‘Mawlana’ to premiere in Lebanon for first time

CAIRO - 8 May 2017: After becoming a box-office smash hit in its native country, Egyptian film ‘‘Mawlana’’ (‘‘The Preacher’’) finally arrived in Lebanese cinemas after one scene was cut by censors, according to Elaph. The scene was removed as per the request of the Dar al-Fatwa in Lebanon.

In Egypt, the film grossed over 13 million EGP.

Lebanese producer Sadiq A-Sabah gave carte blanche for the film to be screened in Beirut on Sunday.

Al-Sabah said he did not want to deprive Lebanese audiences from watching a movie that "carries a message that we desperately need - a message of solidarity, unity and love."

“We decided to screen the film in Beirut theaters upon journalists’ requests, despite the banning of a scene, whose deletion does not affect the general drama of the film," he said.

Al-Sabah had blocked the screening of the film when Lebanon’s Dar al-Fatwa asked to delete a specific scene which they considered "gratuitous" and said would negatively affect some viewers. Journalists and film critics’ appeals helped the film to finally be screened.

“Mawlana,” adapted from a novel by renowned journalist Ibrahim Eissa, revolves around an influential religious preacher and TV celebrity whose credibility is shaken when he gets close to politicians and security agencies.

“Mawlana” maintained the top spot at the Egyptian box office for many weeks and received praise from both viewers and critics. The film garnered controversy because of its theological themes.

The film stars Amr Saad, Dorra Zarrouk and Ahmed Magdy. It was written by Ibrahim Eissa, directed by Magdy Ahmed Aly and produced by telecom tycoon Naguib Sawiris.