Turkish film festival canceled after gay Daniel Craig drama ‘Queer’ banned

Mubi Fest Istanbul has been canceled following government censorship of a buzzy gay drama film.

Mubi announced that hours before its annual film festival in Turkey’s capital was set to commence, the organization received a notification from the District Governorship of Istanbul’s Kadıköy municipality that the screening of the fest’s opening film, Queer, was banned.

A translated post from the film distributor’s social media account said that the government argued that Queer “contained provocative content that would endanger public peace and that the ban decision would be implemented for security reasons.” 

Mubi characterized the ban as “an intervention that restricts art and freedom of expression,” writing, “Festivals are breathing spaces that celebrate art and cultural diversity and bring people together. This ban distances not only a film but the entire festival from its meaning and purpose.”

Queer stars Daniel Craig as an American adrift in Mexico City in the 1940s as he becomes entangled with a discharged Navy officer portrayed by Outer Banks‘ Drew Starkey. Based on an unfinished 1985 novella by William S. Burroughs, the film is directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) and written by his Challengers collaborator Justin Kuritzkes.

In response to the government ban of the film, Mubi canceled the entirety of the sold-out festival. “We want to take the correct stance that our audience expects from us and regretfully announce that we have decided to cancel the entire MUBI FEST Istanbul,” the organization wrote. “We would like to thank all artists, viewers and supporters who were planning to attend the festival and who we believe are as saddened by this situation as we are, for their understanding and solidarity. We will continue to maintain our stance on this issue in order to protect freedom of expression and artistic expression.”

Homosexuality is legal in Turkey, but the government does not recognize gay marriage, and gay men are not permitted to serve in the country’s military or donate blood, according to EqualDex. Additionally, there are very few laws and policies in place to prevent queer citizens from discrimination throughout the country.

Censorship has grown significantly stricter in the last few years, as a 2022 law heavily restricted freedom of speech online and criminalized sharing any “disinformation” not approved by the government, according to the Brookings Institution.

The four-day festival was set to screen dozens of features and short films between Nov. 7 and Nov. 10, including Hit Man, Late Night with the Devil, Perfect Days, Origin, and Do Not Expect Much from the End of the World.

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