The Yacoubian Building (2006) - full transcript
Cairo: a 70-year-old building of once-luxury flats with tenements on the roof. Zika, an aging libertine, feuds with his sister. Pius Haj Azzam takes a second wife, in secret, to satisfy sexual drive within religious bounds. Bothayna, poor and beautiful, supports her family, wanting to do so with dignity intact. Her former fiancé, Taha, the janitor's son, humiliated by the police, turns to fundamentalism. Hatem, a gay editor, seduces and corrupts a young man from the sticks. Two brothers, Copts, one a tailor and one Zika's factotum, connive for property. Allah is on most everyone's lips, and corruption is in their hearts. European values, both refined and worldly, provide a subtext.
Adel lmam
Yussra
Hind Sabri
Khaled Elsawi
Ahmad Ratib
Khaled Saleh
Basem Elsamra
Tamer Abelmeneim
Abbas Abulhassan
The role of Dawlat was played by
lsa'ad Younis
ln 1937, the chief Armenian in
Egypt, Hagoub Yacoubian, built...
a residential building and
named it after his name
The style was European
and the architect was ltalian
And the Armenian gentleman
was so fond of it...
that he wrote his name in Latin
on the inside of the entrance
When the building was still new,
it had residents such as...
ministers, high ranking Pashas
and foreigners
there were even Jews, two of them
were from the Nosseir family
The building's roof was vast,
it had a room for the doorman...
and a room for each apartment
for laundry and storage...
and related things
Everything was beautiful
the country looked beautiful
and the building was beautiful
The revolution broke out,
ending the era of the Pashas
and the 1 956 war was the beginning
of the end for foreigners and Jews
Apartments that became vacant
after their owners left the country
were taken by high ranking
officers in the army...
whose wives never forgot their
passion for raising poultry
and it was OK for the rooms to be
residence for the maids
and of course, the whole makeup
of the residents changed
Along with the openness system,
the streets started to change
Stores changed
their type of business
and people changed as well
Just as the officers' moving into
the building ruined it...
their leaving it totally
destroyed it
They'd become rich and had moved
to Mohandessin and Nassr City
and the building became available
to anyone with money
and of course, the whole makeup
of the residents changed
The roof became full, each room
had a whole family in it
lt wasn't just the building that
changed, but the country too
Nour Elsherif
Ahmad Bedeir
Sumaiah Elkhashab
Tala'at Zakaria
Mohamad Eldafrawi
The new actor: Mohamad lmam
playing Taha Elshathly
''The Ya'acoubian Building''
Based on the novel by:
Doctor Ala'a Elaswany
Artistic producer
Nabil Sobhi
Executive producer
Kareem Shaker
Distribution in Egypt and World
Arab Company for Production
Clothes Designer
Nahed Nassrallah
Technical Supervision and Decor
Fawzi Ela'awamri
Music
Khaled Hammad
Editing
Khaled Mar'ee
Head of photography
Sameh Seleem
Supervision: Adel Adeeb,
Sameh Jubran
Script
Waheed Hamed
Directed by...
Marwan Hamed
l told you a million times that
this place is respectable
lf you want to stay here,
you have to be well-mannered
A lot of people drink here,
but they're respectable
Give me 3 Brandys
- Cheers
- Cheers, Hamama
Sit somewhere else, No'man,
the Pasha is waiting for his friend
Would you like another beer or
some fresh peanuts?
No, beer causes flatulence
- and makes me urinate a lot
- Why don't you order whiskey?
Whiskey? lf l drink whiskey
l'll stay here
and l'll go out and find it dark,
and it'll stay dark
You're very funny, Pasha, why not
go to the hotel bars?
l mean 5 star bars,
you can afford it
Listen, lt's not the
alcohol l'm after
- and you know that
- l'm still thinking about it
lt doesn't need thinking, we'll
have a couple of drinks together
That's all?
That's all
ln that case, l should come by
your office, right?
- When?
- Whenever l'm in the mood
Tomorrow...
Go get me the check
At your service
Send 6 crates, but more beer
because it's in demand
Yes, but don't be late
The check for table 9
- What's with that table 9?
- Make up you mind...
if l'm straight with customers,
you tell me to be nicer with them
He's respectable and generous,
what's wrong with talking to him?
Listen, l don't like anything
to happen behind my back
That goes here only, but on the
outside, l'm free
l'll go give him his check
OK, go
What is it, Taha?
Are you stupid like your father?
No one washes the stairs
at this hour
Mr Aouny, the stairs should only
be washed at night...
when there are very few people
going up and down
OK, are you going to
chat with me?
- Dry up a spot for us to walk on
- At your service, Pasha
Out of the way
Did you finish high school, Taha?
- Yes
- What college will you apply to?
Thank God, my average can get
me into a respectable college
but l applied to the
police academy
You want to become a police
officer, Taha?
Put the mat back in front of the
door after you're done
- Good night, Buthaina
- You, too, uncle Hamed
- Don't leave the TV on
- Don't worry
What is it, man?
l've already gone to sleep
You can get up, woman
l will pray to God,
God the greatest...
No, l've done it before
- What is it, Khamees?
- This is not the place to talk
lsn't it late enough?
Or are you waiting for the
loved one?
- Don't you have work early?
- l quit
- When?
- Today
Why did you quit?
- l want to watch the movie now
- What damned movie?
Am l destined to live in anguish
day and night?
Get up, get up and tell me
what happened
Come in, your father left me a
burden more than l can handle
Why'd you quit your job?
- The store owner grabs everything
- No one steals his money
- No, he laid his hands on me
- He hit you?
- No
- Well then...
- how did he lay his hand on you?
- He caressed
You know what caress means,
or don't you?
l'm going to look for a new job
tomorrow morning
A friend of mine will take me to
clothes store owned by a Syrian...
she says he's married to a
beautiful woman and is satisfied
What? l told you that Fifi the
daughter of Salama the ironer...
- will take me to a good job
- What's the use...
if you can't stay
in one job for long?
- Should l lose my virginity?
- No body said that
but you should think of your
brothers and our tight situation
A smart girl knows how to
protect her virginity...
without upsetting anyone
or quitting her job
l said that the guy l work for
unzipped his pants
Everyone is free with his clothes
as long as you keep yours on
God is the greatest
l testify that there is no God
but Allah
l beg forgiveness of God
the greatest
l testify that there is no God
but Allah
l intend to purge myself
of all sins
God is greatest
Good morning, Dawlat
What are you getting all dressed
up for?
How strange you are, sister,
l've always been like this
l wish l could know where you go
every day
Thank God you're my sister
and not my wife
lt's daytime, so where am l
going to go? To the office
- You look like you want something
- Of course...
While you're walking around like
always, checking out women...
Enough, Dawlat
l'm your sister, Zaki
your sister, l know exactly
what you do every day
- What do you want?
- My diamond ring...
is being fixed by Papazian the
jeweler, go pick it up
OK, the first thing l do today
will be to get the ring...
and l'll pay for it, too
- How are you, Mondy?
- Good morning, Zaki Pasha
- Zaki Pasha
- Hello, Hassouna, what's wrong?
- My affairs aren't quite right
- What affairs?
THE affairs, and you know
everything, Pasha
l've been married for one month,
but l feel like l'm not quite right
At your age? There must be
something wrong? Any problems?
No one doesn't have problems
l'm talking about your problems,
forget other people's problems
l'm in debt to some annoying
people who don't stop asking
and my boss fired me,
and l don't know hwy
in addition to my mother-in-law
who's staying with us
and my sister is divorced
with 3 kids
All these problems and you want
to be OK with your wife?
- No way, that's impossible
- l was thinking if you...
had one of those pills,
they told me that it...
What? Using pills at your age
is certain suicide
Listen, all the pills and creams
in the world won't help you
This has to be in a good mood
As long as this is OK,
everything will be OK
Go, get rid of your problems
and you'll be fine
OK, Pasha
Move it out, driver
What is it, sergeant?
Mr Hatem is due down now
- Good morning, Nabil
- Good morning, Mr Hatem
Good day, Hajj
- come in for a second
- How's the market?
We're at the end of this month,
it's OK
- But in general
- ln general, we're number one
- and we have the highest sales
- May God bless
l wish you'd come in for a couple
of minutes
l'll come down and drink tea
with you another time
- Good bye
- Good bye
No, l won't be able to come down
Why, Hajj?
You're a blessing to us
- Anyway, how's work?
- Excellent
May God bless,
Tell everyone l said hi
- l will, Hajj... Good bye
- Drive on, driver
- l hope he's a good man
- ln what sense?
- That he's not a dirty old man
- All men are like that
All men stare at women, and
their bluntness is by the kilogram
- like potatoes
- l've quit several jobs...
- because of men's lechery
- You're stupid
that way you'll never get a job,
you have to get along
- What do you mean?
- l mean that there are limits...
a girl can allow, and there are
things that are off limits...
and that's how a smart girl
does things
And l thought that life was
going to smile upon me
Why should it? You're pretty?
There are prettier girls
You're a high school graduate?
They're a dime a dozen
Your article has caused
a commotion
Such article should be translated
and published in Arabic magazines
We're done with yesterday's
issue
Let's concentrate on what's at hand
What about the next issue?
l think the main subject is
the arrest of the terrorists...
who tried to kill our great
novelist Nageeb Mahfouth
Exactly, l want complete details
of their arrest
l want their pictures, and l want
to know who they are
- l want the whole story
- lt will be ready before printing
OK, who's willing to write about
the late Lita Gallad?
Lita Gallad... the founder of
Journal D'Egypte
since we're a French newspaper
and we should honor her
- l, sir
- OK
We have to write about the
police efforts in upper Egypt
We've to reinstate trust in tourism
we don't want Egypt to look...
like it's at war,
where's the normal life?
We can talk about tourism in
Sharm and Hurgada
The activity there is not bad,
and there are no troubles
l have a very good subject
a new trainee wrote it
he's written a great article
about homosexuality in Egypt
What's this nonsense?
What homosexuality?
How will that interest our readers
who are mostly foreigners?
Take, for example, in the
investigative section...
the article about the relics
in Tal Elamarnah
it's a new subject with nice
pictures
that's what's called
an important subject
- What about sports?
- What sports?
Write about anything,
Soccer...
Hello, Le Caire newspaper... yes...
lt's the office of the
French ambassador
Janmy, How are you?
We had a good time last night,
right?
