Egypt says film inaccurately depicts ancient Egyptians as ‘savages’.Egypt says film inaccurately depicts ancient Egyptians as ‘savages’.

Egypt has banned Ridley Scott’s biblical epic Exodus: Gods & Kings because it says it gives the wrong idea about Egypt’s history and presents a ‘racist’ image of Jews.

The Culture Ministry explained its decision for the first time in a statement on Sunday, a few days after the initial ban.

It listed a number of reasons, including that the film’s account of the story of Moses was not in line with monotheistic religions.

It said the film inaccurately depicts ancient Egyptians as ‘savages’ who kill and hang Jews, and presents a ‘racist’ depiction of Jews as a people who mounted an armed rebellion. It said religious scriptures instead present Jews as being weak.

The film had sparked controversy elsewhere over Scott’s casting of white actors to play ancient Egyptians. The studio owned by Twenty-First Century Fox Inc declined to give a reason for the ban, but films that depict biblical figures have been prohibited before in the Muslim country.

Paramount Pictures’ Bible tale Noah was banned in several countries in the Middle East this year for its depiction of a prophet, which is forbidden in Islam. The film, starring Christian Bale, dramatises the Bible’s Book of Exodus about Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt.

Morrocco has also reportedly banned the film, which has so far grossed $107 million in two weeks in worldwide release.

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