At a recent press conference held by prominent Egyptian comedian-actor Adel Imam at the Dubai International Film Festival, the actor observed a moment of silence for the assassination of Lebanese journalist Jubran Tweny, stressing the importance of standing up against terrorism to make the Arab world a more peaceful place.
Imam was forced to miss the premier of his latest film “Al Amarah Fil Safara” (The Embassy in the Building) in Marina, Egypt due to a sudden illness. 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 that 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 home.
The film, for the first time presents a character that plays the role of the Israeli Ambassador.