The lslamic Philanthropic''
Society''
What is it, Hajj? You don't usually
come this early
- lt's a necessity, Sheikh Salman
- What is it?
Listen Sheikh Salman, l've been...
l don't know what to say
Talk, man, l'm your confidant,
have faith in God
Until now, when l sleep...
- l see nice things
- This is a gift from God
Can you imagine that at my
age... l have wet dreams!
and once or twice a week
Twice! How great, so God has
given you strength
These things are not related to
age, this is a natural outlet
God bestows it onto his
good worshipers...
who don't take the way
of vice
But the question is
where's your wife?
The Hajja is with me
but you can say that she
doesn't desire that anymore
and every time l go near her,
she tells me l should be ashamed
because my sons are grown
men with moustaches
Even if she agrees, she's my age
and time has taken it's toll on her
This is very simple, get married
and God bless you
- That's what l'm afraid of
- Afraid of what?
What will people say about a man
my age getting married?
When it comes to God's law, what
people say has no importance
What's with you, Hajj? You can
marry 4, it's God's law
And the kids, Fawzi and Kadri?
or Hamdy the district attorney?
Hajj Azzam, what God allows
no one can oppose
not a district attorney,
nor anyone else
What's with you, Hajj?
lt's God's law
''The Engineering Office For
Construction''
l told you a 1 00 times
the sign needs cleaning
- l swear by Christ, l just did
- And why is it stuffy?...
- open the windows
- l'm afraid of flies
What flies? Open the windows
- Do you have a meeting?
- Yes, there's a meeting
- Shall l prepare things?
- Prepare things
''l quit loving you''
''and you don't love me''
- OK... Fifi...
- Yes, sir
Take her and show her
how we do things here
- and train her yourself
- Yes, sir
Thank you very much, God willing,
l'll live up to your expectations
- Who shall l say it is?
- Rabab, he's expecting me
Welcome
How beautiful!
Come in, whoever comes in here
becomes a member of the house
- ls this a house?
- A house... or an office...
lt's a safe place, comfortable
and cozy
l was afraid you wouldn't come
l always keep my promises
- And who is this?
- My father, rest his soul
- He looks like a real Pasha
- Of course, what did you think?
That l was a fake Pasha?
This picture is of my dad in the
hall of the regal palace...
after taking the oath in front of
the king... lce?
lt was the first time he heads the
Ministry of Public Works
That's why l agreed to come, to
have something l can be proud of
l can say l knew a real Pasha
lnstead of the misery l'm in,
you see the people at the bar
You're so cute
But l've no luck, Pasha
Where's the toilette?
Oh, when you go out, it'll be
on your right
Excuse me
Everything is set, l'll go out
for a couple of hours
l'll meet my brother Malak, there's
something we're taking care of
Take your time
Was the door just opened
and shut?
Yes, this is it exactly,
l like a practical woman
Listen, l've known many women,
from princesses to maids...
but l swear l've never seen
one like you
- l was talking about the door
- What door?
lt's Fanouss... and he left
He'll be late
Good
ls this office for accounting or
import and export, or law practice?
Does it matter if it's for
accounting or law practice?
lt's an engineering office,
l'm an engineer
But l don't see any engineering
going on
l set up this office after l got my
degree from France
- So, you know French, then
- Of course l know French
You'll see for yourself
just how good l am at French
Oh, Pasha!
Why'd you quit engineering?
The country doesn't need
engineers these days
it needs hoodlums...
thieves
- Where are we going to sleep?
- ln the conference room
- Did the man get there?
- He got to the club 20 minutes ago
Oh, Mary, mother of grace...
Malak...
Whatever happens between me
and this man, you stay out of it
l understand, brother, does he know
we're going to meet him?
He set up the appointment, and left
word at the gate so they let us in
So?
- Did you bring the money?
- Of course, Pasha
we keep our promises and Christ
will bear witness on judgment day
l brought my brother Malak
especially...
so you'd see for yourself how
respectable he is
Listen, Fanouss...
l'm not required to conduct
a police check for everyone...
- who wants to live on the roof
- He won't live there, Pasha
the room on the roof has been
shut since it's owner died
and my brother Malak, as you
know, is a tailor...
so, he'll work in it all day
and then go home at night
he has a family and kids,
and a heavy burden
Whatever...
- You got the money?
- Not all of it
A true Copt never lies
And a true Copt keeps his
end of the deal
l said 6 thousand, Shall l write up
a contract to that effect?
4 thousand,
Mr Fekry
By Christ, we're sure that you'll
embrace us with your kindness
You've done a lot of good
to all people
and you've taken so many cases
without asking for retainer
think of us as one of your
cases
and he has children, and the
church gives him charity
and as you see, l'm handicapped
and l can't help him
and you do a lot of good, the
priest at the church told us
- we belong to the same church
- What are you doing?
OK, leave the money
and have one of you come
tonight to get the contract
May God reimburse you
for your love
Of course, we have all the
colors you can imagine
but, delivery will be
after 3 months
- ls there a problem, dad?
- No, son, it's nothing
- You don't look right
- My mind is preoccupied
but don't worry
what's on my mind has nothing
to do with work
- You want some marijuana?
- Oh yes, perfect timing
Fawzi, Shekh Salman wants to
see you and your brothers
and l want you to listen
to him carefully
- What is it, Hajj?
- When you see him you'll find out
Enjoy it, Hajj
- Tell me
- What?
How are things going with
the Japanese?
Excellent
- Consider it ours
- God bless
May God keep the vultures
away
By the way, l forgot to tell you
Selim Za'atar the customs agent
has a new big office
and he insists that you
attend the opening
He deserves it, l'll go
Fifi got me a new job at a
clothing store
Where's this job?
- For a man called Talal Elshamy
- What's wrong with you, Buthaina?
You couldn't find anyone other
than Talal Elshamy to work for?
- What's wrong with Talal?
- He has a very bad reputation
What do you know about him?
Did you work for him?
Listen, l know the whole area
very well
and l know the people, l was born
and raised here
Anyway, he didn't do anything
bad to me
- He will
- When he does, l'll deal with it
but it's 250 pounds a month,
and for us to live...
we need 4 times that amount,
my mother works as a maid
for 300 a month and is exhausted,
my father died while indebted
Some of the creditors waivered
their rights, but others didn't
and we have to pay off his debt
or he won't go to heaven
you're telling me Talal has a bad
reputation, well, who doesn't?
or do you just like to talk?
And listen here...
you can have your silver
engagement ring back
l won't let you police my life
starting now
Hey, Pasha...
Zaki Pasha...
Pasha...
Are you tired?
Are you ill?
- Shall l call a doctor?
- No
What time is it?
Seven thirty
Where's my watch?
ls there a problem, Pasha?
My wallet, there were 900
pounds in it
l was robbed, Fanouss
that girl took everything
she took my sister Dawlat's
ring
and took a set of gold plated
pens
what will a prostitute do
with gold plated pens?
She'll either sell it or give it to
her lover, let's call the police
What police? Are you stupid?
What am l going to tell them?
l don't care about the money
the problem is Dawlat's ring,
l have to get it back
''Oh my love, l'm full of
confusion...
and fire''
Good evening, Pasha,
at your service
- Send me Rabab
- Won't l do?
You'll do, but l want Rabab
for something private
She's off today, and l'm
at your service
- OK, get me the manager
- The manager?
- won't you drink anything?
- Get me the manager
- There they are, count them
- You're right...
you had 6 beers, but you also
ordered 9 Brandys with them
because you were mixing
beer with brandy
There is no Brandy
Will you pay here, or would you
rather go to the bathroom...
- What do you want, Pasha?
- and we'll make you pay...
- l want Rabab
- Wasn't she with you today?
- you miss her already?
- You know everything, then
Anyone who has my job
has to know every little thing
- Rabab robbed me
- You asked for it
You cheated
Pasha, you tricked me and the
owner of the bar...
and the customers
This place is respectable,
we only offer drinks...
nothing else,
we are respectable people
that's why l fired Rabab
and you're fired, too
and don't even let me see you
pass in front of the bar
Do you want to leave on your feet
or on a stretcher, lover boy?
Get up before l beat you up
in front of the bar trash
How did l miss that?
How did l miss that you're
a pimp?
- Good evening
- Good evening
- Where's Hoda Sha'rawy street?
- l don't know
Are you a stranger here?
No, but sometimes a person
gets disoriented
l don't know anything about
all these streets
we stand where they tell us to
You mean you stay standing
all night?
- lt's our destiny
- You can't sit?
Oh God, if they catch me sitting
or sleeping, l'll get punished
- But you can walk around
- ln the area of my watch
You look like an excellent
young man
Thank you, sir
Walk with me for a few meters
- l told you, sir...
- Come on
- Here
- No, l can't
we're not allowed to take
anything from anyone
- What's your name?
- Abd Rabbu Abdelbary, sir
Nice to meet you
Listen, Abd Rabbu, first of all,
l'm not just anyone
secondly, no one can see us,
here, don't upset me
But this is a lot, no one
does anything like this
l do this
l like to make people happy
May God bring you happiness, sir
When you know me better,
you'll be sure
God bless you, sir
Where have you been, Pasha?
- Good evening, Dawlat
- ''Good evening, Dawlat''!
What is it with you?
Do you think you live in a
hotel? Wait and talk to me
- Yes, Dawlat?
- Do you know what time it is?
l've been sitting here worried
about you for 4 hours
- Do you think l'm a little boy?
- Am l going to worry about you...
- or about the diseases l have?
- l'm tired and l want to rest
You're tired, Pasha?
Tired from what?
From running after cheap women
in the streets and dirty bars?
At least think about your age,
you shameless man
You have one foot in the grave,
Zaki
Think about God in your
last days
and you'll be crazy if you think
that there is one woman...
who can actually like you,
you dirty old lecher
Open the door, don't let me
break it on your head
You've dirtied your family history
and ruined your father's reputation
Open up, l want my
diamond ring
- What are you doing here so early?
- l'm waiting for you
l was wrong, Taha
but you have to understand
The world around me is like a trap,
l don't know what l'm saying
Give me the engagement ring
No
Give me the ring, l know
you have it
Give it to me, don't make like
Abdelhalim Hafeth
What can l do with your craziness?
l have to be patient
but it's almost over
- Did you look in the mirror?
- A little bit...
