CAIRO: On December 16, 2006 the higher administrative court ruled that Egyptian Baha’is would not be issued official identity cards unless they convert to Islam, Christianity or Judaism. Ahmed Ezzat, who works for a development NGO here in Egypt, was to screen a film of the actual courtroom events and opinions of Egyptians that attended the session. Instead, his film was banned from the Cairo Human Rights Film Festival this year. The film had already been banned from two other festivals in Egypt in 2007, the Cairo and Alexandria Short Film Festivals. Ezzat will screen a short film about female genital mutilation at the Human Rights Festival instead. Bikya Masr caught up with the filmmaker recently for an informative, if terse, conversation. Bikya Masr: Why did you choose film to address HR? Ahmed Ezzat: I can express myself best through making films. The visual evidence renders films credible and has a profound effect of viewers. BM: Who is the audience for the film and why do you think human rights is important them? AE: My audience is viewers in Egypt and beyond. Almost everyone can relate to human rights. BM: What made you want to become involved in human rights? AE: The principles of human rights are more straightforward than politics. BM: What do you hope to accomplish with this film? AE: To touch people and make them feel and respond, to agitate them. BM: What is the significance of screening the film in Cairo/Egypt/the Middle East? AE: Because the can of worms must open from the inside. BM: What are your future plans regarding work with human rights? AE: Would like to do more, but unfortunately efforts in human rights are taken badly by the politicians. I guess I will continue to make films which either will be banned or generally not appreciated except by the very few enlightened people. This is fine with me! BM
