KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait authorities have announced the ban of a horror film titled “Talk to Me,” which features a transgender actor, despite the movie being screened in other conservative Gulf nations. The film, which stars transgender Australian actor Zoe Terakes, is currently being shown in theatres in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The decision to ban the screening of “Talk to Me” in Kuwait was confirmed by Hisham Alghanim, vice chairman of the Kuwait National Cinema Company. The film’s release, which was scheduled for the past week, has been halted, and the reasons for the ban remain undisclosed at this time.
Reaction to Kuwait’s Ban
Reacting to the ban, Zoe Terakes, the trans actor who plays a role in the film, criticized the move as “dehumanizing.” In a statement shared on social media, Terakes emphasized that “Talk to Me” does not explore queer themes and highlighted their identity as a trans actor. Terakes, who identifies as non-binary, expressed disappointment over Kuwait’s decision to ban the film solely based on their identity, characterizing it as a targeted and harmful action.
