Lebanon looking to ban new Minions film amid speculation about LGBT and religious controversies

Lebanon is looking into banning the new Minions movie in its cinemas, according to reports.

Activists speculated that the ban may be either due to homosexuality or an evil nun-like character being present in the film, independent news platform Megaphone reported.

Despite Lebanon’s relatively liberal outlook on social issues, restrictions on gay rights remain.

Article 534 of the country’s Penal Code prohibits sexual acts “contrary to the order of nature" with a prison sentence of up to one year, which some interpret as serving as a "ban" on homosexuality.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Megaphone | ميغافون (@megaphonenews)

For a few seconds, the film shows two young men embracing in addition to a romantic stare between two minions from a genderless family, according to Megaphone.

The inclusion of the nun-like character has also been considered controversial, as 32% of the Lebanese population are Christian, while around 68% are Muslim, according to Statistics Lebanon.

Fans of the film were not happy after hearing the news, deeming the potential banning consideration "ridiculous", as they speculated on the reasons behind it.

Least of our concerns right now, but I think (actually I'm 99% sure) that the new Minions movie might not be playing in Lebanon because of this 👇 Warning: click at your own risk. pic.twitter.com/95j243KlsX

— Anis Tabet (@AnisTabet23) July 7, 2022

تم منع فيلم The Rise Of Gru من العرض في لبنان. يُزعم أنه بسبب قبلة بين شخصيتين (Minions). يتم عرض الفيلم بشكل طبيعي في جميع البلدان الأخرى في المنطقة ولم تمنعه ​​أي دولة في جميع أنحاء العالم. pic.twitter.com/ljChSMKZzz

— ضوميط القزي دريبي (@Doumit_Azzi) July 7, 2022

minions was banned in lebanon IJBOL WHAT THIS IS SO RIDICULOUS

— chels (@notliverpooll) July 8, 2022

The film consists of an all-star cast, including Steve Carell, Taraji Hneson, Russell Brand and Julie Andrews.

Lebanon was among several Arab countries which announced a ban earlier this year on the Pixar animated film ‘Lightyear’ amid reports the film included a lesbian kiss between two female characters.

Most Arab countries criminalise same-sex relations, and there have been reports of detention of homosexuals and invasive searches in many of them in recent years.