Movie News

Top Gun is a 1986 US film by Tony Scott
Starring Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins and Kelly McGillis

As students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom.

Thanks to Jon who noted that his UK 4K Blu-ray version of the original Top Gun was in fact cut for a single use of strong language. With the word 'fuck' being replaced by 'shit' (see further details below). As best as I can work out so far, the cuts history seems to be as follows:

The film was cut in the US for an MPAA PG rating but was originally released uncut worldwide with a BBFC 15 rating in the UK.

The BBFC reduced this rating to 12 from 2004.

The cut US Version seems to have been used for worldwide 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases.

Versions

cut   run: 109m pal: 105m		UK: The cut US Version has been used for: 2020 Paramount R0 4K Blu-ray/ R0 Blu-ray Combo The 12 rated packaging still notes a single use of strong language that is not actually present UK: Presumably it was the cut US Version that was passed 12 for: 1989 cinema release US: The film was cut in the US for an MPAA PG rating Thanks to Jon. The US cuts were: The cut scene occurs in the 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray versions during the second dogfight with Jester, at 59m 20s to 59m 22s, when Jester says: Bingo! Maverick's dead! You're out of there kid! To which Maverick responds: Fuck (Shit, in the edited version)
uncut run: 109m pal: 105m		UK: Passed 12 uncut for one use of strong language and moderate sex and sex references: 2013 Paramount  video 2013 cinema release UK: Passed 12 uncut for strong language, and moderate sex and sex references: 2011 cinema release 2004 Paramount video UK: Passed 15 uncut: 2000 Paramount  video 1996 CIC VHS 1987 CIC VHS 1986 cinema release

The Lady Of Heaven is a 2021 UK action drama by Eli King
Starring Ray Fearon, Denise Black and Christopher Sciueref

The heart-wrenching journey of Lady Fatima, the daughter of the religious character Muhammad. Separated by 1400 years, an Iraqi child, in the midst of a war-torn country, learns the importance and power of patience. After losing his mother, the child finds himself in a new home, where a loving grandmother narrates the historical story of The Lady and how her suffering as the first victim of terror spun out of control into the 21st century.

Cineworld cinemas have cancelled all screenings of a film about the daughter of the religious character Muhammad after cinemas were picketed by Muslim activists.

Presumably fearing muslim violence, Cineworld said it took the decision to cancel all showings of The Lady of Heaven to ensure the safety of our staff and customers.

Vue Cinemas have cancelled some screenings but still seems to be showing the film in London on the south east.

The issue is that the film provides a visual representation of Muhammad, albeit CGI created, rather than being played by an actor.

A video circulating online showed the manager of Sheffield Cineworld telling protesters that Sunday night's screening had been cancelled, to cries of Allahu Akbar (God is great).

A screening in Bolton was cancelled after 100 protesters turned up at the local Cineworld branch. The chair of the Bolton Council of Mosques had urged the cancellation of the screening, claiming the film was underpinned with a sectarian ideology and is blasphemous in nature to the Muslim community.

5Pillars, a Muslim news site, tweeted a photo of what it said was 200 Muslims protesting against the film outside Cineworld in Broad Street, Birmingham on Sunday.

More than 117,000 people have signed a petition to try to get the film banned from all UK cinemas but in fact the film has already been passed 15 uncut by the BBFC, the UK film censor. The film has also been rated R by the MPA for screenings in the US.

Claire Fox, who sits in the House of Lords,  tweeted that the decision to cancel the screening showed the creep of extra-parliamentary blasphemy law was now censoring film. She wrote:

Same 'I Find that Offensive' cancel culture arguments now being used far beyond campus activism. Disastrous for the arts, dangerous for free speech, a lesson to those who argue identity politics are no threat to democracy.

Malik Shlibak, executive producer of the film, told the Guardian cinemas should stand up and defend their right to show films that people want to see:

I think cinemas are crumbling to the pressure, and taking these decisions to quell the noise. The production company had received dozens of messages from people who were trying to book tickets to see the film but not being able to.

This is an artistic endeavour talking about and elaborating on history and religion, which always has a plethora of different takes and interpretations. That's normal and healthy. We welcome this and we welcome people to express themselves, whether they're for or against the film.

