"The Danish Girl" opened at cinemas throughout the Middle East last weekend but screenings have since been canceled in Doha following complaints.

On Monday, the Gulf country's ministry of culture tweeted that it had decided to ban further screenings of the film.

"We would like to inform you that we have contacted the concerned department and the screening of the Danish film is now banned from cinemas. We thank your unwavering vigilance." (Translation according to Doha News. )

Starring Oscar-winning British actor Eddie Redmayne, the plot of the film tells the story of the real-life Danish artist Einar Wegener, who transitioned to become a woman named Lili Elbef in the 1930s. Elbe was the first person in history known to have undergone gender-reassignment surgery. She was already married when she transitioned and her wife, a fellow artist named Gerda Wegener, remained her close companion.

Although the film is based on a true story, criticism was heavy throughout Qatar.

"I watched the trailer of the film and it should not be screened here. It contains enough moral depravity to go around the world." (Translation according to Doha News.)

"And no to any film that contradicts our religion, morals and traditions. We hope that the people responsible for the screening of (such) films will be held accountable." (Translation according to Doha News.)

Following the banning, the decision was praised by some.

"I wish next time the monitoring is better and such movies are not allowed at all."

However, some criticized the decision to ban the film.

"There is nothing out of the ordinary about the film and it tells a true story. The real deviance is in the mind of those who call for it to be banned."  (Translation according to Doha News.)

Censorship of films can be an issue in the Middle East, particularly when it comes to sex, drug use and depicting religious figures. In recent years films about the prophets Noah, Moses and Mohammad have drawn extensive criticism and have been either censored or banned in numerous regional countries. "The Wolf of Wall Street", released in 2014, reportedly had significant portions removed – due to heavy drug use and sex – before it was allowed to be screened in several regional countries.