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Obstacles could impede Christ biopic's path into Egypt

Egyptian film director Ahmed Maher speaks to Al-Monitor on how he is moving ahead with his next film on Jesus Christ's infant years in Egypt.
(From L) Director Ahmed Maher, actress Basma Hassan, actor Sherif Ramzy, actor Omar Sharif, actor Khaled Elnabawy pose during the photocall of "Al Mosafer" (The Traveller) at the Venice film festival on September 9, 2009.  "Al Mosafer" is competing for the Golden Lion of the 66th Mostra Internationale d'Arte Cinematografica, the Venice film festival.   AFP PHOTO / Damien Meyer (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
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CAIRO — Following years of preparation, Egyptian film director Ahmed Maher says that progress is being made on his multimillion dollar film about the early life of Jesus Christ and the cast will be announced within a month.

In an interview with Al-Monitor, the director said the film "Christ" — which has been in the pipeline for years and caused controversy among Egyptians — could be shot outside of Egypt should he face objections from Al-Azhar. The film has already received the Coptic Church's approval, with producer Mohamed Ashoub noting that the late Coptic Pope Shenouda III read and approved the script years ago.

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