United Arab Emirates lifts film censorship in theaters

The entrance to VOX Cinema at Dubai Mall, United Arab Emirates on April 15, 2021. AP - Kamran Jebreili

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Films shown in theaters in the United Arab Emirates will no longer be censored, authorities said on Sunday (December 19th).

A new category of films prohibited to under 21s is created.

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Cinema censorship ends in the United Arab Emirates.

From now on, the films classified "21+" " 

 ", with a strict control of the respect of the age limits, announced the office of the Bureau of media regulation on its Twitter account, Sunday (December 19th).

Censorship is a widespread practice in the Arab world, especially in the very conservative Gulf region.

Films which include scenes considered to be capable of undermining local customs are often cut during editing, or even banned.

Western model

The Emirates, of which 90% of the population is made up of expatriates, have undertaken in recent years a vast project to modernize regulations in order to become one of the most open and attractive countries in the Gulf.

The Emirati authorities have notably authorized cohabitation, relaxed restrictions on alcohol and offered long-term stays to foreigners.

The country has also announced that it will adopt, from January 1, 2022, a

, that is to say, Saturday-Sunday.

In other Muslim countries in the region, the weekend is set for Friday, the day of great prayer, and Saturday.

The Media Regulatory Office announced the inscribed of the 21+ for the age classification categories for cinema films. # UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/5PxkDHCsDl

- UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) December 19, 2021

(With AFP)

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• United Arab Emirates

• Culture

• Movie theater