Film dealing with
homosexuality roils Egypt

The Egyptian parliament will soon decide whether to censor a movie currently playing in the country's theaters that deals with homosexuality, terrorism, and police brutality.

The Yacoubian Building, based on a popular novel by Alaa Al-Aswany, has already been playing in Egyptian theaters for two weeks, to the dismay of some of the nation's leaders in politics and the arts.

"As a citizen, I felt hurt when I watched it," lawmaker Mustafa Bakri told the Associated Press.

Parliament is taking action after 112 of its members demanded that gay scenes be cut from the film. One story line involves a gay newspaper editor having an affair with a police officer.

Al-Aswany decried efforts to tone down the film.

"Why aren't Italy, France, or the United States defamed by movies dealing with homosexuality?" the author asked. "Novels and movies are not made to promote tourism but to deal with real issues of life." (The Advocate)