Russia finally approved 'Beauty and the Beast — but there's a caveat

Russia has finally approved the release of Disney's Beauty and the Beast -- but there's a caveat.

The country's culture minister, Vladimir Medinsky, told the Associated Press that it granted a screening license to the film with a 16+ age restriction.

That's the equivalent to Rated R movies in the U.S. which, in reference to a Disney live-action remake, seems unusual.

Medinsky came under pressure from an ultra-conservative MP, Vitaly Milonov, who sent him a letter urging him to take action against the film, calling it "a blatant, shameless propaganda of sin and perverted sexual relationships" under the guise "of children's fairy tales."

That's because Beauty and the Beast will feature one of the first known LGBTQ characters in a Disney princess film, Le Fou (Josh Gad).

In his letter, the Russian lawmaker was referring to the country's infamous "gay propaganda" law.

The 2013 legislation, which has caused an outcry among human rights organisations and the international gay community, prohibits the spreading of "gay propaganda" among minors. 

It also describes homosexuality as "non-traditional sexual relations."

The complaint, seen by state-owned Ria Novosti news agency, said the movie shouldn't be shown in Russia if the ministry found "elements of propaganda of homosexuality." 

“I’m convinced that the main task of the state regarding children is the protection of childhood and youth from the dirt of the world, preserving children's purity, guard our children from the harmful and dangerous phenomena," it said. "And in this case, our shared task is to not allow the release of this musical on the screen under any guise.”