Canadian romcom Take This Waltz taken off UAE screens for re-rating

UAE pulls off the Canadian romantic comedy Take This Waltz from all cinemas in the Emirate after complaints from a viewer.

The Canadian romantic comedy Take This Waltz, which has already been shown twice at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, has been pulled from UAE cinemas until it gets re-rated.

The film currently has an 18+ rating but was removed within a day of screening, after a complaint was made in Abu Dhabi. The National Media Council is expected to decide later today on what changes should be made.

Andy Fordham, the public relations manager from Grand Cinemas, said the film's re-rating is not unusual.

"It happens all the time," he said. "A movie can go to screen and have particular cuts and sometimes they want to re-review it. You have to appeal to the lowest common denominator and if someone from another emirate complains to a higher source, they pull it and review it."

Grand Cinemas expects to put the film, which, in its original format, contains several brief sex scenes, back on tomorrow, although the extent of the delay will depend on the cuts needed, and the cutting of one scene on digital film can sometimes take 24 hours.

Directed by Sarah Polley, the film is about freelance writer Margot, who struggles with her feelings for her husband of five years, while contemplating a new relationship with an artist who lives across the street. The acclaimed movie was an indie hit that reached number one in the Canadian box office. It also won a number of awards internationally.

Film-goers in the UAE were disappointed to find the film had been removed until further notice.