The Arab Co. for Film Production & Distribution presents
A production by
lN
Ruby.. Ruby, come here
Don't you want to eat?
Well, Ruby!
The world's just a feather wingless in the air
Today we' re here together, tomorrow who knows where
We'll be in the world
You who wonder about life
Take it as it is
There are smiles, there's pain
Cruelty and tenderness
Life is full
Of those who give
Those who satis_ it.. Those who suffer it
He's nothing to her now. She was just afraid for the kids
Men don't want custody of their kids anymore
They're more than glad to evade responsibility
My sister's ex boasts that his daughter's at the American University
and doesn't even know the fees
Be strong, dear
- Something wrong, Aunt? - Not at all, dear
But don't you use sugar in this house?
l'll have Adly bring you some
Azza, where's Rabie?
- How can he not attend the burial? - l'm worried about him
Do you know where Rabie is, Salma?
- No - He didn't say anything?
- Camelia, what should l do? - Just sit down
That must be him
- The sugar, Ma'am - Sugar! l can't wait any longer
Go call one of his friends
- l don't know any - Bring the phone book and l'll call
Hey! How can you dawdle so?
- What's wrong? - l've never seen such a thing
- Of course! If he was.. - Azza!
You've no idea how sensitive my brother Rabie is
He may harm himself
- Uncle Rabie - Salma
- Where've you been? - Hi, what're you doing here?
You're not a child to behave as you did.. talk to me!
l'm hungry and l have a headache. Feed me or go home
This is my reward for neglecting my home and staying here with you!
You're here to get away from your husband's face
- How could you, Rabie! - Didn't you print Mom's obituary?
Aren't you going to work today?
Get dressed; Azza will drive you
l want a word with you
Rabie, think of yourself a little
Listen to me. What's the situation with you and her now?
Enough nonsense. Salma's like a daughter to me
lt's enough you married a woman from Shubra against our wishes
We'll not be responsible for her daughter
Our only link to her is gone
Where' re you going? Are you drunk?
l've been worried sick about you and you don't care!
Did you sleep well?
Going to work today?
Yes
How many sugars?
l don't take sugar
Laila, stop crying or l'll get up and leave
Nagwa? Very pretty
My condolences
l wanted to tell you before but feared you wouldn't know me
l'm your neighbor but l know you're not acquainted with anyone
By the way..
l had some things for Mrs. Nagwa. May l bring them to you?
Come, Salma. Greet your aunt Laila
- My condolences - Thank you. Please have a seat
No thanks, l was leaving
l just need the bathroom; crying has ruined my face
- This way - l know the way
l went and did something..
that'll make you want to do the same.. Look
l changed my car
l forgot something downstairs
Take a closer look at the car while you're at it
Telephone, sir
What' re you doing?
How can you stay at a hotel alone?
What's your room number? l' m coming up
A moment.. how are you related to her?
What're you doing, Salma? What happened?
- l don't want to be a burden - A burden!
What idiotic talk!
- The woman you saw with me is.. - l've no right to know who she is
- She came to pay condolences - It's your house. Receive whom you want
lt's your house, too
No, it's not
Don't be silly. Go pack while l settle the bill
Let's not fool each other. It's not my house, you're not my father
Sorry, but l wanted to..
You must at least stay at home till the 40 days of mourning are over
Why? Will you be there?
What do you mean?
l'll go back with you
but after 40 days l'm on my own
Fine, Salma. You can do as you please
- Strange! - What is?
Someone sent me a Mohamed Mounir tape
- What's strange about it? - Someone l don't know
No name on the envelope
- Why? - l don't know
Perhaps l received it by mistake
But you do like Mohamed Mounir
Why didn't the sender write his name?
Perhaps he thought you might know him
Maybe he forgot to
Maybe..
Maybe
Treacherous is the sea of life
Where is it leading us?
lt bears on its waves
Much for us to see
Days pass
Tomorrow will come for sure
Dreams, we dream
A new dream will come to us
Life still holds much more
Morning
Madam Nagwa's things, l told you about
ls something wrong?
Someone sent a letter asking me to reassess the past
- Your happiest day is Tuesday - Who?
He or she didn't sign a name
but that's my horoscope for today
lt must be someone who knows you well
Yes
- Excuse me - Yes?
- Are you sure these are Mom's things? - Yes, a wig and a brown lipstick
What' re you looking for?
A woman named Yousriya used to live here
Yousriya what?
What does she look like?
She's dark, with black hair
Could be Yousriya who married recently on the next street
She said dark, with black hair
That one's fair with brown hair and a mole here
Then it's the one at the health office
- She had a friend called Doha - Doha with the high heels
Or the one married to the grocer's son
Didn't her sister go abroad with her husband -
- and came back divorced? - Could be the other Doha
- Morning - Morning
ls there a typewriting office here?
l've been here for an hour and still the machines haven't rested?
Have some manners and open up!
- Morning - Morning
ls this the office where Miss Doha works?
This is the cursed place. They're in
But they' re giving the machines a rest.. Open up!
Open up! Some people are asking about you
- Pardon us - At last!
Come in. l'll get some paper and be right back
- Is it? - It is
- Is it really her? - Yes
Salma!
Not possible!
Whenever they talked of film stars l' d think of you
lt's you who looks like a star. Why dressed in black?
- Mom.. - l'm sorry. My condolences
- Thank you - What're you doing now? Working?
You look like a lady who doesn't need to work
Where' re your glasses?
- Your eyes are different - Lenses
l didn't recognize you!
