Original subtitles

The Arab Co. for Film Production & Distribution presents

A production by

IN

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 satisfy 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?

I'll have Adly bring you some

Azza, where's Rabie?

- How can he not attend the burial? - I'm worried about him

Do you know where Rabie is, Salma?

- No - He didn't say anything?

- Camelia, what should I do? - Just sit down

That must be him

- The sugar, Ma'am - Sugar! I can't wait any longer

Go call one of his friends

- ll don't know any - Bring the phone book and I'll call

Hey! How can you dawdle so?

- What's wrong? - I'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!

I'm hungry and I 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

I 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

It'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?

I've been worried sick about you and you don't care!

Did you sleep well?

Going to work today?

Yes

How many sugars?

I don't take sugar

Laila, stop crying or I'll get up and leave

Nagwa? Very pretty

My condolences

I wanted to tell you before but feared you wouldn't know me

I'm your neighbor but I know you're not acquainted with anyone

By the way..

I had some things for Mrs. Nagwa. May I bring them to you?

Come, Salma. Greet your aunt Laila

- My condolences - Thank you. Please have a seat

No thanks, I was leaving

I just need the bathroom;, crying has ruined my face

- This way - I know the way

I went and did something..

That'll make you want to do the same.. Look

I changed my car

I 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? I'm coming up

A moment.. how are you related to her?

What're you doing, Salma? What happened?

- I don't want to be a burden - A burden!

What idiotic talk!

- The woman you saw with me is.. - I've no right to know who she is

- She came to pay condolences - It's your house. Receive whom you want

It's your house, too

No, it's not

Don't be silly. Go pack while I settle the bill

Let's not fool each other. It's not my house, you're not my father

Sorry, but I 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?

I'll go back with you

but after 40 days I'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 I don't know

No name on the envelope

- Why? - I don't know

Perhaps I 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?

It 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, I told you about

Is 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

It 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

Is there a typewriting office here?

I've been here for an hour and still the machines haven't rested?

Have some manners and open up!

- Morning - Morning

Is 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. I'll get some paper and be right back

-Is it? -t is

- Is it really her? -Yes

Salma!

Not possible!

Whenever they talked of film stars I'd think of you

It's you who looks like a star. Why dressed in black?

- Mom.. - I'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

I 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?

I see you, gal.. I 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? - I'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 14 years! I thought you'd forgotten us

- Never - Where're your glasses?

- She's wearing lenses - Lenses!

What made you remember us after all these years?

I got Mohamed Mounir

What? Mohamed Mounir?

I mean a Mohamed Mounir tape. Do you still listen to him?

Sure. Every time I meet Doha we sing "Windows" and remember you

Windows.. windows.. the whole world is windows

- So you didn't send those things? - What things?

I got a sealed anonymous letter

with a2 Mohamed Mounir tape inside. I thought it was sent by mistake

Then I got another anonymous letter

with my horoscope inside.. I thought somebody's fooling around

Then I received this picture

I 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?

It's not me who made sheep's eyes at him every day

I did that?

- No, she has natural sheep's eyes - Stop joking

I had nothing to do with that letter of Abdel Salam's

Then why did you cry your eyes out when he was transferred?

- I 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?

I came the minute I heard. I even brought my guests

That's very kind, Yousriya

- But how did you know? - How?

It was quite obvious at school today

- I'll make you something to drink - Don't you dare get up

- Your guests are mine - But I'm no stranger

- I forbid you to get up - You're pregnant

Don't upset me, now

Come, Doha. Sit down, gal

You sit here

Make tea, I'll look for something in his handwriting

- Welcome - Thank you

- Find anything? - They're all Jihan's notebooks

Tell me, Gig, how's Mr. Abdel Salam?

- Fine - Thank God

- Thanks be to God - Doesn't he intend to marry?

Do you have a bride for him?

I could easily find him one

But it looks like he doesn't want to marry

I 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 14 years?

Hopeless love is one of the highest virtues

I'm serious, Ibrahim

Can a person decide to look for someone he loved 14 years ago?

It'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 I think of that?!

And after you read it and didn't get a word, which is normal for you?

- I'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

I 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

I know. I never imagined we'd reunite

Thank you

- You know? I was sure I'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 I set foot in

I hadn't taught at a girls' school before

The minute I 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? - I felt you were a familiar face,

that I'd known you for years

You were easy to love at first sight

- What is it? - I must give a lesson there

- Could you just.. - No. I missed the first lesson for you

- How will I 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 look for lost things

Sometimes very old things

- What can I do? - The letter..

