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Algerian director slammed for planning to air film in Israel

June 1, 2015 at 1:18 pm

Algerian Ministry of Culture has criticised Algerian director Lyes Salem who announced the screening of his latest movie El-Wahrani (A man from Oran) in Israel’s Ashdod festival.

“Lyes Salem’s announcement is irresponsible and reckless,” Algerian Minister of Culture, Azzedine Mihoubi said yesterday.

During a visit to the Arab Film Festival, Mihoubi said his ministry wrote to Salem to enquire about “his desire to participate in Israel’s Ashdod Film Festival”.

Salem announced on Facebook that his movie will be screened on 10 June at the Mediterranean Festival Ashdod in Israel.

Salim said in previous statements to the press, that he accepted the festival organisers’ invitation, believing that “art and culture can alter politics in the Middle East”.

After receiving harsh criticism, Salem decided not to air his film at the festival.

Algeria does not share diplomatic ties with Israel.

The movie was not well received after it showed Algerian fighters during the liberation war in 1954- 1962 drinking alcohol in nightclubs.