You wouldn't recognize Yousriya either
She teaches at our old school now
Miss.. Miss
Get inside, gal
What' re you doing there?
l see you, gal.. l see you
Come here.. Wait, dear
Wow! What nice shoes
- Where did you get them? - From Five Stars
- The one next to the juice shop? - Yes
- Did you pick them out yourself? - No, Mom did
And did she say these were for school or for a nightclub?
Wait for me at the headmistress's office
- Have some mercy! - Doha! How are you, dear?
Are you married? Hey, why is it still in the right?
Tarek bought the typing shop, switched to computers and we' re getting married
Tell him to hurry up
- Who's that pretty girl? - l'll introduce you
- You know such high-class folk? - Hold on
- Salma - How do you do?
Hello, Yousriya
Salma!
How are you? It's been 1 4 years! l thought you'd forgotten us
- Never - Where' re your glasses?
- She's wearing lenses - Lenses!
What made you remember us after all these years?
l got Mohamed Mounir
What? Mohamed Mounir?
l mean a Mohamed Mounir tape. Do you still listen to him?
Sure. Everytime l meet Doha we sing ''Windows'' and remember you
Windows.. windows.. the whole world is windows
- So you didn't send those things? - What things?
l got a sealed anonymous letter
with a Mohamed Mounir tape inside. l thought it was sent by mistake
Then l got another anonymous letter
with my horoscope inside.. l thought somebody's fooling around
Then l received this picture
l thought it was one of Yousriya's practical jokes
Show me.. Good Lord, look at us!
See how skinny Salma is?
- And you are showy as always - There's a circle around
That's right
- Mr. Abdel Salam's in the circle, too - Mr. Abdel Salam?
Don't you remember him?
The history teacher, Salma got him fired?
- That's him - Me?
lt's not me who made sheep's eyes at him every day
l did that?
- No, she has natural sheep's eyes - Stop joking
l had nothing to do with that letter of Abdel Salam's
Then why did you cry your eyes out when he was transferred?
- l felt sorry for him - A pity!
Mr. Abdel Salam, the letter.. What're you hinting at?
Couldn't he have sent those things?
Mr. Abdel Salam? How did he get my address?
- From me - What?
When you moved, he ran into me once and asked for your address
My address? Mr. Abdel Salam?
That was years ago
Abdel Salam hasn't changed a bit
His sister works here and always talks about him
He's still a bachelor!
You mean to say you didn't send me those things?
- Oh! - What's with you, Yousriya?
Listen..
Speedy recovery, Gigi
How can you stay alone in this state?
Abdel Salam was with me but he left for work
What can he do?
l came the minute l heard. l even brought my guests
That's very kind, Yousriya
- But how did you know? - How?
lt was quite obvious at school today
- l'll make you something to drink - Don't you dare get up
- Your guests are mine - But l'm no stranger
- l forbid you to get up - You're pregnant
Don't upset me, now
Come, Doha. Sit down, gal
You sit here
Make tea, l'll look for something in his handwriting
- Welcome - Thank you
- Find anything? - They're all Jihan's notebooks
Tell me, Gigi, how's Mr. Abdel Salam?
- Fine - Thank God
- Thanks be to God - Doesn't he intend to marry?
D'you have a bride for him?
l could easily find him one
But it looks like he doesn't want to marry
l keep trying to convince him
- Then what they say about him is true - What do they say?
You know, that old story
He hates to bring that subject up
That's my brother.. never opens up to anyone,
keeps it all bottled up inside
There he is
We'd better be going
- No, there's no hurry - We have to go now, dear
- Your tea.. - Ibrahim and the kids are expecting me
Bye, Gigi. Bye, dear
- Goodbye - Goodbye
Goodbye
Hello, Salma
How can a person stay in love -
with someone he hasn't seen or heard from in 1 4 years?
Hopeless love is one of the highest virtues
l'm serious, Ibrahim
Can a person decide to look for someone he loved 1 4 years ago?
lt's possible, if he's got time
Listen, Ibrahim.. If you got a letter
a strange anonymous letter, what would you do?
- Read it - Really! Why didn't l think of that?!
And after you read it and didn't get a word, which is normal for you?
- l'd tear it up and throw it away - What a brain.. A real brain!
You're not in such a state for nothing.. Oh, no!
A curse on all letters!
- Are you old friends? - Since we were schoolgirls
Her mom divorced her dad and married a rich doctor,
- who took them to live in Maadi - That's weird!
Not at all. Many people's lives can be upturned in an instant
l mean it's weird she remembered you after all these years
Remembered us!
You don't know how close we were
At school they called us the Comedy Trio
- Guess what they also called us? - That was years ago, love
l know. l never imagined we'd reunite
Thank you
- You know? l was sure l'd see you again - You were sure?
After all these years -
you couldn't just come back, say hello and leave again
- Hi, Mr. Abdel Salam - Hello, Dalia; Hello, Madiha
Yours was the first class l set foot in
l hadn't taught at a girls' school before
The minute l walked in my eyes fell on you
You looked at me and smiled..
Know what the best thing about you was?
What?
- Hi, Mr. Abdel Salam - Hello, Dalia.. Imps!
- Where were we? - The best thing about me
Yes, the best thing..
You were quite an ordinary girl
- Pardon? - l felt you were a familiar face,
that l'd known you for years
You were easy to love at first sight
- What is it? - l must give a lesson there
- Could you just.. - No. l missed the first lesson for you
- How will l see you again? - We'll talk
Just a minute.. my phone number
A card, too!
You could say Salma has a sort of psychological problem
She started suffering from it when her mother died
Poor thing. Salma's so delicate and sweet
She has a phobia which makes her Iook for lost things
Sometimes very old things
- What can l do? - The letter..
