A new book-to-film adaptation about the life of Qatar’s first lady is sparking controversy in Egypt, where Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser once studied, media reports have said.

Concerned that the film, dubbed a “social drama,” will disturb relations between Egypt and Qatar, several members of the Egyptian Parliament have already submitted a request at the National Assembly calling for the project to be canceled.

But producers of the film, which will be adapted from Mohammad al-Baz’s biography ”Sheikha Mozah: Queen in Search of a Throne (2012),” say the censorship move is premature, as they have yet to finalize a script.

Al Akhbar reports:

(Al-Baz said the film) will open with her last visit to Cairo, but will flash back to the Qatari emir overthrowing his father and Sheikha Mozah’s role in supporting Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah’s regime.

The film will depict her strong international ties and the Qatari role in the Arab Spring. Al-Baz added that the movie will also talk about Suzanne Mubarak, the wife of ousted President Hosni Mubarak, and other Egyptian politicians connected to Sheikha Mozah.

Even after finalizing the script, submitting it for censorship approval and finding a producer ready to finance the film, Gulf distributors are not likely to support it.

If the film portrays Sheikha Mozah and Qatar in any negative light, Egypt has economic cause to be concerned.

Last year, Qatar announced plans to invest $10 billion into Egypt’s post-revolution economy. It also gifted the country over $500 million to help bolster its budget.

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Ammar Abd Rabbo