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Egyptian filmmakers take on IS with satire

Egyptians' preoccupation with news of extremist Islamic organizations is spilling over into popular movies and TV shows.
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Cinema and TV shows are not a direct mirror of reality, rather they weave threads of reality with the producer’s imagination and personal views, according to screenwriter Mohamed Nair. Nair wrote the TV series “Caesar,” which was one of the most watched shows in Egypt during Ramadan this year. “Caesar” tells the story of a member of a terrorist organization that, from its depiction, is very similar to the Islamic State (IS).

“Caesar” is not the only Egyptian show whose premise revolves around IS, but it is the only one that has made it to the screen so far. Egyptian cinema theaters, however, are getting ready to screen a movie titled “Da’adoush” to be released on the first day of Eid al-Adha, Sept. 12. The movie theme is also about IS, but in a comedy framework. The movie’s first promotional advertisements were launched Aug. 22.

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