What letter?

The one you wrote her when we were kids

- What letter? - It caused the scandal

I remember, I 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 I find it? It's been almost 10 years

- 14 years - Alright, 14

Well, let me ask you a favor,

as she's in a terrible state

I understand

If you could just write her another letter, any letter

She never read the first one, anyway

- .. - 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 I saw you last time

my feelings for you reawakened

But after I left you

I realized you weren't the girl I'd loved 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?

I fell in love with Salma, the pretty little girl of long ago

Now you're.. mature and pretty

- .. - I know what a shock this must be

- But I can't cheat you - Cheat me!

Here

- What's this? - Your friends said you wanted the letter

I said, "where'll I find it"?

Actually I had it all the while in my desk drawer

After they forced me to leave school

I'd watch you as you left school

then I heard you'd moved

I decided to send you a letter

Then I realized it could be a chance to rid myself of my feelings for you

but I couldn't

I looked for you in every girl in my class

I 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 I'd still be in pigtails!

He made me feel like I was my own mother!

That's why he never stays at any school for long

That's why he never married

It'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 ll think the other matter's serious

Someone's trying to tell you something

Who could it be?

- A friend, maybe - 1 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..

Is that a dress or a slip?

There are those who meet by chance

Those who beg Time never to part them

It picks them up and scatters them

- Why did they meet? - Why?

- Why did they part? - Why?

- Why did you do that? - What did I do?

You embarrassed him. We could've sat with him awhile

- I 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 I 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 I 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, lbrahim. I'm filth, trash. I'm sorry.. satisfied?

Shut the window, gal, I'm undressed!

Why're you yelling at the girl?

Do you have something no other woman has?

- So you ogle at other women? - Aren't we going to eat?

I was going to make some food

Still going to cook? I'm hungry now

Shall I 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 do 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 some place

I have work, and Tarek..

Did you get another letter?

- I got flowers - Does getting flowers upset you?

- Today's my birthday - Oh..

Happy birthday

- Thanks - Let's go

- What about Tarek? - I'll 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 I've eaten koshari? 14 years

If I ate a plate once a week

that would make 14 times 48..

672 plates to make up for it

- And some more - Don't they eat koshari in Maadi?

When I'd tell Mom I 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 I discovered that Maadi residents eat koshari, too

But not at Saeed's

Three specials, Saeed, with extra toppings

If only some coincidence would change my life, too

You woke up one day to find yourself in Maadi

It's not impossible that I 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 I refused

I liked him a lot but I'd ask myself, what then?

Spend my life as a typist.. Marry him and raise his kids?

What's wrong with that? I've been raising kids for 6 years and I'm great

You used to tell me that I'd marry 5 times

You told me I'd be a belly dancer when I grew up

- By the way, what do you do? - I'm a public relations manager

- A real manager? - When delegations visit our firm

I arrange a nice program for them, greet them at the airport with a smile

- And I 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 I 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 I ask a favor of you? - Go ahead

- I want to borrow a pair of stockings - Pardon?

A pair of nylons. The stores are closed and I need them urgently

These are black. I need beige

- These are all I have - Thanks, anyway

Hisham Galal Ahmed.. Born in Cairo, 1972

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

I'm sure he's the one sending the letters

- For reasons unknown - Shut up. Am I ever wrong?

How can he have anything to do with Mom, and what "past" does he mean?

I'll make tea. Want some?

The wig, the lipstick.. Why would such personal things be with him?

I'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?

I'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?

I'm asking you

I'll explain.. I'll tell you

Yousriya said it's you who's been sending me letters

- Me? - Yes. I 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?

I work with puppets

Yousriya doesn't know you're a puppet guy

Tell her I'm a puppet guy

Wait.. Yousriya and Doha were..

- Want a glass of water? - I want to go home

Go ahead

- Can I 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 - I have an idea

Enough! My head's going to explode

I can't concentrate on anything anymore

As if you had such a busy life!

- Get out, Yousriya - Get out, Yousriya

- Get out or I'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! Do you have something to say, too?

Answer the lady. Do 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..

I've been polite seeing you're a lady.. But not much of a lady

Not much of a lady!

I'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!

