Original subtitles

Okay next group please!

And spread out for me, thank you.

Here we go!

6, 7, 8 and 1, 2, 3, 4

and 5, 6, 7, 8,

1, 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

1, 2, and 3,4 and 5, 6, 7, 8

You, there, in the yellow step to the left.

Everyone else, thank you!

Thank you. Thank you ladies,

Can I have the next group please!

Morning Carmen. Hi. Thanks.

Franck, have a good day!

Good Morning.

Thanks Mister Kim!

Ouh Egypt!

Excuse me.

I think that's mine.

Hey, Marge!

Hey, Lola.

What's going on?

Francis?

Surprise!

Congratulations, darling.

We just got the okay for you to be permanent!

Way to go, kid. You're one of us now.

For...She's a jolly good fellow...

She's a jolly good fellow...

-But I never applied... -Oh don't worry about this Sweety

Just fill out these papers and I'll take care of the rest.

For...She's a jolly good fellow...

For she's a jolly good fellow...

You don't have to take it.

Yuss, my dad was a mailman my uncle was a mailman

and my brother is a mailman,

okay, my first word was probably a zip code.

Maybe they're right.

Maybe I should go full-time and have a retirement plan and all that.

Now that I'm so old.

-Lola, you're twenty-five. -Exactly, for a dancer 25 is like

one step away from the glue factory.

-Besides, when did I last have a part? -Well, not...toooo long ago.

See, you don't even remember.

'The King and I'!

I played scenery.

And that was supposed to be my big break.

My 'big role' for Bob Romano.

-Bye, Vincenzo! -Ciao bello, a domani...

Vincenzo?

What can I do? My timing sucks.

It's fine to be gay

but now they wanna get me for being Arab.

Did you say Bob Romano?

Yeah, he's a choreographer.

Bald guy, sop edge? Cute assistant?

Yes...

They come here every Thursday.

Seriously?

He's got a crush on me. Bob Romano has a crush on you.

No, his assistant.

Everyone has a crush on you Yussef.

You know my ideal man?

Ciao Franky!

I meet him at the restaurant so I don't even have to go anywhere

we go to my apartment he pays for the cab.

We have unbelievably hot sex for five hours

and then at two in the morning

he turns into a felafel.

You're shallow, Yussef you know that?

You forgot lazy.

Shallow and lazy.

And a... Iittle bit hungry.

Good night!

Where are you going?

You know what, habibi? I have to go to bed.

No, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

I've got something to show you.

What?

Who is that?

Ismahan.

Wait.

Check this out.

She grew up really poor in a tiny village in Upper Egypt.

They say that, one day, when she was about sixteen years old

she stood up and started to dance

with such an incredible grace that the whole village was spellbound.

And she never danced before.

Even the birds in the trees fell silent.

-ls that a true story? -Come on.

But then of course everyone thought she must be possessed by a djinn.

-A djinn? -Yeah, a wicked spirit.

So, they chased her from her village.

She had to make her own way across the desert to Cairo

where she spent years living in the City of the Dead,

the poorest place you could ever imagine.

She had to struggle for all that time but she never gave up.

She believed in her destiny.

-She's so sensual. -By the time I met her,

she had become the biggest star in Egypt.

You met her?

I was eleven years old.

My mother was organizing a charity event for the poor,

and we went to her house.

You went in through this big arched door with a star above it...

A star so bright and shiny you could see it

all the way from the end of the street.

And she came down the stairs and she was so beautiful,

and so gracious,

that I was almost trembling.

So, did you ever get to see her dance live?

Honey, I know all her moves by heart.

Show me!

That is great.

Come on dance with me. What are you doing?

Come on!

I'll be there at five. Just got to change.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Plie and stretch

and down and up and down

and releve, and jump, and jump,

and jump, and jump.

Think up! Up! Up! Up!

People listen to yourselves!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Why do you wantto dance?

Why do you wantto live?

Why do you wantto live?

Well, I don't know exactly why

but...I must.

That's my answer too.

What? What's wrong with you?

-What is that? -It's a spring.

I only sleep on the side, anyway.

Yuss...

Is Bob Romano still coming on Thursday?

What? Ismahan believed in her destiny.

Penne fruto di mare just as you like it, Mr. Romano.

For you Madam we have Tomato mozzarella,

for you pasta e pesto and for you risotto.

-Thank you. -Please enjoy!

Waiter!

I must be out of my mind.

It's your choice, habibati.

You want to go out there and live your destiny,

or spend the rest of your life in the City of the Dead.

So, are you ready?

No, no there's the guy!

-What guy? -The Egyptian, over there.

Hum, not bad!

Right this way.

Yes

Ladies and gentlemen

we have a very special treat for you tonight.

I said no.

Oh yes! No!

Yes! Yussef no!

Yes. Yussef...

