'West Side Story' Banned From Several Middle Eastern Countries
West Side Story will not be playing in a few Middle Eastern countries when it debuts this week.
The film – which stars Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort as elusive lovers Maria and Tony – will not be showing in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar or United Arab Emirates.
Click inside to read more about the situation…
According to a report from Deadline, the film has been taken off the premiere list in those countries, and while no official reason has been given, it’s assumed that it has to do with one character named “Anybodys”.
West Side Story had been submitted across the Middle East region, but Saudi Arabia and Kuwait did not approve distribution certificates while censors in the other markets listed above requested that cuts be made.
Disney and 20th Century Studios have chosen not to make any edits to the film.
The banishment of West Side Story is much like the Eternals, which had been banned from many of the same counties over certain relationships and situations being shown.
West Side Story, also starring Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez and Rita Moreno, and directed by Steven Spielberg, will be out on December 10.