“The Lady of Heaven,” “The Batman,” and “The Kashmir Files” were the most complained about films in the U.K. in 2022, the British Board of Film Classification’s (BBFC) annual report reveals.
“The Lady of Heaven,” which the BBFC describes as “a drama concerning the life of Fatima, a daughter of the prophet Muhammad,” topped the list with 1,573 complaints “from people who felt that the film was blasphemous and historically inaccurate.” The film was pulled from some U.K. cinemas upon release due to these concerns.
“Sometimes, we also receive complaints which do not relate directly to BBFC classifications, but instead reflect people’s wider objections to a certain film,” the BBFC said in its annual report. “Filmmakers are free to explore historical or controversial themes and events within their films. Our role is to ensure that we classify the content appropriately based on our guidelines, in order to protect...
“The Lady of Heaven,” which the BBFC describes as “a drama concerning the life of Fatima, a daughter of the prophet Muhammad,” topped the list with 1,573 complaints “from people who felt that the film was blasphemous and historically inaccurate.” The film was pulled from some U.K. cinemas upon release due to these concerns.
“Sometimes, we also receive complaints which do not relate directly to BBFC classifications, but instead reflect people’s wider objections to a certain film,” the BBFC said in its annual report. “Filmmakers are free to explore historical or controversial themes and events within their films. Our role is to ensure that we classify the content appropriately based on our guidelines, in order to protect...
- 7/19/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Robert Pattinson’s The Batman and The Lady Of Heaven, a controversial film about the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, were the subject of the most complaints lodged with the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in 2022, according to the body’s annual report.
Out of 84 total complaints regarding ratings, The Batman received 22 concerning its 15 rating. The BBFC said the majority of complaints were lodged before the film’s release or from children under 15. Complainants felt that the classification was too restrictive and would prevent younger children who would like to see the film from watching it at the cinema, the report states.
In response to the complaints, the BBFC said: “The Batman presents a bleak vision of Gotham City in which Batman teams up with a detective to solve a series of murders. The killer subjects his victims to sadistic devices designed to terrorize them prior to their death.
Out of 84 total complaints regarding ratings, The Batman received 22 concerning its 15 rating. The BBFC said the majority of complaints were lodged before the film’s release or from children under 15. Complainants felt that the classification was too restrictive and would prevent younger children who would like to see the film from watching it at the cinema, the report states.
In response to the complaints, the BBFC said: “The Batman presents a bleak vision of Gotham City in which Batman teams up with a detective to solve a series of murders. The killer subjects his victims to sadistic devices designed to terrorize them prior to their death.
- 7/19/2023
- by Zac Ntim and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The DC superhero film received 22 complaints in relation to its 15 rating.
Warner Bros’ The Batman and controversial historical drama The Lady Of Heaven topped the list of complaints received by ratings body the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in 2022, according to the organisation’s annual report.
The DC superhero blockbuster starring Robert Pattinson received 22 complaints in total for its 15 rating. The organisation notes that the majority came prior to the film’s release in March 2022 or from children under the age of 15 who felt the rating was too restrictive.
Justifying the rating, the BBFC said: “The tone is consistently dark,...
Warner Bros’ The Batman and controversial historical drama The Lady Of Heaven topped the list of complaints received by ratings body the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in 2022, according to the organisation’s annual report.
The DC superhero blockbuster starring Robert Pattinson received 22 complaints in total for its 15 rating. The organisation notes that the majority came prior to the film’s release in March 2022 or from children under the age of 15 who felt the rating was too restrictive.
Justifying the rating, the BBFC said: “The tone is consistently dark,...
- 7/19/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Muslim activists in Birmingham stormed a screening of the controversial Bollywood film ‘The Kerala Story’, which has sparked a row in India amid claims that it destroys ‘religious harmony’, media reports said.
A group of protesters led by Shakeel Afsar, a Kashmiri activist, disrupted the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ on Friday at a Cineworld theatre in Birmingham, Daily Mail reported.
A 10-minute clip uploaded on the British Muslim news website ‘5Pillars’ showed Afsar, 35, with a group of demonstrators entering the cinema and causing the film to be paused.
In the clip, Afsar along with at least two others ask to speak to the cinema manager about the ‘Islamophobic’ nature of the film.
The staff at the Cineworld were forced to pause the screening as mayhem broke out, with audience members seen confronting the activists and telling them to leave, Daily Mail reported.