Whatever Lola wants

Lola gets

And little man, little Lola wants you

Make up your mind to have mind to have...

no regrets no regrets

Recline yourself, resign yourself

you're through

I always get

Ouap, ouap, ouap

what I aim for

Ouap, ouap, ouap

And your heart and soul,

is what I came for

Whatever Lola wants

Lola wants...

Lola gets

Lola gets...

Take off your coat

don't you know you can't win

can't win you'll never win

You're no exception to the rule,

I'm irresistible you fool

give in

give in, you'll never win

Give in.

Thank you.

He's got no sense of humour that Bob Romano guy.

And neither does Ruffles she and her man

they go back to the Mayflower.

Excuse me?

I thought you were spectacular back there.

I'm Zack.

And you are...?

Lola. That's her name. Lola.

Lola...

Really.

Oh of course.

Lola.

Nice to meet you, Lola.

Okay, I'm going back to work!

It's Yussef, my friend!

-Yussef? -My best friend!

You're so lucky to be traveling the world.

You could, too. Why not?

I would love to see the Nile.

I'd climb to the top of the pyramids...

and I would, I would ride a camel under the desert stars...

Can you ride a camel?

I never have, no.

You're from Egypt and you haven't ridden a camel?

Thanks.

Hey I've been trying to figure out where I've seen your face.

Some magazine, I guess.

A magazine?

Why would I be in a magazine?

Well you know, something advertising a show? You're a dancer.

I deliver your mail.

That's how you know my face.

Zacariah Akef, 32 Fifth Avenue Penthouse C.

Every day. Well, every day that you have mail.

I'm the mail carrier. I wear the little hat?

Look, obviously I'm not what you expected, so...

That's true, you're not.

Hey. To begin with, you have the eyes and grace of a gazelle.

A gazelle?

I remember making this little tutu...

Tiny ballerina, cute,

You're lucky you have a passion.

I just finished my MBA and I guess I enjoyed it.

But if I'd had a choice...

But you always have a choice.

That's such an American thing to say.

See, you can't just be an occasional dancer.

You have to work at it. And I do, everyday.

And it's exhausting and it's hard and it hurts.

1, 2, 3. Hello birds!

There's a saying in Arabic... I'm trying to remember it...

ol maa yatamanah el makh yodrekahoo

What? "Dwell not upon thy weariness,

thy strength shall be according to the measure of thy desire".

That's beautiful.

So, don't give up. I mean it.

You will get there if you want it enough.

Yeah.

I'm sure you will!

This is it.

So, thank you for coming all the way down here.

It's very sweet of you.

Okay, hum... I

Do you... Do you want a glass ofwater or something?

Yeah I'd love one.

What?

Do you sleep standing up?

Oh! No!

Ta da!

-I'll put it back -I should go.

Sorry

Zack

Mademoiselle, my name is Zack and I will be yourwaiter this evening.

This is unfortunately the main course.

And...

What is that? Nothing.

It's been attacking me all night...

Come on my side.

And then he walked me to work at five in the morning.

Ok, are you sure he's Egyptian?

I think I'm in love.

Maybe he's after your money.

What am I going to do if he never wants to see me again?

Throw yourself under a train like Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes.

Very funny!

Isn't that your couch?

What did... What did...

You Micky move to the left.

Oh my God!

You're crazy! You know!

Zack, it's sweet of you and everything

but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with, with this.

You're not comfortable? I'm covered in bruises. Look at this!

Oh my god, I'm sorry I'm sorry. Sorry.

Stop.

It doesn't hurt that bad.

It doesn't hurt.

-Thank you. -You're welcome

Thank you. You're welcome.

Have a good day

And down, two, three, four

and up, two, three, four

developpe...

Don't you worry, Miss Murphy.

I'm gonna hire a fork-lift to help you get your ass off the ground.

I'm a gazelle.

Special delivery for a Mr. Zakariah Akef!

Promise me you'll keep the hat on.

I still haven't got those papers, Honey.

You know there's a deadline.

Yeah, uh, actually I haven't filled them out yet.

Are you crazy, girl? What's the matter with you?

Hand them over, come on!

Name : Lola

Louise Murphy.

-Age? -Twenty-five.

-Place of birth?

-Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Social security number?

You know, you know what Marge? Hum...

I'm fine. Forget it.

Really, thank you though.

-But why? -It's just, people who give up...

you know, I'm sure giving up doesn't happen all at once

Iike one day you just wake up and you say okay, that's it

I know I can't make it, it's over.

It's probably a little here and a little there...

And I just realized that I'm not ready to give up

not for anyone or anything

so what do you want for dinner?

Oh! And you know what? I thought of Ismahan.

Ismahan? What are you talking about?

-Zack? Why are you angry? -I'm not angry.

-You're angry! -I don't know.

Because I think you're being a little childish.

What? Zack, what do you care if I go full time or not?

