Melon Farmers Unrated

International Banned Films S-Z


Worldwide films banned in the 21st century

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 v          Saw VI - 2009 Canada/Australia horror mystery by Kevin Greutert.


 X   Saw VI
  • Saw 6
Saw VI is a 2009 Canada/USA/UK/Australia horror mystery by Kevin Greutert.
Starring Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor and Mark Rolston. Melon Farmers Link Here  YouTube trailer  BBFC link  IMDb link
The Theatrical version was cut for a US R rating. The uncut version was released on UK DVD and is Unrated in the US. The film was banned in Spain, Malaysia, Thailand and Ukraine.

Spain: Banned

The film was originally X rated which is a restricted rating more typically given to porn films. Such films are banned from mainstream cinemas. The film was later cut for DVD release.

The film was also banned in Malaysia, Thailand and Ukraine.

Malaysia: Banned

Thailand: Banned

Ukraine: Banned

Summary Notes

Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw's legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw's grand scheme is finally understood.

Availability

UK: Director's Cut/Extreme Edition/Unrated Version was passed 18 uncut for strong bloody violence for:

US: The Director's Cut is MPAA Unrated for:

 v       A Serbian Film - 2010 Serbia adult horror by Srdjan Spasojevic.


 X   A Serbian Film
  • Srpski film
A Serbian Film is a 2010 Serbia adult horror by Srdjan Spasojevic.
With Srdjan Todorovic and Sergej Trifunovic. Melon Farmers Link Here  YouTube trailer  BBFC link  IMDb link
The BBFC cut 4:12s from the UK release. Uncut in the US but there is also a US version with a minute missing. An MPAA Unrated  Director's Cut was released in the US in 2021. Banned in Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Norway. The film was also banned from a festival screening in Spain, And for comparison, Denmark and Sweden classified the movie as a 15; in France the uncut version was awarded an 18 certificate. The film was temporarily banned in Brazil but was later passed 18 uncut.

Detailed Cuts

See also full entry for Video Hits: A Serbian Film

Australia: Banned

  • December 2010 - April 2010: Rejected by the Classification Board, cut, rejected, cut some more and then passed R18 after similar cuts to the UK release
  • September 2010 - The R18 certificate was challenged by the government and the film was banned by the Review Board
  • Current Status: Banned in Australia B

Germany: Banned but later unbanned after 13 minutes of cuts

Upon initial release, the film censors of FSK ordered that the film be refused classification due to concerns that the content may violate German federal law.

On 30 June 2011, a version was allowed with 13 minutes cut, and was rated 18, "No release to youths".

Malaysia: Banned

Banned in August 2012

New Zealand: Banned for DVD in May 2012

The film censor explained the ban. See article [pdf] from censorship.govt.nz

There is a high likelihood that viewers would be greatly shocked and disturbed by the extreme sexual violence and violence in association with sexual conduct, along with sexual conduct with children and young persons, regardless of age. The publication's sexual violence and violence in association with sexual conduct is concerning in a different way. Research has repeatedly shown that such depictions are likely to reinforce negative attitudes towards women in a number of ways. They have been shown to desensitise viewers to real-life violence, to reduce empathy with victims of sexual violence amongst both men and women, to increase rape myth acceptance, and to increase women's fear of sexual assault. In the current publication this material is so extensive and extreme that these injuries to the public good are likely to occur regardless of the age of the viewer.

Norway: Banned

See  article from  tnp.no

Norwegian Media Authority (Mediatilsynet) banned A Serbian Film because it contains violence with the sexualisation of children. Ove Wathne of Mediatilsynet told daily Dagens Naeringsliv that it is usually an ingredient that provides a basis for an assessment of the Authority.

In Norway films are self rated by the distributors. The Norwegian media censors step in on demand, presumably in response to complaints or controversy.

Singapore: Banned

Banned in August 2012 due to its content being likely to cause controversy in Singapore.

South Korea: Banned

The film was given a Restricted rating twice by the KMRB. The first edit was submitted on 9 August 2011 with a duration of 94 minutes but was rejected for having extreme violence.  The second edit was trimmed to 88 minutes and labelled as the director's edition, was submitted on 6 October 2011, but was also given the same restricted rating, this time for extreme themes.

A restricted rating limits means that it can only be shown in adults-only (19+) theatres, of which there are none in Korea (although there were some when the law was written).

