Citing historical inaccuracies, Egypt has banned Hollywood biblical epic "Exodus: Gods and Kings", a spokesman for 20th Century Fox said on Friday.
The move comes just a day after Morocco also banned the film, which has earned $107 million in two weeks of worldwide release. However, the state-run Moroccan Cinema Centre (CCM) has allowed the screening of the film.
"Exodus: Gods and Kings", which is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Christian Bale, centres around how Moses helped Israeli slaves to escape persecution in Egypt under the Pharaoh Ramses by parting the Red Sea so that they can cross safely.
Even though the studio refrained from commenting on the issue, Egypt's Cultural Minister, Gaber Asfour, says that it has been banned in the country as it is full of inaccurate facts, including the claim that "Moses and the Jews built the pyramids."
"This totally contradicts proven historical facts. It is a Zionist film. It gives a Zionist view of history and contains historical inaccuracies and that's why we have decided to ban it," The Guardian quoted Asfour as saying.
It has been learnt that films that depict biblical characters have been banned in the Muslim country earlier too.
Asfour futher said that the ban was decided by a committee, which comprised the head of the supreme council for culture – Mohammed Afifi – the head of the censorship committee and also two history professors.
Considering the controversial subject of the film, "Exodus: Gods and Kings" has attracted many criticisms. The film has been slammed for casting mostly white actors in the lead roles despite the movie being based on events in the Middle East and North Africa, and also for some historical anachronisms.
Bale also came under fire after he described his character as "barbaric" and "schizophrenic" at a press conference last month.
"I think the man was likely schizophrenic and was one of the most barbaric individuals that I ever read about in my life," Daily Mail quoted the actor as saying.