No it's not that. It's...

I mean, don't you want the life of a grown woman?

A grown woman? What is that supposed to mean?

Don't you want children?

Yes, of course I want children when I'm like thirty-five or something.

What is this? Thirty-five?

-Yeah! -See, that's exactly what I mean.

You just want to stay in your childish little bubble for another ten years.

Hey! What happened to "strength and desire"?

What happened to "Don't give up"?

That meant something to me, you know.

What was it, some cheap line to get me into bed?

-Some what? -You heard me.

Right

Obviously, this is not a conversation you're ready to have.

Obviously not.

Always remember.

Thy strength shall be according to the measure of thy desire.

Thank you for three weeks I'll never forget.

Zack.

Zack!

Are you out of your mind?

The only foreign country you know is Wisconsin!

-I have to find him -But you hardly even know the guy!

Honey, you had a beautiful romance and now it's over.

That's just how it was meant to be.

No! That's not how it's meant to be!

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!

Why do you think I'm not back in Cairo?

Because they would never let me be who I am there.

I'm a queer, Lola, and in their eyes I'm lower than dirt.

And it's my home and I miss it!

It's a totally different world over there.

And what's keeping me here?

Another useless audition?

A show? No! Just mail boxes

and more "thank you"s than I care to hear in a lifetime!

Come on Lola you're...

Yuss, he was trying to tell me something and I wasn't listening.

If I don't do this, I'm gonna spend the rest of my life wondering.

There's a night flight on the eighteenth for 870 dollars.

Nothing cheaper?

To Boston, yes. To Cairo, no.

Yeah hurry up, hurry up.

There's a step here.

Oh okay, got to look out for my knees.

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, ten

makes one ticket to Cairo.

Piggy bank.

You're absolutely sure you have everything?

Yes Mother.

-You didn't forget your passport? -I have my passport!

-Your ticket? -Yes I have my ticket.

Ouh Yuss, I cannot beleive I'm really gonna go.

Okay, how do you say I love you again in Arabic?

"Faggot"?

God, when did I teach you that?

"I love you"

Yeah. Me too.

Ok, I gotta go!

Yeah.

Thank you!

I'll miss you!

Be a good boy!

Take care, habibati.

Taxi, taxi!

Eh Taxi, Senhora! Taxi!

City of the Dead

Here.

Good bye.

Bye Salem

Yes, who is it?

Hello, do you speak English?

who is there?

Does Zackariah Akef live here?

Mister Akef?

Please.

Thank you.

just a moment. Thank you.

May I help you?

How do you do?

Fine, thank you

I'm looking for Zack...

Zackariah.

I knew him in New York and... I... I'm Lola.

My dear, how wonderful!

This is delightful!

To come all this way...

I'm Zackariah's mother.

Hala!

You must be exhausted.

You'll stay to eat with us, of course...

but first, I'm sure you'd like to freshen up.

Ok.

Please, show our guest to the Pasha bathroom?

Yes, Madam

Thank You

Who was that?

I have no idea.

Salem.

Your guest is in the dining room, sir.

My guest? Aiwa.

So, did my big brother study hard in New York?

I guess

I don't really know I never really saw him at college, just at my place.

He didn't get studying down there that's for sure!

And you, Lola, what do you study?

Oh, I'm not a student. I never went to college.

-Never? -No.

-I'm a dancer. -I'm so sorry I'm late.

Zack! I...

Lola, how kind of you to come all this way

I can't tell you how delighted I am you could make it.

Baba

Mama

Your friend was just telling us about her work for the ballet.

Oh, no, I'm not really into ballet.

I'm more into jazz. Actually that's how Zack and I met.

I was dancing in a restaurant.

A restaurant?

Monica from " Friends" danced in a restaurant!

With inflatable breasts!

Zack. No

You can't do that kind of thing here!

Not outside, in the street! Or inside, in front of my family!

Then take me some place where I can.

Wait, Zack...

I know, I didn't get what you were trying to say to me in New York.

Okay, I was just wrapped up in my own selfish world, and I was thinking about

-No, no no no -Zack!...

I love you

Is this where your apartment is?

I don't have my own apartment here.

I live with my parents.

You live with your parents?

Of course.

-ls this a hotel? -Yes.

Get in

Why? Lola...

Anyone here?

Where do you think you are?

We're full.

How long? -Say...3 days

Just write your name here and there is enough.

I speak English very good.

Of course you are married...

Of course.

Ah... You have a certificate?

Thank you

If you need anything just ask Choukri.

Thank you.

-Ok. Wait! -No, come here!

Lola. Listen...

I missed you.

Hey, Hello, blonde beauty! How are you?

You're Russian?

Swedish?

Ah American!

Come, let me buy you a drink!

No, thanks.

You like sex?

You come with me

We have drinking and sex! Go away!

I love you, beautiful! Hey!

