The Egyptian Censorship Committee has deleted seventeen scenes and three songs from the upcoming film (Sabi’ Warak Qusheeh) starring Egyptian singer Ruby and directed by Sharif Sabri. This marks the first time throughout history that the Censorship deletes this many scenes and three out of six songs from any film.
According to the Qatar based daily, Al Raya, Dr. Madkour Thabet, head of the Censorship, announced that he supports the decision of the member of the Censorship especially after he watched the film himself and considered it harmful to public safety and social values. On his part, Sharif stressed that he will not accept the decision of the Censorship, especially since this much deletion of the film looses any real meaning it may have.
Sharif announced that he will not give in and will fight the decision and take it to a higher authority, demanding that a new committee watches the film once more to give a final verdict on what is necessary to delete. Sabri was previously forced to make major alteration on the script to convince the censorship to give it permission for screening.
Ruby has announced that despite all the commotion regarding her style whether while singing or acting, she does not cross the lines of dignity. Ruby revealed that since she appeared on the scenes Egyptian singers can compete with Lebanese on all levels even in their outer appearance.
The singer added that a singer who is seductive in style does not necessarily imply that she is disrespectful, but on the contrary, it is through this style her popularity grew. The extent, which Ruby went to prove her ability to compete with Lebanese singers, has led to her banning from her university and numerous lawsuit against her from the Egyptian music syndicate.
Recently, Ruby faced a new lawsuit against her, this time by music distributor Ahmad Al Jabali demanding 5 million Egyptian pounds in compensation from the singer. Ahmad stressed that Ruby had signed a contract with him in 1997 giving him full rights to all her entertainment activities, and making any other contract signed since that period invalid.
The contract has been automatically extended for five years, based on a condition in the contract that states an extension for five years will be made unless one of the two parties states otherwise. Neither Ruby nor Ahmad had requested otherwise and so the extension occurred giving Ahmad rights to Ruby’s activities until the year 2009.
On her part Ruby refused to give out any comments regarding the lawsuit. The singer added that she will leave the matter for the court to decide, and she is hopeful a verdict will be reached in her favor.
Ruby is also scheduled to stand trial after being accused of practicing the profession of singing without obtaining a permit from the Egyptian Music Syndicate. The trial date has been set to be in mid-June after, the head of the Syndicate, Hassan Abu Saoud, filed a lawsuit against the singer because she has broken the law.
Hassan revealed that the Syndicate sent many warning to Ruby threatening to take her to court if she does not register and obtain a permit, but the singer ignored the matter and resumed singing. He added that Ruby was given enough time to correct her situation and to their disappointment, she just kept running away. –Albawaba.com
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
