In a decisive response to censorship, the organizers of an Istanbul film festival canceled the entire event on Thursday after local authorities blocked the screening of Queer, a drama starring Daniel Craig. The four-day festival, planned by the arthouse streaming service Mubi, was set to begin in Kadikoy, a neighborhood on Istanbul's Asian side. However, just hours before the opening, Kadikoy district officials informed Mubi that Queer could not be shown due to "provocative content that would disturb the peace."
Queer, directed by Luca Guadagnino and premiered at the Venice Film Festival, depicts the emotional struggles of a lonely, gay man played by Craig, who grapples with addiction and a complicated love life. The storyline, based on William S. Burroughs' novella, centers on the highs and lows of a relationship between two men and includes scenes of intense intimacy. While the film has been celebrated internationally, local officials cited security concerns as the basis for the ban.
In response, Mubi condemned the ban, describing it as a "restriction on art and freedom of expression." The platform emphasized that film festivals are essential spaces for fostering art, diversity, and cultural connection. They asserted that the prohibition impacts the festival's purpose beyond just one film.
"Festivals are breathing spaces that celebrate art and cultural diversity and bring people together," Mubi stated. "This ban affects not only a film but the meaning and purpose of the entire festival."
The cancellation comes as another example of the difficulties LGBTQ+ representations face in Turkey. Although homosexuality was officially decriminalized in 1858, public and political opposition to LGBTQ+ visibility remains. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has frequently labeled LGBTQ+ individuals as "perverts" and has warned of threats to family values, reflecting the conservative leanings of many in Turkish society. Since 2015, authorities have repeatedly banned Istanbul's annual Pride march, citing security concerns, and LGBTQ+ communities report frequent harassment.
Restrictions on LGBTQ+ content in Turkish media have impacted other platforms as well. In 2020, Netflix canceled plans for a Turkish production involving a gay character after it could not obtain the necessary government approvals, highlighting broader limits on creative freedom for international platforms operating within Turkey.
Established in 2007 by Turkish entrepreneur Efe Cakarel, Mubi has become a global streaming service focused on independent and arthouse cinema, reaching audiences in over 195 countries. Known for supporting films that push cultural boundaries, Mubi has become an advocate for underrepresented voices in cinema. The recent festival cancellation illustrates the increasing difficulties artists and platforms face in Turkey when addressing sensitive social themes, amplifying ongoing debates over freedom of expression, inclusivity, and censorship.