I love you. Hey!

Go on, get lost!

Come in, please Come, come. I love you

I love you, Beautiful. I love you.

-Welcome -What is this place?

It's a nice club.

Good evening, miss. Please.

Please. Compliments of the house.

Thank you.

You're American?

Here on vacation?

Yes.

Ha! You like belly dancing?

Yes

Go!...anyone can dance here!

Go!

-You very good dancer. -Thank you.

-Come back any time. -I will.

Yes!

Where the hell were you?

Hey.

I went dancing.

You went dancing?

Yeah!

-Where? -A nightclub.

The Ramses. I had a really good time.

Are you out of your mind?

Don't you know what kind of place that is?

Zack it was fine.

There were plenty of other women there including the dancers.

No. Those women are not dancers they're whores!

So what? They were dancing, so was I.

Wagging your tits in someone's face is not dancing.

-I can see you've been there yourself. -Yeah, I'm a man!

Look.

It's just... It's no place for a respectable girl.

Well then I guess I'm not a respectable girl, then am I...

Stop it.

What?

Suddenly dancing makes me a prostitute?

That's how it works here?

Hey, who are you to tell me how it works here?

You just arrived and already you think you know the customs?

Typical American.

Please Lola,

you can't stay here.

Zack, I... don't understand, what do what do you mean?

Take a taxi, go to the airport.

You can be on the flight back to New York before noon.

What...

Wait, wait Zack you can't just leave me here!

You expect me to sneak around to sleep with you every night?

Giving that guy downstairs money to keep it a secret?

Is that what you want?

I'm sorry.

Well I don't want to be your whore that's for sure!

Why!

Why

Why

Good morning my little apple cheek daisy

Come!

Tahel.

No, I just want a smile!

I don't understand.

Smile.

Smile.

Thank you.

Bye bye.

Hi, do you... do you have a tape of Ismahan?

Ismahan...?

This one!

Thirty pounds.

Do you know where she dances?

No, Ismahan, no...

Go to Nile Tower.

The Nile Tower?

Beautiful dance.

The price is 600 Egyptian pounds each for dinner and the show.

It's genuine oriental dancing.

How much would that be in Dollars?

About 1 hundred and 20 Dollars.

The diner is very good.

What do you think, Honey?

We're here once in a lifetime.

Ok. Can we have two tickets please?

Yes of course! Can I have your names please?

Listen to the rhythm

Slowly first

then shake

Can I help you?

Yeah, I'd like to see Ismahan dance...

Ismahan?!

Stop the music

What's going on?

It's alright, Madame Aida the young lady is leaving.

Music. Please.

Ismahan no longer dances here or anywhere else.

But come back tonight.

Amal is a wonderful dancer.

You'll love the show.

Why doesn't she dance here anymore?

I'm sorry miss, I don't know.

But if you want, there are some tickets left for tonight.

Maybe not for tonight but I'll be back.

Thank you.

You said a big arched door with a shining star!

Yeah, but this was twenty years ago Lola....

Yeah but do you rememberwhere exactly?

Maadi...

Maadi?

Where, where in Maadi?

Somewhere near Street Number Nine.

That's all I can remember.

Number nine...

Ok thanks Yuss.

But hey, what about Zack?

Hello?

Hello! Does Ismahan live here?

Please!

Don't shout.

Madame is not at home.

Wait, wait, wait! Could you give her these from Lola.

I'll come back later.

Roses.

I'll see she gets them. Thank you.

Thank you!

Ismahan?

You are... You're Ismahan! Wait, wait, wait

please! Please wait!

What do you want?

I can't tell you... I'm so happy to meet you!

Hello! Hi!

What's your name? Please, get away from us.

Listen, I'm from America and I, I

I don't like journalists wherever they come from.

No no no but I'm not a journalist!

Listen Madame Ismahan, please,

I just want to talk to you.

You mean so much to me!

-I want to study with you! -I don't give lessons.

Please Madam Ismahan I'm only asking for one thing.

Just to look at what I've learned and then I'll go I promess.

Please...

Tea, Madame?

No, Adham.

The young lady won't be staying long.

Right. Did you bring some music?

No,

just the tape I have of you.

Can we use this?

Let's get down to it.

Wait! I never said I knew how to dance!

That's why I want to learn!

In fact, I've never danced as badly as I did just now, because I...

Well I don't know that music and...

you're pretty scary, you know that?

Here's the address of somebody good

who will teach you to dance.

-Just don't say I sent you. -Why not?

The stress will have made the young lady thirsty.

Keep your address!

You're the best, and I want to learn from the best!

And I don't want to pretend that I don't know you, either.

Actually I would have been very proud to have known you

so why should I hide it?

If I could just get lessons from you

I...

It wouldn't take you long.

Drink your tea while it's hot.

Could I have another shot?

I beg your pardon?

