Hello,

I don't know if I should post this in the movie forum or in news and rumors, so please mods, if I selected the wrong forum, move accordingly.  

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It appears, Transformers: Dark of the Moon has been banned for showing in Venezuelan theaters. Details are few, and no official reason has been given. No idea if this is a government enforced ban, or just the major theater chains' (Cinex and Cines Unidos) self-censoring.

Until yesterday, the film was being promoted via trailers and posters; also, while it seemed like Cines Unidos wasn't going to show the movie, Cinex had it listed in their coming attractions page with a premiere date of 07/01/2011 and 4 different options: 3D dubbed, 3D subbed, 2D dubbed and 2D subbed. Today, the movie is not listed in the coming attractions page, and it's not being shown in any of the theaters.

It appears Cinex announced yesterday via their Twitter account that the movie is "temporarily suspended."

Also, yesterday some newspapers reported the news on their digital version, so I guess it should be also on today's printed editions (which I haven't gotten).

Here's one such article, from local paper Ultimas Noticias. In spanish, of course.

Here's a rough translation of the article by me:

So, my question is to those of you who have seen the movie: is Venezuela or Chavez mentioned in the movie? (please try to avoid other spoilers)

The last movie "banned" from theaters here was The Expendables, but it was easily available pirated ... which is a shame. I want to see DotM properly on a theater ... perhaps even in 3D.  

-airfox

 

There's no Venezuala connection at all.

I feel sorry for all the Venezualan Transfomers fans who are missing out because of this.

 

In the movie the words "South America" are said but thats it. :S It didnt say anything about Venezuela or Chavez. :S

 

Interesting ...

 

Hmmm. Interesting.

The other rumor I've read is that Paramount is charging Cinex and Cines Unidos 'through the roof', so they decided to drop the movie; which is weird since they're still promoting Super 8, and both Kung Fu Panda 2 and Thor (which, if I'm not mistaken are distributed by Paramount) made it here. In fact, we got Thor a full week before the U.S. release.  

-airfox

 

I think Chavez has had more important things of late than the chosing of whether or not to ban a film.

On the other hand, I can't see Captain America being shown there!  

 

that is really disappointing.....and confusing

 

That really sucks for all of the Venezuelans who were waiting for this movie.
I suppose they could always bootleg it, but DOTM really is an awesome theater experience. :/

 

Well, it's in the coming attractions page to be premiered on July 29th. Also on 4 options: 3D dubbed and subbed and 2D dubbed and subbed.

But after what happened with TF3, I won't count on seeing movies locally until they're in the theaters.

P.S.: BotCon should've been this week ... that way, I would've seen the movie in California.

-airfox

 

I assume that since the Venezuelan government is a strong supporter of the Iranian government, and that the film directly shows an attack on an Iranian facility, that there's some disapproval of that, along with the strong American sentiments that Bay throws in there.

 

That could be it. There isn't anything specifically related to Venezuela though. That sucks. Got to love over sensitive governments at work. It's just a freaking movie folks. I'm sure the US doesn't really plan on sending Autobots to Iran.

 

Human Centipede 2 was banned in the UK... Of course that could just be because it's tasteless and shit.

(although Revenge of the Fallen slipped through the net. Tee hee).

 

How long before this thread gets shut down due to political discussion..?

Anyhoo, this all sounds like BS to me. There is no mention of Venezuela or anything like that is DotM. Massive shame for any TF fans over there.

 

Hey guys im from venezuela and here is a Email from cines unidos:


Dear Mr (s) Barrios, thank you for visiting our website and send us your comments. Regarding your request to report that the company has rights to the movie Transformers 3 in Venezuela reported that it will not be released by the moments in the country. If they inform us otherwise, we will gladly post the film in cinemas and keep you informed. If you have questions or want additional information, please contact us through our website or by calling 0212-620 7706. Sincerely, Sharon Serrano Guest Service Specialist

 

who knows. Us crazy Americans all slay lambs and drink their blood while deciding who to attack next. Hugo Chavez is a P.O.S and i wish he could see this.

 

Agreed.

I'm watching DOTM tomorrow, so I'll see what exactly the problem might be, but I doubt it's in the plot somewhere.

 

In a communist country it is all about controlling the media. The movie makes a connection between the Decepticons(evil) and the Soviet Union, while the Autobots (good) are connected with the United States. Countries like Venezuela will not allow that kind of programming in. They make us the great Satan to justify their failures as a regime.

 

hard to understand why. There's nothing political in the film that wasn't worse in the previous two.

Maybe it's just about money. Maybe paramount withheld the movie or something.

Or maybe because it's such an aggressively capitalistic movie? Who knows.

 

HAHAHAHAHA! I think there was a brain tumor in Chavez's head.

 

Exactly this. Even though The decepticons are never shown associating with the soviets. It proves how ineptly trigger happy Chavez's regime is at taking down US media.