UAE, Saudi Arabia bans release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse over "trans flag"

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and several Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia have banned the latest Miles Morales film - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Reports suggest that the ban is due to the trans flag that briefly appears in the movie.

 

 

 

However, many believe that the movie has been pulled from release in the region due to it not being able to pass censorship requirements.

 

The movie is set release in cinemas on June 22 and is a sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse which released in 2018. According to Saudi Cinema, which is managed by the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, the highly anticipated animated film would not be released in some parts of the Gulf region, since it ‘contradicts the content controls in force', reported Unilad.

 

 

The report further quoted them as saying in a statement that they will not permit or license any film that contradicts the content controls in force in the media system.

 

 

While the reason for the ban is unclear, many speculate it's due to the movie’s brief inclusion of a pro-trans flag, with many fans suggesting that the character known as Gwen is transgender.

 

In the film, Gwen Stacy’s adolescent experience in her own universe and the conflicts she has with her father about her identity are showcased, with a trans flag reading “Protect Trans Kids” seen hanging on the wall of Gwen’s room in a certain scene.

 

Previously, the Disney and Pixar movie – Lightyear was banned over not reflecting local values.