EgyptAir reviewing IFE after classic movie is deemed irrespectful

He demanded the films be turned off.

Local media in Cairo has identified the “offensive” film as "Arees Mama", or "Mother's Suitor", a decades-old movie starring the Egyptian actress Nelly Al-Masry Al-Youm. According to Reuters news agency, one newspaper, said Fahmy had taken offence at scenes of intimacy.

Responding to media reports of a confrontation between Fahmy and the EgyptAir crew aboard Wednesday's flight from Khartoum to Cairo, an EgyptAir statement said Fahmy had asked for the film to be switched off "politely and without a row".

"The film screening was halted in business class and there was no annoyance or objection from the passengers," it said.

In a separate statement, EgyptAir said it would form a committee to review all films shown on its flights.

Roshdy Zakaria, chief executive of the state-run company, said the committee would pull films it deemed "depart from Egyptian values and customs".

In a comment Reuters said: “The case is likely to fuel concerns about the extent to which the Muslim Brotherhood, which propelled President Mohamed Mursi to power in an election last year, could use its new position of power to curb freedom of expression. Critics of a new, Islamist-tinged constitution approved by a popular referendum in December worry it gives wide scope for conservatives to limit forms of expression deemed harmful to public morals.”