Pixar’s upcoming animated feature Lightyear will not be playing in Malaysian cinemas, according to an unofficial source. The movie was originally set to roll in Malaysia on 16 June.
While there has not been an official announcement from the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia (LPF), or from the movie’s distributor Walt Disney Company Malaysia, GSC has already acknowledged the news and even made a meme based on it.
It is believed that the movie was banned in the country due to a queer character that engages in an LGBTQ relationship in the Pixar animation, reported Malay Mail.
One of the main characters of the animation, Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by actress Uzo Aduba), is revealed to have a same-sex relationship with another unknown female character throughout the movie.
It was reported that the scene showcased Alisha getting engaged to a woman and it also displayed a montage showing glimpses of Alisha and her partner kissing each other on the lips as a greeting.
The scene was originally taken off by Pixar but it came under fire from its own employees for cutting the scene from the movie. The studio later restored that scene to the movie.
Nonetheless, LPF is known for banning or cutting down movies which have had hints of homosexuality in the past.
According to the guidelines by LPF Film Censorship Guidelines, any themes, storylines, scenes, or dialogue that features “homosexual and unnatural sex scenes” will be scrutinised.
It was also said that the LPF had asked for an edited-down version of the Pixar movie but Disney refused.
Meanwhile, Malaysians are not going well with this announcement and took to social media to express their disappointment over LPF’s decision.
“Disney buzz “Lightyear” won’t be showing in Malaysia. What a joke, over a lesbian kiss? If that kiss can make you gay then u should question your own sexuality. Sh*t like that won’t turn you gay.” said a netizen.
“Why does Malaysia want to ban the Buzz Lightyear movie wtf?” asked another netizen.
Despite the ban, the movie is still expected to show up eventually on Disney+ Hotstar. We just don’t know when it will stream on the platform yet.
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