What letter?
The one you wrote her when we were kids
- What letter? - It caused the scandal
l remember, l remember
Salma's phobia is driving her to get the letter back
She's in a terrible state and we want to help
Would you give us the letter?
Where will l find it? It's been almost 1 O years
- 1 4 years - Alright, 1 4
Well, let me ask you a favor,
as she's in a terrible state
l understand
lf you could just write her another letter, any letter
She never read the first one, anyway
- l.. - She's in a bad way
We want to help her
- Think he'll give it to us? - Of course not
- What if he does? - Then he's an idiot
Or he isn't the one sending the letters
- Why did you stop? - That black car's following us
Drive on and stop imagining things
When l saw you last time
my feelings for you reawakened
But after l left you
l realized you weren't the girl l'd Ioved and waited for all these years
- Pardon? - We've been too rash, Salma
- Rash? - We're not suited for each other
You called me to say.. Not suited how?
l fell in love with Salma, the pretty little girl of long ago
Now you're.. mature and pretty
- l.. - l know what a shock this must be
- But l can't cheat you - Cheat me!
Here
- What's this? - Your friends said you wanted the letter
l said, ''where'll l find it''?
Actually l had it all the while in my desk drawer
After they forced me to leave school
l'd watch you as you left school
then l heard you'd moved
l decided to send you a letter
Then l realized it could be a chance to rid myself of my feelings for you
but l couldn't
l looked for you in every girl in my class
l realized there was no cure for what you'd done to me
- You never sent any other letters? - Letters?
No, just that one
Salma, don't become like me,
don't cling to things in the past that will never come back
Your whole life's before you
He tells me we're not suited! That we were rash! How come?!
What an idiot!
Says he was shocked when he saw me. Thought l'd still be in pigtails!
He made me feel like l was my own mother!
That's why he never stays at any school for long
That's why he never married
lt's your fault, Yousriya; you put it into my head
Who would've believed -
he'd keep silent all these years then give himself away like that
But l think the other matter's serious
Someone's trying to tell you something
Who could it be?
- A friend, maybe - l have no friends
Not one friend in all of Maadi?
- How about school, or college? - No one
You're in a pitiful state
Take some time and look around you
There must be someone you haven't noticed
Tell me..
ls that a dress or a slip?
There are those who meet by chance
Those who beg Time never to part them
lt picks them up and scatters them
- Why did they meet? - Why?
- Why did they part? - Why?
- Why did you do that? - What did l do?
You embarrassed him. We could've sat with him awhile
- l thought we'd be more comfortable - Or feared we'd give you away
Doha passed by at school, then we met Salma and went..
Bumming around! You went bumming and forgot your daughter, right?
Don't say '' bumming''. It was the first time
Why should l always pick up the girl from school,
tutor the kids, change the gas cylinder, pay bills and fix the drains?
What do you mean by that?
What about me? Don't l do anything around here -
except wear the cap and glasses?
You didn't pick up the girl on purpose!
- Me? - That's what your words imply,
as it's your job to take her, pick her up and '' do everything''
You left her on purpose to punish me
- It's OK - Don't make me lose my temper
Admit you did it to punish me
- OK Ibrahim - No! By God..
Fine, Ibrahim. l'm filth, trash. l'm sorry.. satisfied?
Shut the window, gal, l'm undressed!
Why're you yelling at the girl?
D'you have something no other woman has?
- So you ogle at other women? - Aren't we going to eat?
l was going to make some food
Still going to cook? l' m hungry now
Shall l go throw myself off the roof?
Will that fill my stomach?
- Where're you going? - To eat at my mother's
Wait, Ibrahim.. Wait
- Ibrahim, answer me - What d'you want?
Bring some cheese on the way home
- What're you doing here? - Tarek said you didn't go to work
- Let's go up - Let's go someplace
l have work, and Tarek..
Did you get another letter?
- l got flowers - Does getting flowers upset you?
- Today's my birthday - Oh..
Happy birthday
- Thanks - Let's go
- What about Tarek? - l' Il say his mother came to see me
What if he asks her and finds out she didn't?
- Who? - His mother?
Shut up and drive, you Maadi girl
Wait.. Can you go backwards so Tarek won't see us?
Know how long it's been since l've eaten koshari? 1 4 years
lf l ate a plate once a week
that would make 1 4 times 48..
672 plates to make up for it
- And some more - Don't they eat koshari in Maadi?
When l'd tell Mom l longed for koshari she'd say, forget it
Forget koshari, lentils and beans. We' re in Maadi now, not Shubra
She used to say that a lot
but l discovered that Maadi residents eat koshari, too
But not at Saeed's
Three specials, Saeed, with extra toppings
lf only some coincidence would change my life, too
You woke up one day to find yourself in Maadi
lt's not impossible that l could wake up and find myself a star
- Do you still think of acting? - Why not?
Souad Hosny was from Shubra, so were Dalida and Youssef Shaaban
- Youssef Wahbi was from Shubra - He was from Shubra?
- He was one of Shubra's beys - You don't say!
Not him personally but no doubt his great-grandfather was
- Leg-pulling! - What?
- She's pulling your leg - What was the word?
- Leg-pulling - They don't say that in Maadi for sure
- She said '' Leg-pulling''? - Yes
Oh no! Such a base word!
Bravo, you devil. Let's eat
Tarek proposed many times and l refused
l liked him a lot but l'd ask myself, what then?
Spend my life as a typist.. Marry him and raise his kids?