What we don't support, and what we vehemently stand against, is what they're trying to do, which is to censor others and dictate what we can and cannot watch in UK cinemas.They have no right to do so and it's something very dangerous. The general population really need to be aware of this and stand up to this, because it is infringing and putting in danger their freedom of speech.

 

Offsite comment: The shameful censorship of The Lady of Heaven

 See article from spiked-online.com

 

Update: The BBFC responds to religious bullying in a statement

12th June 2022. See article from bbfc.co.uk

We classify content in line with our published Classification Guidelines, which are the result of wide-scale consultations with thousands of people from across the UK, extensive research, and more than 100 years of experience. They are updated every four to five years to ensure that our standards continue to reflect the expectations and values of people across the country.

We classified The Lady Of Heaven 15 for strong bloody violence, gory images, and threat. We provide content advice -- which we call 'ratings info' -- on our website and app for every film we classify, so that audiences can decide for themselves whether a film will be suitable for them or their families. You can review the ratings info for The Lady Of Heaven here.

On occasion, we will consider some content unsuitable for classification, in line with the objective of preventing non-trivial harm risks to potential viewers and, through their behaviour, to society. As an accountable and transparent organisation, this decision and the reasons for it will be communicated to the distributor and publicly. However, there is nothing in The Lady Of Heaven that exceeds our Classification Guidelines at 15 or deems it unsuitable for classification.

Filmmakers are free to explore historical or controversial themes and events within their films. The BBFC's role is to ensure the content is classified appropriately based on our guidelines, in order to protect children and other vulnerable groups from potential harm and to empower consumers to make informed viewing decisions.

 

Update: The Government is also unimpressed by religious bullying and sacks an organiser of the protests

12th June 2022. See article from bbfc.co.uk

An imam has been dismissed as a government adviser after backing calls for The Lady of Heaven to be banned. Qari Asim was removed from his role as an Islamophobia consultant after his role in organising protests against the film. Asim was said to have advertised a protest in Leeds, with details of its timing and location.

Supporting the campaign to limit free expression precluded him from continuing, the government said. Asim, imam of the Makkah Masjid mosque in Leeds, was told his appointment as deputy chair of the government's Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group had to end in a letter from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities. It said:

Your recent support for a campaign to limit free expression - a campaign which has itself encouraged communal tensions - means it is no longer appropriate for you to continue your work with government in roles designed to promote community harmony.

He was told his actions were a clear effort to restrict artistic expression and that the campaign had led to street protests which have fomented religious hatred. The government said that on Monday Asim had posted on Facebook:

We have been working with many brothers and Imams across the country to liaise with the cinemas. Some Imams have taken a view to protest and others are in dialogue with the cinemas trying to resolve the situation.

The letter continued:

Resolving the situation, as you made clear, meant cancelling screenings. You wrote that in some places we have been successful and those cinemas will no longer be showing the movie.

We were disappointed to see that you failed to condemn some of the protests complicit in these behaviours.

 

Offiste Comment: Film bans are less about offence, more community leaders showing who's boss

10th June 2022. See article from theguardian.com by Kenan Malik

Debates about the giving of offence are rarely about offence. They are mostly about gatekeeping: that is, debates over who has the right to police communities and determine what can be said about a community and by a community.

The Lady of Heaven has already had a five-week run in the US without protest. In Britain, however, the film was seen as an opportunity for certain leaders and organisations to flex their muscles. Much of the campaign for its banning has been organised by the Muslim news website 5Pillars, its editor Roshan Muhammed Salih describing the film as shocking and disgusting and as pure, unadulterated, sectarian filth. Salih has long been a propagandist for both the Iranian regime (he was head of news for Press TV, Tehran's English language broadcast service) and the Taliban.

See full article from theguardian.com by Kenan Malik

 

Update: Muslim Action Forum calls on the BBFC to ban the Lady of Heaven

17th June 2022. See article. From 5pillarsuk.com

The Muslim Action Forum is a collective campaign group. It has called on muslims to boycott cinema chains that have shown The Lady of Heaven and has witten a letter to the BBFC calling for a ban of the film. The letter to the BBFC reads:

Dear Sir,

We write to you regarding the film Lady of Heaven directed by Eli King, that was released in Britain on 3rd June 2022 in Vue Cinemas, Cineworld and Showcase. It has been written by Yasir Al-Habib who is a prominent, extreme Shi'a cleric denounced by Muslims of all denominations including Shia. He was imprisoned in Kuwait for his hate speech, and also deported out of Iran -- denounced by them as a mad man and an illiterate fool.

