Following wide outrage, Amira Film will not be screened

Amman (QNN)- The director of the Jordanian film “Amira,” Muhammad Diab, announced on Thursday that the film will not be screened, following a wide outrage and criticism which the film sparked among Palestinians and Jordanians.

In a statement issued today, Diab announced the “Amira” film will not be screened, saying the film never meant to hurt the feelings of the Paleetinian prisoners or their families.

“We understand the outrage expressed by many over what they think is an insult to the prisoners and their families, and it is a national anger that we understand,” the statement said.

The statement added,”But we would have liked the film to be watched before judging it.”

“We consider that Palestinian prisoners and their feelings are our priority and our main cause, so any screenings of the film will be stopped.”

“We demand the establishment of a specialized committee by the prisoners and their families to watch and discuss it. We believe in the purity of what we presented in Amira’s film.”

Diab also said in the statement that no offense was meant by the film to the prisoners and the Palestinian cause, adding there is a statement at the end of the film that states: “Since 2012, more than 100 children was born through sperm-smuggling and their descent were ascertained.”

The film is about a girl, named Amira, who was born to a prisoner in an Israeli prison through sperm-smuggling. However, she finds out that an Israeli jailer had switched sperm samples, which makes him her biological father.

Palestinians, Jordanians, Palestinian Prisoners groups, actresses and Palestinian factions all expressed rejection and condemnation of the “Amira” film, saying the film ignores the strict procedures that the prisoners follow under the supervision of the Ministry of Detainees and watchdogs.

They also said the film puts Palestinian children, born to prisoners through sperm-smuggling, as well as their mothers and families, in danger, defaming them and questioning their affiliations.

They said such a film clearly abuses the Palestinian prisoners’ dignity, heroism, and great history of struggle.

“It consistent with the Israeli occupation narrative that completely hides the truth and the suffering of Palestinians, adding that the filmmakers have “no good intention towards the Palestinian struggle, so any dealing with the film is considered a betrayal of the Palestinian people,” Palestinian Prisoners groups said.