Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness has been banned in Saudi Arabia over the inclusion of a queer character in the film.The new Marvel sequel focused on Benedict Cumberbatch‘s titular character is due to roll out globally at the beginning of next month.However, following rumours of a ban, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the film now won’t be released in Saudi Arabia, with Kuwait reportedly also set to ban it. Advanced tickets are no longer available in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, though are still in the United Arab Emirates.The censorship appears to be over the inclusion of the character America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), who is gay in the comic source material.There is often strong censorship on films with LGBTQ+ content in the Gulf as homosexuality is still illegal across the region.Recent Marvel film Eternals was previously banned in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar over a same-sex kiss scene between married couple Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) and Ben (Haaz Sleiman), with Disney reportedly refusing to edit out the moment upon request from local censors.Star Angelina Jolie subsequently addressed the news, telling news.com.au: “I’m sad for [those audiences].
MBC CEO Sam Barnett on Beating Netflix at Streaming, Ramadan Shows, and Pushing Saudi Boundaries (EXCLUSIVE)
06.04.2022 - 15:29 / variety.com
Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentDubai-based MBC Group CEO Sam Barnett is navigating what he calls the “difficult transition” of going from being the MENA region’s top satellite free-to-air player to also being its top premium streamer.At the start of the holy month of Ramadan, which is marathon TV time in the region after iftar (breaking fast), Barnett spoke to Variety about how the Saudi-owned broadcaster is managing this feat. Edited excerpts.MBC is now operating in both the linear TV and the streaming space. How’s the streaming side going?We are celebrating this month because we just got data in that [MBC’s streaming service] Shahid VIP has become the market leader in streaming in MENA.
We’ve pulled ahead of Netflix and the others. If I compare ourselves to the competition, in terms of subs, we hit the two million figure last year. We got there towards Ramadan, and then it dipped.
Then we got back there. We are now at 2,250,000 and we are expecting to be towards three million by the end of Ramadan. It’s mostly business-to-consumer subs; mostly people who have activated the service with their own money.There aren’t many regions where the local player is beating Netflix.
And there are very few regions where the legacy free-to-air TV player has launched an SVOD platform and is beating Netflix. We are in a good position. It clearly is a difficult transition to go from satellite free-to-air broadcaster to being a subscription VOD player.
But we’re doing it, and it’s working. I’m sure it will get more competitive. But we have the same approach as we’ve always had.
CinemaCon Honorees Include Saudi Arabia, Focus Features, ‘Dune’ Team
Robert Marich In addition to Constantin Films’ Martin Moszkowicz receiving CinemaCon’s Career Achievement in Film, other executives will be feted at this year’s trade show.Global Achievement in ExhibitionRenana Teperberg Chief Commercial Officer, Cineworld GroupTeperberg lives the lifestyle of her CinemaCon Global Achievement in Exhibition Award. As chief commercial officer at Cineworld Group, Teperberg lives in Tel Aviv, but is a frequent traveler on weekdays to the London headquarters of her multinational circuit and also its Regal Cinemas operation based in Knoxville, Tenn.Her duties range from e-commerce, marketing, food service, HR, new product and business development.
Saudi Arabia Bans Marvel’s Latest ‘Doctor Strange’
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, has been banned from Saudi Arabia due to the film’s inclusion of a queer superhero.The queer character at the centre of this is Marvel’s America Chavez, a lesbian character played by Xochitl Gomez. Chavez is Marvel’s first Latin American character to star in an ongoing LGBTQI series.Prior to Marvel’s confirmation of an additional LGBTQI character to their universe, their officially licensed merch appeared on Amazon with prints of Chavez’s signature denim jacket, which featured a pride flag pin, a skull referencing the Mexican Day of the Dead, and her Latin American heritage.This is not the first time that Saudi Arabia has banned a film from the banner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness’ Banned In Saudi Arabia Over LGBTQ Content
Another Marvel movie has been banned in multiple Middle East states.
‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness' Theatrical Release Dropped in Saudi Arabia
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will not be getting a theatrical release in Saudi Arabia.
‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Banned in Saudi Arabia Due to Gay Character
Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentMarvel’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” won’t be playing in Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries due to the inclusion of a gay character.Saudi Arabian censors did not issue a permit to release the film in the kingdom, since the changes they requested were not approved by Disney, according to a source.The new Sam Raimi-directed sequel stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character, and it also features the new hero America Chavez, played by “The Baby-Sitters Club” star Xochitl Gomez. Her character in the movie is reportedly gay, true to how she is portrayed in the Marvel comics.The “Doctor Strange” sequel, which will go on release in the U.S.
‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness’ Theatrical Release Blocked In Saudi Arabia
Deadline has confirmed that Disney/Marvel’s upcoming big global blockbuster Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is banned for theatrical release in Saudi Arabia.
‘Doctor Strange 2,’ Which Includes LGBTQ+ Character, Banned in Saudi Arabia
Eternals,” which also featured a gay superhero in a same-sex relationship, and “West Side Story,” which has a character who identifies as trans. And in each case, the films had not been edited to remove the characters or plot lines in order to appease international censors.
MBC Studios Ramps Up TV Production With Saudi Series ‘Rise of The Witches,’ ‘Devil’s Promise,’ ‘1001 Nights’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentDubai-based broadcaster and streamer MBC is ramping up production with several new high-end shows.These include “Rise of The Witches,” being touted as the biggest-budget Saudi Arabian TV series to date, “The Devil’s Promise,” created by U.K. writer Tony Jordan, and crime thriller “1001 Nights.”MBC Group CEO Sam Barnett in an interview said MBC Studios now has 65 projects in various stages and reiterated the the Saudi-owned company is committed to serve as a driver to help kickstart the kingdom’s nascent industry.“Rise of The Witches” (first look image, above) is based on a Saudi novel described by Barnett as “a fantasy novel set 1,500 years ago in a time of witches” with a strong female empowerment theme.
Jamal Khashoggi Murder Trials Moved to Saudi Arabia After Turkey Halts Prosecution
The Associated Press reported.Kashoggi was killed in 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where the U.S. resident was picking up documents to marry his Turkish fiancee.
Disney Plus Sets Launch Dates, Pricing for 42 Countries in Europe, West Asia and Africa
Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorDisney Plus confirmed launch dates — and pricing — for the 42 countries and 11 new territories across Europe, West Asia and Africa.Disney’s flagship streaming service will bow in South Africa on May 18, followed by all other countries listed in June (see below for dates and pricing). The media conglomerate earlier this year announced plans for summer 2022 expansion to countries including Turkey, Poland and the United Arab Emirates.The countries set to get Disney Plus are: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Oman, Palestine Territories, Poland, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City and Yemen.