The film is blasphemous, historically inaccurate, and blatantly anti-Muslim, designed to cause outrage and hatred between communities, especially between Shias and Sunnis. It has been a financial flop in the USA and in the UK as audiences have realised that it is nothing but a cheap money-making exercise at the expense of others. This is akin to showing a sectarian film about the issues in Northern Ireland where the leaders of one side are depicted as inherently evil along with their families. On this occasion the beliefs of over two billion Muslims have been deeply offended. Showcase Cinemas. Editorial credit: Amani A / Shutterstock.com

The Public Order Act 1986, quoted in your guidelines, makes it illegal to show abusive and insulting images designed to stir up racial or religious hatred. This film has been designed to create just that result. We already know after the Satanic Verses and Charlie Hebdo experiences, that it is deeply offensive to the two billion Muslims in this world to depict the image of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who is respected and revered by each and every one of us. The film offends us as it not only depicts our beloved Prophet but also portrays members of his blessed household. Whilst these noble people dedicated their whole lives in helping the sick and needy, the film depicts some of them as evil and as terrorists.

This film has been withdrawn from most cinemas after Muslims demonstrated their opposition to it and were prepared to continue to peacefully demonstrate until the film was withdrawn. We are now calling upon British Muslims to boycott all the guilty cinema chains.

The BBFC should not have given licence in the first instance, and we request to review your decision in regards this film. We are happy to assist you in any way possible in this regard, if required.

Shoaib Malik
National Co-ordinator
On behalf of Muslim Action Forum

I Spit on Your Grave is a 1978 US horror thriller by Meir Zarchi
Starring Camille Keaton, Eron Tabor and Richard Pace      

The film was banned as one of the most notable video nasties in 1983. It was unbanned after massive 7m:02s of BBFC cuts for 2001 and 2006 DVD. These cuts were reduced to 2m:54s in 2010, and to 1m:41s for 2020 Blu-ray. Cut again by the BBFC for 4K Blu-ray in 2022. Cut in the US for an R rating but MPAA Unrated releases are uncut.

See full BBFC cuts history in article from melonfarmers.co.uk

Summary Notes

Oozing with confidence and the air of a big-city girl, the talented short-story author, Jennifer Hills, arrives in verdant Kent, Connecticut, to take a break from the hustle and bustle of New York City, and write her first novel. But, there, holed up in her secluded riverside cabin, Jennifer is utterly unaware that she has already caught the eye of violent Johnny and his misogynistic jackals, who are hell-bent on having their way with the unsuspecting visitor. And before long, poor Jennifer is sexually assaulted over and over again and left for dead. But, Jennifer is a hard nut to crack, and her fierce will to survive will pave the way for a relentless mission of vengeance. Now, no one is safe. Who can stop Jennifer from tasting the ambrosial nectar of revenge?

Versions

advised cuts cut:   run: 98m pal: 94m		UK: Passed 18 for sexual violence, sadistic violence, nudity after unspecified BBFC advised but compulsory cuts: 2022 Kaleidoscope Collector's Edition R0 4K Blu-ray/(RB) Blu-ray Combo at UK Amazon The BBFC commented: This submission of the film was originally seen for advice. The company was advised that compulsory cuts to reduce scenes of sexual violence would be necessary, in order to achieve an 18 rating. When the film was submitted for formal classification, the shots in question had been removed and the film was classified 18.
uncut run: 101:05s pal: 97:02s	Germany	US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for: 2022 Ronin Flix R0 4K Blu-ray/(R0) Blu-ray Combo at US Amazon #ad 2019 Deja Vu R1 DVD at US Amazon 2011 Anchor Bay R1 DVD via UK Amazon and via US Amazon Germany: Uncut for: ILLUSIONS RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon

Promotional Material

I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE, the film that infamously changed the face of cinema forever, is back for the first time in stunning 4K ULTRA HD, restored and remastered in 2021, as part of a 3-disc Collector's Edition boxset, showcasing incredible bonus features (including new and specially commissioned extras) totalling NINE HOURS of content. The set is packaged with new artwork in a premium O-ring boxset and inside includes four high quality art cards.

