3. Iran Didn't Want Zoolander Supporting Gay Rights
Believe it or not, despite being an intentionally bone-headed comedy with little semblance to reality, Zoolander has kicked up a political fuss in multiple countries. Its central contention that the fashion industry relies on sweatshops saw it banned in Malyasia, and it took until 2004 for the film to get a legit release in Singapore too. That sort of makes sense. You don't want some big Hollywood name coming over and besmirching your country's good name. What's mind-boggling is the reason Iran gave for banning Zoolander during its release in 2001: it was seen as been supportive of homosexuality. Zoolander is a film with no gay characters. Well, there's a montage where Ben Stiller's Derek, Owen Wilson's Hansel, Christine Taylor's Matilda and a sherpa may or may not have group sex, but for the most part the film is 100% hetero. Perhaps the sight of a load of men flouncing around in fabulous clothes and spending a lot of time on their hair is gay to Iran. Bit homophobic, Iran.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
