A Turkey film festival was canceled by the organizers after the local authorities prohibited them from screening Queer, an LGBTQ+-themed film starring Daniel Craig, during the event. Streaming and distribution company Mubi had planned a four-day fest in Istanbul from November 7 to 10.
Hours before the commencement, the platform announced it would not move ahead with the Mubi Fest Istanbul as the local government banned the premiere of Queer citing provocative content and security reasons.
Queer, which was supposed to be the opening film at the festival, stars Craig as a middle-aged gay man addicted to drugs who falls in love with a discharged US Navy serviceman in 1950s Mexico City.
Turkey Film Festival was canceled by Mubi after Daniel Craig's Queer got banned
Mubi released a statement on its official Instagram handle in Turkey, announcing the annulment of the second edition of the Mubi Fest Istanbul. The organizers stated that hours before the event, they received a notice from Kadikoy district authorities to ban the screening of the opening film, Queer, over endangerment of public peace.
Mubi said the move curbs freedom of expression and defeats the whole purpose of a film festival that should promote art and cultural diversity, and bring people together. Instead of stopping the movie's screening, the organizers decided to cancel the whole festival to protect artistic expression.
An excerpt from the statement reads:
“The decision states that the film is prohibited on the grounds that it contains provocative content that could endanger public peace, with the ban being imposed for security reasons. We believe this ban is a direct restriction on art and freedom of expression.”
“Festivals are spaces that celebrate art, cultural diversity, and community, bringing people together. This ban not only targets a single film but also undermines the very essence and purpose of the festival.”
“For this reason, MUBI has decided to take the position that our audience expects from us. It is with deep regret that we inform you of our decision to cancel the entire MUBI Fest Istanbul.”
The tickets for the event were sold out days ago. Mubi announced it would share information about the refund later. At the same time, the streaming company expressed its gratitude toward artists and audiences who wanted to attend the event.
Though homosexuality is not criminalized in Turkey, it is still considered taboo. The LGBTQ+ community has faced marginalization in the country, especially in the last few years, as Pride marches have been banned since 2015.
In 2020, Netflix was supposed to produce a Turkish show featuring a gay person. However, the production was canceled as the streamer could not get permission from the local government.
Queer tells the love story of two men in the 1950s
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Queer is based on William S. Burroughs’s 1985 semi-autobiographical novella of the same name. The film tells the story of William Lee, played by Daniel Craig, who lives a lonely life in 1950s Mexico City after fleeing from a drug bust in the US.
Lee finally gets a chance at love and connection when he meets a young man named Allerton, who was recently discharged from the American Navy. The film showcases their intense love story and features graphic sex scenes.
The movie premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in September 2024 and has been lauded for its emotional depth and performances, with audiences calling it one of Craig’s career-best performances.
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Written by Justin Kuritzkes, the period romantic drama also stars Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Henry Zaga, Drew Droege, Ariel Schulman, David Lowery, Colin Bates, Ronia Ava, Perla Ambrosini, and Simon Rizzoni.
Queer will have a limited theatrical release in the US on November 27, 2024.
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