Malaysia BANS Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder from cinemas because of ‘gay elements’ in the film – Daily Mail
Malaysia has banned Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder film from the cinemas because of its ‘gay elements’ in an attempt to ‘curb LGBT content’.
The government said it objected to two minor parts in the film, with one being when a female character, Valkyrie, takes an interest in a concubine of Zeus.
Another moment mentioned was when Valkyrie is told by rock creature Korg that he reveals that he has two fathers. His species is ‘conceived’ when two ‘Kronan’ men hold hands over a pit of lava.
Distributor Disney submitted Thor: Love and Thunder as well as Pixar’s Lightyear to Malaysia’s Film Censorship Board, who asked for cuts which the studios rejecting, leading to the ban.
Same sex relations are illegal in Malaysia, with those found guilty facing up to 20 yeas in prison and a mandatory whipping punishment.
Malaysia has banned Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder film from the cinemas because of its ‘gay elements’ in an attempt to ‘curb LGBT content’ (pictured, Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth as Jane Foster and Thor)
The government said it objected to two minor parts in the film, with one being when a female character, Valkyrie, takes an interest in a concubine of Zeus (pictured, Chris Hemsworth as Thor)
The Asian country has laws which promote religious and racial tolerance between its three main ethnic groups, Chinese, Indian and Malays, but does not tolerate either male or female homosexuality.
Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister for Malaysia, Zahidi Zainul Abidin, said that the Thor film did not pass censorship because the government and Islamic Affairs Department were ‘committed’ to preventing the ‘growth of LGBT culture’.
‘[The movie] touched on LGBT but we see right now there are many films with LGBT elements that slip past the censorship,’ said Abidin, The Times reports.
He also responded to a question in parliament to say: ‘I am frustrated because the outside world was the one promoting LGBT,’ adding that he and the government were rigorously monitoring films and social media platforms to find those promoting LGBT content, who would face ‘severe action’ if found.
Distributor Disney submitted Thor: Love and Thunder as well as Pixar’s Lightyear to Malaysia’s Film Censorship Board, who asked for cuts which the studios rejecting, leading to the ban. Pictured, the film’s director, Taika Waititi
Abidin argued that LGBT films were becoming ‘less blatant’ in their methods and warned members of the public to remain ‘vigilant’.
Pixar’s Lightyear has been banned in at least 16 Muslim countries. The United Arab Emirates announced they wouldn’t show a film in cinemas as it featured a same-sex kiss.
With the Malaysian government restricted to controlling content in cinemas and broadcast television, streaming services like Hotstar, the Malay version of Disney+, is able to show the films online.
The minister added that Malaysians ought to show ‘self-restraint’ and encouraged parents to use the age-control systems in place on the streaming services.