Re-experience the original controversial hit I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE in 4K UHD and Blu-ray, a cult phenomenon that influenced an entire genre and generation of filmmakers, with audio commentaries by director Meir Zarchi and critic Joe Bob Briggs, and a brand-new interview from film historian Chris Poggiali.

Also included is the official feature documentary GROWING UP WITH I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE on Blu-Ray. A must-see for fans of the series and horror films alike, uncover the fascinating history of the classic that shocked and divided the world as told by Terry Zarchi (son of the franchise creator) with behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews.

Updated Extras:

• Premium boxset including four art cards
• I Spit on Your Grave 4K UHD & BD
• Growing Up with I Spit on Your Grave BD
• Audio Commentaries from director Meir Zarchi and critic Joe Bob Briggs
• Interview with film historian Chris Poggiali (BRAND NEW)
• Home Movie - Camille & Meir's Wedding (NEW TO UK)
• Locations of I Spit on Your Grave (NEW TO UK)
• The Values of Vengeance: Meir Zarchi Remembers I Spit on Your Grave
• Alternate Opening Title
• Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• Radio Spots
• Still Gallery
• Deleted Scenes
• Terry Zarchi's 8mm film starring Camille Keaton

Lightyear is a 2022 US children's cartoon drama by Angus MacLane
Starring Chris Evans, (voice), Keke Palmer, (voice), Dale Soules and (voice)

The story of Buzz Lightyear and his adventures to infinity and beyond.

There are no censorship issues with this release in the west but the film has been banned in many muslim countries.

In particular the film won't be in theaters in Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The issue is the presence of a gay kiss and openly LGBTQ characters in the film.

The film was originally passed by the United Arab Emirates film censors, but the film's licence was revoked after complaints on social media.

Lightyear has not been officially banned in Saudi Arabia but will not be screening due to the assumption that it would be banned were it to be submitted.

The Lady Of Heaven is a 2021 UK action drama by Eli King
Starring Ray Fearon, Denise Black and Christopher Sciueref

The heart-wrenching journey of Lady Fatima, the daughter of the religious character Muhammad. Separated by 1400 years, an Iraqi child, in the midst of a war-torn country, learns the importance and power of patience. After losing his mother, the child finds himself in a new home, where a loving grandmother narrates the historical story of The Lady and how her suffering as the first victim of terror spun out of control into the 21st century.

Moroccan film censors have banned the British film Lady of Heaven, after it was condemned by the country's religious council.

The Supreme Ulema Council said the movie was a flagrant falsification of the established facts of Islam. The council accused the film of loathsome partiality and accused the filmmakers of seeking fame and sensationalism and hurting the feelings of Muslims and stirring up religious sensitivities.

The BBC's Religion Editor, Aleem Maqbool, says the criticism centres on the the way the Shia Muslim film-maker and cleric, Yasser Al-Habib, has portrayed prominent revered figures in early Sunni Islam, implying that there are comparisons between their actions with those of the Islamic State group in Iraq.

There have been protests against the film in the UK. Egypt, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq have also denounced it.

Cannibal Holocaust is a 1979 Italian adventure by Ruggero Deodato.
With Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi and Perry Pirkanen.    

Famously banned in the UK as a Video Nasty in 1983. Unbanned for the heavily cut 2001 DVD. The cuts were reduced to animal violence only for 2011 DVD. Deodato produced a new edit in 2011 to more tidily remove the animal violence. Uncut in the US and Italy

The BBFC have reconfirmed its animal cruelty cuts to Cannibal Holocaust commenting:

This work required a compulsory cut to a scene of animal cruelty.

The film had been submitted by 88 Films.

Presumably these are the same cuts as the previous submission in 2011 when the BBFC cut a 15s scene of a coatimundi being killed.

Note that all the old cuts for violence were waived for that 2011 submission.

In 2019, an early trailer for Top Gun: Maverick showed Tom Cruise's character in the same bomber jacket he wore in the original film. But two of its flag patches -- representing Japan and Taiwan -- appeared to have been replaced by other emblems.

The move was criticized at the time as an act of self-censorship to please China's censors. Beijing tries to bully other countries into not recognising Taiwan as an independent country with its own flag.

On the film's release last month, both flags had been restored. At an advance screening in Taipei, the audience broke out in cheers and applause at the sight of the Taiwanese flag on the big screen.