You look great
- Pray that l get lucky today
- God willing, you'll be lucky
You look like an officer already,
better even then an officer
l should go, l want to catch the
busses while they're still empty
or else the crowds might
mess up the suit
No, take a taxi so that you
can stay calm
and say this prayer in front
of the exam committee
Say... God, help me overcome
all their hurdles
and don't forget the two verses
seeking refuge in the Lord
- Bye
- Good bye
Come in, Hajj
Look, Hajj A'azam, ministers and
other higher ranking officials...
attend openings of new institutes,
come in, Hajj
Thanks to God and you
and people like you
l've become a huge institute
but l thought Hajj A'azam must
bless it himself
You're very dear to me, Za'atar,
and l'm happy for you
and the children too, may God
add to your wealth
- What would you like to drink?
- We can only drink coffee
What coffee? We can drink coffee
anytime
Suad...
- Yes, Mr Selim
- Get Hajj A'azam some juice
- Yes, sir
- Bring it yourself, Suad
Of course, Mr Selim
ln the name of God
- ls this your daughter?
- My daughter!
She's an employee, my daughter
is still in prep school
ln the name of God,
she must be your secretary
We don't have secretaries
and all that, Hajj
- Mrs Suad is very energetic
- She's a Mrs?
And she has a boy about
6 or 7 years old
her husband went to work
in lraq, He died there
- God rest his soul
- l've no idea how he died
= Here you go, Hajj A'azam
- Thank you very much
l'll go make your coffee myself
- But with very little sugar
- At your service
What is it, Hajj?
There are pretty faces that give
you a feeling of comfort
She looks decent
You have a high average,
Why'd you choose the police
academy over other colleges?
- To serve my country, sir
- Even the engineering graduate...
- can serve his country
- Of course, sir
but if everyone serves in his
field, his service will be better
Good, what are the characteristics
of a good police officer?
Discipline, a sense of justice,
determination, honor
and above all, he must be humane
in all his actions
What does your father do?
He's an employee, sir
- An employee or a doorman?
- Well, sir...
- the doorman is an employee
- Thank you, Taha, dismissed
Next
- Where were you?
- With Mr Talal in the storeroom
- Doing what?
- He was doing an inventory
to see what items are low
so he can order more
Why is everyone looking at
both of you like that?
Everyone knows we were
messing around
Relax, it's messing around
with our clothes on
- With your clothes on?
- Yes, with our clothes on
he keeps rubbing against me
until he starts to shake and shiver
and that's all there is to it, and
he looks like a duck in heat
and he pays ten pounds,
is that bad?
we're all in the same boat,
and your turn will come
l don't know why each woman
doesn't take a look at herself
Saddam Hussein killed many
Egyptians
lt's very possible that he killed
the husband of this cute employee
l don't like to talk to her
about that
Why hasn't she gotten married
till now?
Who's going to marry a poor
woman raising a child...
and just barely making a living
Also, women are all over the place
Who's going to marry a widow
with a high school degree...
and a child to raise?
Me
But that's Shameful, she's
a nobody
She's nothing next to you,
you're much bigger than that
Listen, l know God's commandments
to be short...
l want a woman to sleep with
not a woman l'd inherit or
take her salary every month
ln that case, she'd be
very lucky
But l have conditions, if they
agree to them, we'll do it
You lost my diamond ring,
you drunken pervert?
And then you lie and say that you
haven't been to the jeweler's?
- Have some respect, Dawlat
- Which of us should have respect?
Where's the ring? To which
piece of trash did you give it?
You've disgraced the name of
the noblest family in Egypt
- Get out of my house?
- What do you mean your house?
This is my house,
the house of Dosouki Pasha
Dosouki Pasha whose name
you've disgraced
You're worse than me
At least l did it outside the house
but you did it here
The number of men who have
come here to sleep with you...
is more than the members of both
the old and new Wafd parties
You've totally lost your mind
You don't belong here, you
belong in the mental hospital
Then where do you belong?
in the dirty bars, of course, with
the punks you've become one of
or go stay in the streets,
go
go after the woman you look for,
leave my house
Again? This is my house
and you're the guest
an annoying guest, l can't
stand you anymore
neither can l, come on,
leave
l'll make an example of you
in front of the tenants
Go out
What is it?
There's nothing serious,
a brother and sister quarreling
and you know Dwalat,
she was always crazy
When he takes me in his arms
and talks to me softly
l see the world through
rose colored glasses
He tells me words of love
words that live forever
and that made me important
He entered into my heart
as a part of happiness
and l know the reason why
lt's him for me and me for him,
in this life
He said that to me
and swore
When he takes me in his arms
and speaks to me softly
l see life through rose colored
glasses
He tells me words of love
words that live forever
and that made me important
He entered into my heart
as a part of happiness
and l know the reason why
lt's him for me and me for him,
in life
He said that to me
and swore
When he takes me in his arms
Christine, my love
the most precious thing in my life
Zaki, you don't look well,
what's wrong?
You always know what l'm feeling
without me saying anything
You're open just like the
television
There's a sad show
inside of you
There's sadness,
but without the show
lt's your destiny, as you say
Come, let's sit at the table
l had a fight with Dawlat
That's not new,
you always fight
She kicked me out of the house
She's crazy, but kind
Did you make a big mistake
this time?
l lost her ring, l'm willing to get
her a better ring
No, Zaki, that's shameful
A woman can forget her lover,
her husband, her father
but her jewelry, never
What if l told you that she's been
plotting to kick me out?
- To do what with the apartment?
- She'll take it for herself
- Then what'll she do with it?
- She'll give it to her children
but when l die, Dawlat will
inherit everything
- She's my only heiress
- She's older than you
she can die first and you'll
inherit her
ln that case, her kids will
inherit her share
l don't know why she's doing
that?
l don't see things that way
at all
She's probably calmed down by now,
l'll call her...
and everything will be fine
Don't trouble yourself,
l know her well
Shall we bet a bottle
of ''Black Horse''?
l'll talk to her
lt's over Mrs Christine...
that subject is over
any discussions will not change
what happened
Yes, but it's his house just as
it is yours
No, you must understand
Zaki, will never enter this
apartment again...
as long as l live, and even
after l die
OK, just relax and listen
- l don't want to hear anything
- Please, for my sake
What? Who do you think
you are?
You're just one of his lovers
Don't think that you're
something important
What? l'm Christine,
What are you saying?
No, listen... instead of wasting
your time with me...
go see to your clients, maybe
one of them needs something
Zaki, you win the bet
- Didn't l tell you?
- l thought she was only crazy
but she's a vulgar bitch and
God willing, she'll die before you
Good evening
Welcome, Mr Hatem,
you've lit up the place
You've really lit it up
with a thousand watt lamp
You're a sun and a moon, welcome
Aziz, let them bring us everything
you think is nice
- And the drinks?
- Whiskey
- And the gentleman?
- Whiskey, also
- This is my friend Abd Rabbu
- Hello, Mr Abd Rabbu
- Hello, Pasha
- Welcome
Aziz, please send me a shot,
quickly
At your service
Come on, we're breaking bread
together, eat and drink up
You shouldn't have, Pasha
l want you to be happy, Abdu,
very happy
God bless you, Pasha
Drink up
lt doesn't taste good,
but it's nice
lt's nice, sir
You know, Abdu...
after you have another glass...
you'll feel like you want to do
nice things
very nice things, the nicest thing
in the world
l know it, sir, but my wife
is in our hometown
all the way in upper Egypt
Does it have to be with your
wife?
By the way...
most women are not very
nice
- Take your hand off, sir
- Calm down
Calm down, people are
watching us
Be normal
Abd Rabbu
- Abd Rabbu
- What?
Are you stupid?
You want to make a scandal?
You know that l can hurt you
but hurting people is not in me
- Where are you going now?
- l'm going to hell!
Damn!
What your asking me to do is
shameful and forbidden
- lt shakes heaven and earth
- OK, enough
Just come and spend the
night...
and leave in the morning
Come on
What's wrong with the tenants?
There are no more manners...
and people are not responsible
Why doesn't everyone make
sure he closes the lift door?
This is disgusting
Hello, Mr Hatem... these tenants
are unbelievable
Someone went up in the lift
and left the door open
Who's this?
Zaki Pasha, irresponsibility
is normal these days
l know... who's this?
- He's with me
- Oh, he's with you
but he's strong...
he's with you
Why don't you go up and bring
the lift down?
- When Mr Hatem tells me to
- Oh, when he tells you to
Tell him to go bring the lift down
Don't worry,
nothing will happen to him
Enough, Pasha
- Go up, Abd Rabbu
- Go up, Abd Rabbu
Wow! Did you see him?
He went up so fast,
He ran up
He's like a tiger
He's very strong
You're a decent guy and you
deserve good things
You'll have a nice night,
Mr Hatem
That's how nights are, they
are nice to some people...
and crappy to others
Come in
Are you shy?
ls that man a real Pasha
or a fake one?
No, his father was a real Pasha
and became minister a couple
of times in the past
- What does he do?
- Nothing
He lives off of some properties
he inherited, always been a loser
A relic, like you just saw
He's a drunken freak
and a lecher
He's not a relic,
he's a piece of junk
OK, make yourself at home,
l won't be late
Come in
Thank you, sir
You can't sleep in those
clothes
Here
l'm not used to sleeping
early
but if you want to, go ahead,
there's another room inside
No need, after you go to bed,
l'll sleep here on the floor
l'm used to that
- Drink up, Abdu
- ls this ''carcareh''?
What, ''carcareh''?
Try it and you'll know
it's not ''carcareh''
it's the same color as ''carcareh''
You said you'll finish your
duty after 2 months, right?
Yes, sir
- What will you do afterwards?
- l'll go back to my hometown
lt's the first time l see someone
come to Cairo...
and then go back to his
hometown
What can l do? ln order to get
a job here...
- l need someone with clout
- l'm that someone
May God bring you happiness
But like l told you...
l live alone, as you see
Abdu, l have taken an oath
to make others happy
but who's the person who
deserves that?
Drink up
Drink up
You want to watch something nice
on TV?
Something intense
TV is not fun at night
Oh Lord!
What's this, sir?
- lt's very intense, right?
- Very
You said you were married,
right?
- Abdu
- Yes, sir, l'm married
But my wife is plain,
not like these
- Do you sleep with her a lot?
- Why this embarrassing question?
There's no embarrassment
When l go on home leave,
l do it 2 or 3 times a day
- until my leave is over
- 2 or 3 times a day, and you...
say she's plain?!
