 A transgender actor starring in the blockbuster horror movie, Talk To Me, has spoken out after it emerged the film has been banned in Kuwait over their identity. Cinema-goers worldwide have been raving over A24's Australian hit, which follows a group of high school kids as they discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, only to end up unleashing terrifying supernatural entities. Lead star Sophie Wilde's performance has earned stellar reviews considering it's her cinematic debut, while a sequel is confirmed to be in the works with directors Danny and Michael Philippou returning. It also stars Zoe Terakes, who is transgender in real life, but whose gender identity is never mentioned in the film. However, it's reported that the horror has been banned from screening in Kuwait, not because of any LGBTQ+ themes in the movie – of which there are none – but allegedly because of Zoe being transgender in real life. Trans people in the Middle Eastern country were previously criminalised but the law was found to be unconstitutional in 2022. While it is no longer illegal to be transgender, much of the community still finds themselves to be marginalised. The Hollywood Reporter claimed the film is not being distributed in the Gulf state, prompting Zoe to address the ban. In a lengthy Instagram post, the actor said: 'I've been wondering how to respond to this. Whether it deserves the dignity of a response. This isn't the first film Kuwait has banned. If there are queer or trans themes or scenes in your film, it's probably not gonna make it to the Gulf. Which is devastating and terrifying in its own right. But our film doesn't have queer themes. 'Our film doesn't actually ever mention my transness, or my queerness. I am a trans actor who happened to get the role. I'm not a theme. I'm a person. Kuwait has banned this film due to my identity alone. Reportedly, this is a first. This){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
A transgender actor starring in the blockbuster horror movie, Talk To Me, has spoken out after it emerged the film has been banned in Kuwait over their identity.
Cinema-goers worldwide have been raving over A24’s Australian hit, which follows a group of high school kids as they discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, only to end up unleashing terrifying supernatural entities.
Lead star Sophie Wilde’s performance has earned stellar reviews considering it’s her cinematic debut, while a sequel is confirmed to be in the works with directors Danny and Michael Philippou returning.
It also stars Zoe Terakes, who is transgender in real life, but whose gender identity is never mentioned in the film.