South Africa's main cinema houses have pulled a documentary about US First Lady Melania Trump just ahead of its release, with the distributor citing "the current climate", local media reported.
"Melania" was not listed on the websites of the Nu Metro or Ster Kinekor theatres on Thursday, the day before its international release on January 30.
News24 media reported Wednesday the South African distributor Filmfinity had abruptly dropped the film.
"Given the current climate, the film will no longer be releasing theatrically in (the) territory," the site quoted the distributor's head of marketing, Thobashan Govindarajulu, as saying.Â
It was not clear what "climate" he was referring to and AFP could not immediately reach a company representative for details.
Nu Metro confirmed to AFP Thursday that it had been told by Filmfinity to withdraw the film.Â
"The rights sit with Filmfinity, and it's at their request that we are not releasing it," Nu Metro said in a statement.Â
The South African government has strained ties with the administration of President Donald Trump, which has criticised Pretoria's position on a range of domestic and international policies.
Trump has notably repeated false claims that Pretoria is behind a "genocide" of the white Afrikaans community, which he has invited to settle in the United States.
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...EXTREME COLD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT TO NOON
CST SATURDAY...
...EXTREME COLD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the Extreme Cold Warning, dangerously cold wind chills
ranging from just below zero to single digits above zero are
expected. For the Extreme Cold Watch, dangerously cold wind chills
as low as 2 above possible.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Dallas, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Shelby,
St. Clair, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the Extreme Cold Warning, from midnight Friday Night to
noon CST Saturday. For the Extreme Cold Watch, from Saturday
afternoon through Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must
go outside.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
If you do not have heat in your home or lack shelter, you can call
211 or visit 211connectsalabama.org for assistance locating
appropriate shelter from the cold.
&&
...EXTREME COLD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT TO NOON
CST SATURDAY...
...EXTREME COLD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the Extreme Cold Warning, dangerously cold wind chills
ranging from just below zero to single digits above zero are
expected. For the Extreme Cold Watch, dangerously cold wind chills
as low as 2 above possible.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Dallas, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Shelby,
St. Clair, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the Extreme Cold Warning, from midnight Friday Night to
noon CST Saturday. For the Extreme Cold Watch, from Saturday
afternoon through Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must
go outside.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
If you do not have heat in your home or lack shelter, you can call
211 or visit 211connectsalabama.org for assistance locating
appropriate shelter from the cold.
&&
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