious beliefs and societal norms.

The film includes a scene where a transgender flag printed with the words “Protect Trans Kids” hangs in the room of Gwen Stacy, a spider superhero and character voiced by actress Hailee Steinfeld.

The UAE, home to the futuristic city of Dubai and the world’s tallest skyscraper, has not officially banned the film. The Federation of Seven Sheikhdoms once announced an end to censorship of cinema releases in an effort to bolster its brand as a liberal hub that appeals to foreigners, but it has continued to withdraw some films from its theaters.

Emaar Entertainment, a state-owned company and parent company of major UAE cinema company Reel Cinemas, confirmed to The Associated Press that it will not be showing “Across the Spider-Verse”. The company credited the decision to Empire Entertainment, the exclusive theatrical distributor of Sony Pictures films in the Middle East.

Empire Entertainment, the UAE Ministry of Youth and Culture and the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology could not be reached for comment.

In a similar incident last year, Disney’s “Lightyear” was banned in 13 Muslim-majority countries because of a lesbian kiss scene. The moment had previously been cut from the film, but was reinstated after Pixar employees protested Disney’s response to Florida legislation that opponents dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

‘Into the Spider-Verse’, the prequel to ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ had a successful run in the region when it premiered in 2018. Children’s sports backpacks in Lebanon feature Miles Morales, the main character of the franchise and the first Black Spider-Man, while malls in the UAE sell action figures of the movie’s superheroes.

“Across the Spider-Verse” is part two in a trilogy that concludes with a third chapter that will hit regional theaters next year.

——

Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press film writer, contributed to this report.