Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    US employment cost index 3.6% up in year to June 2025    Egypt welcomes Canada, Malta's decision to recognise Palestinian state    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Sterling set for sharpest monthly drop since 2022    Egypt, Brazil sign deal to boost pharmaceutical cooperation    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Prophet Mohamed caricatures documentary provokes at Cannes
Published in Daily News Egypt on 21 - 05 - 2008

A French film championing freedom of expression against attempts by Muslim activists to censor caricatures of the Prophet Mohamed highlighted a key front in the culture wars at the Cannes festival.
It s Hard Being Loved By Jerks by Daniel Leconte takes as its subject a bitter legal battle by the editor of a French weekly who was acquitted last year on charges of offending Muslims for reprinting the offending cartoons.
The landmark trial was seen as an important test for freedom of expression in France, after the publication of the blasphemous caricatures sparked violent protests by Muslims worldwide.
Philippe Val, who runs the leftist satirical Charlie Hebdo weekly, was sued by two Muslim organizations which argued that the cartoons, first printed by a Danish newspaper, drew an offensive link between Islam and terrorism.
One of the three drawings in question was a French cartoonist showing a despondent Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) holding his head in his hands, muttering the film s title, under the caption Mohamed overwhelmed by fundamentalists. The key players in the high-profile trial get a chance to speak in the two-hour documentary, which maintains a brisk pace with dashes of humor.
Leconte said he had not aimed to pour oil on the fire in tackling the sensitive subject.
The film is intended to ease tensions, not exacerbate them, he told reporters in Cannes.
The trial and its verdict were historic, redefining the line between the religious and the political.
Leconte said that while interest in the project was sizeable, the financing was hard to come by due to the sensitivity of the subject.
The television networks refused to back the film, Leconte said.
One of the sharpest exchanges in the film occurs when Richard Malka, one of the lawyers for Charlie Hebdo, asks the Muslim plaintiffs whether they aim to be treated like other religions in France.
He then cites a raft of caricatures over the last decade that have been far more shocking in their views on Christianity, Judaism or Buddhism.
Until now, Christians have been treated 10 times more insultingly by Charlie than Muslims, Malka argues.
But be careful, if that is what you really want, we ll take your word for it.
In one chilling passage, the director of the Holocaust film Shoah, Claude Lanzmann, says: If the plaintiffs win this case, we won t wake up in the same France.
A few of those interviewed imply that the French government was secretly behind the lawsuit to send a conciliatory message to Middle Eastern countries to protect its interests in the region.
Film industry bible Variety gave the picture a rave review at Cannes, saying it offers a strong example of individuals unafraid to stand up for basic but sometimes neglected principles even in the face of heavy intimidation and even death threats.
The Hollywood Reporter called it rousing, if hilariously biased in favor of the magazine, but added you ll be cheering for Charlie and for its crucial defense of freedom of speech, no matter what your politics are.


Clic here to read the story from its source.