“Barbie” has really struck a nerve in Arab nations, where it’s being banned in a slew of countries. Algeria is the latest country to ban the popular “Barbie,” three weeks after its release. Their reasoning is that Gerwig’s film “corrupts morals.” Why did it take three weeks for them to realize this?
The culture ministry asked cinemas to withdraw “Barbie” immediately. According to Reuters, the film promoted homosexuality and did not comply with Algeria's religious and cultural beliefs.
I again ask, where in “Barbie” do we see any hints of homosexuality? Unless they are implying that it’s trans actor Hari Nef’s appearance in the film that’s riled up the Algerian government.
The film has been playing to packed houses in the big cities of Algiers, Oran and Constantine (via 24H Algérie). The privately owned news website said, added that, since its release, viewings have been sold out every day. This latest ban comes off the heels of past week’s Kuwait nixing of the film.
Criterion's December lineup has some great additions to the library, but the title that jumped out at me is Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man," which officially joins the Collection on December 8.