Why has Beauty and the Beast been banned in Malaysia?
Disney's live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast has been pulled from cinemas in Malaysia. This surprising move was due to a brief "gay moment" in the movie which didn't sit well with the country's strict laws against homosexuality. The Film Censorship Board of Malaysia wanted Disney to cut the scene, but Disney refused, leading to an indefinite postponement of its release. This has stirred international debate on the censorship of content. I believe it is important to respect cultural sensitivities, but also essential to champion artistic freedom.
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