Streaming Service Mubi Cancels Entire Film Festival after Turkey Bans Gay Drama 'Queer' at Last Moment

The arthouse streaming company Mubi said it has canceled an entire film festival it was planning in Turkey after the country's authorities banned a screening of the upcoming gay drama "Queer," Variety reports.

Mubi, which is also a film distribution company, was set to hold the Mubi Fest Istanbul in the country's capital starting today, Nov. 7 through Nov. 10 with the Luca Guadagnino film as the opening film. But the company was told by authorities to nix "Queer," which stars Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey and is based on the William S. Burroughs novel just "hours before the opening." The reason they gave was that the film contained "provocative content."

Mubi's response was to cancel the entire festival, saying that the move "undermines the very essence and purpose of the festival."

"The decision states that the film is prohibited on the grounds that it contains provocative content that could endanger public peace, with the ban being imposed for security reasons," a statement reads. "We believe this ban is a direct restriction on art and freedom of expression. Festivals are spaces that celebrate art, cultural diversity, and community, bringing people together."

Indeed, the film does feature explicit content with the actors recently opening up about the sex scenes in the film and its erotic imagery.

Read Mubi's full statement below.