IT seems that comic films have been blown away this season in Egypt by the impact of the global economic downturn. Scurrying for shelter, local film production companies have put the brakes on their enthusiasm for comedians, replacing half of them with revealingly dressed actresses, who enjoy indulging in intimate bedrooms scenes. This new cinematic trend is reflected in recently released movies, which are proving very popular with teenagers. One film doing well at the box office is Bil Alwan el-Tabieya (In Natural Colours). Set in a fine arts faculty, the film has been blasted online and in the press by art professors and students, who claim that Bil Alwan el-Tabieya is very cruel and unfair to them. Art professors are portrayed as sexual deviants, who salivate at the thought of having a relationship with the models standing half-naked in front of them. The film starring budding actress Yussra el-Louzi and budding actor Karim Youssef also depicts the overwhelming struggle of students, torn between society's conservative rules and the flames of their emotions and sexual desires. Controversial director Khaled Youssef has also released his latest film Kalmni Shukran (Call Me, Please), starring the Egypt's new sex symbol Ghada Abdel- Razeq and actor Amr Abdel-Galil. Families with young children were disgusted when they watched the promos for the movie on television, especially because Abdel-Razeq behaved in her usual seductive manner, according to critic. Abdel-Razeq, who is Youssef's favourite actress at the moment, is starring in a film that is full of sexual inuenndo. The rumour has it that any actress who works for Youssef gets very well paid. After finishing their mid-year exams, local teenagers will also be able to indulge their adolescent feelings in films of the same ilk as Bil Alwan el-Tabieya and Call Me, Please. These young people are looking forward to queueing up for tickets for Living the Moment, starring pretty actress Randa el-Beheiri and pop singer Esaf. Meanwhile, the film Ahsees (Feelings), starring actress Ola Ghanem and Lebanese singer Maria, is already stiring up a deafening debate in the local media. Feelings is an elaborate exploration of the sex lives and desires of three ladies, who allegedly represent Egyptians.
