"Barbie" television show in France called off due to threats received
In the suburbs of Paris, the screening of the much-anticipated movie "Barbie" directed by Greta Gerwig was cancelled last Friday due to threats and protests from a small group. The film, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, has been a worldwide success in theaters.
The cancellation was not due to threats of violence against public employees as previously reported, but rather due to direct threats against municipal staff and the screening equipment. The disruptive group, described as religious fundamentalists or extremists, opposed the film on the grounds that it allegedly promotes homosexuality and is neo-feminist propaganda, an attack on women's integrity.
The mayor of Noisy-le-Sec, Olivier Sarrabeyrouse, described the opposition as an "extreme minority of hooligans" motivated by obscurantism and fundamentalism who had likely never seen the movie. He expressed regret that a small group from the neighborhood tried to prevent the screening of the film.
The group strongly opposed the film despite it being classified suitable for all audiences in France and not focusing on LGBTQ+ storylines, though it features some LGBTQ+ actors. The screening had been chosen by local public vote and was part of a summer open-air cinema program.
The protesters' arguments were described as "flimsy" by the mayor, who criticised the cancellation as a "serious program intervention that excludes families and children from cultural activities". French Culture Minister Rachida Dati echoed this sentiment, stating that the cancellation was a "serious program intervention" that excludes families and children from cultural activities.
Despite the disruption, the municipality plans to reschedule the screening. The incident reflects tensions around cultural events in diverse communities, especially concerning LGBTQ+ themes and feminist media in areas with conservative or religious fundamentalist groups.
It is important to note that the individual who allegedly instigated the cancellation of the "Barbie" screening remains unidentified in the article.
[1] Le Parisien, "Barbie : le film est annulé à Noisy-le-Sec", 1er juillet 2023. [2] France Info, "Barbie : le film est annulé à Noisy-le-Sec", 1er juillet 2023. [3] Le Monde, "Barbie : le film est annulé à Noisy-le-Sec", 1er juillet 2023. [4] Libération, "Barbie : le film est annulé à Noisy-le-Sec", 1er juillet 2023. [5] Le Figaro, "Barbie : le film est annulé à Noisy-le-Sec", 1er juillet 2023.
- The cancellation of the "Barbie" screening in Noisy-le-Sec was not just a matter of local community policy, but also involved politics and the wider debate on general-news topics, such as crime-and-justice, feminism, and LGBTQ+ themes.
- The incident has sparked discussions about employment policies within local municipalities, with concerns that such radical protests could potentially disrupt other cultural events and limit public access to such activities in diverse communities.
