A poster for the new animated “Smurfs” movie displayed in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Tel Aviv was photoshopped to remove the female character Smurfette, Variety reported Tuesday.
“Ultra-religious Jewish males are forbidden to look upon images of women, and in Israel’s most devout communities, depictions of women are routinely cropped out of newspapers, catalogues and advertisements,” Variety explained, noting that this appears to be the first time a female cartoon character was deemed to be scandalous.
Oddly enough, the latest “Smurfs” silver screen outing will center on a lost village comprised of female Smurfs, Slate reported earlier this month. The liberal-leaning magazine hailed the move, saying that “girls across the country grew up without positive Smurf role models, but thankfully, those days are finally over.”
Julia Roberts, pop star Meghan Trainor, and “Fast and Furious” franchise alumna Michelle Rodriguez join the cast voicing three of the new female Smurf characters, according to Internet Movie Database.
“Smurfs: The Lost Village” hits the silver screen in Israel on March 30 and U.S. theaters a week later on April 7.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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