Tayyaba
Disney’s ‘Across The Spiderverse’ follows Miles Morales as Spider-Man who is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People. The heroes end up clashing on how to handle a new threat and Miles finds himself against the other Spider-People. It has been a fan favorite in every area it came out, but a week before this films intended release in the UAE region, it faced a ban. It is unclear whether it will face a ban in Saudi Arabia as well, but it is highly likely as their laws frequently align with those of the United Arab Emirates.
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is not just a film; it’s a celebration of everything that makes Spider-Man an enduring icon. It captures the essence of the character, the spirit of heroism, and the power of self-belief. It reminds us that anyone can be a hero, regardless of their background or circumstances. In conclusion, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a cinematic marvel that transcends expectations. It is a visual spectacle, an emotional rollercoaster, and a testament to the power of storytelling.”
Fan reviews on Google for the film
Why did the UAE ban this film?
According to Variety and most fan speculation, the reason behind this ban is likely due to a blink-and-you-miss-it poster that reads “Protect Trans Lives” in the background of one scene. Basically, the Human Dignity Trust reports that “the gender expression of trans people is criminalized” in the UAE leading to the movie not passing the regions censorship laws. Another animated film got the axe in UAE, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait last summer, when Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” was not released due to a scene depicting a same-sex kiss between two space rangers. Aside from this, another reason for ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ facing a block could also be because the film draws attention on how it explores the arc of Gwen Stacy, who some viewers have interpreted as a “trans-coded character.” Gwen is not explicitly identified as transgender in the film although scenes set in the character’s dimension do prominently feature the colors of the transgender flag.