The Terrorist, originally Al-Erhabi (), is a popular 1994 Egyptian film by Nader Galal and starring Adel Emam, Salah Zulfikar and Madiha Yousri. The film is Salah Zulfikar's last film role and was released posthumously.
Plot Brother Ali is an Islamic radical scheming against the government and Egyptian society. Hurt after escaping the scene of an assassination, he is taken by the girl who hit him to her father's house. Her father is Dr. Abdel Moneim, a famous doctor living with his family. They are 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.(30 April 1994). Moviegoers flock to see 'The Terrorist', The Vindicator (Los Angeles Times story)Leibovitz, Liel (27 April 2012). Adel Imam and Arab Farce, Tablet Magazine(15 April 1994). Police guard theaters where 'Terrorist' plays, The Daily News (Kentucky) (Associated Press story)
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. 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."Hedges, Chris (18 April 1994). Cairo Journal; Battling the Religious Right: The Celluloid Front, The New York TimesLeaman, Oliver, ed. Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film, p. 66 (Routledge 2001) (describing a "spectacular reception" for a "mediocre film")
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).(24 April 2012). Egypt comedian found guilty of offending Islam, Daily News (New York) (Associated Press story)(4 February 2012). Comic sentenced to jail for Islam insult, Sydney Morning Herald However, a few months later, the actor won its appeal against the Islam-defamation conviction after the judge at the Misdemeanors Court in Haram had watched the movie and did not deem it anti-Islam.
Primary cast includes Adel Emam - Ali Abd-El-Zaher Salah Zulfikar - Dr. Abdel Moneim Madiha Yousri - Soraya Sherine - Sawsan Hanan Shawky - Faten Mohamed El-Dafrawi - Fouad Mass'oud Ahmed Rateb - El Akh Seif Mustafa Metwalli - Hany
See also Egyptian cinema List of Egyptian films of 1994 List of Egyptian films of the 1990s
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