'Beauty and the Beast' romances Egypt despite controversial content
Some in Egypt criticized the state censors for allowing "Beauty and the Beast" to be screened in local movie theaters, as the movie contains scenes suggesting homosexuality.
CAIRO — Though "Beauty and the Beast" was released over a month ago in Egyptian theaters, it's still making waves.
The movie has been ruling the box office for more than a month now, even though several other movies were also released during Egypt’s spring holiday season. As of April 18, the movie had made 8 million Egyptian pounds (about $443,000). The unprecedented revenues the movie raked in in Egypt are in line with its record revenues around the world, making it one of 29 films to bring in over $1 billion.
Several countries' censorship apparatuses have objected to the movie over its “homosexual” scenes. A theater in the US state of Alabama refused to screen the film, and Malaysia demanded the removal of what it described as “scenes with homosexual content.” Disney, the producer, rejected such demands and decided to indefinitely postpone the screening of the movie in the areas in question. Malaysia relented. Singapore released the movie with a 16+ rating, warning that the film contains scenes that are not suitable for children. India, Russia and Indonesia released the movie with age restrictions.
Remarkably, and despite the usual obstacles it places before any controversial content, the Egyptian censorship apparatus allowed the screening of "Beauty and the Beast" with no content warnings.
