Page 14 - aruba-today-20220614

a14 people & arts
Tuesday 14 June 2022
United Arab Emirates bans Pixar's 'Lightyear' from showing

By JON GAMBRELL past, including in the Mid-
DUBAI, United Arab Emir- east market. Recently, Dis-
ates (AP) — The United ney has faced protests from
Arab Emirates on Mon- activists and its own staff
day banned the upcom- over what they described
ing Pixar animated feature as CEO Bob Chapek's slow
"Lightyear" from showing response in publicly criticiz-
in movie theaters after its ing Florida legislation that
inclusion of a kiss between opponents dubbed the
two lesbian characters. "Don't Say Gay" bill.
The decision by the UAE Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in
comes as Malaysia also re- late March signed the bill,
portedly will ban the film, which forbids instruction on
raising the possibility other sexual orientation and gen-
Muslim-majority nations This image released by Disney/Pixar shows character Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Chris Evans, left, der identity in kindergarten
could follow suit on one of and Alisha Hawthorne, voiced by Uzo Aduba, in a scene from the animated film "Lightyear," re- through third grade.
Disney's biggest animated leasing June 17. The moment had been
films of the year as the film Associated Press earlier cut from the film but
industry comes out of the was restored after Pixar em-
depths of the coronavirus to ensure the safety of the "Ban Showing Lightyear in UAE can include the death ployees protested Disney's
pandemic. circulated content accord- the Emirates," caught the penalty for same-sex con- response to Florida's bill.
The Emirates, home to ing to the appropriate age attention of conservative duct, while Dubai can levy The movie also may be
Abu Dhabi and Dubai, an- classification." Emiratis. They described a 10-year prison sentence banned in Malaysia as well.
nounced through its Media The office did not elabo- showing a lesbian couple and Abu Dhabi allows for The Star, the country's top
Regulatory Office of the rate on the tweet and did on screen as being against up to 14 years. English-language newspa-
country's Ministry of Youth not immediately respond their culture and religion. However, such prosecu- per, cited an anonymous,
and Culture that the film to questions from The As- The movie, with actor Chris tions are rarely reported nongovernment source as
would not be opening in sociated Press. The tweet Evans voicing the inspira- and LGBTQ individuals do saying that Lightyear will
the country this Thursday. included an image of the tion for the Buzz Lightyear live in the skyscraper-stud- not be shown in Malaysian
The film "is not licensed for film's poster, with the pro- action figure from the "Toy ded city-state of Dubai, cinemas. No reasons were
public screening in all cin- file image of its main char- Story" films, includes a fe- home to the long-haul car- given. A newspaper in the
emas in the UAE, due to its acter Buzz Lightyear with a male character voiced by rier Emirates. Persian Gulf island king-
violation of the country's "no" symbol over it in red. actress Uzo Aduba kissing The $200 million "Lightyear" dom of Bahrain similarly
media content standards," Movie theaters in the UAE, her female partner. is expected to be a ma- has speculated the film
the office said in a tweet. a federation of seven The UAE, many other coun- jor draw for Disney, with wouldn't be shown there.
"The office confirms that all sheikhdoms on the Arabian tries in the wider Mideast, analysts estimating it could Officials from Malaysia's
films screened in cinemas Peninsula, had already ad- is a Muslim-led nation that gross over $100 million in its Film Censorship Board and
across the country are vertised showtimes for the criminalizes same-sex re- first weekend. the Home Affairs Ministry, as
subject to follow-up and film. But over the weekend, lationships. The U.S. State Studios have allowed cen- well as The Walt Disney Co.,
evaluation before the date a social media campaign Department warns that Is- sors to cut films in global dis- could not be immediately
of screening to the public, with the Arabic hashtag lamic, or Shariah, law in the tribution for content in the reached for comment.q

Amber Heard says she doesn't blame jury in Depp libel case

on Tuesday and Wednes- careers. statement after the verdict
day. The interview is airing Guthrie pressed Heard on that she was heartbroken,
nearly two weeks after the her credibility and what while her attorney said in a
verdict, which also saw it meant to jurors in the separate "Today" interview
Heard awarded $2 million clips released Monday. that her client was "demon-
over her claim that one of "There's no polite way to ized" on social media and
Depp's attorneys defamed say it. The jury looked at the she plans to appeal the
her. evidence you presented. judgment.
Depp sued Heard for libel They listened to your testi- "I don't care what one
in Virginia over a Decem- mony and they did not be- thinks about me or what
ber 2018 op-ed she wrote lieve you," she said. "They judgments you want to
in The Washington Post de- thought you were lying." make about what hap-
scribing herself as "a public Heard responded, "How pened in the privacy of my
This image released by NBC News shows journalist Savannah figure representing domes- could they not come to own home, in my marriage,
Guthrie, right, during an exclusive interview with actor Amber
Heard, airing Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15 on tic abuse." His lawyers said that conclusion? They behind closed doors. I
NBC's "Today" show and Friday, June 17 on "Dateline NBC." he was defamed by the ar- had sat in those seats and don't presume the average
Associated Press ticle even though it never heard over three weeks of person should know those
mentioned his name. non-stop, relentless testi- things, and so I don't take
NEW YORK (AP) — Amber told "Today" co-host Savan- The verdicts brought an mony from paid employ- it personally," Heard told
Heard says she doesn't nah Guthrie in an interview end to a televised trial that ees" and witnesses the ac- Guthrie. "You still couldn't
blame the jury that award- clip aired Monday on NBC. Depp hopes will help re- tor described as "randos" or look me in the eye and tell
ed Johnny Depp more "I actually understand. He's store his reputation, though random people. me that you think on social
than $10 million after a a beloved character and it turned into a spectacle Depp, who has not yet media there's been a fair
contentious six-week libel people feel they know him. that offered a window into done a formal interview representation. You cannot
trial in her first post-verdict He's a fantastic actor." a volatile marriage and about the case, has said tell me that you think that
interview. "Today" plans to air more both actors emerged with the verdict "gave me my this has been fair," Heard
"I don't blame them," Heard of its interview with Heard unclear prospects for their life back." Heard said in a said.q