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ID # 104393
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Other
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1
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1
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$ per
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Release Date |
12-31-69
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| Audition Date |
12-31-69
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Submission Deadline |
12-31-69
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| Shoot Date |
12-31-69
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| Casting Category |
1
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So theater owners cut the scene themselves "Others do not have that awareness, education or sophistication and might react with violence or more extremism" to controversial content
More women began wearing headscarfs â€â€? and some also donned head-to-toe robes â€â€? and more men grew beards as a sign of Islamic piety "
Over the past 30 years, Egyptians and other Arabs have increasingly turned to Islam after various political and economic movements â€â€? Arab nationalism, socialism, capitalism â€â€? failed to bring better lives "The Mummy" was banned as supposedly offensive to Egyptian heritage But few Egyptians can afford them
Lenin al-Ramly, a noted playwright and screenwriter, said he worries religious extremists might exploit freewheeling material to promote their campaign to turn Egypt into an Islamic state "Society is not ready to be without censorship," he said
"We censor things for both (rich and poor), but those who are able can get their hands on what we banned or censored," Abu Shadi, the former censor, conceded
The Arab confrontation with Israel often is portrayed as a moral issue by Islamic conservatives Egyptian Artists See Merit in Censorship
Sep 28, 11:21 AM EST
A few years ago, a brief nude scene in "American Beauty" that made it past Egypt's censors prompted some moviegoers to stand up and shout in protest "
What happens here has far-reaching repercussions
"
Sometimes, censors' decisions have nothing to do with religion or politics The level of conservatism is very high
The result has been many moviemakers avoiding risque material and producing what has become known as "clean cinema They are open-minded, well exposed to the outside world and have the awareness to distinguish between fact and fiction," he said A passing reference to Israel was snipped from Mel Gibson's "What Women Want In the 1980s and early '90s, the trend turned violent as extremists attacked and burned video clubs and other entertainment establishments that offended religious sensibilities
Egypt's censors â€â€? and its people â€â€? were not always so uptight and things really have not changed much since then
"But then religious fundamentalism set in The movie's setting in a fictional place known as Zion may have been a factor, too â€â€? the first Matrix film was shown in Egypt but was criticized by some Islamic newspapers that claimed it espoused Zionism
In this climate, Egyptian newspapers have been quick to criticize overt sensuality and intimacy in movies, with columnists and critics castigating actresses who dare to appear on screen in bikinis and other attire that challenge Islam's requirement of female modesty Even some artists, who traditionally bemoan infringements on their creativity, say censorship may be the only way to cope with conservative Islam
"Decades of oppression created generations that do not know what freedom is, what having an independent voice is like," he said "Disagree with me, but don't confiscate my opinions or ban my movies," well-known director Dawood Abdel-Sayed said recently In the back of every censor's mind is society "
Foreign movies are readily available uncut on satellite TV, over the Internet or as bootleg videos or DVDs on the streets of Cairo
"Until around 1975 there was a high degree of freedom," said Ali Abu Shadi, former head of the Egyptian Censorship Board In the 1960s and `70s, movies shot here were much more daring, often featuring scantily clad women and more overt references to sex
"But now, society has developed in such a way that censorship sometimes works in favor of the artist, shielding him from society
In June, censors banned the international hit "The Matrix Reloaded," saying it questions the nature of God Egypt is home to the Middle East's biggest film industry and countries all over the region show Egyptian movies and TV shows
Many writers and directors are angry over censorship
Al-Ramly, the writer, feels years of strict censorship may have helped promote extremism by cutting off the free expression of ideas
It's not just sexual themes that draw attention
"Honestly, I worry very little about this (wealthy) segment of society The state itself seems to be unable to deal with society right now
"We used to protest censorship," said film director Inas el-Degheidi, known for tackling such touchy themes as teenage sexuality and gender equality in Egyptian society
With Egyptians becoming increasingly religious â€â€? and socially conservative â€â€? it's not just government officials who see censorship as necessary
But some artists have mixed feelings about censorship, given the role of conservative Islam in Egyptian society
