Classic 1960s movie musical reclassified over 'sexist and transphobic remarks'

"However, the film is now a 12 certificate, with a disclaimer noting that it features "moderate violence, sexual threat" and "discrimination". The discrimination disclaimer notes: "The film focuses on themes of discrimination and racism; there is directed use of the terms 'spic', 'wop' and 'Polak'. There are occasional sexist and transphobic remarks. The film contains a strong condemnatory message towards these attitudes.""

"It is thought that the "transphobic remarks" centre around Anybodys, a gender non-conforming character who is depicted as a tomboy who desperately wants to be accepted by the Jets, a gang of white boys who wage a territory war on a rival Puerto Rican gang. Anybodys was played by Susan Oakes in the film and their gender identity was never really explored in any meaningful detail - which is exactly what you would expect for a film released in 1961."

"The film's new rating also flags people being stabbed as violence, a woman being verbally and physically harassed by a gang of men as sexual violence and sexual threat, and includes additional warnings for the use "comic wordplay around implied strong language". In 2021, Disney's remake of West Side Story was banned in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations due to the inclusion of the character Anybodys."

The 1961 film West Side Story has been reclassified by the British Board of Film Classification from PG to 12 after nearly 40 years. The new certificate includes warnings for moderate violence, sexual threat, and discrimination, noting directed use of racial slurs and occasional sexist and transphobic remarks. The transphobic references are linked to the character Anybodys, a gender non-conforming tomboy whose identity is not explored in depth. The reclassification flags stabbing, verbal and physical harassment of a woman as sexual violence and issues an additional warning for implied strong language. The 2021 remake faced bans in some Gulf countries over the same character.

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