“Barbie” canceled in Noisy-le-Sec: “culture must remain a tool for emancipation,” says the mayor

The town of Noisy-le-Sec (Seine-Saint-Denis) cancelled the giant screen screening of the film "Barbie" on Friday due to "pressure" from residents, sparking a controversy that drew a reaction from the Minister of Culture on Wednesday, August 13.

"I deplore the fact that a small group in the neighborhood mobilized its energy under pressure from an individual to prevent the screening of this film, which is nevertheless classified for all audiences in France," wrote Olivier Sarrabeyrouse, PCF mayor of the town, in a press release published on the town's website and on Facebook.

"Between ten and fifteen individuals surrounded the officers," the mayor said. "If you install it, we'll take everything down and put an end to your screening," they threatened, he continued. "According to them, the film glorifies homosexuality and attacks the integrity of women. It's a form of moral censorship," the mayor continued.

"I did not give in to pressure, I acted as a mayor responsible for the safety of the agents and their families," insisted the mayor, criticizing the far right's exploitation of the controversy.

Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film is a feminist satire that sees Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, encounter real-world misogyny. The film became a global box office hit, grossing $1.4 billion.

"Yet another serious attack on programming, depriving families and children of a cultural activity. For the past year, I have taken firm measures against these serious attacks, which have become a new form of delinquency. A complaint is pending," Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, declared on X. The complaint will be filed for "obstruction of the exercise of the freedom to disseminate artistic creation," the ministry said.

According to the mayor, the film, which was scheduled to be shown at 9 p.m. on Friday in the Londeau neighborhood, had been previously selected by residents. The screening was part of "Ciné sous les étoiles," a free summer program of outdoor films that takes place every year in the Est Ensemble intercommunality, which includes Noisy-le-Sec.

"Once again, it is the families and children who do not go on holiday who are deprived of these precious moments of conviviality and culture during the summer," reacted Aurélie Trouvé, Insoumise MP for the constituency, on X. "Culture must remain a tool of emancipation, unity and openness for all. It cannot be confiscated."

"I will not tolerate cultural no-go areas in our city," Olivier Sarrabeyrouse said in a statement, announcing the filing of a complaint. The complaint will be filed Thursday morning for endangering public service employees and threats, the mayor said.