[citation needed] While a work of fiction, Sabry made efforts to use real-life influences from his own experiences to the 2001 arrests of the Cairo 52 to keep the portrayal of conditions for homosexuals in Egypt accurate.

[1] While previously in Egyptian film, gay characters had visibility in general in minor roles, as in The Bathhouse of Malatily (1973), Alexandria … Why?

Dr. Zeyn il-Abedyn, Egypt's Anti-AIDS Program Director, said that the film was "a painful blow to all our efforts to combat the spread of HIV."

"[4] The EUFS continued, stating: "By implying this, he completely ignores scientific fact; statistics have shown that AIDS is also widespread among heterosexuals and children.

[6][7] The festival is based in St Etienne, France, with the mission to promote positive attitudes towards homosexuality through art and culture.