Paris Pulls ‘Barbie’ Screening After ‘Religious Fundamentalists’ Threaten and Complain That It “Promotes Homosexuality”
An outdoor screening of Greta Gerwig’s hit movie Barbie was cancelled in the Paris suburb of Noisy-le-Sec after threats from a small group of people who claimed the film “advocates homosexuality,” according to local outlet Le Parisien.
The free screening, which was supposed to take place last Friday, starred Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. The movie, while featuring LGBTQ+ actors such as Hari Nef and Kate McKinnon, does not focus on LGBTQ+ storylines. It follows Barbie’s journey to the real world as she explores her purpose in life.
Mayor Olivier Sarrabeyrouse confirmed the cancellation on Monday. He said that “an extreme minority of thugs, who, no doubt, had not seen the film, transformed a simple free open-air cinema screening open to all into a violent opposition movement.”
The mayor added that around 10 to 15 people had “surrounded the offices” and threatened to “take everything down and put an end to your session” over their religious beliefs and their perception of the film.
Sarrabeyrouse further stated, “They said that it advocates homosexuality and that it is an attack on the integrity of women. Barbie is a film for all audiences, which has never been banned in France.” He pointed out that the film had been banned in other countries, including Kuwait, Vietnam, and Algeria.
The mayor expressed his regret, saying, “I deplore the fact that a small group from the neighbourhood mobilised its energy under pressure from an individual to prevent the screening of this film.” He also said the town hall is working to “reschedule this film” at a later date.
The cancellation drew criticism from political figures. MP Valérie Boyer described the incident as “Islamic religious fundamentalists exercising strong and effective social control.”
She posted on X, “Algeria, Lebanon, Kuwait, and today Noisy-le-Sec in [France] censor #Barbie… the [mayor] submits to pressures from an ‘aggressive group’!” Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also condemned the threats, stating that “the slightest retreat in the face of these community demands is unacceptable.”
l’Algérie, le Liban, le Koweït et auj Noisy-le-Sec en 🇫🇷 !censurent #Barbie … le maire #PCF se soumet aux pressions d'un "groupe agressif" !
— Valérie Boyer🎗️ (@valerieboyer13) August 13, 2025
Traduction : des intégristes religieux islamistes excercent un contrôle social fort et efficace !#tragique #soumission ! https://t.co/zuRoHEmCvA
During a press conference on Thursday, Sarrabeyrouse rejected the harsh political reactions to the screening cancellation. He described the opponents’ views as “totally fallacious” and said their claims about the film promoting same-sex relationships and attacking women were wrong.
He also condemned the racist and Islamophobic messages that followed, saying, “The words of today’s Minister of the Interior will not extinguish this flame of racist hatred, unleashed without any limits, of which I am the target as much as my population.”
AFP reported that an official investigation has been opened for threats, violence, and intimidation against a public officer. Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez announced legal action against “community withdrawal and separatism,” calling it “contrary to the foundations of our Republic” and potentially criminal.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
