Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” was banned in the Middle East.

The film will not be available for exhibition in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Oman.

The film wont be available for exhibition in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.

While in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the film wasnt granted a release certificate, in Qatar and Oman, Disney refused to comply with cuts requested by censors, reports Variety.Due to strict censorship requirements regarding sexuality and swearing and other aspects that arent in line with the Middle Easts cultural views, the film was banned in these countries.

The censors were not entirely satisfied with West Side Story.However, Anybodys, a transgender actor Iris Menas played, was the subject of much debate.

Films that contain LGBTQ references are regularly targeted by censors in China and the Middle East.West Side Story is the second feature film adaptation to the 1957 stage musical.

It stars Rachel Zegler and AnselElgort as starcrossed lovers who are affiliated with rival gangs.The film, whose cast also includes Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, and Rita Moreno, is set to release theatrically worldwide on December 10.aa/k #Steven #Spielbergs #West #Story #Middle #East #China #Disney.