There was a great hue and cry over the movie's alleged blasphemous tone, and the matter was taken straight to the People's Assembly. What really made me very bitter was that this was a false accusation by people who hadn't seen the movie, but were making a lot of noise. I felt I was fighting this battle alone. Abu Shadi, therefore, has had to become philosophical. Wounds heal with time, so I have to be patient until they do.
Battles too take their time.
One has to be courageous and true to oneself, that's all. Naguib Mahfouz has said that the consequences of bravery are much easier to deal with than those of cowardliness. My problem is that my life, my hobby, my profession, my friends are all the same. Sometimes this is a blessing, sometimes a curse. He recently referred them to a high censorship committee, composed of 15 members from the censorship department and four critics and journalists.