ALEXANDRIA, 2010
FOURTH FLOOR, ROOM 407
In the end, I became devastated and lonely.
Without a friend, a companion, or even a husband.
NOVEMBER 10, 2010
The coffee you ordered, ma'am.
-Is it black? -Yes, ma'am.
Put it inside, please.
I never thought that my phone would ever stop ringing.
Everybody wanted to be close to me at the height of my fame.
The reporters' cameras were on me day and night.
Disconnect the cameras.
As soon as I was out of the spotlight...
I stopped being important to anyone.
Suddenly, all those who were around me disappeared.
At that moment, I knew them for who they really are.
I wrote about their scandals in my diaries.
I don't know what their reaction would be
but I don't care about that anymore.
When I was in danger to the extent that they broke into my flat and searched it...
at that time, I...
You son of a--
CAIRO, 2018
The one who collided both trains.
The one who collided both trains?
That would definitely mean...
the one who made them crash into each other.
That would surely be the driver.
What driver?
The one who united Upper and Lower Egypt!
Menes.
He sleeps always wearing his shoes.
The horse.
What? What is happening?
What?
What is this?
What is this noise you're making?
Are you still awake, Grandpa? I thought you were sleeping.
Really? If I had been sleeping, you would have still made this noise?
-Did your mother put you up to this? -What am I doing?
I'm just trying the new speakers that I just borrowed from a friend.
Put these away. I'm going to bed.
Alright.
Where did you get these papers from?
From this book.
-Egypt's Character? -Yes.
Did you tear the pages out of the book and scatter them under the speakers?
I thought about insulating the floor so as not to bother the neighbors.
-Bother them? -Yes.
Alright, and where is the rest of the book?
I put pages and pages under each speaker.
So now the book is under the speakers?
Should I rip up the book or let the speakers cause an earthquake?
Besides, you already read the book so that means it's old.
That's what they taught you? That a book becomes old once it's read?
-Go on, put the book back together. -Alright.
-Understood? -Yes.
-Move! -Alright, I swear I will do it now.
Now I feel better about the future of our country, young fool.
LAWYER - LEGAL CONSULTATIONS
I would like to congratulate you on the case you recently won.
Your success has spread across all Egypt now.
In fact, I'd like to thank you for wanting this interview with me.
I majored in Law and took an oath to practice it and support the wronged.
Your name has been heard in diplomatic circles,
which has strongly nominated you for important positions in the government.
Are you ready for all that?
I like to work in silence.
I'm not interested in such positions.
Also, defending a citizen's rights needs no special positions.
It only needs our compassion.
I can't imagine myself not defending anyone who's treated unjustly.
-Even if he can't pay your fees? -Of course!
I get a lot of pro bono cases...
and I take them without thinking twice.
Naturally, I don't get anything in return.
In addition to what lack of time and space won't allow us to tell
and what is a result of absolute, individual rule that answers to no one,
it denigrates the Constitution, which is the basis of the legitimacy of the state.
My last question is, is it a Parliament dedicated to the people or the government?
Mr. Hilal has gone too far this time.
I think this will lead to no good.
We say this every time, yet nothing ever happens.
Besides, this newspaper has become more popular than any other national newspaper.
As long as people are reading it and Mr. Hilal's articles are causing chaos,
State Security will never leave us alone.
You should be happy that the sales are going up every month.
-Good morning, Mr. Hilal. -Good morning, Roqayah.
I read your article, and it is taking social media by storm.
That's good.
Post your picture with your articles, you wouldn't be able to walk down the street.
Why would I post my picture, then?
You're blinding me with all the pictures you're taking!
-Have mercy on me! -I swear to you, sir.
Your picture should be on the cover of The Times.
Stop sucking up to me.
Stop sucking up, you're working for a rival newspaper.
We act like that outside, but here, let's celebrate. Why not let us be happy?
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DIRAZ ABUL MAATI
You're saying you won't work unless you go with Hilal?
I will, but I wanted to work with Mr. Hilal
because of all the things I hear about him.
I also read his articles and I admire his boldness.
Noha, Hilal Kamel is an old friend of mine.
He and I founded this newspaper.
I owe it to him and his articles that this newspaper and its website
have become so widely read
even though we only started five years ago.
I know, Mr. Diraz.
I also know that he is a very educated man.
Alright, then, Noha, I will allow you to accompany him.
Are you happy now?
But keep one thing in mind.
You must concentrate on every word that Hilal says.
He thinks about every single word that comes out of his mouth.
-You're scaring me. -Not at all.
Hilal is a very nice person.
He is the kindest man you will ever meet.
