The Terrorist (1994 film)

The Terrorist (Arabic: الإرهابي‎, transliterated: Al-Erhabi) is a popular 1994 Egyptian film starring Adel Emam.

The Terrorist (Al-Erhabi)
Directed byNader Galal
Written byLenin El-Ramly
StarringAdel Emam, Sherine
Release date
1994
Running time
130 minutes
CountryEgypt
LanguageArabic

Plot

Adel Imam plays Brother Ali, an Islamic radical scheming against the government and Egyptian society. Hurt after escaping the scene of an assassination, he is taken in by a local modern Muslim family unaware of his radical ties. After living with the family and learning about tolerance and love, he has doubts about his views. He is killed by his former comrades after challenging their leader.[1][2][3]

Reception

The film, despite its controversial subject matter and the posting of police at theaters to guard against violence, was reportedly an immediate success in Egypt upon its release in 1994, earning back half of its US$447,000 budget in three days.[1] The Egyptian government was supportive of its message. Minister of Information Safwat El-Sherif stated that the movie "reveals, in a dramatic manner, the internal contradictions within the terrorist movement ... It illustrates that whenever anyone is allowed to see society clearly they give up extremism."[4][5]

After the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, Emam was sued by Islamist Asran Mansur, and sentenced (in absentia) in 2012 to three months in jail by an Egyptian court for allegedly "defaming Islam" for his role in this film and the play al-Zaeem (The Leader).[6][7]

Primary cast includes
  • Adel Emam - Ali Abd-El-Zaher
  • Sherine - Sawsan
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References
  1. (30 April 1994). Moviegoers flock to see 'The Terrorist', The Vindicator (Los Angeles Times story)
  2. Leibovitz, Liel (27 April 2012). Adel Imam and Arab Farce, Tablet Magazine
  3. (15 April 1994). Police guard theaters where 'Terrorist' plays, The Daily News (Kentucky) (Associated Press story)
  4. Hedges, Chris (18 April 1994). Cairo Journal; Battling the Religious Right: The Celluloid Front, The New York Times
  5. Leaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film, p. 66 (Routledge 2001) (describing a "spectacular reception" for a "mediocre film")
  6. (24 April 2012). Egypt comedian found guilty of offending Islam, Daily News (New York) (Associated Press story)
  7. (4 February 2012). Comic sentenced to jail for Islam insult, Sydney Morning Herald
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