French distributor Pathé BC Afrique recently announced that Cameroon has censored the movie Barbie. This is confirmed by a source close to the Department of Cinematography and Audiovisual Productions of the Ministry of Arts and Culture (Minac). Without an official release from the Minac, it is difficult to accurately tell the reasons that motivated the decision. However, the source is convinced that Barbie is being singled out for child perversion.

Cameroon is not the first country to censor this film which hit cinemas last month. Algeria, Vietnam, Lebanon, and Kuwait have all banned the film for the same reason. There is also reason to believe that Cameroon will not be the last country to ban it.  

Pathé BC Afrique, which has obtained the right to broadcast Barbie in Africa, fears cascading cancellations. It was congratulated for detecting a good deal. Indeed, the blockbuster got off to a flying start, grossing $200 million (approx. 120 billion CFA Francs) after its first broadcasts, notably in Tunisia. Similarly, in Cameroon, Pathé BC Afrique was confident of attracting crowds to its CanalOlympia theaters. But a decision by the Minac interrupted everything.

Barbie tells the story of a doll expelled from the fairytale world of Barbie Land, who decides to seek happiness in the human world. The film is accused of being too light-hearted, and of having a negative influence on children's morals.

Michel Ange Nga