Availability

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

Denmark: The Scandinavian release on the Cinematic Vision is uncut but has no English subtitles for the Serbian soundtrack

US: Pre-cut by about 1:00s and MPAA Unrated for:

UK: Passed 18 after 49 BBFC cuts totalling 4:12s for:

 v          Sex and the City 2 - 2010 USA comedy romance by Michael Patrick King.
 v          Sex Tape - 2014 USA comedy by Jake Kasdan.
 v          Sex.Violence.FamilyValues - 2012 Singapore short comedy drama family by Ken Kwek.
 v          Shadows of Fiendish Ancestress and Occasionally Parajanov on Durian Cialis - 2017 Singapore/Philippines romance by Tze Chuan Chew.


 X   Shadows of Fiendish Ancestress and Occasionally Parajanov on Durian Cialis

Shadows of Fiendish Ancestress and Occasionally Parajanov on Durian Cialis is a 2017 Singapore/Japan/Philippines romance by Tze Chuan Chew.
Starring Raissa Ai, Karla MC Bautista and Paolo Dumlao. Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link

 v          Shakespeare Must Die - 2012 Thailand horror drama by Ing Kanjanavanit.
 v          Shame
 v          Shonibar Bikel - 2019 Bangladesh/Germany thriller by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.


 X   Shonibar Bikel
  • Shonibaar Bikel
  • Saturday Afternoon
Shonibar Bikel is a 2019 Bangladesh/India/Germany thriller by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.
Starring Parambrata Chatterjee, Ellie Poussot and Selina Black. Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link

 v          Shooter - 2020 India action film by


 X   Shooter

Shooter is a 2020 India action film by
Inderjit Singh Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link

 v          Shrek 2 - 2004 USA children's animation comedy by Andrew Adamson

Shrek 2 Widescreen Mike Myers
 X   Shrek 2

Shrek 2 is a 2004 USA children's animation comedy by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury...
Starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link

BBFC category cuts were required for a U rated release for cinema and home video. Uncut in the US with an MPAA PG rating.

Israel: Briefly banned in 2004

The film was banned briefly in 2004. The Hebrew dub featured a joke about Israeli singer David D'Or's high voice. in which one character threatens to castrate another by saying Let's do a David D'or on him. This remark prompted the artist to take legal action, saying: This film intends to present me, in perpetuity, as a eunuch, a man with no testicles. It turns me into a laughing stock. The Tel Aviv District Court ordered Shrek 2 to be withdrawn until the remark could be edited out.

Summary Notes

Shrek has rescued Princess Fiona, got married, and now is time to meet the parents. Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey set off to Far, Far Away to meet Fiona's mother and father. But not everyone is happy. Shrek and the King find it hard to get along, and there's tension in the marriage. It's not just the family who are unhappy. Prince Charming returns from a failed attempt at rescuing Fiona, and works alongside his mother, the Fairy Godmother, to try and find a way to get Shrek away from Fiona.

Availability

US: Uncut and MPAA PG rated for:
 v          Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan - 2020 India gay comedy by Hitesh Kewalya.


 X   Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is a 2020 India gay comedy by Hitesh Kewalya.
Starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Jitendra Kumar and Gajraj Rao. Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link

Banned in UAE in February 2020.

Summary Notes

Presenting the life of two gay men who are in love, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan depicts their struggle to convince their families to accept the relationship. But things are never as easy as they seem and one of the boy`s family decides to get him married to a girl. Will their `unconventional` love prevail?

Versions

BBFC uncut
uncut
run: 117:27s
pal: 112:45s
12AUK: Passed 12A uncut for implied strong language, suicide references, discrimination theme:
  • 2020 cinema release
banned
banned
UAE flag
UAE

Kenya flag
Kenya

UAE : The film was banned by the UAE film censor in February 2020. No explanation has been given but the UAE is not a gay friendly place

Kenya: Banned in February 2020

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Ezekiel Mutua has also banned the screening of Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan'. In a statement he maintained that the 'gay-themed is not in line with Kenyan constitution and the institution of family, hence the decision to ban its screening. He added:

The film is worse than the ones we have banned in the past as it has scenes involving children in homosexual practices and openly attempts to legitimize same-sex marriage.

Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya. Further, Kenya is a God-fearing nation which places a great premium on family, an institution derived from a union between two people of the opposite gender.

