Pixar’s upcoming Toy Story spin-off movie Lightyear has reportedly been banned in 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, due to a scene that depicts a same-sex kiss.The scene depicting a lesbian space ranger named Alisha and her partner sharing a brief kiss had originally been cut by Disney, but was reinstated after Pixar animators penned an open letter criticising the company for censoring “overtly gay affection” in its films.As a result, the film will not be screened in cinemas across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia and more, Reuters has reported. Disney has yet to comment.The United Arab Emirates’ National Media Council announced via Twitter on Monday (June 13) that the film will not be licensed for screening in cinemas “due to its violation of the country’s media content standards”.The animated film "LIGHTYEAR" is not licensed to be shown in the cinemas of the #UAE.#UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/tyeXxWHFe6— UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) June 13, 2022A Variety report also claims that the film was initially approved for release in the UAE, but had its license revoked after posts on social media accused the film of insulting Muslims and Islam.According to Variety, a source close to Malaysia’s Film Censorship Board had asked for edits to the film.
Newlyweds stranded in Egypt for six days after easyJet to UK flight cancelled
25.05.2022 - 16:45 / dailyrecord.co.uk
A couple on their honeymoon have had to fork out £1,000 for accommodation after their easyJet flight back to the UK from Egypt was suddenly cancelled.
After tying the knot, Shaun Smith, 55, and Liam Thompson, 28, jetted off to Hurghada for their first holiday together as newlyweds.
The pair, from Scunthorpe, were supposed to fly back to the UK on Monday evening, but after arriving at the airport were told that their flight was cancelled - leaving the couple with no way of getting home.
Shaun, who is a landlord of the Penny Bank pub, described he and Liam's situation as 'traumatic', Grimsby Live reports.
The pair have since had to shell out a further £1,100 to stay at the Jaz Aquamarine hotel until the next available flight which is Monday, May 30.
Shaun claims the couple have received "no help" from Easy Jet with a reported 400 others in the same situation, all of whom are now scrambling around to find accommodation.
Some are in that bad a position that they have been forced out onto the streets because they can't afford to stay any longer at the hotel according to Shaun.
He explained: "We are currently at the Jaz Aquamarine hotel where we got dumped last night after being told our flight was cancelled. We were forced to pay £1,100 for another six days until we can fly home, otherwise we would have got kicked out.
"Our airline said the plane was delayed, but when we got to the airport we were told it was cancelled. We booked the holiday only three days before we left and we planned to be here for 12 nights. To be honest, my immediate reaction when we were told was to laugh.
"If you don’t laugh, you cry. Easy Jet haven’t even informed us of the situation and we’ve had to sort it off our own back." Speaking about his
Family stranded in Egypt after Easy Jet flight was cancelled had to pay £1720 to get home to Manchester
A family with a young child had to shell out £1720 on new flight tickets to Manchester after their Easy Jet flight home from their package holiday in Egypt was cancelled leaving them waiting around for over eight hours.
‘Lightyear’ banned in Middle Eastern countries over same-sex kiss
tweeted the order Monday saying the movie won’t run due to its “violation of the country’s media content standards.”Although there was no further explanation, fans believe the same-sex kiss between two female characters, one of whom is voiced by actress Uzo Aduba in the family-friendly movie, is what got it banned. Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and surrounding countries often take issue with LGBTQ+ movie content or characters.A source told the Wrap that “Lightyear” did not receive release certificates for Malaysia, Indonesia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan and Lebanon.The Media Regulatory Office announced that the animated film Lightyear, which is scheduled for release on 16th June, is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards.
Disney’s ‘Lightyear,’ Which Includes Same-Sex Kiss, Banned in Middle East
tweet Monday that “Lightyear” would not open as planned on Thursday because the film had a “violation of the country’s media content standards.” The tweet included an image of Buzz Lightyear from the film with a “no” symbol over it in red. And in Malaysia, the country’s largest cinema chain GSC also tweeted an image of Buzz in the film saying “To infinity” but responded with the caption “No beyond.”An individual with knowledge of the film’s release plans indicated that “Lightyear” did not receive release certificates for Malaysia, Indonesia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan and Lebanon.
Disney/Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ Will Not Play In Saudi Arabia, UAE & Other Parts Of Middle East, Nor Malaysia & Indonesia
Disney/Pixar’s Lightyear begins offshore rollout this week, but won’t be hitting cinemas in such Middle East markets as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Nor will it go to theaters in Malaysia or Indonesia. Deadline understands the film has not received distribution certificates in these markets. As with other recent Hollywood films, the issue is believed to be related to LGBTQ content.
