Shuttered Screens: Istanbul’s MUBI Festival in Turmoil After Shocking LGBTI+ Film Ban
An English wall
MUBI Fest Istanbul, which was scheduled to take place from November 7-10, was canceled after the Kadıköy District Governor’s Office banned an LGBTI+-themed film, the streaming platform announced on November 7.
In a statement on social media, Turkey‘s MUBI said it had decided to cancel the entire festival after the district governor’s office banned the showing of the film “Queer” “hours before the start of the festival.”
In its decision, the office claimed that the film “contains provocative content that may endanger public peace and that the ban will be enforced for security reasons.”
“We believe that this ban is an intervention that limits art and freedom of expression. Festivals are places to breathe where art and cultural diversity are celebrated, bringing people together. This ban does not ban just one film, but the entire festival, and it takes away from its meaning and purpose,” the platform said.
“As MUBI, we want to show the right stance that our audience expects from us and we regret to inform you that we have decided to cancel all of MUBI FEST Istanbul,” the platform announced.
Hours before the start of MUBI Fest Istanbul 2024, for which preparations took months, announcements started weeks ago, and tickets were sold out days ago, the screening of QUEER, which was in the program of the festival and also the opening film, Istanbul Kadıköy, was banned… pic.twitter.com/lzUPVMD3Mf
– MUBI Turkey (@mubiturkiye) November 7, 2024
The Turkish government has taken a particularly strong stance against the LGBTI+ community since the Gezi Park protest in 2013 and the attempted coup in 2016. The annual LGBTI+ pride parade in Istanbul and major Turkish cities has been banned since 2015, and those who have marched anyway have been met with police violence.