If my dad saw me smoking...!

Ibrahim wanted me to smoke with him but I refused till he quit

I used to smoke behind Mom's back

When I was a kid I'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 areal 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 I 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 I have a complex?

Do I have a complex? Say I, I won't get upset

- You have a complex - Yes. Why lie?

A complex.. I have a complex?

-Yes - Let me tell you..

Some gorgeous guys from Maadi -

wanted to marry me

But when I thought of any of them

and imagine I'm undressing before him..

I pull back and lose interest in him

Why, dear? The dark hides a lot of faults

I 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?

- I don't know, I 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

It's a mistake. He's a diplomat visiting relatives

- No harm done. Thank you - You're welcome, doctor

- Let's have dinner - I'm going home

- Come see my new car at least - I 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?

It'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

I 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

- I want flowers, Ibrahim - What?

Didn't you hear me? I long for flowers

Don't say a bouquet costs 20 pounds,

and that half a kilo of Kebabs is cheaper and more romantic

Is 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

I'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 I 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 I can't?

My friends have nothing to do with this

I 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 I'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

If 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

I talk too much, right?

I'm just glad to have someone eating with me

Doesn't Salma eat with you?

Salma's changed

She scares me. When I try to talk to her -

the words stick in my throat

Why don't you talk?

- What should I say? - Tell me about yourself

It's your chance, as I know nothing about you.. Go ahead

I'm Doha Abdel Kerim, Height 167 cm

Weight, 60 kilos. I want to be an actress

- Are you serious? -Yes, I swear

- Why don't you act? - I tried

I 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 locks me in and disconnects the phone

- How did you manage to come? - No problem, I manage

I didn't call about Ibrahim

but to tell you I 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

I'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 I realized -

I didn't know him at all

After all those years together?

Together.. I 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..

I'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 I find him? - We'll look for his address

I won't look. I'm going abroad

Going abroad? Where?

I'll be transferred to the New York branch

Why?

- Why should I stay here? - Shame on you, Salma

At first I was upset that you looked 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 I stay?

That's no problem, we'll find you a husband

If there are no men in Maadi we'll look somewhere else..

Ramsis, Helwan, Heliopolis.. no problem

Where shall I say I'm from? Maadi or Shubra?

- Who will he ask for my hand? - Your father

And who's that?

Stop.. it's crap, I won't reshoot

We have 17 out of 18 guaranteed

Okay

The cheese commercial girl

Right, she's a real cheese

- Khairy.. - Rabie!

- I've missed you - How are you?

For years I'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 do you like about my films?

All your films are lovely.. really really lovely

Doha loves acting and wants to become an actress

Certainly. I'll give her a screen test

Come.. excuse me

What's going on, people?

Tarel, I want to talk to you

about something that's been on my mind

- Tell me, Doha - But don't get upset

- I won't - It's something you've known about

- Have done, Doha -I want to act

- Well? - Act, then

- You're not upset? - No

I brought you two reams of top quality paper

You're upset.. yes, you're upset

You didn't hear how you said it

Should I dance with joy while I'm saying it? What do you want?

People.. It's I who wants! I want some attention!

Looking for something?

- 1 think I left it here - What?

- No, I went to the kitchen - Is this it?

- Are you traveling? - Yes. A short business trip

Why didn't you tell me?

Wanted to surprise me?

Not at all. I 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 do you think of this?

- Isn't it too plain? - Plain? It's Pierre Cardin

Do I look high-class? I feel it's too plain

- Plain! - Yes. Got anything else?

They're 7 scenes. I need an outfit for each one

Try this on

Do I look high-class?

- Will I do? - At what?

Playing a high-class lady in 7 scenes

- Really? Congratulations - Thanks

Your clinic's lovely

If I were a kid I'd get sick on purpose just to come here

Nice picture. Who is it?

Forget all this. Where will we celebrate this great occasion?

I can't. I'm shooting in two hours

Then we have two hours to celebrate

Then I must drive you

I can't let such a well-dressed lady -

use public transport

- Do you get off work so early? - I 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

-Yes?

- How are your puppets? - Fine

- Well.. give them my regards - 1 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 I was little

"Best Times" is printed on it, my dad's studio

See? I'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 I can't act

- Not exactly.. - Don't worry I won't go kill myself

His saying that doesn't mean I can't act

I can act, and I'm good too

Shall I act for you?

