Malaysia has banned the Sacha Baron Cohen movie ‘Bruno,’ which centers around the adventures of Austrian fashion journalist Bruno Gehard (pronounced “bruhe-noe gay-hard”), because it highlights gay life and has gay sex scenes, according to the AP.

An official from Malaysia’s Film Censorship Board, who refused to give her name, reportedly said “It’s banned because the story is based on gay life … There are a lot of sex scenes.” She added, “It’s contrary to our culture.”

Gay sex, or “carnal intercourse against the order of nature,” is punishable by up to 20 years in jail and whipping in Malaysia. The AP says sex toys, politically incorrect comments and jokes about religion were also factors.

Ukraine has also banned the film.

A Muslim-majority nation of 28 million people, Malaysia has strict morality rules and a history of zealous censorship. Other movies that have been banned from the country include but are not limited to, ‘Scarface’ (1983), ‘Blade’ (1998), ‘Zoolander’ (2001), ‘Sin City’ (2005), ‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2006) and ‘Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.’ The last, another Sacha Baron Cohen project which mocked the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, was also banned in Kazakhstan and Russia.

Beyonce Knowles recently made the news when she vowed to respect the country’s strict dress code during a scheduled October 25 performance just outside of Kuala Lumpur. The singer cancelled an appearance there two years ago amid fear of protests.
 

(Photo by PR Photos)