Film cancelation of "Barbie in Noisy-le-Sec": Legal measures initiated by Paris' police chief, probe commenced
In the Paris suburb of Noisy-le-Sec, the scheduled open-air screening of the film Barbie was cancelled on August 8, 2025, following threats and intimidation from a small group of individuals. The opposition, described as an "extreme minority" and "thugs" by Mayor Olivier Sarrabeyrouse, claimed the film "advocates homosexuality" and conflicted with their religious beliefs.
The screening, part of the town’s summer open-air cinema programme, was set to take place on a giant screen in the Londeau neighborhood. However, due to persistent threats from around 10 to 15 people, Mayor Sarrabeyrouse announced the cancellation on August 11, stating that municipal workers had directly reported feeling endangered. These threats included vows to disrupt the event and damage municipal equipment.
In the days leading up to the cancellation, the opponents had surrounded municipal offices, escalating concerns about violence and disruption. The mayor condemned the actions as driven by obscurantism and fundamentalism, and criticized the protesters as likely not having even seen the film.
The film Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, tells the story of Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, who discovers the misogyny of the real world. The film has been banned in several countries for cultural controversies, but until this incident, it had been unchallenged in France. However, the opposition framed the film as "neo-feminist propaganda" and an "attack on the integrity of women," in addition to accusing it of promoting LGBTQ+ themes, despite the film not having major LGBTQ+ storylines, although it features some LGBTQ+ actors.
The cancellation has sparked wider debate in France about fundamentalist pressures on secular public events and freedom of cultural expression, especially within communities with a large Muslim population. This incident highlights tensions between religious conservatism and French secular values. The controversy surrounding the Barbie film has received criticism from the right and far-right political factions.
Following the incident, local prosecutors opened an investigation into the threats and intimidation aimed at public service officers and the event cancellation. The town hall has announced plans to reschedule the screening at a later date, aiming to maintain the open-air cinema tradition despite the disruption. The city hopes for a moment of debate to prevent "a group of men from posing as moral censors."
The investigation was initiated on August 14, 2022, by the prosecutor's office in Bobigny regarding threats, violence, or acts of intimidation against a public service officer in Seine-Saint-Denis. The incident is considered contrary to the foundations of the Republic and may be subject to criminal qualifications. The elected official has denounced the "totally disproportionate" nature of the controversy and denounced the "political exploitation, speculation, and racist Islamophobic hate" that followed.
In summary, the cancellation in Noisy-le-Sec stemmed from credible threats and intimidation targeting public officials, leading to a police investigation and public debate over freedom of expression and religious fundamentalism in France. The municipality intends to reschedule the screening, navigating the challenge of balancing community safety with cultural programming.
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