You're vicious
To tell you the truth, sometimes
she refuses...
or she might feel tired,
but l make her do it
Thank you
Thanks
Thanks
Tamer, go inside and watch
the TV show
Go on, son
This marriage will conform
to the laws of our religion
lt's not common law or anything
else, God forbid
No, we know that you are
a pious and religious man
Thank God, Suad will live with me
by herself in Cairo
and the boy will remain here, and
she'll see him whenever possible
and don't worry, l'll take care
of his expenses
What do you say, Suad?
- Whatever you say, chief Hamidu
- OK, then...
the wedding gift will be 1 0
thousand, the dowry 20 thousand
and the differed dowry 5 thousand,
and l'll take her as she is
God bless
Anything else, Hajj?
This marriage will remain secret
lf my wife finds out,
l'll divorce you right away
What if she finds out from someone
else, why blame me?
No secret ever gets past me
lf an ant enters my home, it
won't find an exit
ln that case, l agree
- Any other requests, Hajj?
- The most important one
God has bestowed both of us
with children
so, l don't want any children
or any pregnancies
and this is not negotiable
Let's hear your agreeing
- Yes, of course
- l'll setup the house in a week
and come to register the marriage
and take you with me
Let's hear some trilling
Congratulations, Hajj
Fanouss
Fanouss
- Hope you slept well, Pasha
- What are these bags?
Your sister sent them
- Make me a cup of coffee
- Ok
Your sister changed the apartment
lock and installed extra locks
the guy who brought the bags
said that
Yes, Dawlat... we're brother
and sister, Dawlat
things can't get to this sorry
state between us
Dawlat...
Why are you sitting so far?
We're both alike, and our poverty
shows, it's best to stay alone
No, l was sitting with them
but l didn't like what they were
saying, so l moved away
- What were they talking about?
- About their dads and moms
One's dad is an under secretary,
another's is a judge or an engineer
and another's mother is an expert
in the United Nations
To be honest, l was afraid they
might ask about my dad's job
That's why l came and sat with you
What does your father do?
A building guard...
a doorman, and yours?
a shoemaker
We have a small shoe store
lf they'd known that the
coordination office...
would put the sons of the doorman
and the shoemaker with them
they would have blown up
the coordination office
l don't know how we'll be able
to go on with such people
we'll find people like us
Allah the most gracious
Teacher of the Quran
Creator of the human beings,
He taught them how to distinguish
The sun and the moon
are perfectly calculated
The stars and the trees
prostrate
He constructed the sky
and established the law
You shall not transgress
the law
God, forgive me and open
heaven's gates to me
- May you pray in Mecca, sir
- May we pray together
God has bestowed on you a
beautiful voice and piety
Thanks be to God
Piety to god is the best
of gifts
Are you always in the mosque?
- Thanks be to God
- Thank God, what's your name?
- Taha Elshathly
- Are you in first year?
- Yes
- l'm Khaled Abdelrahim
l'm in third year, and as you can
see, l'm from upper Egypt
but it's obvious you're
a city boy
- l live here in Cairo
- Where do you live?
- Downtown
- So, you're high class
Exactly, if you're talking
about the roof being high
Brother Khaled, l live on the
roof of a downtown building
Downtown roofs are better than
roofs in low income neighborhoods
Thank God for what you have
Thanks to God is always present
in the heart and soul
and at all times, be they good
times or hard times
ln the name of God,
you are pious...
you are devout by nature
- Where do you pray on Friday?
- ln a small ''zawiyah''
- close to where l live
- No, that won't do?
Friday prayer cannot be held
in a small ''zawiyah''
plus prayer in a mosque even
if it's far from home...
- there's great reward in that
- Tell me what mosque you pray in
even if it's at the ends
of the earth...
And l'll come pray all prayers
with you
Listen, brother Taha, your zeal
to perform prayer...
shows the depth of your
faith
that's why l'll do you
a good deed...
and take you to goodness,
God willing
l'm with you
l'm late, right?
Forgive me
Come, don't be afraid
- Mr Talal
- Yes
l need 20 pounds...
even if you deduct them
from my salary
Ten pounds are enough
Stay till your clothes dry up,
then come to the store
Turn the lock five times,
OK?
1 0 pounds you son of a bitch!
Here, Pasha
- What's this?
- Mr Hatem's newspaper
- He sends us a copy now
- put it here
What's all this banging upstairs?
What's this chaos?
Hajj A'azam is redecorating
his apartment
- l wish you'd talk to him
- Talk to whom?
- A'azam Pasha
- A'azam Pasha?
When did A'azam
become a Pasha?
l saw him shining shoes in front
of El-Amrecain
Can that be? He owns half
of Seliman Pasha street
- You don't believe me?
- No, l believe you...
but how can a shoe shine boy
own all these stores...
- and all that money?
- l'd tell you if l knew
and you would have quit being a
maid and become like him
You go tell him that l said
stop this banging
- and get the door
- OK
A'azam Pasha!
- lsn't this Zaki Dosouki's place?
- Zaki Pasha
OK, don't get upset,
Zaki Pasha
l'm a process server and l have
a notice for your Pasha
would you like to take it or let
the Pasha come get it?
l've become crazy and a
squanderer
Whoever says that about you...
he himself is crazy and a lunatic
Dawlat has filed an incompetence
case against me
she claims l'm a squanderer
and l'm crazy
Since it's your sister...
l can't be impolite
Dawlat is not only tyrannous
she's tyrannous and crazy
Aren't you afraid to walk
by yourself like that?
- How are you, Taha?
- Fine, What's wrong?
Nothing, l'm tired, l've been
standing since morning
a soon as l get to the room
l just drop dead
l just wanted to make sure
you were OK
Tell me about yourself
How are you doing in college?
l feel like a stranger there
This is not our country anymore
People like us have become
like strangers in it
There's something behind
your words
Listen to me...
and be patient until you
finish the college you're in
and take your degree
and go to the Gulf area
- l can, but on one condition
- What?
That you come with me
Who knows? Who knows what
tomorrow is hiding
l feel that you're feelings
for me have changed
l didn't change, lt's life that is
changing around us
l can barely talk
Hello
What is it, darling?
Abdu, what is it?
l'm afraid, sir
Afraid of what?
Of God
Why? Are you doing something
wrong?
What are you? All l'm doing is
wrong
Alcohol day and night, lechery
with you, l've quit praying
l heard the sheikh talk about God's
punishment of homosexuals
we are rocking heaven and earth,
that means an earthquake, sir
You're from upper Egypt
and you're not very smart
You think only you and me
do this?
no, there's a lot of us
here, in Europe and in
America
and in the Gulf,
all over the world
An earthquake!
What's wrong with a man
loving another?
What's wrong with that?
God is very great, and He's
very gracious
- l want to put your mind at ease
- How?
Do you know what is
truly forbidden?
and this is not open to
argument
lt's adultery
sleeping with a strange woman,
to prevent the mixing of posterity
to get pregnant by her lover and
saying her husband is the father
or getting an abortion
and that is forbidden, of course
but a man loving another man,
what's wrong with that?
What's wrong with that?
What's wrong with that?
What do you mean?
Men don't get pregnant, Abdu
Put this cloth roll here
Put this cloth roll here
Watch it, don't drop
the scissors
Put this merchandise down
Everything is fine
And you...
Hello, cutest of girls
How are you, Miss Buthaina?
Won't you greet me with...
''Good evening, uncle Malak''
- How are you, chief Malak?
- That's better
l have a job for you which will
open doors for both of us
- What kind of job?
- Talk to Talal on my behalf...
and convince him to buy
shirts from me
My work is excellent
and you'll get your commission
What are you saying? Who am l
to speak on your behalf?
l'm just a sales girl,
nothing else
Business discussions shouldn't
be dry like this...
wait just a second
This is a gift for you
lt's your size
l don't take gifts from anyone,
why would l take a gift from you?
Because of the business
that will be between us
Forget it, Talal gets his
merchandise from large workshops
lf you talk to him,
he'll listen to you
- Why would he listen to me?
- Miss Buthaina...
l've been in this business since
l was six years old
and l've lived in this area
all my life
so, l know what Talal does
and where he does it
and you certainly have some
effect on him
a beautiful young girl
like a fresh apple
Talal will never refuse
anything you tell him
You're not respectable
and impolite
ls it impolite to say the truth?
OK, look me in the eye
Have you never gone to Talal
at the storeroom?
You're a cheap rascal
This means you've gone to him
We'll talk again
Enough, Hajj
l won't take much of your time
l know you're very busy
And l'm at your service
l don't want you to be upset with
me because of the past 2 weeks
l didn't have any free time
to see you
l understand, Pasha
What do you want, Hajj?
l'm sure you checked me out when
you heard l wanted to meet you
and all l found out is good,
you're a stand up man
Thanks be to God
Everything comes from God
Listen, Pasha...
l want to contribute to the
service of the country
and the service of the people
where l have my businesses
and where there are people l've
lived amongst and loved
We're all like you, Hajj
but as they say, to each
his way of doing things
l've prayed and consulted God
almighty
and l thought l'd nominate myself
to the parliament...
for the Kassr Elnile district
- Kassr Elnile?
- Yes, they're my people
Do you know what we call that
district in the parliament?
The piece of cake
Could you explain to me?
Explain what?
l said ''the piece of cake''
meaning that it's sweet
lt has no problems,
no low income neighborhoods
no one to keep asking
for things
or the young people asking
for apartments or jobs...
until they make you hate
your life and get hypertension
- Where did you say you were from?
- From upper Egypt
Why don't you look for a sweet
district in upper Egypt?
l haven't been there for a long
time, and no one knows me there
- but in Kassr Elnile...
- Listen...
there are people who have asked
for that district
they've only asked, which means
there's room for negotiations
- Give me some time to think
- Good deeds should be expedited
lt's a million, Kamal Pasha,
right?
Yes, but what do you think
of the drawing?
The drawing is very beautiful
but it's a lot of money
this money is not for me
it goes to several people
as for me, well, l have
enough money
l know, Pasha
l want you to know who was
asking for that district
- Who?
- Abu Rihab, you know him?
- Owner of Rida Welnour stores?
- Right
He's with the Moslem Brotherhood,
and you know that
and you're not on good terms with
them, how will you accept him?