I think it'll go better now.

Go see this person.

She teaches, I don't.

Adham, please show the young lady out.

Hi... This is Zacharia please leave your message.

Hey, it's me...

I just, I just wanna talk...

Please call me back.

Hey Lola!

-Hey Yasmine. -This is great!

It's Lola, the American, Remember?

This is my cousin, Laila. Hi!

Welcome to Egypt

Laila says thank you for coming to her wedding.

She doesn't speak English.

Oh! Zack told you he invited me to your cousin's wedding?

That's why I'm here?

Of course he did! We're all so happy you came!

What are you going to wear? Did you bring something,

or are you going to buy it here?

-l... I don't know... I... -Oh, Zack's not home

We're going to the mall you want to come?

Jump in!

How about this?

That one too.

Try it on.

Yasmine, have you ever heard of the dancer, Ismahan?

Ismahan, Shh!

Everybody's heard of Ismahan.

Do you know why she stopped dancing?

She was caught in... shameful circumstances.

Why? What do you think, girls?

So cute!

Lola?

Yeah

Good morning.

Mama... she came back!

What are you doing here?

Heu... I forgot my tape.

Adham will give you your tape.

Let's go Honey. Whore!

Mama!

Don't worry.

We'll wait till they're gone.

But then I'll be late again!

-l...I could tak... -You keep out of this!

Filthy slut!

Dirty whore!

faggot!

I love you!

Shit! That's not the right word.

Come on. I'll take you to school.

You stay here!

No!

Why do you keep coming to our house?

Because I want your mommy to teach me how to dance.

I can teach you if you want.

You can teach me?

Ok.

Come on, we're not there yet.

Have a good day.

Don't ever do that again.

I can take care of my own daughter.

It'll be three hundred pounds a lesson.

Do you have something to wear?

-Right now? -Take your shoes off.

Put this on.

There are different figures of eight.

They are the basic movements.

We will start with the horizontal eight.

Hip to the side!

Bring it forward. Back to center.

To the side, forward, center.

Side, forward,

Ioosen your knees.

There. Now, to music.

Center, side, push, forward.

Keep going!

Side, push, forward. Center side,

push, forward, center side.

Center side...

Why do you want to learn oriental dance?

Because it's beautiful.

And... sensual.

Why else?

I don't know...

All right.

Time's up.

Time's up? Why? Because I can't tell you why I want to learn?

As I said, time's up.

But I'm not even tired!

Take the costume, practice be here at nine tomorrow.

Yes, Mr. Choukri?

Three days. Your husband paid three days.

My husband?

If you want to stay longer, you pay.

Could you come in for a second Mr. Choukri?

Come in!

Come in, come in.

-This will only take five minutes. -Five minutes?

Yes, I need your honest opinion ok?!

Remarkable!

Remarkable? Honestly, remarkable!

Oh! Thank you, thank you Mr. Choukri

thank you so much!

But who will pay your room? Your husband?

Oh no, we're... temporarily divorced.

I'll pay. I'll pay, tomorrow.

Divorce?

Excuse me, can you tell me where the owner is?

He's...here.

Ok. Tank you.

Oh! My American beauty!

-What do you want to drink? -I want to dance here.

Yes!

Everyone can dance at the Ramses.

-Five hundred pounds a night. -What?

What, please?

Inch Allah

How could you hire this barbie doll?

Are you kidding,

she's white gold!

she's white gold!

Yes, yes, yes!

Ok, where are my clothes?

We dance : eat.

Yeah, me too.

You, no dance.

Blondie, not belong here.

Understand Darling.

Egyptian breakfast!

Thank you, Mr Choukri.

Thank you, thank you.

Adham, how do you do that?

You can read it! Don't mind me.

That was my job in New York.

Delivering mail.

Lower, on your hip.

Oh. I've been dancing for years and I feel like a total beginner.

Good.

-ls it? -You have to relearn everything.

To work!

Down,

down,

down,

tuck in.

Down.

Listen to the music.

Down

center

up.

Don't move your shoulders.

Chin lower.

Listen to the music, listen.

Breath...

Good.

That's it.

Turn!

Camel!

Circle hip, Turn!

Lola... Camel...

Look

Hip, turn, camel.

Arms!

You see?

Now you need to link your mouvements.

Concentrate.

Follow my hand.

Shoulder.

Elbow.

Towards my hand.

Don't fight your body.

Leg, leg,

leg, leg,

hip, hip. Yes.

Again.

You win!

Sweetie!

Let me hug you

Look at this.

-Bye Lola. -Bye Zubida.

Hey, Darling! Where are you going?

Ok, how much?

-I said how much? I've got money. -No, thanks.

You don't want to answer me?

How much you slut?

Hey!

Take your hands off her!

Get in, please. I'll take you home.

Get the hell away from me!

I can't do it. I'm never gonna get it.

