Queer: Mubi cancels Turkey-based film festival after authorities ban gay drama
Mubi pulled its long-awaited film festival in Turkey after local authorities banned Luca Guadgnino’s gay drama, Queer. On 7 November, Mubi Fest Istanbul 2024 was set to kick off its four-day run with a stacked lineup featuring this year’s buzzworthy films.
However, that same day, Mubi Turkey announced that the festival would not proceed due to the city governor’s last-minute ban on the Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey-led gay romance. “Hours before the opening of MUBI Fest Istanbul 2024, which we have been meticulously planning for months, and which was announced a few weeks ago and sold out days ago, we were informed that the screening of “Queer” – the festival’s opening film – has been banned by a decision of the Kadıköy District Governorate of Istanbul,” event officials explained in a written statement via their Instagram profile. “The decision states that the movie is banned because it contains provocative content that would endanger the peace of society and that the ban would be implemented for security reasons. “We believe this ban is an intervention that restricts art and cultural diversity are celebrated, bringing people together.
This band takes not just one movie away but also the meaning and purpose of the entire festival.” Toward the end of their statement, Mubi Turkey thanked all the artists, supporters, and attendees who planned on participating in the festival. “We truly appreciate your understanding and solidarity.
We know you are as saddened by this situation as we are. We will continue to advocate for the protection of freedom of expression and artistic integrity.
