Kuwait Bans Horror Film Featuring Trans Actor

The Kuwaiti authorities have prohibited the screening of a horror film featuring a transgender actor, according to a statement given to AFP on Monday. Despite the movie being shown in other conservative Gulf regions such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, it has been banned in Kuwait. The film, titled 'Talk to Me,' stars Zoe Terakes, an Australian transgender actor, but does not contain any explicit LGBTQ references in its scenes.

Hisham Alghanim, vice chairman of the Kuwait National Cinema Company, confirmed the ban, stating that the reasons behind it are currently unknown. The Kuwaiti information ministry was not available for immediate comment.

It is common practice for Gulf Arab states, including Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal, to censor movies that include LGBTQ references. In June, these countries also banned the latest Spider-Man animation due to a scene featuring a transgender pride flag.

Zoe Terakes criticized the decision to ban the film in Kuwait, deeming it as "dehumanizing." In a statement posted on social media, Terakes emphasized that the film does not revolve around queer themes but rather their identity as a trans actor. They expressed their disappointment, stating that the ban specifically targeted and dehumanized them, and served to cause harm. Terakes, who identifies as non-binary and has previously appeared in the acclaimed TV series 'Nine Perfect Strangers,' asserted that they are not a mere theme but a person.