Give up, then.

-Why don't you just show me how? -Because you're not me.

Lola,

I can't teach you how to be yourself.

Myself? It's not what men want!

Who cares what men want?

Dance for yourself, not for them.

Oh, it's not that...

-What? -I don't know! I don't know!

Look at all the energy you're wasting.

Take that energy and use it.

Use everything you're living.

Don't run from yourfeelings.

Lola, look at me.

Look at me!

Close your eyes.

Now,

show me with this.

Use your body.

Be the instrument.

Show me what's inside.

Yes, yes,

that's it.

Keep it up...

When you feel your way through sorrow you find the joy.

When you let yourself be vulnerable,

you become strong.

That's the way to tarab.

Tarab? What's Tarab?

Don't think. Feel.

That's it.

Yes, keep going,

yeah...That's it

You're still here!

You never go out. Is it because of those kids?

Those kids. They're just bored.

Oh look!

It's not just that. I know what sharmouta means.

Why did they call you that?

I was married,

and I was discovered in the company of a man who was not my husband.

For some people in this country that's enough to make you a whore.

My husband,

he was a good man... I married him willingly.

I knew, you see, that he would never stop me dancing.

So, he left because of this other man?

He walked out one morning without a word.

On the table, there was just that newspaper

with a picture of me in another man's arms.

You can't imagine how that shamed him.

He chose to go away.

Some men kill their wives for this.

Yeah, some men do, in the States, too.

Maybe, but here the laws are not the same for men and for women.

So this other man?

Were you in love with him?

You know, it was strange.

It wasn't like a bolt of lightening it just seemed... obvious.

Wherever I went I'd be on the lookout for him

and whenever he was there I had to be next to him.

I fought it for a long time until it drove me crazy.

So I decided to give myself two days with him.

I was in Paris, on tour

and I thought that would be far enough away...

Just two days.

After that, I knew I'd go back to my husband and Reem

who was only three.

But at least I'd have the memory!

Those two days were the best days of my life!

But God knows what they cost me.

So what happened to him the other man?

I haven't seen him since.

Oh, bye, Adham.

She saved him.

What?

Madame Ismahan saved him.

You can't see who it is in the photo.

When the paparazzi came,

she covered his face with her hand.

Have a good evening, Miss Lola.

You too Adham.

For you only 15 pounds

The whole thing how much?

No. Very good price!

Good morning little cream cheese

I know him!

Good morning to you

Come! Tar!

I'm gonna get you....

Here.

Eat, eat.

Adham

What does the word 'Tarab' mean to you?

One day,

when Madame Ismahan was on tour

she started to dance in the central square of Luxor

and all the birds in the trees

which had been twittering loudly

until that moment...

Suddenly fell silent.

You were there?

Every Egyptian was there that day.

You eat to much Lola! To work!

Heels down!

Heels down!

Ok!

Grounded...

Ok?

No no no. Again, again...

-You did it! -What?

You danced!

No, no, no, no, no. Lola, Lola, Lola?

Lola....

Adham! Ismahan danced! Yeah!!

Stop it.

Your hat.

Adham, isn't she beautiful?

Oh chin up now.

Oh my God!

Stop Lola, stop it, stop it, stop it!

Stop it.... Lola! What?

Look at us...

Lola, Lola!

A man. To talk to you.

-Me? -Yes!

Who is it?

Very high class, darling!

Listen, Mister. I know what you're after but I'm not that kind of dancer.

Get lost!

Lola!

Leave me alone!

Lola.

We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot.

Please. At least take my card.

My name is Nasser Radi. I'm a dance promoter.

Can we go somewhere and talk?

So why did you follow me that time?

I wanted to make sure you got back to your hotel safely.

I've seen you several times your progress is spectacular.

May I ask who taught you to dance?

Ismahan.

What, you want me to lower my voice, too?

More hummus, please.

I didn't know she took students.

She doesn't. Only me.

Ah. And...

how is she these days?

How would you be if you had rocks thrown at you?

-Rocks...? -Yes, rocks.

She finally finds true love and then

because of some scumbag photographer she gets rocks thrown at her.

And she feels she should stop dancing the one thing that she loves doing

most in the world!

-Sorry. -Not at all.

I like your spirit. And your compassion.

Bon appetit, sir.

Choukran.

Look.

This is why I wanted to talk to you.

Next month Ryad El Houari's son is getting married.

You may not have heard of him but he's a celebrity here in Egypt.

I was wondering if you would agree to dance at the wedding.

Me?

I don't think I'm good enough.

If Ismahan is teaching you I think you will be.

Talk to her about it.

You didn't stop the music it's the first time.

-That was good. -Really? you thought it was good?

Something has loosened in you.

Do you think I'm good enough to dance in public?

What do you mean?

Like at a wedding, for example.

What wedding? Whose wedding?

