The Lebanese censorship authorities have decisively banned the film "The Post," which was directed by Steven Spielberg, due to his previous decision to support Israel. Initially, the film was approved to show in Lebanon's local theaters, but the authorities decided to reverse that decision eventually.
As of now, the acclaimed American director is on a regional blacklist due to his public support toward the country of Israel -- a country that Lebanon is not on good terms with due to the years of conflict, which, up to this day, exists some military tension between them. For years now, Lebanon has boycotted anything that is culturally related to Israel, along with some neighboring Arab nations.
It appears that the boycot now extends to those who support Israel as well. It is important to note that the decision has not yet been finalized, since the directive still needs to be signed by Lebanon's Interior Minister, Nohad Machnouk, after the General Security agency sends him the necessary documents.
Before the censorship authorities of Lebanon decided to implement the ban, "The Post" was already being marketed for two months and was being duly prepped for showing. The film was supposed to premiere in the country on Thursday, Jan. 18. Sales and distribution manager of the Grand Cinemas chain in Lebanon, Isaac Fahed, stated that "The Post" is not meant to be a consumer film, which means that the profits of the cinemas will not be hurt by the ban.
Unfortunately, in these types of processes, the signature of the Interior Minister is just a decisive way of sealing the deal, which means that it is very unlikely for the Lebanese censorship authorities to retract their decision. "The Post" is not the only movie that was banned recently. The film titled "Jungle," which is based on Yossi Ghinsberg, who is an Israeli national, was also banned from showing in the theaters of Lebanon.