Kenya will not be the dumping ground for all manner of filth that seeks to destroy the institution of family and our cultural identity.

 v   The Simpsons Movie - 2007 USA animation comedy adventure by David Silverman.
 v          Slackistan - 2010 UK drama by hammad khan...


 X   Slackistan

Slackistan is a 2010 UK drama by hammad khan...
Starring Aisha Linnea Akthar, Rafey Alam and Osman Khalid Butt Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link

Banned in Pakistan.

Pakistan: Banned in January 2011

See  article from  bbc.co.uk

Slackistan, a British-made movie about young people living in Islamabad, has been banned in Pakistan because of scenes showing swearing and drinking. The CBFC also called for religious references to be taken out.

The Guardian notes the contentious issues as: the words 'Taliban' and 'lesbian', swear words in English and Urdu, scenes showing characters drinking (filmed with fake alcohol, incidentally) and a joke about beards (as in "my beard is longer than your beard") made between characters talking hypothetically about a fancy dress party. These are not the CBFC's only objections, but the main ones it highlighted.

Its director, London-based Hammad Khan, has told the BBC he is refusing to make changes demanded by Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC).

Note that an IMDb reviewer notes that he watched the film in a Lahore cinema so presumably the film was unbanned at some stage.

Summary Notes

Islamabad, Pakistan. A group of privileged and westernised twenty-something friends while away their days and nights driving around town, partying, surfing the internet and smoking shisha pipes. As the country outside their world starts to crack, Hasan and his friends must face up to their relationships, angst and life choices before it is too late.

 v          Snow White - 2025 US children's romance by Marc Webb


 X   Snow White
  • Disney's Snow White
Snow White is a 2025 US children's romance by Marc Webb
Starring Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot and Tituss Burgess Melon Farmers Link Here
The film was banned in Lebanon and Kuwait

Summary Notes

Live-action adaptation of the 1937 Disney animated film 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'.

Versions

BBFC uncut
uncut
run: 108:40s
pal: 104:19s
PG

ACB PG

IFCO cinema G

UK: Uncut and BBFC PG rated for mild violence, scary scenes, injury detail:
  • 2025 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK cinema release (rated 03/03/2025)
Australia: Uncut and ACB PG rated for mild fantasy themes and violence:
  • 2025 Walt Disney Studios Motion cinema release (rated 05/03/2025)
Ireland: Uncut and IFCO G rated for mild threat and occasional sequences that might be frightening for very young viewers:
  • 2025 Disney cinema release (2025 rated 28/02/2025) titled Snow White
banned
banned

lebanon flag
Lebanon

flag_kuwait_50.jpg
Kuwait

Lebanon: Banned in April 2025

Lebanon's Interior Minister signed the ban after a recommendation from the country's General Security's Film Control Committee. The committee cited Gadot's inclusion as the principal reason for rejecting the film, highlighting her past service in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and her public support for the Israeli military's actions in Gaza.

Kuwait: Banned in April 2025

Kuwait's decision came shortly after the Lebnon decision, reportedly under pressure from civil society organizations and in line with the country's long-standing policy of opposing any form of cultural normalization with Israel.

 v   The Snowman - 2017 UK/USA crime horror mystery by Tomas Alfredson.
 v          Stories of Our Lives - 2014 Kenya by Jim Chuchu.
 v          Stranger by the Lake - 2013 France gay drama by Alain Guiraudie.
 v          Talk To Me - 2022 Australia horror thriller by Danny Philippou


 X   Talk To Me

Talk To Me is a 2022 Australia horror thriller by Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
Starring Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird and Alexandra Jensen Melon Farmers Link Here

There are no censorship issues with this release in the western world but the film was banned in Kuwait

Summary Notes

When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.

Kuwait: Banned in August 2023

The hit Australian horror film Talk To Me has been banned from screening by the Kuwait film censor. Reportedly solely over the casting of non-binary trans actor Zoe Terakes, who plays a character whose gender identity is never mentioned in the film.

 v          Ten Years - 2015 Hong Kong drama by Jevons Au
 v          Thank God - 2022 India comedy by Indra Kumar


 X   Thank God

Thank God is a 2022 India comedy by Indra Kumar
Starring Rakul Preet Singh, Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link

Reportedly banned in Kuwait.