What's wrong with that? l've been raising kids for 6 years and l'm great
You used to tell me that l'd marry 5 times
You told me l'd be a belly dancer when l grew up
- By the way, what do you do? - l'm a public relations manager
- A real manager? - When delegations visit our firm
l arrange a nice program for them, greet them at the airport with a smile
- And l see them off with a smile - Oh, that must be really hard work
Catch it!
What is this? Here, Salma.. Go
A lovelier garden you won't find
The banana trees have yielded, the fruit on their branches shines
Come on, Salma.. Come on!
Like this
To the ruler of Khartoum l reported him one day
He postponed my hearing until judgment day
A lovelier garden you won't find
The banana trees have yielded, the fruit on their branches shines
Patience.. Is there no patience?!
- May l ask a favor of you? - Go ahead
- l want to borrow a pair of stockings - Pardon?
A pair of nylons. The stores are closed and l need them urgently
These are black. l need beige
- These are all l have - Thanks, anyway
Hisham Galal Ahmed.. Born in Cairo, 1 972
Graduated from the Faculty of Engineering in ' 97
Never worked in his field for reasons unknown
Was engaged to a college colleague who left him, reason unknown
His mother died 5 years ago from unknown causes
He lives alone, no one visits him
l'm sure he's the one sending the letters
- For reasons unknown - Shut up. Am l ever wrong?
How can he have anything to do with Mom, and what '' past'' does he mean?
l'll make tea. Want some?
The wig, the lipstick.. Why would such personal things be with him?
l'll make coffee. Want some?
What's this?
- Didn't you say he wasn't married? - Yes
- Then what's this? - He's fishy. We must search his flat
- Your car's been towed away - What?
l'm afraid to promise then break my word
Hear that?
Afraid to promise then break my word
To say it will be when it won't
You could feel cold, my love could cover you
But not warm you
Nobody touch anything
The House of Ghosts!
What's this?
- Looking for something? - What's this?
l'm asking you
l'll explain.. l'll tell you
Yousriya said it's you who's been sending me letters
- Me? - Yes. l get a lot of letters,
lots of stuff and Mohamed Mounir tapes
Yousriya said you were.. fishy
She said you were a strange person, a fishy person
You are really fishy.. You listen to Mohamed Mounir
- So? - We saw what's inside
- So what? - The flat's.. what do you do?
l work with puppets
Yousriya doesn't know you' re a puppet guy
Tell her l'm a puppet guy
Wait.. Yousriya and Doha were..
- Want a glass of water? - l want to go home
Go ahead
- Can l go home this way? - Go ahead
What?
We jumped to conclusions
- He's a puppet guy - And the Mounir tapes?
That's not proof. Everybody listens to him
He's a normal guy. He borrowed her Mom's things for his puppets
- Doha's right.. Enough, Yousriya - l have an idea
Enough! My head's going to explode
l can' t concentrate on anything anymore
As if you had such a busy life!
- Get out, Yousriya - Get out, Yousriya
- Get out or l'll call Ibrahim - Really? Fine
- Yousriya.. wait - Yes?
- Come here.. - Yes?
There's the car that's been following me
- Are you sure? - Yes
Wait for me here
- Good evening - Good evening
- Waiting for someone? - Pardon?
Please answer quietly and don't make trouble. Waiting for someone?
- Yes. Got a problem? - Identification, please
What?
You look respectable, not one for trouble
Park to the side so we can have a word
You're a lunatic
- What do you want? - What? Lunatic?!
Why're you talking to me like that?
Wait, Yousriya. Do you know me?
A ward of lunatics! D'you have something to say, too?
Answer the lady. D'you know her?
A whole loony bin!
Come here; you can't back out now
- What do you want? - Answer our questions or by God..
l've been polite seeing you're a lady.. But not much of a lady
Not much of a lady!
l' m Yousriya, every house on this street owes me a favor
and those favors will be returned on you today
- What's going on? - What is it, Yousriya?
Yousriya's fighting
Come here..
Bring him to me
Move, Salma.. Take this!
lf my dad saw me smoking..!
lbrahim wanted me to smoke with him but l refused till he quit
l used to smoke behind Mom's back
When l was a kid l'd imagine
that a camera was filming my every move
Really, even at work.. like a real movie star
Wake up! That movie stuff will drive you nuts
Movies are everything. Tell me..
where else can you find a smile like Rushdi Abaza's?
Omar Sharif's kiss.. who kisses his wife like that?
- Nobody kisses his wife these days - Really?
Don't you and Ibrahim kiss?
- Know what's more important than kissing? - What?
- Hugging - Hugging?
Yes. When a woman's given a real hug,
she feels like a real woman
A simple gesture.. but it's everything
That's why women become cold after marriage. Why?
- Why, professor? - Because husbands can't hug
Good Lord! And l wanted to get married especially to get hugged
Are you saying you've never been hugged before?
Of course not. Are you stupid?
- Never? - Never.. hey!
Hear that, Yousriya!
Are you giving birth?
You mean l have a complex?
Do l have a complex? Say it, l won't get upset
- You have a complex - Yes. Why lie?
A complex.. l have a complex?
- Yes - Let me tell you..
Some gorgeous guys from Maadi -
wanted to marry me
But when l thought of any of them
and imagine l'm undressing before him..
l pull back and lose interest in him
Why, dear? The dark hides a lot of faults
l fear to promise you and break my word
Tell you it will be when it won't
What's so funny?
Careful, you'll go into labor
- What? - What did you put in this cigarette?
- l don't know, l found it here - He's telling her it ''won't be''
You' re ill-bred
Stop that, girls. This is a respectable cell
Right, a respectable cell
Why's the cell empty? Does this precinct have no customers?