After the activists were ejected by the security personnel,...
A group of protesters led by Shakeel Afsar, a Kashmiri activist, disrupted the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ on Friday at a Cineworld theatre in Birmingham, Daily Mail reported.
A 10-minute clip uploaded on the British Muslim news website ‘5Pillars’ showed Afsar, 35, with a group of demonstrators entering the cinema and causing the film to be paused.
In the clip, Afsar along with at least two others ask to speak to the cinema manager about the ‘Islamophobic’ nature of the film.
The staff at the Cineworld were forced to pause the screening as mayhem broke out, with audience members seen confronting the activists and telling them to leave, Daily Mail reported.
After the activists were ejected by the security personnel,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The Moroccan Supreme Ulema council claimed ‘The Lady Of Heaven’ was a ”blatant falsification”.
The Moroccan Cinematographic Centre has banned the release of The Lady Of Heaven in the country after the local religious Supreme Ulema council condemned the film’s contents as ”blatant falsification”.
The move follows the decision by UK cinema chain Cineworld to cancel screenings of the historical drama across all its sites after protests took place at sites in three cities.
The film tells the story of Lady Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad and uses CGI to depict Lady Fatima and Prophet Mohammed.
In a...
The Moroccan Cinematographic Centre has banned the release of The Lady Of Heaven in the country after the local religious Supreme Ulema council condemned the film’s contents as ”blatant falsification”.
The move follows the decision by UK cinema chain Cineworld to cancel screenings of the historical drama across all its sites after protests took place at sites in three cities.
The film tells the story of Lady Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad and uses CGI to depict Lady Fatima and Prophet Mohammed.
In a...
- 6/14/2022
- by Melissa Kasule
- ScreenDaily
The controversies surrounding ‘The Lady Of Heaven’ refuse to die anytime soon. The film, which is about the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, earlier drew widespread protests in the UK resulting in some screenings being pulled. Now, in a fresh move, Morocco has banned the movie while the British government has dismissed Imam Qari Asim […]...
- 6/13/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Controversy continues to swirl around The Lady Of Heaven, a film about the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad which last week caused protests in the UK that led to some screenings being pulled. Morocco has now banned the movie while the British government has dismissed imam Qari Asim from his role as an adviser saying he had “encouraged an ongoing campaign to prevent cinemas screening the film” in a “clear effort to restrict artistic expression.” Asim responded that the government’s characterization of his actions is “inaccurate.”
Directed by Eli King, The Lady Of Heaven centers on the story of Arabian holy legend Lady Fatima and her message of peace and non-violence told through two separate timelines hundreds of years apart.
Some groups have criticized it for depicting the Prophet Muhammad, which is taboo in Islam, although the movie’s website notes, “In accordance with Islamic tradition, during the making...
Directed by Eli King, The Lady Of Heaven centers on the story of Arabian holy legend Lady Fatima and her message of peace and non-violence told through two separate timelines hundreds of years apart.
Some groups have criticized it for depicting the Prophet Muhammad, which is taboo in Islam, although the movie’s website notes, “In accordance with Islamic tradition, during the making...
- 6/13/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. I’m headed to Banff on Sunday for the World Media Fest but before I go, here’s our digest of the week’s biggest news and analysis.
Disney France Woes
Fermez la fenêtre: A fierce argument has broken out as the deep-pocketed U.S. streamers delve deeper and deeper into Europe’s production ecologies and Disney+ was taking no prisoners this week. France has long been the battleground for arguments around local streamer activity and regulation and it was Disney’s decision to bypass the recently revised French windowing system with animated action adventure Strange World, shifting it straight to Disney+, which caused consternation in cinematic circles. In a strongly-worded statement to Deadline, a studio spokesperson described the French windowing system, which was recently revised to allow Netflix to take films after 15 months rather than 36 in return for more spend in the nation, as “cumbersome” and “anti-consumer.
Disney France Woes
Fermez la fenêtre: A fierce argument has broken out as the deep-pocketed U.S. streamers delve deeper and deeper into Europe’s production ecologies and Disney+ was taking no prisoners this week. France has long been the battleground for arguments around local streamer activity and regulation and it was Disney’s decision to bypass the recently revised French windowing system with animated action adventure Strange World, shifting it straight to Disney+, which caused consternation in cinematic circles. In a strongly-worded statement to Deadline, a studio spokesperson described the French windowing system, which was recently revised to allow Netflix to take films after 15 months rather than 36 in return for more spend in the nation, as “cumbersome” and “anti-consumer.