Ryad El Houari's son.

A man named Nasser Radi

offered to hire me. I...

I mean do you know him?

I mean I haven't said yes yet... and I wanted to check with you first!

Where did he see you dance?

At a friend's.

Well, it's not because you're good.

It's because you're blonde! You're exotic.

But I thought...

I mean, if you don't think I have the talent, I'm not gonna dance.

I never said that!

And yes, you've made progress.

But there's no place for pride yet.

You're only just beginning to look like a dancer.

Why is she like that?

I don't know one minute to the next...

She should go out.

Out of this... this house.

Being locked up in here all day it's not good!

Nasser Radi is a good man. An impresario.

Very well known, very fair.

If he thinks you are going to be good enough,

you should trust him.

Good morning.

We don't have much time today so let's get right to it, please.

Ok.

Faster!

Faster!

Faster!!

-That's enough for today -But it's only five-thirty!

You need to go shopping.

The wedding will be an elegant event and you have to be elegant too.

Reem knows where to go.

We go shopping? Me and Lola?

No, me, you and Ismahan.

Mama!

No, no, no, no, no... I wouldn't know what to get.

I wouldn't, I can't do it without you.

Do it for me. Miss Lola is right, Madame.

You have to go with her,

unless you want to risk her disgracing in front of the newlyweds.

Please.

Please...

You beautiful. Thank you.

That one is eighteen hundred pounds.

She's not a tourist.

She's dancing at the El Houari wedding.

Ok.

Nine hundred.

Seven hundred.

I know you.

If she's with you Madame Ismahan

your price is mine.

And this one is on the house.

A present!

I'd like to introduce Lola, the dancer.

Lola, this is the Shems band And Fayza, our singer...

Salaam.

How many guests, did you say?

About six hundred.

I should go greet the bride and groom.

I'll see you shortly.

I didn't know we'd started hiring from America!

I'm scared to death.

-Who taught you? -Ismahan.

Well, I certainly wouldn't say that name here.

They're only just married.

It would be in bad taste to bring up adultery, don't you think?

Better hurry up and change you're on first.

Promise me our wedding will be just as fabulous!

Laila! Hi Laila!

Hi!

Hi Zack, everything ok?

Great

Beautiful wedding

it will be your turn soon next month

Mine too, I hope.

Not that bad for a foreigner.

Lola!

Congratulations.

Thank You!

What did I tell you? You were superb.

Thank you!

Let me introduce you to Madame Aida.

She owns the Nile Tower.

The Nile Tower... Yeah.

This is Lola, our American dancer.

Hello.

Hello Lola, I'm very pleased to meet you!

For an American you dance quite well

But what I really want to know who ever taught you to dance like that?

Yasmine.

Yasmine? Yasmine who?

Yasmine... Hum...

For a beginner, she 's pretty good.

But I know her!

It's Lola! Lola, the American,

Let's go say hi

just a second

So you're the fiance?!

I thought she was your cousin?

Second cousin.

Congratulations.

Lola, after I met you I really wanted to call it off with Laila,

But then you made it clear to me that no one would ever

stop you from dancing...

Yeah, well you could have given me the choice, Zack.

And I know what you would have chosen.

Am I right?

Look, I'm sorry for what happened but an Egyptian man

doesn't wait ten years to start a family.

You don't have to be sorry.

That's just how it was meant to be.

Please,

please.

An autograph?

It's my first one.

Be good to her.

If it's any comfort to you

they say that when a European is in love, he gets married,

but when an Arab is in love he marries someone else.

Nasser, do you think I could dance again?

Now? You're not too tired?

No, I know I can do better.

Come on, this is the most beautiful day of your lives, dance together!

You look beautiful!

Congratulations!

Come on, come on

Everybody join me

Come on, dance.

Everybody get on.

I'm exhausted.

I thought you would be.

I've taken a room for you here.

Here? I can't afford to stay here!

Allow me, please. I was truly proud of you tonight, Lola.

I couldn't have done it without you.

No, you couldn't have done it without Ismahan.

I hope she'll come to see you dance at the Nile Tower.

The Nile Tower?

Yes!

It seems Madame Aida was very taken with your performance.

You're going to be a big star, Lola.

Thank You.

Good Morning Miss. Good morning.

Congratulations on last nights' big success.

Thank you. Oh! I think you should see today's paper.

-Thank you, have a good day! -You too, bye bye!

Bye!

-Hi Adham. -Good morning Miss Lola!

-How are you? -I'm fine, how are you?

-Good. -How did it go?

-Oh! it was wonderful... -Yeah?

You should have seen all the people!

It was beautiful.

Good morning

Lola!

Hi! Ouh...

This is foryou...

and these are foryou.

Oh the paper! Can I see the cartoon?

They're lovely. Thank you.

Now come on and tell us all about it.

I'm going to dance at the Nile Tower!

