Kuwait’s censors have banned Australian horror hit Talk to Me over its inclusion of star Zoe Terakes because they identify as transmasculine and nonbinary.
While it is not unusual for Kuwait to bar media featuring LGBTQ+ themes and references, this marks the first time a film has been singled out for one actor’s gender identity. More alarming is that this is never actually addressed or even referenced in the movie.
The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news over the weekend. Terakes put out their own statement on the matter, saying, ”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 is a new precedent. It is targeted and dehumanizing and means to harm us.”
Terakes goes on to express concern for the trans and queer people of Kuwait. They also encourage people to donate to the Rainbow Railroad organization, which provides help to at-risk queer and trans people.
Talk to Me Producers Issue Statement of Solidarity
Talk to Me producer Causeway Films and sales agents Bankside Films issued a joint statement on the ban and lent their support to Zoe Terakes.
“We stand in solidarity with Zoe Terakes following the decision by Kuwait to ban the film Talk to Me,” wrote Causeway and Bankside. “Zoe has made their own statement, which we fully support, and we are immensely proud of their involvement in the film.”
Talk to Me has been taking the movie world by storm, with success all over the world for the supernatural horror movie. There’s talk of a potential sequel, and the directors revealed they had already shot a prequel of sorts that features a bold change of direction.