Taiwanese moviegoers said they were heartened by the flag's appearance.

Commentators  say the inclusion of the Taiwanese flag in Top Gun: Maverick may suggest a shift in Hollywood away from its culture of deference to China's red lines.

And of course Top Gun: Maverick is not expected to be released in mainland China. The Chinese media giant Tencent had said in 2019 that it was investing in the Top Gun sequel; it later pulled out over concerns that its support for a film with strong pro-U.S. military themes would anger officials in the ruling Communist Party.

Dashcam is a 2021 UK/US horror by Rob Savage
Starring Annie Hardy, Amar Chadha-Patel and Angela Enahoro  

Two friends embark on a horror-fueled road trip and livestream the most terrifying night of their lives.

A new horror film is apparently considered so offensive that Vue cinemas have cancelled all scheduled screenings.

Those who had purchased tickets to see Dashcam, the new found-footage horror from director Rob Savage, were surprised when they realised screenings would no longer take place. This was brought to the attention of Savage himself, who shared an email from a Vue employee received by one customer.

Apparently @vuecinemas have canceled our screenings of DASHCAM because the movie is too offensive! If that doesn't make you want to watch this film, what will?

In the email, Vue told the customer:

Thank you for your question regarding Dashcam . I have received feedack from our staffing screen and they have decided we won't be showing Dashcam at any of our venues due to the contents of the movie, which may offend our audiences.

We at Vue believe in diversity and any movie which may offend audiences, we may decide to no longer show at the last second without notice. I'm sorry this is not the outcome you were looking for.

Vue later made an unconvincing attempt to row back on offensiveness being the reason for the ban and cited commercial reasons instead.

The BBFC rating information reveals more about offensive aspects of the film. The BBFC explains:

The protagonist expresses homophobic attitudes, including the use of discriminatory terms ('fag' and faggot'). Other discriminatory language includes 'retard, libtards and mongoloid.

A scene involves focus on human excrement after a woman soils herself in the backseat of a car.

Britain's cinemas are to introduce digital ID cards for adults and children as proof of age for entry to age restricted films.

The UK Cinema Association, which represents 90% of cinemas, will from Monday accept a digital ID app which confirms the age of an adult or child to box office staff based on a previously uploaded official ID document such as a passport.

The technology, developed by digital ID provider Yoti is part of a wider move towards digital IDs for adults and children where there are restrictions on age-related products.

The Home Office is trialling Yoti's AI facial photo checks that can estimate age and its apps at supermarket checkouts to prevent children buying alcohol. If successful, ministers will consider amending the law to allow digital age checks for alcohol sales. It is not allowed under current legislation.  About 3 million Brits have already downloaded the Yoti app.

To obtain the digital age ID app, the person has to prove identity with a document such as a passport then take a live picture to confirm. The information is stored in a government-grade database that Yoti  claims it does not have access to and which can be erased at any time by the individual. However it should be noted that similar systems used for online ID generally maintained a full database of usage supposedly for 'fraud prevention' auditing.

The digital ID card shows the verified photo of the individual and their age as over 18, 15 or 12. There is a hologram on the card that moves when the phone is tilted to prevent spoofing. However this suggests that phones will have to be handed over to cinema staff to check the hologram.

House On The Edge Of The Park is a 1980 Italy horror thriller by Ruggero Deodato
Starring David Hess, Annie Belle and Christian Borromeo

Alex, a psychopathic mechanic, rapes a woman in the park. Later, a debauched couple pull into his shop needing car repair. They invite Alex and his mentally challenged buddy to join them at a decadent suburban party. Once there, Alex amuses himself by raping the guests and tormenting them in various ways.

House on the Edge of the Park has just been passed 18 uncut by the BBFC for an 88 Films release advertised as the Uncut Nasty Edition.

The film has a long history of censorship in the UK:

Banned by the BBFC for 1981 cinema release. Banned as a video nasty in 1983. Unbanned after 12 minutes of cuts in 2002. Cuts reduced to 43s in 2011, and then uncut for 2022 Blu-ray. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.