- 6/10/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
An under-the-radar historical feature became headline news in the U.K. this week after it was pulled from two major cinemas chains. Cineworld, followed by Showcase, canceled all screenings of The Lady in Heaven after protests by Muslim groups took place outside cinemas in several British cities. In a statement, Cineworld said that its decision was made to “ensure the safety of our staff and customers.”
Written by Islamic scholar and cleric Sheikh Al-Habib, and from first-time feature director Eli King, The Lady of Heaven — which already had a five-week theatrical run in the U.S. without any upset — looks to tell the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter, Lady Fatima, shifting the drama from contemporary war-torn Iraq to the 7th century.
Protestors accused the film of “blasphemy,” claiming that it inaccurately and negatively depicts some of Islam’s most important figures,...
An under-the-radar historical feature became headline news in the U.K. this week after it was pulled from two major cinemas chains. Cineworld, followed by Showcase, canceled all screenings of The Lady in Heaven after protests by Muslim groups took place outside cinemas in several British cities. In a statement, Cineworld said that its decision was made to “ensure the safety of our staff and customers.”
Written by Islamic scholar and cleric Sheikh Al-Habib, and from first-time feature director Eli King, The Lady of Heaven — which already had a five-week theatrical run in the U.S. without any upset — looks to tell the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter, Lady Fatima, shifting the drama from contemporary war-torn Iraq to the 7th century.
Protestors accused the film of “blasphemy,” claiming that it inaccurately and negatively depicts some of Islam’s most important figures,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cineworld cancelled screenings of The Lady of Heaven ‘to ensure safety of staff’
Health secretary Sajid Javid has said he is “very concerned about cancel culture in the UK” after screenings of a “blasphemous” film about the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad were pulled from cinemas.
On Tuesday, Cineworld pulled all screenings of The Lady of Heaven “to ensure the safety of our staff and customers”. Showcase cinemas also reportedly pulled the film from its cinemas (the chain did not respond to a request for comment).
Health secretary Sajid Javid has said he is “very concerned about cancel culture in the UK” after screenings of a “blasphemous” film about the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad were pulled from cinemas.
On Tuesday, Cineworld pulled all screenings of The Lady of Heaven “to ensure the safety of our staff and customers”. Showcase cinemas also reportedly pulled the film from its cinemas (the chain did not respond to a request for comment).
- 6/8/2022
- by Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent
- The Guardian - Film News
Exhibitor Cineworld has pulled all screenings in the UK of The Lady Of Heaven, a film about the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad which sparked protests at some theaters. A Cineworld statement said, “Due to recent incidents related to screenings of The Lady Of Heaven, we have made the decision to cancel upcoming screenings of the film nationwide to ensure the safety of our staff and customers.”
Deadline understands that the film was playing in nine Cineworld locations, and in two of those, protests became aggressive with verbal attacks against managers. Executive producer Malik Shlibak told the BBC the protesters were behaving like “thugs and bullies,” rushing into cinemas and intimidating staff, though he warned canceled screenings could fuel similar protests in the future. “This is not something that should be tolerated in the UK… This is more than just a single film. Today it’s the Lady Of Heaven,...
Deadline understands that the film was playing in nine Cineworld locations, and in two of those, protests became aggressive with verbal attacks against managers. Executive producer Malik Shlibak told the BBC the protesters were behaving like “thugs and bullies,” rushing into cinemas and intimidating staff, though he warned canceled screenings could fuel similar protests in the future. “This is not something that should be tolerated in the UK… This is more than just a single film. Today it’s the Lady Of Heaven,...
- 6/8/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Cineworld cancels screenings to ”ensure the safety of our staff and customers”.
UK cinema chain Cineworld has cancelled all screenings of historical drama The Lady Of Heaven following protests at some of its sites.
The film opened in UK cinemas on Friday (June 3), and has since attracted public protests at Cineworld branches including Bolton and Birmingham.
The Lady Of Heaven tells the story of Lady Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad. It has been described as “divisive” by the Muslim Council of Britain and the Bolton Council of Mosques has called the film “blasphemous”.
A spokesperson for Cineworld said: “Due...
