ABSTRACT
The aims of censorship in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq are not always as transparent as one might think. What is acceptable in a foreign film may not be in a local film, because the censors think it may show their country in a bad light. Thus, although Western films are supposedly censored for sex and ‘excessive’ violence, in fact the censors do not appear to be overly concerned, as can be seen from the large number of violent and sexy films from the United States that are shown in Lebanon. On the other hand, locally produced films are subject to tighter control, resulting in a marked double standard.
