The African Muslim Film Festival. Stream: Egyptian Film, Mawlana (2016)

Announced by the University of Pittsburgh:

Mawlana
2016 | 130 minutes | Arabic | Egypt
Directed by: Magdi Ahmed Ali
Mawlana tells the story of the well-known preacher Hatem Al Shenawy who hosts a series of moral, ethical, and religious debates through his popular TV show. After gaining popularity as a TV Celebrity, Hatem finds himself in a web of political discord that tests his credibility and convictions. Hatem deals with the pressure of concealing what he really thinks about religious issues, especially under the restrictions imposed by state security.

Film Background & Facts:
Adapted from a novel by prominent journalist Ibrahim Eissa, Mawlana (“The Preacher”) tells the story of a popular television preacher who struggles to reconcile his religious principles with demands and pressures from politicians and security agencies, as well as ordinary human temptations. Because of its portrayal of the complex relationship between clerics and the government, this film has provoked a lot of backlash from Sunni Muslim leaders, with some calling for the film to be banned.