The outdoor screening of Greta Gerwig's film "Barbie" in Noisy-le-Sec, a suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis in France, was canceled on August 8, 2025, following threats and pressure from a group of local residents. The decision to cancel the free public projection was made by Olivier Sarrabeyrouse, the Communist Party mayor of Noisy-le-Sec, citing concerns for the safety of families, children, and municipal staff. The threats reportedly stemmed from objections that the film promotes homosexuality and undermines the integrity of women, with some attributing the pressure to fundamentalist and obscurantist influences. This cancellation marks a first in France where a film chosen by local inhabitants was prevented from being shown due to such pressures. The mayor has condemned the situation as an imposition of religious rules incompatible with French secular values and has announced that he will file a complaint against unknown individuals. The prefect of police in Paris, Laurent Nuñez, has also referred the matter to the judiciary, leading to an investigation into threats, violence, or acts of intimidation related to the incident. The situation has sparked a broader debate on cultural freedom, social cohesion, and the influence of religious fundamentalism in certain French territories. Political figures across the spectrum, including European Parliament member Aleksandar Nikolic of the National Rally and deputy Charles Rodwell of Ensemble, have commented on the issue, highlighting concerns about multiculturalism, societal norms, and the so-called "Talibanization" of certain areas. The mayor has denounced the politicization of the event and the racist and Islamophobic backlash following the cancellation. Two complaints have been or will be filed, including one by the mayor himself. The incident has drawn national media attention and public discourse on the challenges of maintaining cultural events in diverse urban communities.