UK cinema chain Cineworld has cancelled all screenings of historical drama The Lady Of Heaven following protests at some of its sites.
The film opened in UK cinemas on Friday (June 3), and has since attracted public protests at Cineworld branches including Bolton and Birmingham.
The Lady Of Heaven tells the story of Lady Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad. It has been described as “divisive” by the Muslim Council of Britain and the Bolton Council of Mosques has called the film “blasphemous”.
A spokesperson for Cineworld said: “Due...
- 6/8/2022
- by Melissa Kasule
- ScreenDaily
“The Lady of Heaven” executive producer Malik Shlibak has voiced his disappointment over Cineworld’s decision to pull his film from U.K. cinemas following protests.
The first-time feature producer, who is also chairman of non-profit organization The Rafida Foundation, told Variety he is “very, very disappointed” by the decision, adding: “This is sending a creative message to any group or groups like this that any time you have any slight mild offense feel free to demand everyone to cave into your way of thinking.”
The film was made by U.K.-based Enlightened Kingdom, where Shlibak is a company director, and sold at the Cannes Marché du Film last year by sales agent Hannibal Pictures. The response at Cannes was “overwhelmingly positive,” Shlibak told Variety. “It was very much welcomed by Muslims, non Muslims, all sorts of people over there in Cannes.”
“Enlightened Kingdom will fight this battle in...
The first-time feature producer, who is also chairman of non-profit organization The Rafida Foundation, told Variety he is “very, very disappointed” by the decision, adding: “This is sending a creative message to any group or groups like this that any time you have any slight mild offense feel free to demand everyone to cave into your way of thinking.”
The film was made by U.K.-based Enlightened Kingdom, where Shlibak is a company director, and sold at the Cannes Marché du Film last year by sales agent Hannibal Pictures. The response at Cannes was “overwhelmingly positive,” Shlibak told Variety. “It was very much welcomed by Muslims, non Muslims, all sorts of people over there in Cannes.”
“Enlightened Kingdom will fight this battle in...
- 6/8/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
A film about the daughter of the prophet Muhammad has been pulled from the cinemas of one of the U.K.’s biggest chains following protests accusing the feature of blasphemy.
Cineworld, which also owns the Regal chain in the U.S., said it was canceling all upcoming screenings of The Lady of Heaven “due to related incidents” and to “ensure the safety of our staff and customers.”
Protests erupted in front of cinemas in several U.K. cities after the film, from director Eli King and writer Sheikh Al-Habibi, began showing over the bank holiday weekend for the Queen’s jubilee.
Telling the story of Fatima, the daughter of the prophet Muhammad who lived in the 7th century, The Lady in Heaven also makes links between the Islamic State militant group and various historical figures in Islam. It opens with the invasion of Iraq by Isis,...
A film about the daughter of the prophet Muhammad has been pulled from the cinemas of one of the U.K.’s biggest chains following protests accusing the feature of blasphemy.
Cineworld, which also owns the Regal chain in the U.S., said it was canceling all upcoming screenings of The Lady of Heaven “due to related incidents” and to “ensure the safety of our staff and customers.”
Protests erupted in front of cinemas in several U.K. cities after the film, from director Eli King and writer Sheikh Al-Habibi, began showing over the bank holiday weekend for the Queen’s jubilee.
Telling the story of Fatima, the daughter of the prophet Muhammad who lived in the 7th century, The Lady in Heaven also makes links between the Islamic State militant group and various historical figures in Islam. It opens with the invasion of Iraq by Isis,...
- 6/8/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cineworld cancels all showings of The Lady of Heaven after branches were picketed by Muslim activists
A UK cinema chain has cancelled all screenings of a “blasphemous” film about the daughter of the prophet Muhammad after branches were picketed by Muslim activists.
Cineworld said it took the decision to cancel all showings of The Lady of Heaven to “ensure the safety of our staff and customers”.
A UK cinema chain has cancelled all screenings of a “blasphemous” film about the daughter of the prophet Muhammad after branches were picketed by Muslim activists.
Cineworld said it took the decision to cancel all showings of The Lady of Heaven to “ensure the safety of our staff and customers”.
- 6/7/2022
- by Helen Pidd, Jessica Murray and Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
‘Bergman Island’, ‘Dashcam’ and ‘Major’ are also set to debut.
After it soared to the top of the UK-Ireland box office last weekend, Top Gun: Maverick is highly likely to hold onto the number one spot after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, amid a quiet week for new openers.
