Omar refuses to participate in Cairo film festival

The producers of the recent Egyptian film “In Search of Oil and Sand” have refused to take part in the Cairo international film festival following the recent clashes in Tahrir Square between protesters and security forces. Wael Omar, one of the directors of the film, said: “Following the recent political situation we’ve had in Egypt, our production company Middle West Films has decided to withdraw their participation in the film festival.” The director added: “I refuse to participate in an event organised by the Ministry of Culture when the Egyptian government is beating up people in the streets for standing up to the presidential decree, which gives Morsi absolute powers.” The film is based on the life of the historian Mahmoud Sabet, who inherited a palace near Tahrir Square. Film director Wael Omar won an award for best director from the Arab World in October at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival.