Barbie movie gets Egypt premiere date as fans speculate on potential Saudi, UAE ban

The long-awaited cinematic adaptation of Barbie is set to hit theatres in Egypt on 30 August, according to Safwat al-Helbawy, the director of a film distribution company, .

Addressing recent rumours about a potential ban in Egypt, Safwat confirmed that the 114-minute movie, featuring stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, will indeed grace a large number of Egyptian theatres.

The Barbie movie, based on the popular line of dolls from Mattel, takes audiences into the enchanting world of "Barbie Land", following the humorous escapades of its colourful inhabitants.

The film's release generated widespread excitement globally, especially with Greta Gerwig at the helm and a star-studded cast, including Ariana Greenblatt, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emma Mackey, Hari Nef, and Will Ferrell.

Egyptian fans breathed a sigh of relief after the announcement, dispelling worries that the movie could face a ban due to not being compatible with the country's "ethical values".

However, speculations about potential bans in other Middle Eastern countries, particularly the  UAE and Saudi Arabia, have emerged.

The UAE and KSA pushed back the movie's release date from an originally planned 20 July to 31 August, leading fans to question the reasons behind the delay.

Although no official statements were made about the reasons for the postponement, parallels had been drawn to past instances where delayed releases were a precursor to bans.

It is worth noting that the Barbie movie has already faced censorship issues in certain regions.

Vietnam previously banned the film due to a map displayed in the movie that showcased disputed Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea. Such restrictions have led to speculation that the movie might encounter similar challenges in countries like Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

Critics suggest that the movie's themes and content might run afoul of local standards, values, and sensitivities, potentially leading to its prohibition in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

While no official confirmation has been provided to support these claims, the possibility of a Barbie-less summer in the Middle East has sparked concern among ardent fans.