Kuwait: Banned in September 2022

The film caused a little controversy in India as religious campaigners felt that it mocked the hindu religion and so filed a legal case claiming that the film hurt religious sentiments. It is reported that this religious mockery did not go down well with the Kuwait film censor who banned the film from a cinema release in Kuwait.

Summary Notes

An egoistic real estate broker in huge debts, meets with an accident. As he gains consciousness, he realizes that he is in heaven. God appears in front of him and informs him that he will have to play a GAME OF LIFE. If he manages to win, he will be sent back to earth and if he loses, he will be sent to hell.

 v          Thibaan x BNK48 - 2020 Thailand music film by Surasak Pongsorn


 X   Thibaan x BNK48
  • This House
Thibaan x BNK48 is a 2020 Thailand music film by Surasak Pongsorn
Starring Natruja Chutiwansopon,Warattaya Deesomlert,Jiradapa Intajak Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link

 v          Thor: Love and Thunder - 2022 Australia/US film by Taika Waititi


 X   Thor: Love and Thunder

Thor: Love and Thunder is a 2022 Australia/US film by Taika Waititi
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Christian Bale Melon Farmers Link Here

Banned in Malaysia.

Summary Notes

Thor enlists the help of Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster to fight Gorr the God Butcher, who intends to make the gods extinct.

Malaysia: Banned by the film censor in August 2022

Disney likes to add a little preachy moralising about gay positivity and this film is not an exception with a couple of minor script references. Korg (Taika Waititi) mentioned his two dads and briefly ending up with another male Krogan. The other reference was the female character, Valkyrie, taking an interest in a concubine of Zeus.

Malaysia's Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin spotted the gay references and said that he would continue to look out for LGBT content that would continue to censored in future.

The film censor did propose that cuts could be made to secure a release but Disney declined and the film was formally banned.

 v          Those Long-Haired Nights - 2017 Philippines drama by Gerardo Calagui.
 v          To Singapore, with Love - 2013 Singapore documentary by Pin Pin Tan.
 v          Toofan Singh - 2017 India action film by Baghal Singh
 v       A Touch of Sin - 2013 China drama by Zhangke Jia.
 v          Twilight Over Burma - 2015 Austria TV drama by Sabine Derflinger.
 v          Unfreedom - 2015 USA/India crime romance by Raj Amit Kumar.
 v          Van Wilder: Freshman Year - 2009 USA comedy romance by Harvey Glazer .
 v          Veere Di Wedding - 2018 India comedy by Shashanka Ghosh.
 v          Vishwaroopam - 2013 India crime action thriller by Kamal Hassan.
 v          WASP - 2015 UK/Lebanon drama by Philippe Audi-Dor.
 v          Weekend - 2011 UK gay romance by Andrew Haigh.
 v          Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey - 2023 UK horror by Rhys Frake-Waterfield


 X   Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey is a 2023 UK horror by Rhys Frake-Waterfield
Starring Nikolai Leon, Maria Taylor and Natasha Rose Mills Melon Farmers Link Here  YouTube trailer  BBFC link  IMDb link

There are no censorship issues with this release in the West but it was banned in Hong Kong presumably as President Xi Jinping is very sensitive to memes likening his gait and girth to that of Winnie the Pooh.

China: Banned in Hong Kong in March 2023

The screening of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, a British slasher film due to be released in Hong Kong this week, has been cancelled supposedly for technical reasons.

Chinese censors have in the frequently targeted the Winnie the Pooh character due to memes that compare the gait and girth of the bumbling bear to President Xi Jinping. The comparisons began in 2013 when Xi visited the US and met his then counterpart, Barack Obama, and some online commentators seized on their likeness to Pooh and Tigger.

Summary Notes

After Christopher Robin abandons them for college, Pooh and Piglet embark on a bloody rampage as they search for a new source of food.

UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong violence, gory images, threat:
  • 2023 Altitude Film Distribution (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon #ad released on 17th April 2023
  • 2023 Altitude Film Distribution R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 17th April 2023
 v   The Wolf of Wall Street - 2013 USA crime comedy biography by Martin Scorsese.
 v          Wonder Woman - 2017 USA action Sci-Fi fantasy by Patty Jenkins.


 X   Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is a 2017 USA action Sci-Fi fantasy by Patty Jenkins.
Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine and Robin Wright. Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link

Banned in Lebanon and Malaysia because of the Israeli lead actress.

