Disney has postponed the release of Beauty and the Beast in Malaysia after being asked to remove a "gay moment".
Studio bosses pulled the film three days before it was due to hit cinemas in the country and said a review was taking place.
The live-action remake of the popular cartoon features a scene in which the "sexuality of sidekick character LeFou, played by actor Josh Gad, is made clear," says Variety.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
LeFou is torn between feelings of lust and admiration for main antagonist Gaston, reports the BBC.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia and film scenes depicting gay characters or discourse are only permitted if they are portrayed either negatively or as repentant, reports the Independent.
Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid, chairman of the Malaysian film censorship board, said Beauty and the Beast had been approved apart from one scene.
He said: "We have approved it but there is a minor cut involving a gay moment. It is only one short scene but it is inappropriate because many children will be watching this movie."
There had been no appeal from Disney about the decision, he added, reports The Guardian.
Film fans in the country have been angered by the cut.
Jasrena Jasmih, an executive who works in Kuala Lumpur, told Reuters: "[The censors] are too sensitive... They should be open-minded because it's just a movie, just a story. Nothing else matters."
Tourism minister Seri Nazri Aziz also said the censorship board's review was "ridiculous", adding: "You don't ban a film because of a gay character. There are also gays in the world. I don't think it is going to influence anyone. We need to think. We must allow people to decide for themselves.”
Malaysia is not the only country where the scene has caused concern. Last week, an MP in Russia said the film would spread gay "propaganda" among young people and called for it to be banned. It was eventually allowed to be released with an "adults only" rating.
Beauty and the Beast opens in the UK on Friday.
-
What is a bubble? Understanding the financial term.the explainer An AI bubble burst could be looming
-
France makes first arrests in Louvre jewels heistSpeed Read Two suspects were arrested in connection with the daytime theft of royal jewels from the museum
-
Argentina’s Milei buoyed by regional election winsSpeed Read Argentine President Javier Milei is an ally of President Trump, receiving billions of dollars in backing from his administration
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
