Cairo: A few days after the release of the film Bil Alwan Al Tabiah (In Natural Colours), students and teachers of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo protested outside their building against what they regard as the distortion of their image on the big screen.
They say the film portrays their 170-year-old institution as a place for passionate relations and of corrupt teaching staff and disillusioned students.
"Though we are disappointed at the film, we are keen not to overreact lest this should provide free publicity for the film," said Mohammad Mekawwi, the dean of the faculty.
"Because I understand the anger felt by the teachers and students, we gathered in a silent protest, raising only one placard reading ‘Fine Arts for Ever,'" he said. Mekkawi added that he had refused to allow the film to be shot in the building. "The screenplay of the film does not sincerely represent us and our students."
Bil Alwan Al Tabiah tells the story of a Muslim art student who feels at a loss for society's view of art as haram, or prohibited, from the religious perspective. His disillusionment deepens when his love for a classmate crumbles after she decides that art is against Islam and the "natural place for women is home to raise children to be good citizens".
In one controversial scene, the protagonist, played by young actor Karim Kassem, is shown engaged in an angry soliloquy asking God: "Is art against religion? If so, why have You created such a beautiful universe? You're the greatest artist."
"This way of talking to God is unbecoming," said Fayza Mahmoud, an art student. "Does anyone dare speak to his superior or employer in this way?" she added.