Versions

cut: run: 91m pal: 87m		UK: Passed 18 uncut for sexual violence, sadistic violence, strong threat: 2022 88 Films video Set for Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray release in late 2022 in a release advertised as the Uncut Nasty Edition.
cut cut: 43s run: 91:23s pal: 87:44s		UK: Passed 18 for strong sexual violence and threat after 43s of BBFC cuts for: 2014 Shameless [Deadato's Cinema of Death set] R2 DVD 2011 Argent/Shameless R0 DVD The BBFC commented: Company was required to make cuts to one sequence of sexualised violence in which a razor is traced over a woman's naked body, after which her body is cut with the razor. According to Shameless, the BBFC originally asked for 16 cuts totalling 1:20s. The BBFC was asked to think again, and it reduced the cuts by 37s, leaving 43s still cut. The waived cut was 37s to the sex scene between Alex and Lisa which had previously been cut due to the questionability of whether or not Lisa is enjoying her ordeal. See article from dvdcompare.net . The 43s of cuts are to remove: sight of razor being traced between woman's breasts. sight of razor being traced over woman's breast and nipple. sight of razor being traced over woman's breasts and nipples. sight of razor being traced over woman's breast and nipple and over her body. sight of razor being traced over woman's stomach, with her breast visible. sight of razor being eased inside woman's jeans. As man approaches woman with razor blade, remove all sight of breast and arm being slashed with razor. all sight of razor cutting woman's breast and arm. all sight of razor cutting woman's breast and arm (again). all sight of razor cutting woman's breast and arm (again, for a third time). close sight of razor cutting woman's leg, next to her genitals. close sight of razor cutting woman's leg, next to her genitals (again). sight of razor cutting down woman's body, between her breasts.
cut cut: 11:43s run: 79:15s pal: 76:05s		UK: Passed 18 after 11:43s of BBFC cuts for: 2009 Cornerstone R2 DVD 2002 Protected/Vipco R2 DVD The BBFC commented: Cuts required to several sequences of sexual violence, humiliating depictions of female nudity and gross violence From IMDb: BBFC removed most of the rape and assault scenes heavily edited the razor-slashing of Cindy heavily edited the opening murder scene removed shots of Tony's head being slammed against a table.
uncut		UK: Released uncut on pre-cert video for: 1982 Skyline VHS Released in October 1982, it was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic so became one of the collectable DPP39s
banned	New Zealand	UK: Banned by the BBFC for: 1981 cinema release New Zealand: Banned for a 2014 re-release

The Kashmir Files is a 2022 India historical thriller by Vivek Agnihotri
Starring Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty and Darshan Kumaar

The Kashmir Files is a story, based on video interviews of the first generation victims of the Genocide of Kashmiri Pandit Community In 1990.

The Indian hit film The Kashmir Files has been banned in Singapore by the country's InfoComm Media Development Authority, on the grounds that it could supposedly disturb religious harmony.

The IMDA said that it had consulted with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Home Affairs, and that they together found the film to have exceeded the Film Classification Guidelines for its provocative and one-sided portrayal of Muslims and the depictions of Hindus being persecuted in the on-going conflict in Kashmir saying:

These representations have the potential to cause enmity between different communities and disrupt social cohesion and religious harmony in Singapore's multi-racial and multi-religious society.

The film was also briefly banned by the UAE film censors but the decision was reversed and the film was released uncut.

The New Zealand film censor initially passed the film R16 but this was uprated to R18 in response to muslim 'concerns'.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a 2022 USA action Sci-Fi horror by Sam Raimi
Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams and Benedict Cumberbatch

Banned in Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia in April 2022

Middle East film censors have banned the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness over the inclusion of an openly gay character.  Although the censors have not provided any reasons for banning the film's release, it's the latest Marvel movie to fall victim to state-sponsored censorship to constrain certain civil liberties and human rights norms, including the expression of a LGBTQIA+ lifestyle. By including an openly LGBTQ+ character in its film , America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), the Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been banned in Saudi Arabia, as well as Qatar and Kuwait .

Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange 2 introduce's a gay character, America Chavez. America was the first lesbian Latina in Marvel Comics, debuting in 2011's Vengeance #1.

It is reported that the America Chavez character plays a major role in the film and it seems unlikely that the Middle East release can be aved via cuts,

Summary Notes

After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Dr. Stephen Strange continues his research on the Time Stone. But an old friend turned enemy seeks to destroy every sorcerer on Earth, messing with Strange's plan and also causing him to unleash an unspeakable evil.

