Barbie's Ban In Bahrain: Why And When?

The 2023 Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling was banned in several Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The film's themes of self-acceptance, empowerment, and non-traditional gender roles were deemed to conflict with social and religious values in these countries. Bahrain, however, made the decision to release the film, sparking debate and highlighting the complexities of navigating diverse societal norms in an increasingly globalised media landscape.

Barbie's character and strong, unapologetic female lead

The live-action Barbie film, directed by Greta Gerwig, has been banned in several countries, including Kuwait and Lebanon, for contradicting social and religious values. Despite this, the film has been released in other countries, including Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar.

Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, is a resilient and intelligent character who breaks free from the confines of conventional femininity. She is portrayed as a symbol of female empowerment, defying gender stereotypes and embarking on a journey of self-discovery. Through her adventures, the film conveys the message that girls can aspire to be anything they want, promoting female empowerment.

In the film, Barbie transitions from her fantasy world to the real world, facing challenges and exploring her relationship with Ken, played by Ryan Gosling. The power of the patriarchy goes to Ken's head when he visits the real world, leading him to spearhead an ill-fated coup in Barbieland. Barbie's character is guided by the doll's real-life creator, Ruth Handler, who is portrayed by Rhea Perlman. Handler's unapologetic attitude adds depth to her character.

While the film has been praised for its visually stunning set and costume design, it has also faced criticism for its treatment of male gender norms and its failure to offer tangible solutions for true equity. The #Kenough storyline, which addresses men's mental health, felt shallow to some critics, trivialising a serious issue.

Despite its flaws, the film has sparked important conversations about female empowerment and gender roles, serving as an introductory study on feminism, patriarchy, and gender equity.

Portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships

The 2023 fantasy comedy film "Barbie", directed by Greta Gerwig, has been banned in several countries, including Bahrain, due to its portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships and characters. While the film does not depict sexual orientations of the Barbie and Ken dolls, it features several openly LGBTQ+ actors, such as Kate McKinnon, Hari Nef, Alexandra Shipp, and Scott Evans.

In Bahrain, the film was banned by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information's committee, which stated that the movie "promulgates ideas and beliefs that are alien to Kuwaiti society and public order." The film was also banned in other Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Lebanon, with similar justifications, citing the protection of social and religious values and traditions.

The inclusion of LGBTQ+ actors and themes in "Barbie" has been a topic of debate and controversy, with some countries deeming it unsuitable for their cultural and social norms. However, the film has received positive reviews from outlets like Out.com, which featured an article titled "Barbie Is an LGBTQ+ Party, Attest Greta Gerwig and Out's Cover Stars." The article highlights Gerwig's intention to include LGBTQ+ actors and her belief in the importance of representing the diversity created by Mattel with its various Barbie and Ken dolls.

Despite facing bans in certain countries, "Barbie" has achieved significant success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and receiving numerous accolades, including Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

Censorship and editing requests

The Barbie film, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, faced censorship and editing requests in several countries, including Bahrain. The film's release was delayed in the Middle East due to requested edits related to LGBTQ-related content and dialogue. Barbie was also banned in Kuwait and Lebanon for contradicting social and religious values.

In Bahrain, the film faced opposition due to its inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters. Some viewers expressed discomfort with the presence of LGBTQ+ themes in a family movie, particularly one that children would likely watch. There were calls for the removal of LGBTQ+ characters or scenes, with threats of a complete ban if the studio refused to comply. However, others defended the film, arguing that it should be available for those who wanted to watch it and that it was unnecessary to censor a subtle portrayal of LGBTQ+ identities.

The Barbie film seemed to challenge traditional gender roles and societal norms in the Middle East. Barbie's strong and unapologetic character was seen as a potential threat to traditional gender dynamics. Additionally, the depiction of two female characters sharing a kiss likely clashed with societal expectations in the region. These factors contributed to the controversy surrounding the film and may have influenced the censorship and editing requests.

Religious beliefs in the Middle East may have also played a role in the opposition to the film. Barbie's message of self-empowerment and breaking societal norms could have been perceived as conflicting with certain religious doctrines. This perception may have further fuelled the requests for censorship and editing, particularly in countries with strong religious influences.

The Barbie film highlighted the complexities of navigating diverse societal norms and expectations in international film releases. While it received a warm welcome in some parts of the world, it faced significant pushback in others. The controversy surrounding the film sparked discussions about cultural sensitivity, freedom of expression, and the impact of censorship on the movie industry.

Religious and social values in Bahrain

Bahrain has been recognised by several organisations for interfaith dialogue and religious rights as the country in the region with the greatest religious freedom and highest levels of interfaith tolerance. The country's 2002 Constitution, the National Action Charter, enshrined the rights of all faiths and guaranteed freedom of worship.

Bahrain's population is very religiously diverse, with over half of its residents being non-Bahraini expatriates. The country hosts around 20 churches, including the largest church in the Middle East, which is to be built in Manama. It is also home to a small Jewish community, which is represented in the Shura Council by Nancy Khadhori, and for four years, Houda Nonoo was Bahrain's ambassador to the US. There is a high degree of tolerance within Bahraini society for minority religious beliefs and traditions, although not for conversion from Islam or for atheistic or secularist views.

Bahrain's constitution declares Islam to be the official religion and states that Sharia law is the principal source for legislation. It provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of places of worship, and freedom to perform religious rites. The constitution guarantees the right to express and publish opinions, provided these do not infringe on the "fundamental beliefs of Islamic doctrine". The law prohibits anti-Islamic publications and mandates imprisonment for "exposing the state's official religion to offence and criticism". There is no legal prohibition against apostasy. The penal code punishes any individual who mocks or disdains another religious group.

In public schools, Islamic studies are mandatory for Muslim students from grades one through 12. The constitution guarantees women's equality with men, "without breaching the provisions" of Sharia law.

Bahrain has a history of tensions between Sunni and Shia sects, with reports of human rights abuses against Shia prisoners and restrictions on their rights to worship and profess their religious beliefs. The government has also been known to regulate the content of religious sermons of both Sunni and Shia religious leaders. However, in recent years, there have been initiatives in new laws to outlaw sectarian hate speech and take action against figures inciting religious tensions.

Public perception and media influence

Barbie, the iconic doll, has been a polarising figure in popular culture for decades. On the one hand, she has been criticised for promoting unhealthy thinness and appearance-based ideals, with her body proportions deemed unrealistic and unhealthy. This has led to concerns about the impact of the doll on young girls, with studies finding links between exposure to Barbie and reduced body esteem and body satisfaction, higher body size discrepancy, thin-ideal internalisation, and restrictive eating behaviour.

On the other hand, Barbie has also been viewed as a symbol of potential, representing the idea that a woman can do anything. This perception is reinforced by her diverse range of careers, including astronaut, veterinarian, and actress, as well as Mattel's efforts to address criticisms by launching a line of Barbie dolls with different body types in 2016.

The live-action film "Barbie" (2023), directed by Greta Gerwig, attempted to bridge these diverging threads, presenting Barbie as both a glamorous doll and a "real-world" woman. The film faced censorship issues in the Middle East, with some countries, including Bahrain, banning its release due to concerns about its contradiction of social and religious values.

Public perception of Barbie, as reflected in the media, continues to be mixed. While some sources praise the film "Barbie" for its positive message of female empowerment, others critique the doll and the film for perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards and reinforcing hyper-femininity. Overall, Barbie remains a divisive figure, loved and loathed in equal measure, with her influence on popular culture and social perceptions of femininity and gender roles continuing to spark debate.

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