Social Media Prompts Ban Of The Danish Girl From Qatar

Qatar has banned Tom Hooper’s The Danish Girl from showing in cinemas after social media protests declared the film depraved.

The film’s transgender theme was not well received in the Gulf state of Qatar after it opened in theaters in the capital of Doha last weekend.

Qatari authorities took the complaints on social media seriously and, in a tweet quoted in the Doha News, the country’s Minister of Culture said that the film is no longer allowed to be shown:

“The tour of the Danish film is now banned in cinemas. We thank you for your vigilance.”

The Danish Girl is a fictitious love story loosely inspired by the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Lili and Gerda’s marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili’s journey underwent the world’s first sex change.

Lili Elbe is played by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, whilst Elbe’s wife, Gerda Wegener, is portrayed by Swedish actress Alicia Vikander who was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in the picture.