When he runs for parliament,
no one can say no to him
that's democracy
- and we're a democratic country
- Yes
But if he runs he might win
he's blowing the market, selling
for half the price, and less
he has so money he can
buy votes
Nomination is easy
Anyone who wants to run, let him
run, no one will stop him
but how he can win?
That's our game
not by forgery, God forbid
but you can say we've studied
the psyche of the Egyptians
the people are holding on to
the government...
as if it were their mother
even if this government
does whatever it wants
this is our job
l know, but this the first
time we do business together
forget the million, for my sake,
make it half a million
Listen, Hajj...
l only know how to draw
two things
either a million...
or a billion
what do you say?
l agree, let's recite
the ''Opening''
ln the name of God most gracious
Praise be to God...
Master of the day of Judgment
You alone we worship...
The money has to be here next
week, in cash
of those whom You blessed, not of
those who have deserved wrath...
- Amen
- Congratulations, Hajj
Why is this wine white and that
other one red, Hatem?
When we eat fish, we drink
white wine
Then, the red one is for meat
How smart you are!
Bravo
- But why is all of this?
- We're celebrating
Celebrating what?
Everyone who finishes his tour of
duty goes home quietly
No, we're celebrating your
working full-time
also, the second surprise...
is that you won't go back
to your hometown
How? What about my son
and my wife?
They'll come live with you here
l found you an apartment,
and in the same building
there's a room on the roof whose
owner left and went home
and l rented it right away, for
your wife and son... Cheers
- What?
- Cheers
Cheers
- Cheers
- Cheers
Cheers, Hatouma
lt's not like you think,
Zaki Pasha
l mean, the reciprocal cases...
between you and your sister,
won't be solved quickly
she's filed an incompetence case
against you...
and that will take years
to be over
and you've filed a case to prove
your right in the apartment
and this might take
a year or two
Could that be, Mr Fekry?
Mrs Christine...
this is our country
and we know it well
- What can l do, then, counselor?
- l'll tell you
but don't say that l suggested
this
some hoodlums
some hoodlums who can break
into the apartment in any way
either by breaking down the door
or a wall
the point is they should
occupy it...
and then you go in...
and live in it normally
of course, she'll file a lawsuit
which will take the courts forever
to come to a ruling
she could die before they ever
rule on it
- ls there no other solution?
- That's the only solution
- l can't do that
- But your sister is evil
she is very evil
We are the siblings of Abdela'al
Pasha, we don't that to each other
But you're the victim
Even if l am the victim
Dawlat is my sister and l have
to put up with her
and anyway, l'm not out
on the street
- Where's my coat?
- Where to, Zaki Pasha?
Zaki
Zaki
Zaki, l've never seen you
like this
and l've never seen you neglect
yourself like this, what is it?
Why didn't l get married?
l could have had children
and they would have definitely
changed my life
of course, you'll say that you
were available to me
but what can say about stupidity?
l was afraid l'd marry you and
then cheat on you
l'm weak in front of any whim
and then you would have
hated me
and that's the one thing l could
never bear
No, l would have forgiven you
That's what you think
My problem is that there were
important things in front of me
and l didn't see them
or l saw them after it was too late
- l'm going to go
- l'll take you
l've never hurt anyone
l've only hurt myself
even the women l slept with,
they were all consenting
they used to come into my house
and then leave very happy
that's why God will be very
merciful with me
He'll give me the greatest
discount...
You are forgiving...
and merciful
- How are you, Buthaina?
- What's up?
A great day, God willing...
and by the blessing of the
Virgin Mary full of grace
- What's your problem, man?
- ls that how you greet people?
There's no need to frown,
your secret is safe
- l have no secrets
- OK, you have no secrets
but l owe you a favor
for the sake of being neighbors
and your nice mother
What do you want?
- How much does Talal pay a month?
- 250 pounds
Because you're stupid, l swear
what l'm saying is no joke
l have a job for you
for 600 a month
a very respectable job
and if it's not, you'll make it
respectable
Our leaders claim...
that they rule us by the laws
of lslamic Shari'a...
and that they implement
democracy
and God knows that they're
lying on both counts
lslamic Shari'a is suspended
in our afflicted country
and the government earns
from gambling...
and selling alcohol...
and fornicating tourists
and what's worse...
is that the government turns
this money into employee salaries
and thus feeding its people
from illicit money...
and makes them perpetrators
of the proscribed
and then the curse of the
proscribed plagues us
l'm saying it clearly
and directly...
and without any ambiguity
we don't want our nation
to be democratic...
nor secular nor socialist
we want it to be lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
- Peace be upon you
- and you
How are you, Buthaina?
As you can see, l'm hanging
the laundry
- Where were you?
- l was praying Friday
Friday prayer has been over for
2 hours, maybe more
l pray at a far mosque,
and l like to walk
plus the fact that the lmam's
speech runs long
Religion facilitates affairs
look for a mosque near by
- What are these books?
- One of them is for you
- A gift?
- God willing
- Are you going to grow your beard?
- God willing, l'll never shave it
after today
Here's your book
Keep it, my hands are wet
or, you read it, l'm not too crazy
about reading
- l don't like your affairs
- You're not my guardian...
- to like them or dislike them
- Be reasonable
Leave my hand or l'll call out
to all the people here
- Has it come to that?
- Listen, Taha
l'll get to the point,
our story is over
ln English, it's the ''end''
they write at the end of a movie
each of us chose a path,
you've grown your beard
l wear short skirts and l like it,
so we don't fit together
He brought me a gift!
The veil before the check
l wish you'd spend one night here
so l can feel like l'm you wife,
like other married women
Smarten up, Suad, ours is not
common law marriage
l married you according
to lslamic law
also, spending the night
is not important
it's not the proof of love
- What are you doing?
- Shining your shoe
No, shining shoes is a science
let me... look...
O Lord! lt's like you're
a real shoe shine boy
Yes, l like shining shoes
and it puts me in a good mood
- Thank you
- But l've noticed that you...
whenever you go to the other
house, you're dressed up
The other one is the origin, and
you've nothing to do with it
So, this house is the fake one?
There it's 24 carat gold,
and here it's fake?
Why ruin our mood?
The 24 carat gold is here
But there it's the house of the
mother of my children
they're not children,
they're grown up men
Then you should pick the words
you use
Forgive me
l wanted to ask you for a favor
Ask away, my love
- l want to go to Alexandria
- Why?
Did you forget that l have a son
l haven't seen for months?
And l miss my family, l'd like to
go smell the sea air
l'm staying in a huge apartment
alone, between the kitchen...
- and the TV and the bedroom
- You will not go alone
- l must be with you
- So, come with me
l can't leave Cairo for one
second these days
We can go in the afternoon
and come back at night...
as if you're resting here, or
let me go by myself
Neither this or that, and don't
forget that we have an agreement
- l have another solution
- Let me hear it
My brother can bring my son
so l can play with him a little
that's not part of the agreement
either
and why don't you play with me?
Seriously, playing with me...
is there anything better than it?
Bye
Thank you very much
Listen, Taha, love is neither
shameful nor forbidden
Real love... un-proscribed
love is allowed
The prophet, peace be upon him,
loved A'aisha
and you say you love this girl,
real love
l've known her since she was a
kid playing on the roof
we grew up together
and dreamed together
and felt happiness and
sadness together
l swear, among all the women
that God created...
l've never seen another,
or desired another
God knows how l feel
towards you
l don't like to see you
in a bad way
and l'd like to tell you that the
believer is always optimistic
and God willing, adversity
will be followed by comfort
She closed the door with every
key there is
Then comfort could be
with another
This girl is not all the
women in the world
Forget about her
Don't be upset
Which is better, loving a woman
or loving Jihad?
Loving God or loving a woman?
God bless you, you've instilled
comfort into my heart
Let's talk about what's important
Tomorrow, the university will not
be like it is every day
and l want you to have
a leading role, Taha
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
not western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
- Steady
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- Gos is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
Your excellency...
Miss Buthaina Elsayed...
daughter of the late Elsayed
A'antar, they live on the roof
Say hi to the Pasha, Miss
- Good evening, Pasha
- Hello
starting today, the office will
be your responsibility
- What's going on?
- Who are these people?
What do they want from us?
What do you want from us?
Why'd you take my son?
God suffices me,
He is the best protector
His name is Taha Mohamad
Elshathly and this is his file
and we found these books in his
house
Bring him down
Taha, l promise no one will
touch you again
and that you'll go out of here
right away
but you have to talk... to which
group do you belong?
l don't have a group
We found the books that all
groups were based on...
why was it at your house?
lt's not illegal to own books
also, this is culture
You shouldn't lie to someone
who is trying to help you
and this is an insult to my
intelligence, l don't appreciate it
l was only participating
in the demonstration
The building where your father
works as a doorman...
a lot of high-class people
live in it
Whom among them do you know?
l know all of them
So, you must know
Mr Hatem Rashid
Of course, Pasha
What do you know about him?
He's a respectable journalist
and the editor of
Le Caire newspaper
What else?
That's all, Pasha
You see how you lie?
We know everything
about every body
We know what you don't know about
your mother or your father
Do you know that your mother was
married before she met your father?
That's the first time l hear
of that, pasha
Ask her when you get out
and see what she'll say
let's concentrate on
Hatem Rashid
He's... excuse my language...
- he's a homosexual
- Good
what does homosexual mean?
Pasha, you just...
you just said you know everything
about everyone
OK, Taha...
we'll do to you what they do
to Hatem Rashid
and we have people who do
this very well
what do you say?
- Take his clothes off
- No!
No!
O God!
- Hello, Pasha
- You're opening the door?
- Where's Fanouss?
- He went up to see his brother
The smell of the apartment has
changed since you came
- Thank you, Pasha
- What's up?
l paid the electric bill,
and Christine called
and your barber wants to know
when to stop by
and Fekry Abdelshahid the lawyer
called and said...
that he attended the court
session and got a postponement
and said he'll tell you everything
when he sees you
is someone suing you,
Pasha?
lt's something trivial, my sister
Dawlat is suing me
These are dark times when a
sister sues her brother
you're her support
She'll go back to her senses
May God show her the
right way
- Do You want anything from me?
- No, Buthaina, you can leave
- l'll see you later
- Good bye
Buthaina...
you're an excellent girl
and l feel comfortable with you
l wish you'd be with me
all the time
l'll be with you as long as you're
happy with me
and you pay me well, and you
treat me very well
Buthaina, don't misunderstand
me
God created beauty...
for people to see...
and to love and respect
- What do you mean, Pasha?
