Culture
Israeli film banned from Egyptian festival
Smadar Peri
Published: 30.09.07, 09:36
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25 Talkbacks for this article
1. Egyptian actors' guild notoriously anti-Semitic
Zvi   (09.30.07)
and anti-Israel, and it's not at all a surprise to see them pressure the festival to ban this film. The claim about the inferred scene is merely an excuse, and they hardly bother to conceal it.
2. Normalization?
Madeleine ,   Rehovot Israel   (09.30.07)
The Egyptians wouldn't know normalization if it hit them in the face.
3. Do you know how many films were banned in Israel?
Stop bitching   (09.30.07)
The list of films that were banned in Israel is very long. I don't believe this film would've been published in Jewish religious circles either.
4. Hooray for Peace !
Yisrael ,   Jerusalem   (09.30.07)
Yo peaceniks et al ! This is from an 'enlightened" group who are passionate about peace ! Wow ! I'm glad we have a partner in Mr. Moderate Terrorist. The time is not yet ripe ? Wake up, morons !!
5. peace with arab states
Amos ,   Israel   (09.30.07)
To all of you pushing us to make peace with Arab countries--this is what peace with Egypt is like. If you claim that it is beacuse they are showing solidarity with the Palestinains, note that they occupied Gaza for 19 years and they never offered to set up a Plaesinian state. Currently they are busy keeping the Palestinians walled into Gaza. The problem is that the arabs can't stand to see strong proud Jews.
6. But Egypt Is Our "Friend" .....
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (09.30.07)
With "friends" like this, who needs enemies? This is a great illustration of what "peace" means to the Arab world. Our "Peace Treaties" should be written on toilet paper because 5 minutes after we sign, that's all they'll be good for.
7. Peace and the internet
Logic ,   Israel   (09.30.07)
1. We don't have a normal peace with Egypt. It's more like a non-belligerency agreement. 2. The movie producers can distribute the film via the internet, thereby skipping over the Egyptian censor.
8. #3 is right
Goy ,   Tel Aviv   (09.30.07)
If it hadn't been noted that this happened in Egypt it might as well have been a story from Jerusalem :-))
9. Why can't they simply cut a version ...
Tobias   (09.30.07)
without the sex scenes - for the Egypt, other Arab states ... and the USA ?
10. Peace Treaty? Yes. Normalization? not desired?
Tobias   (09.30.07)
"If we were to show this film, it would be considered normalization (of relations with Israel),"... So even about 30 years after the Egyptian President's visit to Jerusalem and after about 25 years of a formal Peace Agreement, anything which tastes like normalization, is not wanted? Seems again, that this "Peace" is merely an improved, stable cease-fire agreement.
11. beneath israel
(09.30.07)
guys, it would be beneath israel's film reputation and excellent content to even show this excelent movie to the arab population. there is NO HONOR in finally showing this film in arab countries as they are not the number one on the list of media, intellect and the visual arts. who cares what they think or approve. the real test is in the european intelligent and saavy market. this is where israeli films win prizes and stand out as top notch. actually, one israeli film won a biggy this year in europe anyway, while no arab movies have ever even come close to winning anywhere. and by the way, accepting this movie will be like "normalizing relations between israel and egypt". what the problem here arab movie makers? israel and egypt are notmalized in their relationship. in case you come out of your self induced slumber, you arabs will realize that there is a peace treaty for years between these two countries.....common, let's be frank here. you won't admit the movie because you are afraid it'll blast all your others in style and content. loosers!
12. #3 & #8 UR right, but......
J. Klaber ,   R.Hasharon, Israel   (09.30.07)
The applicants should have been given the opportunity to edit the movie in such a way that the sex insinuation would not be shown. I saw the movie last week and liked it very much. It has several dimensions and parallel stories and thus, this sex issue could have been cut out without seriously changing the "red thread" of the movie script. Such a compromise would have put the ball at the court of the organizers to show that an Israeli movie has the same "chances" as any other movie. For those who will not be able to see the movie (Egyptians for instance....), the movie shines a harsh light on Israeli society and uses for this as the spotlight the band from Alexandria.
13. Normalization.
NYC Girl   (09.30.07)
If the Egyptians continue to oppose normalization of relations with Israel, as an American taxpayer, I want my $2.5 billion back. After all, that welfare check that Egypt receives from America was predicated on precisely that...normalization.
14. to #3 and #8
Vitaliy ,   Brooklyn, US   (09.30.07)
While this may have happened in the haredi community, the reasons are different as many other posts here quite clearly point out. The problems were not that there was an "implied sex scene." It could have been cut (I am sure it didn't add that much info to the story line). What happened was lack of normalization in diplomatic relations.
15. The Film Will Be Shown
guy ,   los angeles   (09.30.07)
After we've given everything back to the Arabs except the Departure Lounge in Ben-Gurion,Abbas will permit the movie to be shown on outbound flights!
16. #3 stop bitching
Maewhite ,   Tel Aviv   (09.30.07)
Actually Israel is among the most liberal in its censorship guidelines, much more so than the United States where puritanical repulsion at the mention of sex gets the Americans all bent out of shape, and certainly way ahead of all our Arab neighbors in what they are allowed to view. Please do give us a list of the censored/banned films in Israel, though, stop bitching, becuae I would like to see if your declaration is indeed based on any facts.
17. Guy
Maewhite ,   Tel Aviv   (09.30.07)
Come back to Israel! We need your type here!
18. dictatorship
Judith ,   New York   (09.30.07)
In the United States Iran's President is allowed to enter the country and is given the opportunity to speak whatever he wishes to say...Whereas in the arab countries, censurship continues to impede peace between Israel and the rest of the Middle East. It just shows that Israel is here to stay, and the arab countries will continue to be isolated...
19. Stupid Mentality
EgyptianJewRefugee ,   Geneva, Switzerland   (10.01.07)
As an Egyptian Jewish Refugee, I am saddened and disgusted at their stupidity.
20. It's pathetic how Arabs are so full of hate.
Stopcensoringmycomme ,   Somewhere   (10.01.07)
The Devil is their companion.
21. Egyptian censorship "a la " Show biz
joe   (10.01.07)
Honor in Egypt?, never heard of it. A treaty with the sons of Pharaohs? Freedom of expression? non existant in the muslim world. Ah! but the sens of joy, pride, power, success in dominating or worse one's concubine. The great sens of accomplishment ( after 1000's of years )in living in one of the greatest slum in the world Making the top of the list (year after year) for abject poverty, misery, illiteracy, filth,(no water, but oh! what a great dam) And with that kind, sign a WHAT?? As # 6, Terry stated: even toilet paper is a godsend in Egypt, too precious to use for a treaty. That's Egypt's NORMALIZATION
22. #3, really care to name some?
Danny   (10.01.07)
I can think of one that got a bit of a rough time but even that was aired.
23. to #20
john ,   West bank   (10.01.07)
Hey Wisguy put your self in their shoes. Its very easy and convienient to say that Jews are good and that the Arabs are with the devil. But I am afraid its more complicated than that. Your words actually are full of hatred don't you agree. Unless if you met all the 350million Arabs and found that all of them are devils.
24. convincing?
bainem ,   paris   (10.01.07)
Ronit must be convincing enough in the sex scenes to provoke such fuss.. we must see this movie!
25. Israeli film banned makes it more attractive to all
Petra ,   usa   (10.01.07)
Like any forbidden fruit, it becomes more popular as censors have proved over the years!
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