CAIRO (AFP) – Within days of release of Netflix’s first Arabic film production, public opinion in Egypt is so inflamed that critics called for a ban on the platform.
“Ashab wala Aaz” -- one of countless remakes of the Italian comedy-drama “Perfetti Sconosciutti” (Perfect Strangers) -- features actors from Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan.
The movie is about a group of friends meeting for dinner and deciding to make the night more interesting by agreeing to share every text message, email and phone call received with the rest of the group.
As events unfold, the game reveals shocking truths about members of the group as it touches on immoral topics, all widely considered taboos in Egypt.
In the ensuing fracas, lawsuits have been filed against the culture ministry and the censor’s office for allowing the film to be streamed, and MPs have called for a special session to discuss whether to ban Netflix altogether.
Online, many slammed celebrated Egyptian actress Mona Zaki, who took part in what they dubbed a “disgraceful” movie.
Amid the storm, the U.S. streaming company has refrained from commenting.
Lawmaker Mostafa Bakri argued Netflix should be banned altogether as he called for an urgent meeting in parliament to discuss it.
“This network targets Egyptian and Arab citizens ... we should ban Netflix,” Bakri said in an interview with a private TV channel.
He said the film includes “more than 20 suggestive profanities which shocked Egyptian families”.