CAIRO: “678” is one of the few feature-length Egyptian films that has received commendation by nearly all critiques in local newspapers. It won Best Actor and Actress awards at the Dubai International Film Festival and raised controversy even before its screening in cinemas: some believe the film distorted the image of Egypt, as it addresses sexual harassment through true stories and incidents. ‘678' has raised debate among human rights organizations. The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemned the communiqué filed to the Public Prosecutor by a civil worker in a so-called human rights organization to stop showing the film for allegedly inciting girls for violence. ANHRI said “it is the second time that an organization claiming to be ‘human rights' would request to prohibit art and creativity.” A group called ‘Justice and Development for Human Rights' filed the communiqué to the Public Prosecutor. Several years before, another Egyptian organization, el-Kelma for Human Rights, filed a case to stop showing the Egyptian film “Baheb elsima,” which addressed Christian extremism. The film was viewed as one of the best Egyptian films of the past decade and raised controversy among the Coptic Christian Church. ANHRI said it is deeply surprised that a human rights organization is trying to decide which films Egyptians should see, particularly since the film is already being shown in theatres. The statement decried the attempt at “seizing and controlling creativity,” saying this is totally unacceptable. “Works of art must enjoy total freedom in presenting ideas and stances. Citizens have the right to choose, watch and assess art with their own free will. No one has the right to decide and judge for them”. “We are used to having multiple parties all trying to seize and waste the right to creativity by filing political and religious Hesba cases. It is interesting that human rights organizations would join,” added ANHRI. The film sheds light on sexual harassment and the plight of Egyptian women, and addresses sexual repression, poverty and ignorance. It has received glowing reviews by most of the Egyptian press, which describe the film as “promising of a new generation of Directors. The British “Independent” said Egyptian cinema seems to have started to bounce back after two decades marked by low production and quality and added that the film speaks boldly about taboo subjects. In 678, first-time director Mohammed Diab paints an uncompromising picture of Egyptian society from the points of view of three women from different social classes united by their decision to no longer remain silent victims of sexual harassment. It centres on Fayza, a mother and government employee who has to take the bus to work, on which she is subjected to unwanted touching; Seba, a wealthy jewelry designer subjected to a gang assault, and Nelly, a stand-up comic who is sexually harassed on the street. Fayza, encouraged by her friends, decides to defend herself on the bus with a pocket knife, while Seba organizes a self-defense class and Nelly becomes the first Egyptian to file a sexual harassment suit. The film is based on true stories, and reminds Egyptians of the first lawsuit by an Egyptian girl against a harasser, which was filed by filmmaker Noha Roshdy in 2008. BM
