289: stimulating change through film

This is a very interesting article, from today's BBC online coverage. Apparently, a groundbreaking film has been released in Egypt, which tackles the issue of mutual suspicion and intolerance between the country's Muslim majority and its Christian minority. The film, Hassan and Morqos, focuses on two men from either side of the religious and cultural divide. Both have gone into hiding after being threatened by extremists in their respective communities - and so they meet. They become friends, open a business together and their children fall in love. So it is a tale of possibilities won through tolerance - though many characters in the film give voice to commonly held prejudices (apparently this frankness is a first in Egyptian film). The film's cast and director believe it will prompt discussion - and hopefully greater understanding - between the two religious communities. Film is one of the few media that may have the power to do that, so it's definitely worth the investment. I'd love to see it myself!