Two weeks ago, Michele and I got a babysitter so that we could go to a showing of the film at the local Anglican church in Maadi named St. John. We sat outside under the tents surrounding the church with 300 other people, welcomed by none other than Omar Sharif, the renowned actor who co-stars in the film. Now in his 80s, he introduced with great charisma the film by saying as he has gotten older, he has wanted to make films which contributes constructive conversation within Egyptian society.
In sum, this comedy is the story between two Egyptian families, one Christian and the other Muslim. The Christian father is a priest at a local church. The Muslim father is an Imam (prayer leader) at a local mosque. By extraordinary circumstances, both men end up in a witness protection program somewhere in Egypt where they each have to assume the opposite identity: the pastor must become an imam, and the imam must become a pastor. And, they end up living their new lives in the same building across the hall from each other. Alternating between humorous and serious events, what is portrayed to the audience is the coming together of these two families into a deeper and mutual relationship and friendship amid the social tensions that exist between the two religious communities.
It is a funny and thought-provoking movie, and one that you will enjoy visiting about with a spouse or friend. And, send me a note to let me know what you think.
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