Netflix's first Arabic-language film sparks uproar in Egypt
The launch of Netflix's first original Arabic-language film "Perfect Strangers" led to an immediate backlash in Egypt among conservatives.
Netflix's first Arabic-language original film "Perfect Strangers" ("As-hab wala A'az" in Arabic, literally "Friends or Dearer") has sparked an uproar in Egypt, with the reactions raising concern among secularists about growing fundamentalism in society.
Within days of its launch Jan. 20, the film, the latest in a string of international adaptations of the 2016 Italian comedy drama under the same name, came under fire from conservatives on social media with some accusing Netflix of "seeking to spread deviant ideas" and of trying to normalize them. Meanwhile, supporters defended the right of viewers to choose what they watch; others argued that those who deny that vices exist in our society are like ostriches burying their heads in the sand.
The film's plot revolves around seven friends who during a dinner party decide to play a game that involves placing their cellphones on the table and making all their incoming calls and text messages public. Many dark secrets are subsequently revealed: A wife who is chatting online with male strangers is exposed and one of the attendees comes out as gay.
The public debate on the film has spilled over from social media into the mainstream local media. During her show's broadcast Jan. 25 on the Saudi-owned MBC Masr, TV presenter Eman Reyad sounded genuinely alarmed that her seven-year-old son had asked her what the word "gay" means. Her guest, a life coach, responded by saying it was no cause for concern. She advised her to explain to her son that there are different sexual orientations.
