As the prospect for a Muslim Brotherhood landslide victory becomes more likely, with the preliminary results indicating a victory in the bag, Egyptians (and non-Egyptian spectators, emboldened by the national go ahead, chiming in) revert to their old humorous ways of dealing with their dramatically changing environment.
Last we saw them at their funniest was with the initial ‘Jan 25’ movement’s Tahrir camp-out when protestors held cheeky signs such as, roughly recalled: "Hurry up and leave Mubarak so I can finally have a bath"
Or "I’m a newly wed, hurry up and leave [Mubarak] so I can go home to my new wife!!“
In the wake of global fears of an ‘Islamist’ take over across the Middle East -- already supposedly witnessed in Tunisia, Libya, Morocco -- the Egyptians have decided to play along. In jest, they have come up with spoof films that would come about under Islamist rule. Stimulated by stars and actors' own expression of fears for their precious film tradition, not to mention illustrious careers, that might be compromised under an Islamist regime, they have coined mock and silly versions on the Egyptian classics. They have also waded into Hollywood-proper territory.
Egyptian humor teams up with their handy and revolution-favorite Twitter tool
Turning alarmed concerns for their prestigious film industry, the Arab answer to Hollywood, into a wickedly funny imagination of what might become of their darling films, the Twittersphere has generated a hashtag stream (#MoviesNamesAtIkhwanEra). This channel documents a running joke that pokes fun of the transmutation the world might expect to befall Egyptian film in the event of a new Islamic awakening. Not completely 'imaginary', this satirical forecast is at least inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood’s claim to being ahead in the first rounds of parliamentary elections with the Freedom & Justice Party wing of the Muslim Brotherhood feeling they’re going to swing that lead to a complete win.
These Tweeting comedians facetiously reflect Egypt’s Islamic revolutionary impact to the film scene: Old classics or films from the current thriving Arabian Hollywood as we know them are ‘Muslim’ed up’ with tongue and cheek bravado. The new Brotherhood Era of Egyptian film as it were!
An evolution or a devolution?
Most have taken this in the spirit of levity it was intended; others have been a little sensitive, offended by a perceived Islamophic nature to this spoofing. Some highlighted this concern, voicing their objection in the very lively hashtag stream, meeting with resounding defenses and chiding, that the topic was 'not offensive to Muslims, you should learn to have an (Egyptian) sense of humor”.
Here are some favorite spoof-tweets Al Bawaba saw fit to share with you, primarily for the benefit of an English readership that might not be familiar with the idiosyncratic Egyptian humor that deals with its own familiar territory. The Egyptian film titles have been left out.
Good Ikhwan Brothers (Bad Boys)
O Brothers, Where Art Though (similar)
'Brothers Grimm'
Me, Myself, & El Morshed (the leader of any Islamic group and a play on Me, Myself and Irene)
Night at the Mosque (Night at the Museum)
Star Jehad ( Star Wars)
Shari3a and Order ("Law and Order " - American TV drama)
The ikhwan Identity, The Ikhwan Supremacy, The Ikhwan Ultimatum (from the 'Bourne Identity' series)
Eat, Pray, Fast (from Eat Pray Love)
Ikhwan of the Caribbean (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Tzar Wars! (Star Wars)
Ship of the Desert ( a play on the Arabic namesake for camel: Titanic)
Brother and Sister Smith (instead of the married counterparts in Hollywood hit, Mr and Mrs Smith)
The Ikhwani's Angels (Charlie's Angels)
The ikhwan Wears Parada (The Devil Wears Prada)
City of ikhwan (City of God)
The Curious Case of Sobhy Saleh (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
I know What you Did Last Ramadan (I Know What You Did Last Summer)
.........
Songs too have made it into the hash-tag mockery:
[Follow #ikwansongs]
‘Wake me up after Ramadan (or Iftar)!’
( A play on 'Wake me up before you Go, go', Wham)
I am Salafy and I know it ( a famous children’s game-song, 'I am Happy and I know It)
Laban we Tamr fel Martban (Yoghurt and Dates in a Jar, from 'Whiskey in a Jar' - A Metallica favorite)
*Note: Ikwhan is the Arab transliteration short referene to 'the Muslim Brotherhood'
