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The sudden cancellation of the private screening of Istinsakh, a highly anticipated Egyptian sci-fi thriller, has sparked significant controversy and debate within Egypt's film industry and on social media. The incident occurred on April 7, 2025, at a cinema in a New Cairo mall, just before the scheduled screening. The film, which explores the societal implications of artificial intelligence, was set to premiere publicly on April 9, 2025.

Background on the Cancellation
Many speculated that the Egyptian Censorship Authority intervened to block the screening due to controversial scenes in the film. However, Abdel Rahim Kamel, the head of the Egyptian Censorship Board, denied these claims. He stated that the delay was purely administrative, attributing it to filmmakers submitting a request for a screening permit outside official working hours. Kamel assured that the permit would be issued the following day and emphasized that the content of Istinsakh had no bearing on this decision[1][2][3].

Sameh Hussein, the film's lead actor, apologized to fans via Facebook for the postponement, citing circumstances beyond the production team's control. This added a personal dimension to the controversy as Hussein's rising popularity—bolstered by his Ramadan program Qatayef—had drawn significant public and even presidential attention[1][2].

Context of Censorship in Egypt
The cancellation has reignited broader concerns about censorship in Egypt's entertainment industry. These concerns are underscored by parallels with The Atheist (El-Molhid), another controversial film whose release has been repeatedly delayed since 2022. Its most recent postponement in August 2024 fueled similar debates about artistic freedom and censorship[1][3].

About Istinsakh
Istinsakh is a thriller blending science fiction with suspense. It delves into humanity's relationship with artificial intelligence and its societal impacts, offering a timely critique of technological advancements. The film stars Sameh Hussein and Heba Magdy and is directed within a framework designed to provoke thought about ethical and existential challenges posed by AI[4][5].

Industry Reactions
The abrupt cancellation has drawn mixed reactions. While some view it as another example of censorship stifling creative expression in Egypt, others accept Kamel's explanation of administrative delays. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between filmmakers' aspirations for creative freedom and regulatory oversight in Egypt's media landscape.

As of April 10, 2025, Istinsakh has yet to be released across cinemas despite its planned premiere date of April 9[4][5].

Citations:

[1] https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/5/32/544197/Arts--Culture/Screens/Sudden-cancellation-of-Istinsakh-private-screening.aspx

[2] https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/5/544197/Arts--Culture/Sudden-cancellation-of-Istinsakh-private-screening.aspx

[3] https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/544197.aspx

[4] https://egy.voxcinemas.com/movies/istinsakh-arabic

[5] https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/139397/Istinsakh-A-Sci-Fi-Thriller-Premieres-on-April-9