Distributor rules out screening of Brokeback in UAE

Dubai: Controversial Oscar-winning Hollywood film Brokeback Mountain will definitely not hit the UAE's cinema screens after its distributor decided not to release it here.

Bosses at Italia Film said it was not worth trying to sell the film in the Middle East because it was likely to pass censorship in too few countries.

John Chahine, Italia Film's General Manager in Dubai, said the final decision not to bring the film to the region was taken this week.

Censorship

He added: "It will not play anywhere in the Gulf. Italia Film has finally decided that. Because of the subject of the film, it would be rejected in most countries and it's not feasible to release it in just one or two markets.

"We got the feeling of the censorship officials about the film and they said it would be hard to pass it.

"The company thought why try to push it through and cause problems with the censors," he told Gulf News.

The film has generated debate because it features a homosexual affair between two cowboys, played in the film by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Chahine said Italia Film thought there was a 50 per cent chance of the film being passed in the UAE, with Lebanon the only other market where it stood a significant chance of getting through, although it would have been submitted to censors in other countries too.

Brokeback Mountain won three Oscars at the recent Academy Awards, including one for best director for Ang Lee, after being nominated in eight categories.