Lebanon: Banned in May 2017

Lebanon, which is officially still at war with Israel, has banned Wonder Woman from showing in the country's cinemas because the film's lead actress, Gal Gadot, is Israeli.

Lebanon's Ministry of Economy issued the ban just before the film was scheduled to premiere in Lebanon. The film had been promoted around Lebanon and had been awarded a film certificate from the country's film censor. But a protest movement called Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon pressured the government into banning the film, describing it as the Israeli Soldier film.

Malaysia: Banned in 2017

Banned by Warner Malaysia prior to its premiere and the official release on the account of the film's leading star Gal Gadot's service in the Israeli Army. Passed uncut for  home video.

Qatar: Banned

IMDb notes the film was banned in Qatar citing similar concern to that of Lebanon.

Tunisia: Temporarily banned

IMDb notes the film was temporarily banned in Tunisia citing similar concern to that of Lebanon/

Summary Notes

Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers and her true destiny.

Availability

UK: Passed 12 uncut for moderate violence for:
 v          Yes and Yes - 2014 Russia drama by Valeriya Gay Germanika.
 v          Zack and Miri Make a Porno - 2008 USA comedy romance by Kevin Smith.
 v          Zindagi Tamasha - 2019 Pakistan drama by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat.


 X   Zindagi Tamasha
  • Circus of Life
Zindagi Tamasha is a 2019 Pakistan drama by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat.
Starring Arif Hassan, Ali Kureshi and Samiya Mumtaz. Melon Farmers Link Here  IMDb link
Banned in Pakistan for supposed blasphemy.

Pakistan: Banned in January 2020

The film was banned in January 2020 over fears of blasphemy but the ban was overruled in July 2020 by Pakistan's Senate Committee for Human Rights. The film was banned after workers of the hardline Islamist political party Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) vowed to hold a countrywide protest against its screening.

The film gained further prominence in early 2021 after it was nominated for the Best International Feature Oscar.

Summary Notes

A devout Muslim who writes composes, and even records hymns praising the Prophet, Muhammad Rahat Khawaja is a respected elderly man who works in real estate and takes care of his bedridden wife. One day, he attends the wedding of a friend's son, where he inadvertently shows off a dance in front of his friends and family. His dance gets recorded and then uploaded to all social media platforms, which then also gets broadcasted on television. And the chaos begins to ensue in his quiet life.

 v          Zoolander - 2001 Germany/USA comedy by Ben Stiller.


 X   Zoolander
  • Derek Zoolander
Zoolander is a 2001 Germany/USA comedy by Ben Stiller.
Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Christine Taylor. Melon Farmers Link Here  YouTube trailer  IMDb link
Originally R rated by the MPAA but the film was cut, and after an appeal achieved a PG-13 rating. This version has been distributed worldwide since.  There is an alternative version of the titles though. 12/12A  rated by the BBFC for all UK releases. The film was banned in Malaysia, Iran, and also banned for a while in Singapore.

Iran: Banned

The film censor banned the film claiming the colourful setting was a little but too camp and so banned the film for being gay.

Malaysia: Banned in 2001

The film was banned by the film censors who took offense at a joke about killing the country's prime minister

A version was prepared for Asian release that replaced references to Malaysia were replaced with Micronesa. However this was not enough to placate the Malaysian film censors who banned the film.

Singapore: Unbanned in 2006

Unbanned in 2006 but still given a high age restriction, NC-16

Singapore : Banned in 2001

The film was banned in 2001 in sympathy with its neighbour Malaysia being the butt of jokes. Singapore censors also cited the films emphasis on drugs when justifying the ban.

US: Cut for a PG-13 rating

Originally R rated by the MPAA, but the film was subsequently cut, and after an appeal achieved a PG-13 rating. This version has been distributed worldwide since.

Summary Notes

Derek Zoolander is VH1's three time male model of the year, but when Hansel wins the award instead, Zoolander's world becomes upside down. His friends disappear, his father is disappointed in him, and he feels that he's not good as a model anymore. But when evil fashion guru Mugatu hires Zoolander, he thinks his life has turned back round again, that is until he finds out that Mugatu has actually brainwashed him to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Can Zoolander and his new friends find out how to prevent the incident before it's too late?

Availability

UK: The cut US PG-13 version was passed 12A/12 for moderate bad language, drug and sex references without further BBFC cuts for:

US: Rated PG-13 on appeal for sexual content and drug references for:


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