Get in
Don't push
Wow!
Good evening
lt's a mistake. He's a diplomat visiting relatives
- No harm done. Thank you - You're welcome, doctor
- Let's have dinner - l'm going home
- Come see my new car at least - l want to go to bed
Couldn't you dress the girls in something better?
Are we picking you up from the National Women's Council?
lt's the police station!
So? A rude man harassed us, we taught him a lesson
What exactly do you want?
Since you took up with those girls you've changed
l need to know what's going on
You neglect the kids, the house
even your mom asks me where you go
What's happened to you? Tell me what you want
Speak up
- l want flowers, Ibrahim - What?
Didn't you hear me? l long for flowers
Don't say a bouquet costs 20 pounds,
and that half a kilo of Kebabs is cheaper and more romantic
ls that the new tone your friends taught you?
Did the Maadi girl put it into your head you couldn't live without flowers?
They've nothing to do with this
l've always longed for flowers but you never thought of that
Not on our anniversary, Valentine's day, my birthday or even the 6th of October
Aren't l like other women and you like other men?
Did they say their men bought them flowers?
What else? What else do their men do that l can't?
My friends have nothing to do with this
l won't wait till they destroy our marriage
Call that Maadi girl right now, say you don't want to know her
- They've nothing to do with this - Call her or l'll divorce you
- Salma.. - This is Ibrahim, Yousriya's husband
Yousriya's had enough of you
She's a married woman with responsibilities
Find another marriage to destroy
A woman used to sit at this table
lf it was taken she'd stand and wait till it was free
At this table an old man used to sit. He'd order Lasagne every day
then he'd have coffee and read an Agatha Christy novel
He'd order coffee and read. Sometimes he'd fall asleep and snore
l talk too much, right?
l'm just glad to have someone eating with me
Doesn't Salma eat with you?
Salma's changed
She scares me. When l try to talk to her -
the words stick in my throat
Why don't you talk?
- What should l say? - Tell me about yourself
lt's your chance, as l know nothing about you.. Go ahead
l'm Doha Abdel Kerim, Height 1 67 cm
Weight, 60 kilos. l want to be an actress
- Are you serious? - Yes, l swear
- Why don't you act? - l tried
l always got unsuitable parts
- What do you mean? - Small parts
Very small?
One or two scenes..
- You were an extra? - A silent one
Any progress with Ibrahim?
He's flipped. When he leaves he Iocks me in and disconnects the phone
- How did you manage to come? - No problem, l manage
l didn't call about Ibrahim
but to tell you l know who's sending the letters
- Not again! - Humour me
The usual, Saeed, but be quick
Now tell me.. where's your dad?
He divorced Mom a long time ago
l've heard nothing of him since
- Your mom never spoke of him? - She rid the house of all his photos
Because of your stepfather?
Uncle Rabie! After Mom died l realized -
l didn't know him at all
After all those years together?
Together.. l don't remember that we ever had a real talk
We never fought, like fathers and daughters do
Of course Mom's presence prevented that
But if it had..
l'd have felt there was something real about him
Maybe your dad learned your Mom died and wants you back
- Why use this strange method? - If you met him you'd know
- How will l find him? - We'll look for his address
l won't look. l'm going abroad
Going abroad? Where?
l' Il be transferred to the New York branch
Why?
- Why should l stay here? - Shame on you, Salma
At first l was upset that you Iooked us up because of a letter
then decided it didn't matter,
as long as we're back together, and now you're leaving!
You're married, with a home and kids
Doha's getting married too. For whom shall l stay?
That's no problem, we' Il find you a husband
lf there are no men in Maadi we'll look somewhere else..
Ramsis, Helwan, Heliopolis.. no problem
Where shall l say l'm from? Maadi or Shubra?
- Who will he ask for my hand? - Your father
And who's that?
Stop.. it's crap, l won't reshoot
We have 1 7 out of 1 8 guaranteed
Okay
The cheese commercial girl
Right, she's a real cheese
- Khairy.. - Rabie!
- l've missed you - How are you?
For years l've begged you to visit me on location..
- A drink? - Just a minute
- Come here, Doha - Really, man..
Come here, Doha
Doha's a fan of all your films
She didn't believe that we're friends.. there he is
What d'you like about my films?
All your films are lovely.. really really lovely
Doha loves acting and wants to become an actress
Certainly. l'll give her a screen test
Come.. excuse me
What's going on, people?
Tarek, l want to talk to you
about something that's been on my mind
- Tell me, Doha - But don't get upset
- l won't - It's something you've known about
- Have done, Doha - l want to act
- Well? - Act, then
- You're not upset? - No
l brought you two reams of top quality paper
You' re upset.. yes, you' re upset
You didn't hear how you said it
Should l dance with joy while l'm saying it? What do you want?
People.. It's l who wants! l want some attention!
Looking for something?
- l think l left it here - What?
- No, l went to the kitchen - Is this it?
- Are you travelling? - Yes. A short business trip
Why didn't you tell me?
Wanted to surprise me?
Not at all. l won't be leaving for some time
- When? - Not before two weeks
Yes, it's too early
Better to call me from the airport
rather than tell me too early
Look.. what d'you think of this?
- Isn't it too plain? - Plain? It's Pierre Cardin
Do l look high-class? l feel it's too plain
- Plain! - Yes. Got anything else?
They're 7 scenes. l need an outfit for each one
Try this on
Do l look high-class?
- Will l do? - At what?
Playing a high-class lady in 7 scenes
- Really? Congratulations - Thanks
Your clinic's lovely
lf l were a kid l'd get sick on purpose just to come here
Nice picture. Who is it?