There is a scene in Censor (2021) where the protagonist is able to talk the stereotypical owner of a sleazy video shop into selling her a banned, under the counter horror video with the word cannibal in the title, all during the space of one visit to the shop. This is beyond idiotic, as well as laughably inaccurate to anyone who lived through that period. The reality is that the Video Nasty furore had left an atmosphere of fear and distrust among those who kept the outlawed material around.

...Read the full article from gavcrimson.blogspot.com

Note that Facebook totally blocked this link from being included in a Facbook post citing some ludicrously overwrought claims of omething along the lines of 'moral turpitude'.

Benedetta is a 2021 France/Belgium/Netherlands historical romance by Paul Verhoeven
Starring Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling and Daphne Patakia  

A 17th-century nun in Italy suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions. She is assisted by a companion, and the relationship between the two women develops into a romantic love affair.

A lesbian nun thriller that features a sex scene that has been slammed by Catholic groups who have claimed it as appalling and blasphemous. The film was released on Good Friday,

The film, Benedetta, directed by Paul Verhoeven, is based upon a real-life story of a 17th century nun called Benedetta Carlini who is suffering from from disturbing religious and erotic visions.

A scene which features a statue of Virgin Mary being used as a sex toy has been particularly slammed by Catholics. A spokesman for the Irish Society for Christian Civilisation, Damien Murphy said:

This movie is a fraud and nothing more than a blatant attack on the Catholic faith. There is no way that a director would depict Mohammed acting in a sexual manner. There is not one director in Hollywood or Europe who would dare mock Mohammed or the Jewish faith -- it just wouldn't happen.

The Irish Society for Christian Civilisation have launched a petition calling for the film not to be released, which has drawn more than 13,000 petitions. The petition reads:

I strongly oppose and condemn your distribution and promotion of Paul Verhoeven's film Benedetta. It offends God, and countless Catholics all over the world. This immoral film blasphemously features several Jesus-on-nun intense 'make outs', a statuette of Mary Most Holy used as a sex-toy and voyeuristic lesbian nuns pornography.

The Irish Film Classification Office rated the film 18 uncut for strong sex and violence including scenes of torture and sexual assault.

The film is being release MPA Unrated in the US.

Meanwhile the BBFC has also rated the film 18 uncut, but for sexual violence, strong sex, nudity, bloody violence:

• 2022 MUBI R0 4K Blu-ray at UK Amazon #ad released on 1st August 2022
• 2022 MUBI (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 1st August 2022
• 2022 MUBI R0 DVD at UK Amazon #ad released on 1st August 2022

The BBFC have additionally commented:

There are scenes of strong sex, including cunnilingus, masturbation and implied penetration with a wooden sex toy. Such scenes also contain sexualised breast, buttock and genital nudity. In one sequence, a woman masturbates in front of her lover, who is reluctant to engage in sexual acts, ultimately refusing to touch her. sexual violence and sexual threat

A woman is tortured using genital mutilation; it is implied that a device is used to penetrate her, but this is not shown in strong detail. In another sequence, a man attempts to rape a woman while she is restrained by others, but violence puts an end to the sexual threat.

Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of A Serial Killer is a 2022 Pakistan crime thriller by Abu Aleeha
Starring Kaleem Ghori, Yasir Hussain and Rabya Kulsoom

The story of serial killer Javed Iqbal, who sexually abused and killed more than 100 children in Lahore between 1998 and 1999.

The movie Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of A Serial Killer was eagerly awaited in its native Pakistan but after a preview screening in Karachi it was abruptly pulled by the government's Central Bureau of Film Censors, despite it initially receiving censor approval. The decision was met with widespread condemnation by the film community and those who had been involved in the Javed Iqbal investigation.

A high court case is currently ongoing in a bid to retract the decision.

The film is based on writer-director Abu Aleeha's own novel Kukri . UK Asian Film Festival Founder and Director, Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry commented:

It brings to light an issue -- the abuse and mass murder of young boys -- that is of the utmost importance and yet rarely discussed. It has always been far too convenient for South Asian societies to brush such issues under the carpet but only by creating safe spaces in which to confront these issues and their root causes can we begin to create the meaningful social change we need. In that way we all owe a debt of gratitude to the creators of this film.