‘Hustlers’, a film based on the fraudulent activities of club ex-strippers, starring Cardi and Jennifer Lopez, has been banned in Malaysia.
The trailer to the much-acclaimed movie was released in July. But the film was not well received by the authorities of Malaysia because of its “excessive obscene content”.
The film sees Cardi B return to her stripper roots to make her big-screen debut and opens up with Lopez demonstrating pole dancing moves to Constance Wu.
But in Malaysia, the film censorship board placed a ban on the movie because it showcased “naked breasts, erotic dances, and scenes featuring drugs made” in a way that is “not suitable for public screening”.
Square Box Pictures, the company distributing ‘Hustlers’ in Malaysia, confirmed the ban on Friday in a press statement issued via its official Instagram handle.
“We regret to inform you that ‘Hustlers’ movie release has been canceled as it has been banned in Malaysia. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to our beloved followers, fans of the movie, media, and partners,” the statement read.
‘Hustlers’, inspired by a New York Magazine article that had gone viral in 2015, borders on how a group of exotic dancers and con artistes set out defraud their wealthy clients.
On September 10, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) gave the movie 15 certificate due to its “sexualized nudity, strong sex references, language, and drug misuse”.
Aside from Cardi B, Wu, and Lopez, the film also stars Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Stormi Maya, Madeline Brewer, and Julia Stiles. It is directed by Lorene Scafaria.
