‘Homeland’ Palestinian Actor Mohammad Bakri Cancels El Gouna Festival Visit Over Deportation of Compatriot Said Zagha
Naman Ramachandran Iconic Palestinian actor-director Mohammad Bakri has canceled his visit to Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival over the issue of U.K.-based Palestinian filmmaker Said Zagha being deported from the country without being allowed to enter.Bakri, whose acting credits include “Homeland,” “The Stranger” and “The Bureau,” was due to be honored with a career achievement award at the festival on Wednesday.However, on Tuesday, Bakri released a statement in Arabic saying he has canceled his visit in protest against the deportation of Zagha and other Palestinians who arrived at Cairo airport and were barred from entering Egyptian territory.Bakri said he doesn’t hold festival organizers responsible, but hoped that management will seek to