‘Boy Erased’ will not be released in Brazilian cinemas due to ‘cost of the campaign’
The gay conversion therapy film is based on Garrard Conley's 2016 memoir
By Steve Brown
Boy Erased will not be released in cinemas in Brazil.
Based on Garrard Conley’s 2016 memoir, the new movie – which was released in UK cinemas this year – follows Jared (Lucas Hedges) who is enrolled on a gay ‘conversion’ therapy course in the conservative US Bible Belt, where he comes across other young people struggling to reconcile their faith with their sexuality.
Although the film – which also stars Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe – has been praised by audiences, Universal Pictures revealed the conversion therapy movie will not be released in Brazil and cited it was due to costs.
In an email sent to the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Universal said: “Universal Pictures will not be releasing Boy Erased in theatres solely and exclusively for commercial reasons based on the cost of the launch campaign compared to the estimated box office sales.”
However, LGBT+ activists have claimed that the film was banned following the election of the right-wing, homophobic president Jair Bolsonaro.
LGBT+ activist Leandro Ramos told All Out: “I would even say it’s a little irresponsible.
“Particularly in a country like Brazil where conversion therapy is still such an epidemic and such a big issue, and in a moment when you have an openly anti-LGBT administration in place.”