I'll act like I'm happy

Now I'm upset

Please, don't cry

For my sake

See? I can act

I found Rabie's house in a terrible state

It's a mess. I'll have to stay the night

- Got a phone directory? - Of course

- May 1?7 - 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'll 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 do 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 I'd gone nuts, that I was mad for puppets

after being the most sensible guy in the family

Are you really an engineer?

I 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 I got my degree in 8 years

I graduated knowing I wasn't an engineer..

I was a puppeteer

I don't think it was an easy decision

It was harder for those around me

I'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

Best Times Photo Studio

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?

I longed for something to happen to make you talk to me

Where've you been? Your mom said you'd been out all day

I wasn't feeling well

So you went out!

The house is like a loony bin

They neither sit with me or leave me in peace

Sure.. you're an artist now and need your space

- in order to concentrate - Don't make fun of me

I'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 I'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

If you think it's silly then I mean nothing to you

I got the ink

This is our old house

I lived here with Mom and Dad

Here I 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

In 20 years you'll remember it

and say it was the best in your life

- Think so? - I'll bet you

Let's make a date

to meet in 20 years

Meaning I'm supposed to let you go for 20 years?

If you find your dad will you still go abroad?

- If he tells me not to I won't - And if we don't find him?

- I don't know - Well, I do

You'll keep looking over your shoulder,

- even if you go abroad - What do 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 I nuts, then? -You know what I mean

- Where're you going? - I've been waiting upstairs for 3 hours

I've arranged with your dad for our wedding to be next week

How can you arrange that without telling me?

- I can't get a hold of you - Still, you should've consulted me

- Meaning you think otherwise? - I'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 do you need?

Sheets, underclothes, curtains..

Let's go buy them right now

I want to postpone this a bit

Fine, we'll postpone it

- But I want a convincing reason - I'm..

Not ready emotionally

Well, I can't bear this anymore

I 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?

I 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..

İf I lose you.. I'll never forgive myself

Don't worry. I have no talent, nor am I 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

I'll make it up to you

I'm going to him right now

- Wait till tomorrow at least -I 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, I have to

- But Ibrahim? - He and the kids are at his mother's

We'll be back before morning. Let's go

Is this a way to act when your wedding's in a week?

What is it? Don't you love Tarek?

It's not Tarek.. True he's a bit stiff

and doesn't say sweet things to me but he loves me

I didn't ask if he loved you

I asked if you loved him.. what's going on?

- Get out - What is it?

- Get out - Talk to me, you savage

- Get out, I said - Talk to me

Fine, get out so I can talk 10 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, I'm sorry

I'll make some tea

I'm going to the bathroom

I want to tell you -

that I'm a fool

Yes, a fool,

for not believing Nagwa's death

I tried to escape death for the second time

A fool for being attracted to you when I know it's hopeless

You're engaged to Tarek and you love him

Yes, you love him

If you'd seen the way you look at him, your fear for him

you'd know how much you love him

Doha, ..

I realized I 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?

Is that your dad?

Go to him

Be quick, I have to be back before morning

What're you waiting for?

- What is it? - I don't know

- What's wrong? - I feel cold

- Cold? - What can I do?

I think I'm in labor, girls

- What? -I'm in labor

- What do you mean? - I'm giving birth. Drive, quickly

Come on, drive

- Take her to a hospital.. - Calm down, Yousriya

Yousriya.. where are you?

Ibrahim, I'm in labor.. at the hospital.. Ell-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

It's obvious you're not from around here

- How do 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.. look here

Keep your eyes on this finger.. Excuse me

There..

Don't you remember photographing this face before?

I'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 I remember every face? I 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?

I'm your daughter

- How I wish - I'm serious

Whose daughter? Nabaa's?

Or Ragaa's or Adriya's?

- You must be Stella's - Stella! I'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.. I said long ago

Oh.. just wondering

If I still had a taste would my lot be.. this?

I was the first photographer in Shubra -

to use an eight millimeter lense

You could say I introduced it to Shubra

- Really. I'm not pulling your leg - "Pulling your leg"!

You don't know what it means?

It's a word we simple folks use

It means joking, kidding, boasting..

Look at this one

This was your first day at school

You didn't want to go

I kept telling you, "Off to school, gal"

Off to school, gal

Here I am hiding in order 10 surprise you

I had a lot of other pictures

They got lost when I moved; I 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

I love all the women in my life

But if I could choose whom I'll be with in paradise I'd choose your mom

- How come? - So I could do as I please

Have an affair with this woman and that..