- l mean you're beautiful
beautiful, but you need
the touch of an artist
would you put yourself
in my hands?
l took an oath never to refuse
you anything
May l change your hairdo?
How do you want it to look?
Look at yourself in the mirror
lt's the taste of Pashas
Go on, you're late
''Groppi''
Thank God for your safe
return, son
Thank you
l was worried about you
you've been out for a while
Ever since l came out,
l went into my room...
and l only left it
to come meet you
Thank God you got
the message
What did you tell them?
lf l had told them anything,
l wouldn't have come out
- and you would have gone in
- God bless you, son
Yes, but...
- you don't know what happened
- l can imagine everything
- lt surpasses imagination
- lnfidels can do anything, son
Even infidels wouldn't do
what they did to me
- Calm down
- Good evening, sir
- What would you like to drink?
- Bring me tea
- Two teas
- At your service
l want you to go back to
college and study well
What College and what studies?
That is all over
l want you to be true to me
as l was to you
and just as you had requests
which l carried out...
l have requests l want you to help
me carry out
We'll help you if we can
- l want revenge
- Did they torture you that badly?
- They raped me
- Lower your voice
Calm down
Don't say that to anyone else,
control yourself
people are looking at us
What's that you're wearing,
Abu Wa'el?
A gift form the mister,
may God reward him
Since when do you wear
see through underwear?
l took it because l shouldn't
turn him down
after all, he's given us a lot
and he likes us
Why are you quiet? Answer me,
or am l talking to myself?
l don't feel good about this man
- He helps us live a good life
- The hell with his good life
- Also, this is not your scent
- Hell!
Are you going to smell me?
You're going to be like that?
Smell me as l am, then
Shut up
Shut up
This area is not known
to them
No one knows anything
about it
You haven't come in a long
time, Sheikh Shaker
l come when there is an
absolute need
Our son Taha Elshathly,
the one l told you about
God willing, he'll be
comfortable here
Sheikh Bilal,
the Ameer of the camp
and he's responsible for
preparation and execution
God willing, you'll be
his charge...
until he prepares you
for the mission
Hello
- Hello, Mr minister
- How are you, Hajj?
- Fawzi, my eldest son
- Yes, of course...
- how are you, Fawzi?
- How are you, sir?
- How are you, Fawzi?
- lf you please, Pasha...
- could you move to another table?
- Sure...
- Come, A'azam
- What is it, Pasha?
He says that table is not
well protected
they'll get us another one...
you know how security is
your inquest at the parliament
yesterday was great
it was good, l told the TV
people to air it
so, watch yourself
What, Pasha?
Give it to your uncle
- OK, l'm fine
- Give him Kofta, it's not heavy
- Here you go
- l forgot to congratulate you
Thank you, but for what?
- For the car dealership
- From your lips to God's ears
lt's still just talks, the Japanese
are completing their inquiries
- See how you're father is?
- l swear to God...
- we haven't signed a single paper
- What is it, boy?
What's wrong, Hajj A'azam?
l'm Kamal Elfoly, nothing in this
country gets past me
- This is well known, sir
- May God keep us on good terms
- Here you go
- May God help seal the deal
this contract will get you 200
million a year, at least
and this is too big for
you, hajj
you could choke on it
Can you explain?
We want one quarter
- One quarter of what?
- Of the profits
Shouldn't l know exactly
who ''you'' are?
What's the matter, Hajj? l've
always said you had street smarts
What do you mean?
l'm not alone, Hajj A'azam
there are many people with me
but you can say they like
to keep a low profile
think of me as a delegate
A respectable people who do
not accept impoliteness...
A respectable people who do
not accept impoliteness...
What do you like about the
bull this man is saying?
Wait, let's see time's fiasco
the worst fiasco
Cheap naked girls...
l don't know where they
got them from...
and now there's a TV
in every home
and in every home, there are
our daughters and wives...
- So, we must...
- You're still young
this esteemed representative used
to shine shoes at the corner
You drink a lot
and way too early
- People usually drink at night
- Just passing time, you want some?
- No, Pasha
- You never drank before?
Never, and l've learned from
the films l see on TV
- You want me to drink something?
- l'll give you an idea...
at the beginning, it's sour
but then it makes you
very happy
l don't care what you say
- What a waste
- lt's not a waste
l mean the difference between
us and foreigners
foreigners appreciate alcohol
and they like it
here, we appreciate hash
- There's a big difference
- Zaki Pasha...
l don't like either, you just
live like foreigners do, sir
Listen, if you care about me...
Stop saying ''sir'',
it's true, l'm an old man...
but you don't have to keep
reminding me
- call me Zaki
- l'll say Zaki Pasha
OK, what l want to say...
is that living the life of the
foreigners is not strange
l was one of them, l lived and
studied in Paris
Paris
l know it like l know Cairo
- They say Paris is beautiful
- Of course...
- Paris is the whole world
- Why'd you leave it?
You should have stayed there
l'm stupid
You can say it was stupidity,
or destiny
- You look like you want to travel
- l wish
- Where would you like to go?
- Anywhere...
away from this forsaken place
Do you hate your country?
lt never did me anything good
to make me like it
Buthaina... it's true you're poor
but poverty has nothing to do
with patriotism
What patriotism? Am l the only
one who wants to leave?
Everybody wants to leave
You know if life was like it
was a very long time ago...
before they came up with
passports and visas...
the whole population
would have left
lf you're not good to your country
you won't be good to anyone
That's because you live in it
as a Pasha
What are your problems? Your
sister is quarreling with you
So what?
the problem is with people who
can't eat or feed their families
people who keep looking for jobs
and no one cares about them
people who put up with humiliation
whether they're sitting or walking
you only walk in Seliman street,
try to go somewhere else
and see what goes on, Egypt has
become very hard on its people
that's why every body
wants to leave
not because they hate it, but they
can't bear its injustice
Why did you stand up?
So l can get things off
my chest
You couldn't have done that
sitting down?
Anyway, l'm to blame for
this bad mood...
because l opened up this
touchy subject
Listen, l'm going to get you
out of this mood
You'll listen to the most
beautiful voice in the world
a French singer called
Edith Piaf
Have you heard of her?
l don't know French
You don't have to know French
you just need to feel the beauty
of the voice
and the beauty of the performance
and the lovely tune
This song reminds me
of nice days
and happy memories
This song talks about a girl
standing in the middle of a crowd
and the crowd kept
pushing her away
until she found herself in front
of a man she didn't know
but she had nice feelings
towards him
she felt that she wanted to live
with him forever
live with him forever
then the crowd wave
came back...
and pushed her away from him
and she started feeling lonely
again
What a shame
Come here
Your eyes are very beautiful
This is the first time someone
really sees my eyes
Mind you, we have to stay friends
Of course, friends
You know, Houda...
l'm beginning to like the smell
of cigarettes
But not all cigarettes
smell nice
l know these are
filled with hashish
- Doesn't religion forbid them?
- You think l'd do that?
lf the were forbidden
l wouldn't have touched them
l guess this is not good stuff
because you're not in a good mood
No, l'm in a good mood...
but l'm preoccupied with work,
and work is not all good
it has a lot of problems, too
What if l tell you something
that will make you happy...
and just float up high,
what would you do for me?
Talk, maybe you'll
ease my mind
l'm...
l'm...
- l'm 2 months pregnant
- What?
God damn you and
your parents!
l don't need this?
Didn't we have an agreement?
What's this got to do with
agreements? lt's God's will
Can anyone say to God's will
that there was an agreement?
l'll say it once, you have to have
an abortion, l don't need it
- and you don't need it either
- l do need it
it's a piece of me, do you want
to cut out a piece of me?
lf you don't have an abortion
then l'll divorce you
Divorce me, and God's
law will rule between us
- Thank God for your safe return
- What's wrong with you?
Do you see me coming back from
my job in the Gulf?
- Where are you coming back from?
- From work
But it's nice work,
the nicest work
- Didn't we have an agreement?
- Yes, and l'm committed to it
You said l'd have to repay your
favor, so what's the agreement?
Come inside and l'll tell you
exactly what l want from you
''Contract of partnership''
- Have you lost your mind?
- Listen here, girl...
this is work, not fooling around
that hunk of junk called Zaki Pasha
is over
he's already got one foot
in the grave
when he dies the apartment will
belong to Fekry Abdelshahid
this is a contract of partnership
between me and the Pasha
when he dies, the apartment
will be mine
so l can go in and never
have to leave it
l want his signature on
every paper in the contract
and this is a simple job
for you
make him sing when he's drunk
or when you're sleeping together
- l don't care
- You're nothing like your name
you're not a Copt, you're a devil
hiding among the Copts
l'll give you 5 thousand pounds
you'll get them when you bring
me the Pasha's signature
l don't think there's another man
as straight as me
whether l was Coptic or Jewish
or Moslem
think of your mother
and brothers and sisters
you need the money
You might die before Zaki
ln that case l will have at least
tried
take the contract
Assuming that l'll get the
signature of Zaki Dosouki...
- how do l guarantee you'll pay?
- We'll exchange...
- no money no contract
- Malak Armanious...
never goes back on his word
l'll give you the money before
you give me the contract
Who is it?
Quick, your son is burning with
fever and throwing up...
and l don't know what to do
What are you waiting for?
Your son's condition is serious
tell the Mr to call an ambulance,
if he really cares for you
Go get the boy and meet me
downstairs quickly
Why are you still here? Go
- lt's a catastrophe
- God willing, it'll be fine
don't worry, your son will get
the best of care
don't worry
What's wrong with him?
Be strong, and may God
grant you patience
They took my boy away!
My boy, Abd Rabbu!
My boy!
Oh, fruit of my womb!
They took my son
Abd Rabbu, they took my son
away!
My son!
My son!
Did you talk to your sister?
- Yes, Hajj
- Did you convince her?
Listen, Hajj...
you're a regular guy and you
like to do what's right
true, l can talk to her, but not
when it comes to God's law
And the agreement between us?
Any agreement which negates
God's law becomes void
- This is you have to say?
- lt's all she has to say
Thank you, you did what you
could, chief Hamidu
l think you can just about
catch the train
chief Hamidu...
shouldn't you take some time
and rethink things...
and do what's good? Personal
relations should be respected
l don't need to think, you're
the one who needs to think
we don't go against God's laws,
and God is on our side
But keep in mind...
no one knows where God's will
might lead him
Leave me, you bitches!