Mama, it's Lola!

Who's Yasmine?

Yasmine? I don't know.

It says your teacher's name is Yasmine!

No! They must have...

Ismahan, no journalist came to interview me...

I know exactly what it was like yesterday.

How you felt in front of the audience,

their applause beating as fast as your heart,

Nasser Radi's shining eyes...

and then suddenly,

the fear that the whole thing will end

the fear that they'll stop you...

Who's to say that I wouldn't have reacted like you

if I'd had a devil for a teacher?

You're not a devil.

I just wish you hadn't lied...

When you dance at the Nile Tower,

watch out for Madame Aida.

Don't let her bully you.

Express your own feeling.

And make sure I can be proud of you.

Ismahan...

But...

Don't ask me to come and see you.

Now go.

Madam Ismahan

people are not like those letters.

You can't just put them aside when you feel like it.

Ok ready, listen, listen.

Whatever Lola Wants,

whatever lola wants

Lola gets

And Little man,

Iittle lola wants you.

Tintin tintintintintintin

No no no. Ok again again

Dum taktakadum

Wants, Lola gets,

Yes!

And Little man, little lola wants you

Tantantan

Yes!!

Lola wants you

Give her some time, Madame Aida

Lola gets

I'm telling you!

You're kidding! A mail carrier?

I'm telling you I have a thousand pounds here!

It's not a question of money, sir.

There are no tickets left.

Whatever Lola wants

Lola gets

And little man, little Lola wants you

Make up your mind to have

no regrets

Recline yourself, resign yourself

you're through

I always get

what I aim for

And your heart and soul,

is what I came for

Whatever Lola wants

Lola gets

Take off your coat

don't you know you can't win

You're no exception to the rule,

I'm irresistible you fool

give in

give in

You see this girl, she was here she lived upstairs.

The Nile Tower!

Yeah!

She did it! Yeah!

Well, it's official. You're a star!

She still won't see you, hum?

She's a stubborn lady. Always was.

Don't expect her to change, Lola.

Don't even hope for it.

What's that?

A personnal thank you if you don't mind,

do you?

Why did you hire me?

I heard about you.

It wasn't me you were looking for, was it?

You found out Ismahan had a student.

It wasn't because I was good.

All you wanted was to get to her.

Lola, please. You have talent.

You don't give a damn whether I have talent or not!

You've just been trying to redeem yourself!

You used me! Why didn't you tell me?!

-lt had nothing to do with you. -lt had everything to do with me!...

Everything!

You're...

a coward, you know that you're a coward!

Just like you were a coward when you left Ismahan to face everything alone!

Even after she saved your reputation by shielding your face!

And everything's so simple in your black and white American universe, isn't it?

You know why I never married?

My profession brings me into daily contact with the most beautiful women

in all Egypt.

I thought it would be unfair to marry,

that I would never be able to be faithful to one woman.

I thought I would be a... how do you call it?

A ladies' man all my life.

And you know what the joke is?

This ladies' man turns out to be a onewoman man after all.

And that woman won't have him.

That's what you think?

Because she doesn't reply to your letters?

Nasser, she doesn't even open them.

Good evening little cream cheese

Thank you, I came to tell you that I'm going to be going home.

I'm leaving so thank you for the oranges.

No, la, Smile!

Thank you, Choukran.

Thank you...

Choukran, choukran.

Tomorrow, I'm going back to New York.

You, the Egyptian people

have made me feel so welcome here.

But New York is my home it's where I belong...

and I want to share with my fellow New Yorkers the joys of this dance,

your dance,

that has come to mean so much to me.

Tonight, I want to pay tribute to a very special person

a woman with exceptional talent,

and a woman who did me the great honor of accepting me

as her student

even though I was, very bad.

I was... very bad.

She, she gave me everything she had to offer

and taught me the real meaning of your proverb

Dwell not upon thy weariness

thy strength shall be according to the pleasure of thy desire.

You

You the Egyptians, hold treasures that are part of the whole world's heritage.

The pyramids, the Nile everybody's heard of those.

But you have another national treasure

and this evening is dedicated to her.

My teacher,

my friend,

the greatest living oriental dancer

Ismahan.

Thank you Nasser.

Choukran!

Lola!

Mama says you never danced as good as last night!

She did?

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mama.

When you came to my house that first day

and left your cassette behind...

I was going to call you back for it...

I hesitated, just for a moment.

You know, the split second that can turn a whole life upside down.

But today,

I'm so proud to have been your teacher.

You reached it, my dear.

Tarab.

that state higher than grace.

When you stop performing to the music and become yourself an instrument,

when everything that's inside comes out...

I felt your spirit wash over me like a magic spell,

And I thank you for sharing it.

You burst in on us like a shooting star.

We often make a wish when we see one.

My wish came true before I'd even put it into words.

You ok? Yes!