Wonder Woman release 'suspended' in Tunisia as political party protests Israeli actor Gal Gadot
The Tunisian Culture Minister has upheld the superhero film's debut
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Wonder Woman may be dominating the UK and US box-office, but certain countries are refusing to show the superhero smash.
Following Lebanon’s lead — the country officially banning the Patty Jenkins-directed flick because Gal Gadot is Israeli — the film’s debut in Tunisia has been suspended.
Deadline reports that the Tunisian Culture Minister has prevented the film screening in the capital of Tunis following a request by Arab nationalist political party the People’s Movement.
According to the publication, Gadot’s 2014 defence of Israel during the Gaza war was cited as reason for the delay. In a statement, the People’s Movement said: “We must continue the mobilisation on this type of affair, as on everything related to normalisation with the Zionist entity.”
Wonder Woman was due to officially start playing today (Thursday, 8 June) in two cinemas, but has been ‘suspended’ until a later date. A spokesperson for the Tunisian Culture Minister said the delay was “purely administrative” for the meantime, with a permanent ban yet-to-be-decided.
Distributor Lassaad Goubantini told Deadline: “It’s a decision based on bogus accusations… Today they prevent a film because of an actress, tomorrow they’ll invent another excuse. It’s an attack on liberties.”
The Warner Bros. film was also pulled from an Algiers film festival, where the film was due to premiere. The issue there, however, is said to be ‘administrative’ rather than with regards Gadot.
Meanwhile, Patty Jenkins has not been confirmed to be returning for the Wonder Woman sequel yet, apparently negotiating a contract at the moment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments