‘Egyptian Brokeback Mountain’ Marks Liberalization of Muslim Culture

Posted on Jun 29, 2006

The fact that Egyptian authorities didn’t censor a box office-topping film that deals frankly with homosexuality--along with police torture and government corruption--is probably a sign that Egypt’s government is adopting a more tolerant, progressive attitude.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., Bush just signed the “Janet Jackson FCC bill,” which raises by tenfold the fines for broadcasing so-called indecent material.

Reuters:

An Egyptian film based on a best selling novel has pushed the boundaries of censorship and broken social taboos in its frank portrayal of homosexuality, police torture and government corruption.

“The Yacoubian Building” has topped the box office since its June 19 premiere and tells the stories of Cairenes living in one of the capital’s classic 19th Century apartment buildings.

Set in the 1990s, its main characters include a homosexual, an aged womanizer and the son of the building’s doorman, who joins an Islamist group after his application for the police force is turned down because of his lowly social status.

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