Excuse My French (2014)

Excuse My French is a 2014 Egyptian film Comedy directed by Amr Salama, based on Salama's own experiences at a public middle school in Egypt after his return from Saudi Arabia. Excuse My French (La Moakhza) is Salama's third feature, a movie that stirred considerable controversy during its release in 2013. The film was rejected by censors more than three times before it was finally released at the beginning of this year.

Hany is a bright student, has many friends, likes to go to church and adores his father. With his father’s unexpected death, his mother can no longer afford the expenses of private school, and is forced to send him to public school. There, Hany is mistakenly presumed Muslim, and uses this situation to his advantage. However, when the truth is revealed, he must face a myriad of unforeseen problems. This turbulent comedy about religious and class differences humorously and boldly addresses critical issues in Egypt. The film was initially deemed too sensitive by the censorship board and Salama was forced to adjust the script while trying to preserve the film's core concept of religious discrimination. Even after the changes, though, the censors refused the film again in 2010, claiming that it would fuel sectarian strife and that it did not reflect behaviours that exist in Egyptian society.

Synopsis

Taking place in Egypt, Excuse My French follows 12-year-old Hany, played by Ahmed Dash, as he tries to fit in at his new public school following the death of his banker father. The death of Hany's father leaves his mother unable to afford to keep him in private school. Hany's privileged background shows through his style of dress and alienates him for his peers. Another thing that separates him is that he is also the only Christian in a classroom full of Muslims.

Actors