Egypt has banned the Hollywood Biblical epic “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” slamming the movies as a “Zionist film” and criticizing it for a number of historical inaccuracies.
The film, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Christian Bale as Moses, retells the epic Biblical story from the “Book of Exodus” of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
However, Egyptian Cultural Minister Gaber Asfour slammed the film, saying that it was filled with historic inaccuracies, including making the claim that “Moses and the Jews built the pyramids,” AFP reported.
“This totally contradicts proven historical facts,” Asfour said.
“It is a Zionist film,” he said. “It gives a Zionist view of history and contains historical inaccuracies and that’s why we have decided to ban it.”
The film has also garnered controversy in the U.S. with some who have criticized Scott for taking too many liberties with the Biblical story and also for casting Western actors in Middle Eastern roles.
Morocco has also reportedly banned the film just days before it was slated to premiere, AFP reported.
The film has opened to negative reviews and took in a disappointing $24.5 million during its opening weekend. The film cost around $140 million to make.
