Singapore (CU)_ The Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore has rated Walt Disney’s animated Pixar film Lightyear NC16 due to a kiss between two female characters, making it unsuitable for children to view. The multicultural Southeast Asian nation imposed a minimum age rating of 16 for the Toy Story spin-off, and revealed its viewpoint on the movie. It said, “While it is an excellent animated film set in the US context, Singapore is a diverse society where we have multiple sensibilities and viewpoints”.
The film Lightyear features some images of a female protagonist and her partner forming a family, experiencing several milestones, and even kissing. According to the IMDA, it is the first commercial kid’s animation with overtly gay imagery. It is not the first time that Singapore’s traditional view on homosexuality has been brought to light.
Long-standing appeals have been made for the government to remove the provision of the country’s penal code that criminalizes homosexuality. In April, K. Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Law, stated that the government has discussed the issue with a variety of Singaporean organizations to better comprehend their perspectives on the law.
According to the agency, IMDA approached Disney to explore distributing the picture in two versions, but the offer was rejected. The organization added, “Even among members who were willing to consider a lower rating, some were uncomfortable that this would mean it can be shown unedited, to a broad-based audience on free-to-air TV”.
Similarly, the United Arab Emirates has also prohibited the release of Lightyear in theaters. According to the media, close sources familiar with the subject stated that the film will not be released in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian nations, as it hits the screen this week. Chris Evans provides the voice for the famed space ranger Buzz Lightyear in the film Lightyear.
