The movie The Danish Girl, which has received international acclaim, with multiple BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations has been banned in Qatar.
Situated on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula bordering Saudi Arabia, the Islamic nation of Qatar has not taken well to the Tom Hooper film. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and trans people aren’t recognized by the state.
Pink News reports that the film had been screened in some cinemas in the capital Doha – but the government this week stepped in to prevent it from being shown.
After a citizen complained about the film’s “moral depravity”, a reply from the Qatari culture ministry said: “We would like to inform you that we have contacted the concerned administration and the screening of the Danish film is now banned from cinemas. We thank you for your unwavering vigilance.”
The Danish Girl follows the lives of Danish painters Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. The film stars Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of sex reassignment surgery, Alicia Vikander as Gerda Wegener, Matthias Schoenaerts as Hans Axgil, and Ben Whishaw as Henrik.
