Latifa opposes censoring classic Egyptian films

Tunisian singer Latifa said that she strongly opposes the Egyptian Television Censorship Committee censoring intimate scenes from classic Egyptian films. “Removing scenes from these classic films would be a violation of the essence of Egyptian art, instead they should be preserved and kept in their original form,” said Latifa.Latifa said that Egyptian history is precious to world civilization, comparing classic Egyptian films to artists like Umm Kalthoum and Mohammad Abdel Wahab, and even the Great Pyramids. According to the internet website MBC.net, Latifa said that scenes from the film “Abi Fawq Al Shajarah” (My Father on Top of the Tree) featuring the late Egyptian legend Abdel Halim Hafiz and actor Shadia kissing belong to the people and such films must retain their original form. Latifa said that if the censorship committee takes such action, over 80 percent of films, television dramas and music videos filmed in the past ten years would have scenes deleted, especially scenes that take place inside a bedroom or a bathroom. Works that have already been watched by viewers and have already become a part of history cannot be compared to recent films that contain extremely provocative and indecent scenes, she added. On a different note, Latifa said that screenwriter Mustafa Muharam has presented her an offer to star in a new Egyptian television drama.   If she accepts filming will begin after the holy month of Ramadan.