The chief contender for breaking into the top five among this weekend’s debuts is Top Gun: Maverick’s fellow Cannes premiere Men, which opens at 570 sites for Entertainment Film Distributors – this weekend’s widest new release.
The Directors’ Fortnight title, which is directed by Ex Machina filmmaker Alex Garland,...
After it soared to the top of the UK-Ireland box office last weekend, Top Gun: Maverick is highly likely to hold onto the number one spot after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, amid a quiet week for new openers.
The chief contender for breaking into the top five among this weekend’s debuts is Top Gun: Maverick’s fellow Cannes premiere Men, which opens at 570 sites for Entertainment Film Distributors – this weekend’s widest new release.
The Directors’ Fortnight title, which is directed by Ex Machina filmmaker Alex Garland,...
- 6/2/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
‘Bergman Island’, ‘Dascham’ and ‘Major’ are also set to debut.
After it soared to the top of the UK-Ireland box office last weekend, Top Gun: Maverick is highly likely to hold onto the number one spot after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, amid a quiet week for new openers.
The chief contender for breaking into the top five among this weekend’s debuts is Top Gun: Maverick’s fellow Cannes premiere Men, which opens at 570 sites for Entertainment Film Distributors – this weekend’s widest new release.
The Directors’ Fortnight title, which is directed by Ex Machina filmmaker Alex Garland,...
After it soared to the top of the UK-Ireland box office last weekend, Top Gun: Maverick is highly likely to hold onto the number one spot after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, amid a quiet week for new openers.
The chief contender for breaking into the top five among this weekend’s debuts is Top Gun: Maverick’s fellow Cannes premiere Men, which opens at 570 sites for Entertainment Film Distributors – this weekend’s widest new release.
The Directors’ Fortnight title, which is directed by Ex Machina filmmaker Alex Garland,...
- 6/2/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
‘Bergman Island’, ‘Dascham’ and ‘Major’ are also out this weekend.
After it soared to the top of the UK-Ireland box office last weekend, Top Gun: Maverick is highly likely to hold onto the number one spot after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, amid a quiet week for new openers.
The chief contender for breaking into the top five among this weekend’s debuts is Top Gun: Maverick’s fellow Cannes premiere Men, which opens at 570 sites for Entertainment Film Distributors – this weekend’s widest new release.
The Directors’ Fortnight title, which is directed by Ex Machina filmmaker Alex Garland,...
After it soared to the top of the UK-Ireland box office last weekend, Top Gun: Maverick is highly likely to hold onto the number one spot after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, amid a quiet week for new openers.
The chief contender for breaking into the top five among this weekend’s debuts is Top Gun: Maverick’s fellow Cannes premiere Men, which opens at 570 sites for Entertainment Film Distributors – this weekend’s widest new release.
The Directors’ Fortnight title, which is directed by Ex Machina filmmaker Alex Garland,...
- 6/2/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Here’s a first image from The Lady of Heaven, Eli King’s historical drama chronicling two interviewing storylines set centuries apart: A young Iraqi child’s journey amidst a battle-scarred country to learn the power of patience, and the historical tale of Lady Fatima.
The $15M movie stars Ray Fearon, Christopher Sciueref, Mark Anthony Brighton, Denise Black, Lucas Bond, Sami Karim, Albane Courtois, Matthew Brenher, Chris Jarman, Yasmin Mwanza, Dimitri Andreas and Oscar Garland. It is produced by Matthew Kuipers and Enlightened Kingdom, and executive produced by Richard Rionda Del Castro, Irakli Chikvaidze and Abdul Malik Shlibak. Oscar winner John Stephenson was as creative consultant.
Hannibal Media will be handling worldwide rights at the virtual European Film Market this week.
The $15M movie stars Ray Fearon, Christopher Sciueref, Mark Anthony Brighton, Denise Black, Lucas Bond, Sami Karim, Albane Courtois, Matthew Brenher, Chris Jarman, Yasmin Mwanza, Dimitri Andreas and Oscar Garland. It is produced by Matthew Kuipers and Enlightened Kingdom, and executive produced by Richard Rionda Del Castro, Irakli Chikvaidze and Abdul Malik Shlibak. Oscar winner John Stephenson was as creative consultant.
Hannibal Media will be handling worldwide rights at the virtual European Film Market this week.
- 3/1/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
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