Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is lifting the ban on cinemas, as part of his Vision 2030 program to stimulate the economy and ease social restrictions. Films will be censored to respect Islamic laws and moral values.
The traditional macho culture in Saudi Arabia seems to be changing, at least in some ways. Women now have the right to drive cars and next year they will be welcome at the largest sports venues in the country. The latest reform announced by 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman focuses on lifting the country’s long-standing ban on cinemas. Cinemas have been banned in Saudi Arabia since the early 1980s, when the kingdom began imposing an ultra-conservative version of Islam that discouraged public entertainment and segregated men and women.
Censorship and cinema:
The prince’s Vision 2030 program is designed to stimulate the desert kingdom’s economy, reduce its dependence on oil, and ease social restrictions, primarily felt by its young population.
The Saudi government said films shown in its cinemas would be censored to ensure they respect the kingdom’s moral values and Islamic laws.
Politics will certainly play a role in what we see. For example, Lebanon banned Wonder Woman because actress Gal Gadot is Israeli. The film was also banned in Qatar and Tunisia.
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