At your service, sir.
Hasn't Mr. Hilal come yet, Gaber?
He has just arrived at his office, sir.
I will serve him his coffee there.
No, bring it in, and tell him to come and have it here.
I can't do that, sir.
You know he likes to drink his coffee while solving some crossword puzzles.
Again?
Hilal will never break this habit.
-Mr. Diraz is asking about you. -Tell him to come in.
He asked me to tell you he's expecting you in his office.
Alright, I'll join him in a while.
Are you searching for anything in particular, sir?
There was a crossword puzzle from a newspaper lying around here.
It was old, so when I saw it while cleaning, I threw it away.
Haven't I repeatedly told you not to touch anything on my desk?
Yes, Mr. Hilal. Now, if you'll excuse me.
You will win this case, as you always do.
Why so persistent?
What is it, Ezz? Why do you keep calling?
Mom, today is Grandpa's birthday and you have to be here to surprise him.
Are you serious, Ezz? You've called me five times to tell me this?
I thought there was an emergency.
So you thought there was an emergency and you still didn't pick up?
Ma'am, we have to enter the courtroom right now.
Hang up, Ezz, I have a hearing and I've got no time for this.
It will be an acquittal, I'm sure.
I present to you Noha Mandour.
She is a graduate in Journalism from the Faculty of Media.
She's worked in many newspapers before but she quit.
She will be working with us as a journalist.
-Hello, nice to meet you, Noha. -Same here, Mr. Hilal.
By the way, Hilal...
Noha refused to work in any official newspaper
even though she graduated first in her class.
She saw that they had different perspectives to hers.
Beautiful.
People like Noha are quite rare nowadays.
I am nothing compared to your great history, sir.
Your article today caused quite a stir.
I told you from the start, don't choose me if you don't want to close the newspaper.
Why not? As long as we're telling the truth, nobody can utter a word.
Diraz is my lifelong friend.
But this shouldn't hinder you from toning down a little.
He isn't my friend at all.
I met him once in a cafe and saw him sleeping in his chair.
I hit him on the head to wake him up.
Ghada Kamel. I represent the defendant.
What are your requests?
I request an adjournment until the witnesses on your list are called...
considering how crucial their testimony is in this case.
This trial is adjourned till March 24, 2018.
-The court is adjourned. -All rise.
Why did you ask for adjournment, ma'am?
I know what I'm doing.
Don't worry, dear. You will be out soon.
Dad, I can't stay in jail. Do something to get me out.
The most important thing...
is to know the meaning of things so you can explain them.
I'm sorry, what's your name again?
-Noha, sir. -That's a beautiful name.
-Do you know what it means? -No.
It means "the mind."
I'm so happy to be working with a prominent journalist like you.
-You started off on the wrong foot. -Why, sir?
Because you're praising me without actually knowing me.
This approach works in other newspapers, but not here.
On the contrary, sir. I know you very well.
I read your articles and got lots of information about you on the internet.
You shouldn't believe everything you read or hear.
I followed your press campaign about the Upper Egypt train wreck in 2013
and the one against those responsible for the poisoning of the school children
in Mallawi, Akhmim, and Abu Hamad in 2017.
I also read about your attack on the government in 1993
concerning the privatization of public companies.
I have a question.
In Zulqida 5, 1995...
what was I doing?
You weren't doing anything...
because they had dismissed you as editor-in-chief of a national newspaper.
-Wow! You did your homework well. -Of course, sir.
I have been learning about you since I was in university.
To be honest, I was very surprised how you were occupying such a post
but you still kept on attacking, opposing the government's decisions.
Listen, Noha...
This world is based on two opposites:
good and evil.
Heaven and hell.
The government and opposition.
I can only be part of the opposition.
This is why I admire your pen.
So you're praising me just because you have your eye on my pen.
-Is your mom back from work, Menna? -No, not yet.
-Alright, sweetheart. -Dad...
-Can I go out with my friends today? -Ask your mom when she's back.
But she always says no.
It's only normal after what happened.
-But, Dad-- -Menna!
I'm tired after work, and I want to rest. I have a meeting later on tonight.
You're still laying out the books? Why are you late today?
I am not late, I came early,
but I was laying low until the guys from the municipality left.
I told you to get a license so you wouldn't keep getting in trouble.
I want to do that, but they keep turning me down.
I want Egypt's Character, Part Four. Do you have it?
Of course, one minute.
Here you go, Mr. Hilal. This is Part Four.
There you go.
-I want this one, too. -Alright.
-Wait, this one, too. -Alright. One second.
-This, too. -As you wish.