Look here, look there, she wouldn't say a word

It wouldn't be bad, as I would be in heaven

Is that why you left Mom?

I didn't leave her, she left me

Is that why you didn't try to see me?

I went to Libya right after the divorce

When I returned I heard she'd remarried

and cut her ties with everyone she used to know

But I was certain you were well cared for

I could never give you the life you're living now

If I hadn't come here today..

You wouldn't have looked for me?

Listen, dear

You were able to live without me for 15 years

You don't need me

Tell me, what are your circumstances after Nagwa's death?

- I'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?

- I'll explain - You didn't come here to get away

but for a good time with your friends

I swore I'd divorce you if you saw them again

You swore you would if I phoned her and I did

By God, you'll leave with me for Cairo this minute

I'll deal with you there. Let's go

This won't do. She just gave birth yesterday

I'll explain why we came here..

I'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 I'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 - I won't

I'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

It'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

I 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, I didn't know what to do

I wanted to run to her

and ask her what I should do

I kept going back and forth all night

When I put the newspaper under the door

I almost thought Nagwa would grab it like she always does

When I went in and found everything as it was

I thought perhaps she was travelling or running an errand

and that I wouldn't see much of her

I'd be upset of course, but I'd understand

They say that when a loved one dies

you must attend their burial to believe it

After burying my son Sherif..

I 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 15 years

since the day Sherif died

How did he die?

He got a fever and died within 5 hours. Nothing I 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 I wasn't your father, we had only 40 days together

- And you're becoming more distant - I've always been distant

Nagwa feared for you so much

- You were afraid of me, not for me - I never agreed to her isolating you

- Why Mohamed Mounir? - I always buy you his new tapes

- But you'd send it with Mom - Mom's dead

- Why didn't you say it was you? - I could have

But it was our first time to talk after Nagwa's death

In the morning when I opened the paper

I found your horoscope saying exactly what I longed to say to you

"Reassess the past".. meaning my old life in Shubra, right?

By "your life" I meant your life here with us

The happy times I 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 I 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 I learned you were leaving I nearly lost my mind

That's why I sent a clue 10 your father's studio

I could bear your going back to him rather than going abroad

Do anything else except go abroad

- I went to Uncle Rabie - Why?

You were right, Yousriya

It was someone very close to me

What? Your stepfather?

While I was avoiding being with him,

he was trying to distract me so I wouldn't leave

- What else did he say? - A lot of things

But I couldn't say anything

I tried, but I couldn't. It's hard

The barrier that's been between us all these years is hard to break

Is that it, then? No more letters?

Why're you so upset?

When we reunited and started going out

I'd remember myself in the past

I started feeling things I'd forgotten

For years I never expected anything good to happen

Remember when you asked me

what I did in my life? Nothing at all

My life was empty; there were no people in it

Is your life full now? What about our lives?

- What? - I forgot to add water

I'm sorry, Yousriya

If I'd known I'd cause all this I 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 letters 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

I, selfish?

Frankly, you two have always been jealous of each other

- Jealous of her? -Yes

Am I the one who put Abdel Salam's letter outside Headmistress's door?

I dropped it accidentally.. How could you?

You're no angel either

- Stop lying, Yousriya - Really!

Ibrahim was right when he said you were foolish kids

Why did I leave my family and come with you to Alexandria?

Your life will go on whether you find your father or go abroad

But I.. how!'ll Ibrahim manage the kids without me?

How will he manage himself? What about me?

What will I do all alone?

If you apologize he'll forgive you and take you back

What about me?

Can Tarek forgive me? Will he understand?

If he does forgive me..

Can I forgive myself?

You talk as if your lives were heaven and I 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?

If it makes you feel better to blame me for your problems..

I say no. I'm going abroad. Show me what you'll do, then

Go and have done!

Let's have done with this lousy friendship!

It was lousy, like your faces

- Yes Hisham? - Salma

I'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! - I 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 I do?

What shall I do?

Should I get you some medicine or make some hot lemon?

- Know what you should get? - What?

- A kiss - No! Let me go...!

I'm not your plaything. Let me go! What's this?

Have mercy! I want to hand in my master's thesis!

Give us an hour to rest the machines

It'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 satisfy 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