Smother her with it
After this, we'll get another
one that's bigger
Hello, mister minister
- How are you, congratulations
- Thank you, Mr Kamal
A picture, Kamal Pasha
l want to talk to you urgently
Set the time and place you like
- Now, find a place to sit in
- Come this way
- You've made a mistake, Hajj
- l ask God's forgiveness
- l always keep my word
- You're stalling
You've had the contract for
2 months, what's going on?
This is a contract for one quarter,
the Japanese must be told
ot they'll think l'm cheating and
they'll take away the dealership
What's wrong? Do you think l
run a furniture store?
You're talking to a man who
can move the whole country
Everybody knows who you are
and what you can do
No, wait...
we have a saying that goes...
whoever carried the donkey
up the stairs...
is the only one who can
take it down
The donkey?
What does that mean?
lt means that l can get you out
of the parliament...
- and with a scandal
- ls this a threat?
l'm not a nobody so that you or
someone else can threaten me
Well, well...
- you've become quite strong
- You started
l hope you're not counting on
the parliament immunity
or you'd be very naive
a couple of sessions in parliament
can make you lose it
- and people with skeletons...
- No, l've no skeletons
You have skeletons everywhere
l'll tell you about a small
skeleton
What did you do about
the mandatory draft?
Nothing in your file proves that
you performed military service
So what if l leave the
parliament?
The parliament benefited from me,
l didn't benefit from it
Without the Parliament you'd be
naked in a crowded street
l told you before, l'm not alone
l'm just a delegate
and l'm the nicest one
in the group
- Don't be stubborn
- Tell you what, Mr Kamal...
- why don't we sit and talk
- Who's ''we''?
You and me and the ones
you say you represent
give me a chance to explain to them
and they might understand
No, there no use
Mr Kamal...
l went into parliament
with my money
and even if l leave it...
l'll just think of it as
merchandise that got burnt
Dad, the Japanese guy looks
like he wants to leave
lsn't he going to listen to the
singer? Join us, Mr Kamal
No, l'll leave you to your
singer
- Good night
- Good night
- What is it, dad?
- Everything has a limit
and your father knows when
to say ''no''
l swear you must have known
this Mrs Christine
lt's like she's singing
just for you
She's singing for both of us
No woman forgets the man
she loved
You're right
but Christine and l dealt with
each other like foreigners do
the love that was between us
turned into friendship
it's difficult for two people
in love to become enemies
even if they leave each other
You know, Zaki Pasha...
if l find someone like you,
but younger...
l'd marry him right away
You'll never find a younger
version of me, my beauty
we are the last of the
respectable men
Don't ask me to sing again
l can listen to you all night
Christine...
you are all the happy memories
in my life
- You've had a lot to drink
- That's true...
Please, Madame, for my sake,
take the bottle away
- Only you can handle him
- She's from the roof
Welcome back, Mr Hatem
you don't usually stay late
at work like this
Thank you, Shathly,
l just got back from Alexandria
l was invited to a party which
the prime minister was at
- ls there a problem, Shathly?
- Yes, sir
Here you go, sir
- What are these?
- The keys to the Nassr City kiosk
and this is the key for the room
on the roof
Abd Rabbu took his wife
and left the building
That dog!
That Dog!
May God show you the right way
God suffices us,
He is the best protector
Mister lssam
Madame Rashid
Professor Rashid
Mister lssam, your wife
is with the French Consul
- Hatem, go out
- Hatem, go out
Typical Parisian prostitute
You've nothing to do with ldrees,
you never loved me like ldrees
Father
Father
A half hour a week...
- l'm very busy
- lt's not a half hour...
you've never played with me
ldrees, what are you doing?
You left me for the servants
to play with me
What do you want? Why are you
upset? why're you looking this way?
Thank you
Thank you very much
you bastard...
You asked me once and said...
why didn't you...
why didn't you stay in Paris?
and l said it was destiny
the truth was something else
This country was better than
Paris
The latest fashions started here
before they hit Paris
the streets were very clean
they used to wash it every day,
and the stores were fancy
and the people were polite
Let's talk upstairs, people are
staring at us
Why do they stare at us?
Let them stare at the country
that went to hell...
at the buildings that were better
than European buildings...
and now have become garbage
dumps on top...
and an abomination
at the bottom
We live in the time
of abomination
l'm the oldest tenant in this
building
the oldest one
l lived the best days of my life
in it
and the best people live in it
with me
from the first princesses...
till you, my princess
Zaki Pasha, let's go upstairs
and then you can say all you want
- Let's go
- l'm the oldest tenant
the oldest one
l want a favor from you, Pasha
You can ask me for anything
ask for the whole of
Seliman Pasha street
l'm the oldest tenant
in the building
l applied at the bank for a loan
for 5 thousand pounds
but they said l need
a guarantor
l'd guarantee you with my life
lf l don't guarantee you...
then who will?
l have the papers
would you sign them?
No, this way
Yes, l got the...
the pen
What is it, Pasha?
- What is it?
- l want to go to the bathroom
Are you OK, Pasha?
l hope you're OK, come with me
Come with me, l hope
you're OK, Pasha
l hope you're OK, Pasha
Come
- l hope you're OK, Pasha
- l'm well
Zaki Pasha
Get up
- What's wrong, Madame?
- Where am l?
Thank God for your safety,
you suffered a bad hemorrhage
A hemorrhage, you bastards!
They aborted me by force
l'm going to take you all
to hell
Save me, Hamidu
They aborted me by force,
Hamidu
They killed my son
They did their evil deed
Mrs Suad, everything is
destined
Hajj A'azam never went against
the agreement, but you did
and everyone should bear
the consequences of his mistakes
May God take revenge on you
and your father and your family
you infidels, you disbelievers
l will not put up with
any impoliteness
You suffered a hemorrhage and we
took you the best hospital
The Hajj knows God's
commandments very well
and he has never gone
against his laws
Hajj A'azam has divorced you
And you'll get all your legal
rights, and more
You brother has a cheque
for 20 thousand pounds
and he hospital bill
has been paid in full
and anything of yours in the
apartment, no matter how small
will be sent to your house
in Alexandria
What's this?
What's going on?
l apologize, Hajj, our job
is always annoying
l'm major Hamdy Sha'aban from
the drug enforcement agency
- What do we have to do with drugs?
- Ask your father
- You know l have immunity
- We know that very well...
Mister representative,
but why are you so worried?
The men might not find
anything
What are you photographing?
No, they'll find something
May l use the phone?
As you wish, sir
Yes, Pasha...
Thank you very much,
Mr Armanios
Malak, Mrs...
Malak Armanios
Mr Malak...
this is a small sum
for your gallantry
Mrs Dawlat, you don't know
me well
l own a workshop
l informed of this...
to save the reputation of a
respectable and noble family
But l still need you for the
more important favor
And l'm at your service
Brother Taha, the Amir
wants you now
l wish l'd met you
a long time ago
lt wouldn't have worked out
Why not?
l was just a kid
a baby
You're still a baby
a baby full of femininity
and caring
and compassion
and gallantry
l wish l would live long
so l could live with you
the longest time possible
May God let you live long
l'm 65 years old
You could live till 1 00
l heard someone on TV...
say that when you love life,
life love you back
That's possible
Zaki Pasha...
l've fallen in love with you
because you respected me
and protected me
you were never lecherous
Let's travel somewhere
After a week or two...
l'll get the revenue
from the land
and we can travel
- To Paris
- To Paris
Paris
and you can look at the
restaurants and stores...
and theatres and museums
and the forests just outside
of Paris
we can chase each other around
l'm still a virgin
Come in
feel at home...
anyway, the last time...
Enough adultery!
Enough filth!
What is it?
How can you come into people's
homes without permission?
- We're the police
- Do you have a court order?
Are you going to teach me my
job? The Mrs is your sister
and filed a report that you
practice adultery in her home
My sister filed the report?
This is not her home
this is my office and she
doesn't live with me
She opened the door
with her own key
and you can say whatever you want
at the station
- lt's a case of flagrante delicto
- Yes, flagrante delicto
l'll show you! You're violating
the sanctity of my home
The sanctity of the home or the
prostitute next to you?
Prostitute?
She's more honorable than you,
you bitch
You see, officer? He's calling me
names and hitting me
This is another crime,
add it to the report
Calm down, Madame, everything
will be in the report
Bring him and the girl to the
station, as they are
Get off me
l won't leave naked,
and neither will she
even if you kill us,
Don't you come close!
Come close...
l need you
ldriss...
l'm so lonely
Sit, A'azam
Major Hamdy said you came clean
before they found the drugs
Because they were going to
find it
Just so you know that we know
everything about you
Neither car dealerships
nor shoe stores...
make all this money
we know everything about you
from the beginning
Your file is full, everything
is in it
What are you going to do?
l'm ready to sign the contract
Some articles have been altered
l agree to them, of course
l saw you photographs,
what the hell...
Whenever the drug enforcement
people are sure of something
- they take journalists with them
- l don't need a scandal
No, everything is fine
since you talked to me
What are we going to do to
get out of this dilemma?
lt's already over
after they checked the
heroine canisters...
they turned out to be full
of car shining powder
50%%%, A'azam
Go to my son's office
to sign the contract
Mr Kamal...
- Congratulations on the company
- Thank you
we're partners in everything...
right?
lt's true what they say...
Do whatever the monkey wants
on it's turf
There's nothing wrong with a monkey
obeying another monkey
''Today's journalism''
The coast is clear
You'll be next to the building,
on the other sidewalk
You'll find the guards,
once he comes out, get away
because he'll be in the line
our fire
- How will l recognize him?
- Once he comes out of the building
l'll blow the horn,
depend on God
- Good evening
- Good evening
- Where's Dewan street?
- Where'd they tell you it was?
- Here, in Garden City
- Where in Garden City?
- Close to Mamal Elsukar street
- Mamal Elsukar is the next left
- Yes, sir, the car is coming
- l see it
- Get the car
- Do you know Dewan street?
l don't know
Help!
Taha!
Abdelshafee, cover me and l'll
get Taha
Taha!
l believe l have the right
to use the phone
Quiet, lover boy
A man like you should
be ashamed of himself
He looks like the guy on the
tea packages
There's a book called
The elder regresses to his youth
This is the elder
There is law in this country,
Mr Zaki
and what's going on is
a crime
l have to talk to the assistant
minister of the interior
so he can come see what
the junior officers...
