The controversy surrounding the last-minute ban of the film “The Atheist” continues to make waves, with the latest remarks coming from the film’s provocative author, Ibrahim Eissa.

“Children of Our Alley” and “Hussein the Rebel”

Amidst the news of the film’s ban, Ibrahim Eissa took to X (formerly Twitter) to reflect on past instances of censorship, expressing his belief that banning is ultimately ineffective. He remarked, “What did the great Naguib Mahfouz do when they banned his novel ‘Children of Our Alley’? He wrote a new novel.” He continued, “What did the great Abdel Rahman Al-Sharqawi do when they banned his play ‘Hussein the Rebel’? He wrote a new play. ‘Children of Our Alley’ and ‘Hussein the Rebel’ continued to be read by generation after generation, their words immortal in our hearts and minds.”

“Art is Stronger Than Bans and Bullets”

Eissa added in his post, “Art is stronger than bans, bullets, and even death. The thinker may die, but the idea lives on; the artist may die, but their art endures.”

He also shared a scene from “The Atheist” where a conversation unfolds between a son with atheist views and his mother, who urges him to lie about his beliefs to avoid an uncertain fate, while the father struggles with his love for his son versus his distaste for his ideas and the desire to enforce punishment.

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مشهد من سيناريو فيلم الملحد pic.twitter.com/eEv43QCHgc

— ابراهيم عيسى (@Ibrahim_3eissa) August 12, 2024

Ban or Delay?

Despite the ongoing discussions about the film’s potential screening issues in Egypt, officials have yet to comment, and the film’s producer has not confirmed any crisis threatening its release, although there have been statements suggesting a possible screening delay of two weeks.

Meanwhile, the film’s director, Mohamed Gamal El-Adl, has continued to post updates hinting at ongoing issues, stating, “Ideas should be confronted with ideas, not with bans. The judgment is for the people.”

Criticism Over the Author

It’s worth noting that film producer Ahmed El-Sobky previously commented that the backlash against the film is largely due to its author, Ibrahim Eissa, who is frequently targeted. El-Sobky mentioned on the program “Details” on Sada El-Balad channel, “If someone else had written the film instead of Ibrahim Eissa, would it have faced the same criticism? The attackers are known to be targeting the film because of its author, not because it attacks Islam.”

The film, initially set to premiere tomorrow, Wednesday, in Egyptian theaters, stars Ahmed Hatem, Mahmoud Hemida, Sabreen, Sherine Reda, and Hussein Fahmy, and is directed by Mohamed El-Adl.