Prominent Egyptian comedian actor Adel Imam was forced to miss the premier of his latest film “Al Amarah Fil Safara” (The Embassy in the Building) in Marina Egypt, when his health suddenly deteriorated.
According to the London based weekly, Laha, Adel called the cast of the film and apologized for being unable to attend, and requested they pass on his regrets to all those in attendance.
Egyptian Parliament members decided to permit the screening of the film, despite a request by the Israeli Ambassador to Egypt to have it banned.
The Israeli Ambassador met with Minister of Culture Farouq Husni to express his opposition to the film and to request permission for an Israeli singer to enter and perform in Egypt.
Parliament members submitted an urgent request to the Minister of Interior to forbid the entrance of the Israeli singer, who is said to be a good impersonator of the late Egyptian legend Umm Kalthoum, from entering Egypt.
Imam held a special screening amidst large crowds of fans, journalists, and security officials at his Metro Theatre in Cairo, which turned into a political protest that led to the closure of the main road for over two hours.
Anti-Israeli slogans were chanted, which had an uncanny resemblance to the events of the film, which depicts Egyptian citizen’s reluctance to accept the peace treaty with Israel.
The film revolves around an Egyptian petrol engineer, who has lived in Dubai for a quarter of a century and finally returns home to Egypt to discover that the Israeli Embassy is located right next door to his apartment.
The film, for the first time presents a character that plays the role of the Israeli Ambassador.
Adel stressed that the film aims to answer one basic question, which is why Egyptians refused normalization of relations with Israel until now. The film also sends a message to Israel and to other countries with which Egypt has signed a peace agreement, to help them understand the viewpoint of Egyptian citizens.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
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