How much will that be?
Don't say that, Mr. Hilal. You know me well.
I mean...
You can pay later, Mr. Hilal. You will surely stop by again.
One minute, I will put them in a bag.
Happy birthday, Hello!
What is going on?
-It's your birthday. -My birthday?
Yes, that's right. What would you do for Halloween, then?
Here is your gift.
Beautiful!
Very beautiful.
You know what, Zizo?
I don't like my birthday.
Why not?
Hello!
Hello.
Diraz! You guys ganged up on me?
-Happy birthday, my friend. -Thank you.
Excuse me, I have to go to the toilet because Zizo really scared me.
-Sure. -Make yourself at home.
-Zizo! -How are you?
You're such a gentleman. What a beautiful party you made for your grandpa.
Where are your mother and uncle?
I called Mom, but she was very busy at work.
Then I called her again but she hung up on me.
-What about your uncle? -His phone is off.
Again?
-How long has he been this way? -Doctor, ever since we gave him some food,
he started hitting everyone on the ward.
-Stay here, I'll handle it. -Yes, Doctor.
Relax, Abu El Sid.
I locked the door so that nobody could enter.
Don't you believe me? Aren't we friends?
I came here to give you some good news.
I told them you had to go back to training, like you did before...
so that you would win championships like you used to.
Listen, Bruce Lee.
I've got you a shot that will give you energy.
You can't go back to training looking weak in front of your friends.
Go ahead, champion.
I will give you the shot so I can take a picture after it.
I can't guarantee that once you become Egypt's kung Fu champion...
you will agree to take a picture with me.
Go ahead.
Are we going to sit here like this for long? Give it up, nobody's coming.
Wait, Hello. Mom told me she was coming.
Yes, Ezz, what is it?
Yes, Mom, she picked up. Where are you?
I'm in an important meeting and can't come. Are we done?
You can't make it?
I will stay on the line so you can hear us blow out the candles, okay?
Let's go.
Are we going to keep on singing birthday songs?
We're done.
Happy birthday, friend.
Happy birthday, Mr. Hilal.
Welcome, Mr. Fouad.
Did the government forbid birthday parties?
Don't tell me it's Fouad from State Security.
-No, he isn't from State Security. -Thank God.
-He is from National Security. -I'm leaving, then.
-Where are you going? -It's alright.
-Shall we meet tomorrow? -Where would we? Where are you going?
Happy birthday, friend.
It was nice meeting you, sir.
-How did he get in? -I don't know.
-Didn't we change the locks recently? -Yes.
Yes.
-I'm sorry to have surprised you. -It's alright.
We're honored to have you.
Really, we're used to that.
Are you here to wish me happy birthday, or what?
I came to talk to you for a while.
-Anything wrong, Hello? -No.
If Mr. Fouad came on an official mission, he wouldn't be alone.
He would come with... You know?
Aren't you going to step back so you and the people around you can rest?
Who told you I was tired?
I'm happy this way.
You're happy...
but you're causing your family to live in constant worry.
Even your late wife
used to suffer from worrying about you all the time.
And I...
if I could have helped you a long time ago...
I'm not sure if I can still do that now, or not.
There are many people who are bothered by your articles, Hilal.
I'm not throwing accusations around.
I know my articles are bothering many people.
But I'm used to telling the truth...
while they are used to lies.
And your article about the Chairwoman of the Women's Rights Commission?
She's a fraud and a thief.
I've known her ever since we were both in school.
She used to steal her friends' sandwiches.
-I swear. -Sandwiches?
That is easy...
unlike the last article you wrote attacking the government.
That's weird.
You're here to talk to me when my article bothered a state official.
But why didn't you talk to me
when the government tripled the prices and bothered everyone?
You've changed a lot, Mr. Fouad.
I'm still the same...
but the problems happening now are much more dangerous than before, Hilal.
Alright, and what does this have to do with it?
There are many people we suspect.
Some of them work with you in the newspaper...
and I want you to help us.
I like that you never give up.
I've known you ever since you were a captain.
Here you are still trying to make me join you.
Didn't you ask yourself who is funding the newspaper you're working in?
It is the businessman who's running it.
He is a respectful man known for his good reputation.
Do you think so?
Your information is lacking, Hilal.
But anyway, remember that it is your choice.
Don't worry, you won't see me again.
So shall I congratulate you on your new promotion?
How did you know?
Because National Security would never give you up this easily.
The proof is that you're sitting with me now, discussing my work.
This means you surely got a promotion and someone else will handle my file.
Goodbye, Hilal.
Goodbye... Mr. Fouad.