Grandad left with 'useless' £400 Wizz Air credits after Cyprus flights cancelled
A grandad is struggling to see his family abroad and has been left in a “nightmare” situation after Wizz Air cancelled three of his flights. Geoffrey Barlow put his “trust” in the airline but feels he has been let down after being given “useless” credits.
Johnny Depp releases heartfelt statement thanking fans days after Amber Heard trial win
Johnny Depp has released an emotional statement thanking his fans days after winning the challenging court drama with ex-wife Amber Heard.MORE: Johnny Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez receives promotion fans have been waiting for following trial winFollowing his record-breaking debut on TikTok, in which he amassed over 3 million followers in mere hours, the actor shared a social media message which read: "To all of my most treasured, loyal and unwavering supporters. We've been everywhere together, we have seen everything together.VIDEO: Johnny Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez mouths 'wow' following verdict"We have walked the same road together.
Dan Walker mocks Piers Morgan as he joins BBC rival ITV Good Morning Britain after exit
Dan Walker didn't waste his opportunity to mock his rival Piers Morgan as he made an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Monday (June 6). The presenter headed for an interview on his former TV rival after leaving BBC Breakfast last month.
Here's How Johnny Depp & Amber Heard Are Feeling Days After Defamation Verdict
Now that Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s defamation trial has come to an end, there is no doubt a whirlwind of emotions both parties must be feeling at this time.
Family felt 'trapped and scared' after easyJet flight home from Turkey cancelled
A family have described feeling 'trapped' and 'scared' after their flights were cancelled at the last minute, stranding them in Turkey, leading to costs of nearly £2,500 for new flights and hotels. It comes amid more chaos at Manchester Airport as mountains of abandoned bags are left after arrivals.
Johnny Depp Returns to the Stage Days After Amber Heard Verdict, Announces New Album With Jeff Beck
Back on stage. Johnny Depp played a few songs with his friend Jeff Beck days after winning his defamation trial against Amber Heard.
Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck Announce New Album, Days After Amber Heard Verdict
Zack Sharf Jeff Beck announced during his June 2 concert in the English city of Gateshead that he’ll be releasing a new album with Johnny Depp next month. The album will mark Depp’s first major project released since the end of his highly-publicized defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp bowed to the crowd during Beck’s announcement.“I’m gonna take this opportunity and tell you I met this guy five years ago, and we’ve never stopped laughing since,” Beck told the crowd about Depp (via Stereogum).
ABBA make first public appearance together in six years after performance hiatus
They were the iconic 1970’s pop band who took the world by storm with hits such as Gimme Gimme Gimme, and the ABBA foursome were back together today. It was their first public appearance together in six years, after a performance hiatus, as they attended the first performance of their one-of-a-kind concert ABBA "Voyage" at ‘ABBA Arena’ in London.The Swedish pop group is made up of Agnetha Fältskog, 72, Björn Ulvaeus, 77, Benny Andersson, 75, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, 76.
'We feel binned off': Families forced to cancel holidays and police called after easyJet IT failure
Passengers were thrown into disarray at Manchester Airport this afternoon following a major IT failure for easyJet. The budget airline cancelled nine flights from Manchester in all, with more than 200 across the UK disrupted.
Peter Andre grills a sausage days after 'chipolata-gate' in cheeky new advert
Peter Andre has been pictured grilling a sausage in a cheeky new advert after his 2004 "chipolata" jibe from Rebekah Vardy resurfaced this month. Rebekah, 40, spilled on her one night stand with the Mysterious Girl singer, 49, in an interview with the News of the World in 2004.The alleged fling is said to have happened two years before the interview.The star claimed Peter's manhood was "like a miniature chipolata" in the scathing interview, which resurfaced amid her libel trial against Coleen Rooney.
Egypt’s ‘Feathers’ Dominates Critics’ Awards For Arab Films
Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentEgyptian director Omar El Zohairy’s absurdist social satire “Feathers,” in which the good-for-nothing husband of a woman with three children is turned into a chicken, is the big winner of the sixth edition of the Critics’ Awards for Arab Films.The biting black comedy, winner of last year’s Cannes Critics’ Week prize, scooped best film, director and screenplay at the prizes organized by Cairo-based Arab Cinema Centre (ACC) and voted on by 167 film critics from 68 countries, who viewed the films on Festival Scope.Nominees are chosen among Arab-language films that premiered on the festival circuit outside of the Arab world in 2021. The awards were announced on Sunday in Cannes.