Forget all this. Where will we celebrate this great occasion?
l can't. l'm shooting in two hours
Then we have two hours to celebrate
Then l must drive you
l can't let such a well-dressed Iady -
use public transport
- D'you get off work so early? - l took the day off
- Is something wrong? - No; it's to finalize my travel papers
What?
- You're going abroad? - Yes
Still don't know who's sending you the letters?
No.. nothing
- Is.. - Yes?
- How are your puppets? - Fine
- Well.. give them my regards - l will
- You were going downstairs - That's right
Yousriya..
You were right. It's Dad who's sending the letters
Here's my picture when l was little
'' Best Times'' is printed on it, my dad's studio
See? l'm never wrong
- Yousriya.. - Go now and leave it to me
What do you want to say?
That's the director's opinion, right? He said l can't act
- Not exactly.. - Don't worry l won't go kill myself
His saying that doesn't mean l can't act
l can act, and l'm good too
Shall l act for you?
l'll act like l'm happy
Now l'm upset
Please, don't cry
For my sake
See? l can act
l found Rabie's house in a terrible state
lt's a mess. l'll have to stay the night
- Got a phone directory? - Of course
- May l? - Come in
Sarhan doesn't want to shake hands but read your palm
Something's got you confused. You spend sleepless nights at your window
He who loves you is someone close to you
That's tacky.. next he' Il tell you to cross your palm with a coin
What do puppets have to do with engineering?
- Engineering? - Yes
So it's not just me who knows a lot about you
What d'you know about me?
We're neighbors and Aunt Nagwa was a good friend of Mom's
- She'd always talk about you - What did she say?
She said you were quiet and kept to yourself a lot
that you didn't used to be that way
Mom would say l'd gone nuts, that l was mad for puppets
after being the most sensible guy in the family
Are you really an engineer?
l studied at the Faculty of Engineering
A friend of mine had a father who was a great puppet designer
He taught me to love puppets
And thanks to him l got my degree in 8 years
l graduated knowing l wasn't an engineer..
l was a puppeteer
l don't think it was an easy decision
lt was harder for those around me
l'm not the best puppeteer in the country and maybe never will be
- Happy with your decision? - Very
More important than making a choice
is finding happiness in the choice you make
- What's this? - The phone directory
Oh.. right
Best Times Photo Studio
- You're not like people said you are - What people?
People in our building
What do they say?
- That you' re arrogant and untalkative - What do you say?
l longed for something to happen to make you talk to me
Where've you been? Your mom said you' d been out all day
l wasn't feeling well
So you went out!
The house is like a loony bin
They neither sit with me or Ieave me in peace
Sure.. you're an artist now and need your space
- in order to concentrate - Don't make fun of me
l'm not. What's new in that?
You fight with your folks ten times a day and make up
- By the way, you're just like them - What?
You think l'm a silly child and try to humour me
- What are you saying? - Even if it's nonsense you must hear me
What you call my fantasy is part of me
lf you think it's silly then l mean nothing to you
l got the ink
This is our old house
l lived here with Mom and Dad
Here l spent the best days of my life
Those days will never come back
When we live a happy moment and it passes
we think it's the best in our lives and can never be equalled
That's not true
For example.. this moment right now
ln 20 years you'll remember it
and say it was the best in your life
- Think so? - l'll bet you
Let's make a date
to meet in 20 years
Meaning l'm supposed to let you go for 20 years?
lf you find your dad will you still go abroad?
- If he tells me not to l won't - And if we don't find him?
- l don't know - Well, l do
You'll keep looking over your shoulder,
- even if you go abroad - What d'you mean?
A girl your age doesn't behave like this
She thinks of herself, the future, not some stupid letters
Frankly, it crossed my mind that you were sending the letters yourself
- Am l nuts, then? - You know what l mean
- Where're you going? - l've been waiting upstairs for 3 hours
l've arranged with your dad for our wedding to be next week
How can you arrange that without telling me?
- l can't get a hold of you - Still, you should've consulted me
- Meaning you think otherwise? - l' m not ready
- Why? What's lacking? - Lots of things
Your wedding dress has been at the seamstress's for a month
Go get it; what else d'you need?
Sheets, underclothes, curtains..
Let's go buy them right now
l want to postpone this a bit
Fine, we'll postpone it
- But l want a convincing reason - l'm..
not ready emotionally
Well, l can't bear this anymore
l waited 3 years for you to accept me, also because of acting
What now? Isn't it all settled?
Are you afraid you might have a real talent?
l am afraid you'll turn out to be a talent
Know why? Because you'll be famous
and turn your back on me
But Doha..
if l lose you.. l'll never forgive myself
Don't worry. l have no talent, nor am l an actress
- Where in Alexandria? - The address's on this paper
- Hello, Om Dalia - How are you, Om Aly?
Come pick up the savings collective money
Your eggplants were full of seeds last time
l'll make it up to you
l'm going to him right now
- Wait till tomorrow at least - l can't
How long does it take to get to Alexandria?
- Two hours - Two going and two coming..
Let's say two more with your dad.. six hours altogether. Great
- You're coming? - After all my investigations, l have to
- But Ibrahim? - He and the kids are at his mother's
We'll be back before morning. Let's go
ls this a way to act when your wedding's in a week?
What is it? Don't you love Tarek?
lt's not Tarek.. True he's a bit stiff
and doesn't say sweet things to me but he loves me
l didn't ask if he loved you
l asked if you loved him.. what's going on?
- Get out - What is it?
