Central Security forces surrounded the French Cultural Center in Mobtadayan, downtown Cairo, yesterday, anticipating demonstrations after a number of film makers threatened to protest the center's decision to include a film by an Israeli director in their upcoming festival. The center had announced the inclusion of the film Almost Normal by Karen Ben Rafael in the sixth annual Rencontres de l'Image Festival, taking place from April 8th to 15th. Though the festival's chairperson Latifa Fahmy apologized, saying that the film will not be included, participants and judges were surprised to discover the opposite, which prompted them to cancel their participation. The center's administration has yet to respond the Cinema Syndicate, Cinema Institute and the National Cinema Center who have all spoken out against the film, nor to the withdrawal of Egyptian films taking part in the festival. Chairperson of the Cinema Syndicate, Mousaad Fouda, declared that film makers should boycott the event and issued a statement on behalf of the syndicate objecting to the Israeli film's participation. Fouda citicized officials at the National Cinema Center who he says were tricked by the judges' assurances that the controversial film would be removed from the festival program. He said that no protests will be staged unless festival organizers insist on their position. Fouda added that, in accordance with the Law on Art Syndicates, the Cinema Syndicate has decided to withdraw Egyptian movies from the festival. Director Kamla Abu Zikri told Al-Masry Al-Youm that she was assured--after joining the arbitration committee--that Almost Normal would not be screened, adding that she revoked her decision to participate as a judge once she discovered that the Israeli film would take part. "I do not know why it will be screened. I believe the matter is out of the chairperson's hand. Maybe it is something related to the French government. I won't change my position towards the festival, even if the film is withdrawn. At the same time, I refuse to join the protests," said Abu Zikri. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
