‘Beauty and the Beast’ release shelved in Malaysia — by Disney

SHARE ‘Beauty and the Beast’ release shelved in Malaysia — by Disney
afp_mn0mh_67665107.jpg

People stand near a promotional display for the film “Beauty and the Beast” at a cinema in Singapore on March 14, 2017.
The film has come under fire from religious figures in Singapore, with Christian clergy attacking Disney for deviating from “wholesome, mainstream values”. / ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Walt Disney has shelved the release of its new movie “Beauty and the Beast” in mainly Muslim Malaysia, even though film censors said Tuesday it had been approved with a minor cut involving a “gay moment.”

The studio said Tuesday that the film has not and will not be edited for release in Malaysia.

Screenings of the live-action re-telling of the animated classic were scheduled to begin on Thursday.

Film Censorship Board chairman Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid said he did not know why the film was postponed as it was approved by the board after a minor gay scene was axed. He said scenes promoting homosexuality were forbidden and that the film was given a P13 rating, which requires parental guidance for children under 13 years of age.

“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,” Abdul Halim told The Associated Press.

The film’s characters include manservant LeFou, who plays the sidekick to the story’s villain Gaston, and, according to director Bill Condon, “is confused about his sexuality.” Condon has described a brief scene as a “gay moment.”

A Malaysian ticket-seller sits behind a notice displayed regarding the release of the film “Beauty and the Beast” at a Golden Screen Cinemas theatre in Kuala Lumpur on March 14, 2017.<br>Malaysian censors have reportedly cut out a “gay moment” in the Disn

A Malaysian ticket-seller sits behind a notice displayed regarding the release of the film “Beauty and the Beast” at a Golden Screen Cinemas theatre in Kuala Lumpur on March 14, 2017.
Malaysian censors have reportedly cut out a “gay moment” in the Disney film “Beauty and the Beast” before agreeing to its release in the Muslim-majority nation. / MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images

Russia last week approved the movie but banned children under 16 from watching it without the accompaniment of someone over 16.

Malaysia’s censors in 2010 loosened decades of restrictions on sexual and religious content in movies, but still kept a tight leash on tiny bikinis, kisses and passionate hugs. The new rules allowed depiction of gay characters, but only if they show repentance or are portrayed in a negative light. Sodomy, even if consensual, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and whipping in Malaysia.

EILEEN NG, Associated Press

The Latest
The acquisition of Tamarack Farms makes Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge a more impactful destination and creates within Hackmatack a major macrosite for conservation.
The man was found unresponsive in an alley in the 10700 block of South Lowe Avenue, police said.
The man suffered head trauma and was pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center, police said.
Another federal judge in Chicago who also has dismissed gun cases based on the same Supreme Court ruling says the high court’s decision in what’s known as the Bruen case will “inevitably lead to more gun violence, more dead citizens and more devastated communities.”
Women make up just 10% of those in careers such as green infrastructure and clean and renewable energy, a leader from Openlands writes. Apprenticeships and other training opportunities are some of the ways to get more women into this growing job sector.