- Get out - Talk to me, you savage
- Get out, l said - Talk to me
Fine, get out so l can talk to you properly
Be civilized, son! What' re you doing?
- What is it? - What's going on?
- Calm down - Move!
- What's going on, you two? - Let him go, he's Tarek
- That's enough - Calm down
Calm down
Come, Doha
Sorry
No, l'm sorry
l'll make some tea
l'm going to the bathroom
l want to tell you -
that l'm a fool
Yes, a fool,
for not believing Nagwa's death
l tried to escape death for the second time
A fool for being attracted to you when l know it's hopeless
You' re engaged to Tarek and you love him
Yes, you love him
lf you'd seen the way you look at him, your fear for him
you'd know how much you love him
Doha, l..
l realized l was treating you with the selfishness of a child
Doha..
Here she is
Where've you been and what's this Tarek tells us?
What did he say?
That you' re acting strangely, and don't know what you want
- Did you have a fight? - Let's go upstairs
- We're going to Alexandria - We have the address of Salma's father
- Are you nuts to go now? - We'll let you be the sensible one
Wait, Salma
- Out of my way - What?
Who needs sense?
ls that your dad?
Go to him
Be quick, l have to be back before morning
What' re you waiting for?
- What is it? - l don't know
- What's wrong? - l feel cold
- Cold? - What can l do?
l think l'm in labor, girls
- What? - l' m in labor
- What do you mean? - l'm giving birth. Drive, quickly
Come on, drive
- Take her to a hospital.. - Calm down, Yousriya
Yousriya.. where are you?
lbrahim, l'm in labor.. at the hospital.. El-Shefa hospital
- The one in Manial? - No, in Alexandria.. Alexandria!
Near Al-Raml.. Al-Raml
What do you mean Alexandria? Yousriya..
Operating Theater
There's a mirror, a comb and powder if you like
Come in
But you don't really need any of that
You're lovely by the grace of God
Step this way if you're ready
lt's obvious you' re not from around here
- How d'you know? - You're different from the women here
Most of them swaddle their heads in scarves and wear socks with sandals
Look this way. See my finger?
Don't move.. that's it
Those women come in and say:
'' Make me look like Nancy Agram'' .. Some want to look like Shakira
Don't look at me.. Iook here
Keep your eyes on this finger.. Excuse me
There..
Don't you remember photographing this face before?
l've never seen such beauty and smart taste
- You photographed me before - How long ago?
- More than 20 years ago - So long!
And you still remember me?
Some people can't be forgotten
How can l remember every face? l see so many new ones every day
Some round, some long, some chubby, some bony..
Some with hair, others bald
And your daughter's face?
My daughter! My daughter?
l'm your daughter
- How l wish - l'm serious
Whose daughter? Nabaa's?
Or Ragaa's or Adriya's?
- You must be Stella's - Stella! l'm Salma
- Nagwa's girl - Yes
Shame on me! My firstborn!
- But Salma's eyes were.. - They're lenses
Lenses! You... excuse me
Look at your dad's photography
- Is this you, Salma? - Yes
- Who's this lady, Dad? - Your aunt Nagwa, Salma's mom
Wow! She's real pretty
Hear that? Saeed has good taste like his dad
- What did you say, Abdou? - Long ago.. l said long ago
Oh.. just wondering
lf l still had a taste would my lot be.. this?
l was the first photographer in Shubra -
to use an eight millimeter lense
You could say l introduced it to Shubra
- Really. l'm not pulling your leg - '' Pulling your leg'' !
You don't know what it means?
lt's a word we simple folks use
lt means joking, kidding, boasting..
Look at this one
This was your first day at school
You didn't want to go
l kept telling you, ''Off to school, gal''
Off to school, gal
Here l am hiding in order to surprise you
l had a lot of other pictures
They got lost when l moved; l moved house more than 80 times
What a loss!
- Who's this? - Sanaa
She's your sister too, kids, but she lives in Burkina Faso
l love all the women in my life
But if l could choose whom l'll be with in paradise l'd choose your mom
- How come? - So l could do as l please
Have an affair with this woman and that..
look here, look there, she wouldn't say a word
lt wouldn't be bad, as l would be in heaven
ls that why you left Mom?
l didn't leave her, she left me
ls that why you didn't try to see me?
l went to Libya right after the divorce
When l returned l heard she'd remarried
and cut her ties with everyone she used to know
But l was certain you were well cared for
l could never give you the life you're living now
lf l hadn't come here today..
you wouldn't have looked for me?
Listen, dear
You were able to live without me for 1 5 years
You don't need me
Tell me, what are your circumstances after Nagwa's death?
- l'm going abroad - Where and why?
My company transferred me to its branch in New York
New York! That company must pay good money..
May God grant you success
- What took you so long? - How is she?
- Fine.. what have you brought? - Things for the baby
- See what we got for the baby? - What're they doing here?
- l'll explain - You didn't come here to get away
but for a good time with your friends
l swore l'd divorce you if you saw them again
You swore you would if l phoned her and l did
By God, you'll leave with me for Cairo this minute
l'll deal with you there. Let's go
This won't do. She just gave birth yesterday
l'll explain why we came here..
l' m not concerned with your business
but with this lunatic who followed you with her stomach out to here!
- Calm down, Mr. Ibrahim - Stay out of it and l'll calm down
She was in her right mind till you showed up
- What do you want, Ibrahim? - Admit in front of them now -
that you've lost your mind
Stop that, Ibrahim
- Say it, Yousriya - l won't
l'll divorce you if you don't
Divorce me
Did you see your dad?
Yes
- Was it him? - No
Not your dad or not the letter sender?
