Smurfette was erased from the animated movie poster for religious reasons in the ultra-Orthodox town of Bnei Brak.
The only female character among the Smurfs was censored by the conservative community of the enclave outside Tel Aviv. It is forbidden for Orthodox Jews to look at images of women. Pictures of women are often cut from print and digital media. For example, religious websites never published photos of Hillary Clinton when covering the US presidential campaign.
Movie posters in Orthodox neighbourhoods are also censored. But in the Smurfs story, it is the first time when an animated character, who is not even a human being, has been erased. Smurfette was declared a forbidden image for religious Jewish men. The move was made by local promoters only for religious communities. Most Israelicities and regions will receive original posters.
Many internet users reacted sarcastically to the decision, noting that male characters appear in the film topless and one of the Smurfs is attracted to another character. Some said it’s illogical to censor ads for the uncensored movie.
Some Orthodox Jews go to secular movie theatres, and others secretly download films to watch them at home. Moreover, not all residents of neighbourhoods like Bnei Brak are equally religious.
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