Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us Banned in THIS Country Over Controversial Content

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As a passionate moviegoer with a soft spot for powerful female narratives and romance dramas, I must say that “It Ends With Us” is a film that truly resonated with me. The way Blake Lively portrayed Lily Bloom’s struggle to break free from her abusive past was nothing short of remarkable. However, it’s unfortunate to see that the movie, which carries such an important message about women empowerment, has been banned in Qatar due to its kissing scenes.

In cinemas starting August 9, “It Ends With Us” featuring Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni promises to be a blockbuster hit. Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel, this romantic drama seems to embody female empowerment, focusing on the story of Lily Bloom, a florist who bravely attempts to escape her abusive spouse and prevent herself from repeating her mother’s tragic history.

It seems that the Qatari authorities found the romantic scenes in the PG-13 movie “It Ends With Us” inappropriate and have prohibited its release in theaters within the country, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Based on the information, it’s stated that Qatar enforces strict censorship laws which prohibit a wide variety of content, including LGBTQ+ representation and live-in relationships. The release of a movie starring Blake Lively was hindered in Qatar due to its intimate scenes, depicted through non-explicit sex and kissing sequences. It’s worth considering if the film’s theme promoting female empowerment could have played a role in the censorship decision.

It is worth noting that the Sony film deemed suitable for viewers aged 13 or above in the U.S. is flagged as inappropriate for adults of all ages in Qatar, insinuating the restrictive and oppressive nature of the ruling government. 

It’s not surprising that, just like other films with progressive themes such as Barbie (2023) which tackled patriarchy and sexism, encountered restrictions in the emirate country. Similarly, movies like Eternals (2021) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), which featured LGBTQ representation, were banned according to the source.

In addition to Pixar’s Lightyear, other highly anticipated movies that didn’t gain approval from Qatari officials were No Hard Feelings, Anyone But You, and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.

Currently, the movie “It Ends With Us” is performing well at the box office, earning approximately $50 million during its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. However, it’s facing tough competition from Hollywood’s power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, as “It Ends With Us” has yet to surpass the billion-dollar success of their previous collaborations, “Deadpool” and “Wolverine.”

Despite enthusiastic responses from fans, film critics have given mixed reviews to Colleen Hoover’s movie adaptation, particularly criticizing its shallow portrayal of the complex topic of domestic violence. At present, The It Ends With Us has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 59%.

It Ends With Us is now out in theatres worldwide, excluding Qatar. 

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2024-08-13 12:09