Both
lt's someone close to you but you haven't noticed
Someone who knows you well
Perhaps he thought you might know him
Uncle Rabie.. where are you?
Congratulations on your new car
l worried about you going and coming from Shubra
- It's nice - Really?
Nagwa picked it out herself
And you were in such a hurry?
When they told me at the hospital that she'd died, l didn't know what to do
l wanted to run to her
and ask her what l should do
l kept going back and forth all night
When l put the newspaper under the door
l almost thought Nagwa would grab it like she always does
When l went in and found everything as it was
l thought perhaps she was travelling or running an errand
and that l wouldn't see much of her
l'd be upset of course, but l'd understand
They say that when a loved one dies
you must attend their burial to believe it
After burying my son Sherif..
l couldn't witness Nagwa's
Son? Did you have a son?
Yes, with Laila
- Laila who.. - My first wife
She broke down instantly
She hadn't been in the house for 1 5 years
since the day Sherif died
How did he die?
He got a fever and died within 5 hours. Nothing l could do
Just like Nagwa fell off a tree
Why didn't you tell me before that Laila was your wife?
You didn't give me a chance
You said l wasn't your father, we had only 40 days together
- And you're becoming more distant - l've always been distant
Nagwa feared for you so much
- You were afraid of me, not for me - l never agreed to her isolating you
- Why Mohamed Mounir? - l always buy you his new tapes
- But you'd send it with Mom - Mom's dead
- Why didn't you say it was you? - l could have
But it was our first time to talk after Nagwa's death
ln the morning when l opened the paper
l found your horoscope saying exactly what l longed to say to you
'' Reassess the past'' .. meaning my old life in Shubra, right?
By ''your life'' l meant your life here with us
The happy times l had with you and Nagwa.. did you forget them?
- But you made me return to Shubra - You needed someone to talk to,
to complain to, even it's about me. So l thought of Doha and Yousriya
Your old friends, whose photographs you' d hidden
so that Mom wouldn't tear them up like the others
When l learned you were leaving l nearly lost my mind
That's why l sent a clue to your father's studio
l could bear your going back to him rather than going abroad
Do anything else except go abroad
- l went to Uncle Rabie - Why?
You were right, Yousriya
lt was someone very close to me
What? Your stepfather?
While l was avoiding being with him,
he was trying to distract me so l wouldn't leave
- What else did he say? - A lot of things
But l couldn't say anything
l tried, but l couldn't. It's hard
The barrier that's been between us all these years is hard to break
ls that it, then? No more letters?
Why' re you so upset?
When we reunited and started going out
l'd remember myself in the past
l started feeling things l' d forgotten
For years l never expected anything good to happen
Remember when you asked me
what l did in my life? Nothing at all
My life was empty; there were no people in it
ls your life full now? What about our lives?
- What? - l forgot to add water
l' m sorry, Yousriya
lf l'd known l'd cause all this l wouldn't have come back
Too late. Everything's been ruined
Be honest with yourself. We both know who ruined your life
You knew he was sending the Ietters and didn't say!
- Enough! - It's not enough
What's between you and Uncle Rabie?
Uncle Rabie! My stepfather, Doha?
Suddenly he's your stepfather and you care about him?
Or is all you care about is the lifestyle he provides?
Thanks to him you returned here a high class lady,
returned to your old simple friends
- Doha - Let her talk
She's always been jealous of me
Jealous? You' re selfish... and think of nothing but yourself
l, selfish?
Frankly, you two have always been jealous of each other
- Jealous of her? - Yes
Am l the one who put Abdel Salam's Ietter outside Headmistress's door?
l dropped it accidentally.. How could you?
You're no angel either
- Stop lying, Yousriya - Really!
lbrahim was right when he said you were foolish kids
Why did l leave my family and come with you to Alexandria?
Your life will go on whether you find your father or go abroad
But l.. how'll Ibrahim manage the kids without me?
How will he manage himself? What about me?
What will l do all alone?
lf you apologize he' Il forgive you and take you back
What about me?
Can Tarek forgive me? Will he understand?
lf he does forgive me..
Can l forgive myself?
You talk as if your lives were heaven and l ruined them
You want an acting career and Tarek together
And you know that can't be
But you refuse to compromise
You Yousriya, say you' re not happy
Did you ever ask yourself if Ibrahim was happy?
Have you tried to make him happy?
lf it makes you feel better to blame me for your problems..
l say no. l'm going abroad. Show me what you'll do, then
Go and have done!
Let's have done with this Iousy friendship!
lt was lousy, like your faces
- Yes Hisham? - Salma
l've asked for your hand
- Asked for my hand? - Yes
From whom?
- Dr. Rabie - But..
- What? - How could you without telling me?
- Give me that.. - Do you accept?
- Of course she does - Hello..
- Where can she find a better man? - What're you saying?
- Let go! - l don't accept
- Shut up! Of course you accept - Hello.. Salma..
- You're not going abroad - The guy's gorgeous, with green eyes
- No - Listen here
You better listen to us
No
What do you say, Salma?
Oh! Let me feel your face..
You have a fever, you're burning up
Oh Lord, what shall l do?
What shall l do?
Should l get you some medicine or make some hot lemon?
- Know what you should get? - What?
- A kiss - No! Let me go..!
l' m not your plaything. Let me go! What's this?
Have mercy! l want to hand in my master's thesis!
Give us an hour to rest the machines
lt's been ten days and not one chapter has been typed!
- It'll get done - Not by myself
Of those who complain of it
Those who satis_ it.. Those who suffer it
You who wonder about life, take it as it is
There are smiles, there's pain
There's cruelty and tenderness