The Kenya Film and Classification Board on Wednesday banned the highly anticipated film, Fifty Shades of Grey.
A statement on the Board’s Facebook page warns film operators from screening or distributing the film to the public
“The Board wishes to inform the public, film operators and stakeholders that the film, 50 Shades of Grey has been RESTRICTED,” the post reads.
When contacted, an official at the board declined to comment on the matter until the department releases a full statement for banning the film.
Joseph Kilonzi, Cinema Manager at Planet Media Cinema’s at Prestige in Nairobi described the ban as a big disaster. He said the film that was to premier in Kenya during the Valentine’s Day weekend was highly anticipated by audiences. He said members of the public had already began booking tickets from Sunday, ahead of the premier.
“We are doomed and this will greatly affect our profits. We will now have to change our line-up for Valentine’s Day,” Kilonzi said.
“The Board had two sittings on Monday and again today to deliberate on whether they will allow the film, however we thought the worst that would happen is that it would be rated for Adults and only suitable for those over 21,” he added.
Kilonzi further said that there was another big release scheduled for the same day, however it is not a Valentine’s Day movie.
The film is an adaptation of the first book of a popular erotic trilogy by E.L James.
According to UK’s Independent, the film has received criticism from domestic violence campaigners ahead of its premiere in Berlin on Wednesday.
Malaysia has also banned the film based on the erotic book series, describing its content as “pornographic.”
