JEDDAH, 13 December 2004 — The controversial film “Bahib El Cima” (I Love the Cinema) that has caused endless commotion in Egypt recently, was the main topic of a press conference held during the events of the First Dubai International Film Festival. The film was screened at the festival in the presence of its leading Egyptian actress Laila Elwi alone because the director Osama Fawzi could not make it due to a sudden deterioration in his health.
Laila said that the film features people from different cultures and religious backgrounds, and does not offend anyone directly or indirectly. She added that it merely displays struggles different individuals encounter when faced with desires that lead them to committing different sins. She added that the film tackles the issue of power whether political or at home and how individuals react differently when power is imposed on them.
Lawsuits have been filed against the film since it was screened during the summer season. The film had failed to achieve the hoped for profits due to the controversy it caused and criticism it attracted. The most recent lawsuit has been filed by the Coptic founding member of Egypt’s Lawyers Association, lawyer Nabil Gabriel. Gabriel is demanding that the film be banned from screening at any film festivals as it deals with Christian issues that have not been approved by the church.
Gabriel presented in court precedents from the Egyptian law that require offenders of any religions be prosecuted.
The verdict stated that the court does not appose the case. The judge stressed that the court of urgent matters does not normally accept cases that deal with such sensitive and divisive issues as the one presented them.