- do to respectable people
- And who are you?
l'm Fekry Abdelshahid
the lawyer
have you heard of me?
These people insulted me,
and insulted this poor girl
Very good, let's fill out
report of cursing and slander...
by the police officers...
what's with you, Dawlat?
What did your brother do to deserve
all these insults?
Anyway, the law will
give Mr Zaki his rights
Buthaina...
what we went through tonight
is the best of the worst
there are much worse problems
What's all this evil
that's inside Dwalat?
And where did she get the key
from? l don't understand
We have to forget what happened
to us tonight
We have to forget the
insults
or we'll die from grief
l've always been unlucky
l have no luck
Come in
Over there
Good evening
- Congratulations, bride
- Thank you
- Sing ''La vie en rose'', Christine
- Just for you
When he holds me in his arms
and talks to me softly
l see life through rose colored
glasses
He tells me words of love
words that live forever
and that makes me feel
important
He entered into my heart
as part of my happiness
and l know why...
Yussra
Hind Sabri
Khaled Elsawi
Ahmad Ratib
Khaled Saleh
Basem Elsamra
Tamer Abelmeneim
Abbas Abulhassan
The role of Dawlat was played by
lsa'ad Younis
ln 1937, the chief Armenian in
Egypt, Hagoub Yacoubian, built...
a residential building and
named it after his name
The style was European
and the architect was ltalian
And the Armenian gentleman
was so fond of it...
that he wrote his name in Latin
on the inside of the entrance
When the building was still new,
it had residents such as...
ministers, high ranking Pashas
and foreigners
there were even Jews, two of them
were from the Nosseir family
The building's roof was vast,
it had a room for the doorman...
and a room for each apartment
for laundry and storage...
and related things
Everything was beautiful
the country looked beautiful
and the building was beautiful
The revolution broke out,
ending the era of the Pashas
and the 1 956 war was the beginning
of the end for foreigners and Jews
Apartments that became vacant
after their owners left the country
were taken by high ranking
officers in the army...
whose wives never forgot their
passion for raising poultry
and it was OK for the rooms to be
residence for the maids
and of course, the whole makeup
of the residents changed
Along with the openness system,
the streets started to change
Stores changed
their type of business
and people changed as well
Just as the officers' moving into
the building ruined it...
their leaving it totally
destroyed it
They'd become rich and had moved
to Mohandessin and Nassr City
and the building became available
to anyone with money
and of course, the whole makeup
of the residents changed
The roof became full, each room
had a whole family in it
lt wasn't just the building that
changed, but the country too
Nour Elsherif
Ahmad Bedeir
Sumaiah Elkhashab
Tala'at Zakaria
Mohamad Eldafrawi
The new actor: Mohamad lmam
playing Taha Elshathly
''The Ya'acoubian Building''
Based on the novel by:
Doctor Ala'a Elaswany
Artistic producer
Nabil Sobhi
Executive producer
Kareem Shaker
Distribution in Egypt and World
Arab Company for Production
Clothes Designer
Nahed Nassrallah
Technical Supervision and Decor
Fawzi Ela'awamri
Music
Khaled Hammad
Editing
Khaled Mar'ee
Head of photography
Sameh Seleem
Supervision: Adel Adeeb,
Sameh Jubran
Script
Waheed Hamed
Directed by...
Marwan Hamed
l told you a million times that
this place is respectable
lf you want to stay here,
you have to be well-mannered
A lot of people drink here,
but they're respectable
Give me 3 Brandys
- Cheers
- Cheers, Hamama
Sit somewhere else, No'man,
the Pasha is waiting for his friend
Would you like another beer or
some fresh peanuts?
No, beer causes flatulence
- and makes me urinate a lot
- Why don't you order whiskey?
Whiskey? lf l drink whiskey
l'll stay here
and l'll go out and find it dark,
and it'll stay dark
You're very funny, Pasha, why not
go to the hotel bars?
l mean 5 star bars,
you can afford it
Listen, lt's not the
alcohol l'm after
- and you know that
- l'm still thinking about it
lt doesn't need thinking, we'll
have a couple of drinks together
That's all?
That's all
ln that case, l should come by
your office, right?
- When?
- Whenever l'm in the mood
Tomorrow...
Go get me the check
At your service
Send 6 crates, but more beer
because it's in demand
Yes, but don't be late
The check for table 9
- What's with that table 9?
- Make up you mind...
if l'm straight with customers,
you tell me to be nicer with them
He's respectable and generous,
what's wrong with talking to him?
Listen, l don't like anything
to happen behind my back
That goes here only, but on the
outside, l'm free
l'll go give him his check
OK, go
What is it, Taha?
Are you stupid like your father?
No one washes the stairs
at this hour
Mr Aouny, the stairs should only
be washed at night...
when there are very few people
going up and down
OK, are you going to
chat with me?
- Dry up a spot for us to walk on
- At your service, Pasha
Out of the way
Did you finish high school, Taha?
- Yes
- What college will you apply to?
Thank God, my average can get
me into a respectable college
but l applied to the
police academy
You want to become a police
officer, Taha?
Put the mat back in front of the
door after you're done
- Good night, Buthaina
- You, too, uncle Hamed
- Don't leave the TV on
- Don't worry
What is it, man?
l've already gone to sleep
You can get up, woman
l will pray to God,
God the greatest...
No, l've done it before
- What is it, Khamees?
- This is not the place to talk
lsn't it late enough?
Or are you waiting for the
loved one?
- Don't you have work early?
- l quit
- When?
- Today
Why did you quit?
- l want to watch the movie now
- What damned movie?
Am l destined to live in anguish
day and night?
Get up, get up and tell me
what happened
Come in, your father left me a
burden more than l can handle
Why'd you quit your job?
- The store owner grabs everything
- No one steals his money
- No, he laid his hands on me
- He hit you?
- No
- Well then...
- how did he lay his hand on you?
- He caressed
You know what caress means,
or don't you?
l'm going to look for a new job
tomorrow morning
A friend of mine will take me to
clothes store owned by a Syrian...
she says he's married to a
beautiful woman and is satisfied
What? l told you that Fifi the
daughter of Salama the ironer...
- will take me to a good job
- What's the use...
if you can't stay
in one job for long?
- Should l lose my virginity?
- No body said that
but you should think of your
brothers and our tight situation
A smart girl knows how to
protect her virginity...
without upsetting anyone
or quitting her job
l said that the guy l work for
unzipped his pants
Everyone is free with his clothes
as long as you keep yours on
God is the greatest
l testify that there is no God
but Allah
l beg forgiveness of God
the greatest
l testify that there is no God
but Allah
l intend to purge myself
of all sins
God is greatest
Good morning, Dawlat
What are you getting all dressed
up for?
How strange you are, sister,
l've always been like this
l wish l could know where you go
every day
Thank God you're my sister
and not my wife
lt's daytime, so where am l
going to go? To the office
- You look like you want something
- Of course...
While you're walking around like
always, checking out women...
Enough, Dawlat
l'm your sister, Zaki
your sister, l know exactly
what you do every day
- What do you want?
- My diamond ring...
is being fixed by Papazian the
jeweler, go pick it up
OK, the first thing l do today
will be to get the ring...
and l'll pay for it, too
- How are you, Mondy?
- Good morning, Zaki Pasha
- Zaki Pasha
- Hello, Hassouna, what's wrong?
- My affairs aren't quite right
- What affairs?
THE affairs, and you know
everything, Pasha
l've been married for one month,
but l feel like l'm not quite right
At your age? There must be
something wrong? Any problems?
No one doesn't have problems
l'm talking about your problems,
forget other people's problems
l'm in debt to some annoying
people who don't stop asking
and my boss fired me,
and l don't know hwy
in addition to my mother-in-law
who's staying with us
and my sister is divorced
with 3 kids
All these problems and you want
to be OK with your wife?
- No way, that's impossible
- l was thinking if you...
had one of those pills,
they told me that it...
What? Using pills at your age
is certain suicide
Listen, all the pills and creams
in the world won't help you
This has to be in a good mood
As long as this is OK,
everything will be OK
Go, get rid of your problems
and you'll be fine
OK, Pasha
Move it out, driver
What is it, sergeant?
Mr Hatem is due down now
- Good morning, Nabil
- Good morning, Mr Hatem
Good day, Hajj
- come in for a second
- How's the market?
We're at the end of this month,
it's OK
- But in general
- ln general, we're number one
- and we have the highest sales
- May God bless
l wish you'd come in for a couple
of minutes
l'll come down and drink tea
with you another time
- Good bye
- Good bye
No, l won't be able to come down
Why, Hajj?
You're a blessing to us
- Anyway, how's work?
- Excellent
May God bless,
Tell everyone l said hi
- l will, Hajj... Good bye
- Drive on, driver
- l hope he's a good man
- ln what sense?
- That he's not a dirty old man
- All men are like that
All men stare at women, and
their bluntness is by the kilogram
- like potatoes
- l've quit several jobs...
- because of men's lechery
- You're stupid
that way you'll never get a job,
you have to get along
- What do you mean?
- l mean that there are limits...
a girl can allow, and there are
things that are off limits...
and that's how a smart girl
does things
And l thought that life was
going to smile upon me
Why should it? You're pretty?
There are prettier girls
You're a high school graduate?
They're a dime a dozen
Your article has caused
a commotion
Such article should be translated
and published in Arabic magazines
We're done with yesterday's
issue
Let's concentrate on what's at hand
What about the next issue?
l think the main subject is
the arrest of the terrorists...
who tried to kill our great
novelist Nageeb Mahfouth
Exactly, l want complete details
of their arrest
l want their pictures, and l want
to know who they are
- l want the whole story
- lt will be ready before printing
OK, who's willing to write about
the late Lita Gallad?
Lita Gallad... the founder of
Journal D'Egypte
since we're a French newspaper
and we should honor her
- l, sir
- OK
We have to write about the
police efforts in upper Egypt
We've to reinstate trust in tourism
we don't want Egypt to look...
like it's at war,
where's the normal life?
We can talk about tourism in
Sharm and Hurgada
The activity there is not bad,
and there are no troubles
l have a very good subject
a new trainee wrote it
he's written a great article
about homosexuality in Egypt
What's this nonsense?
What homosexuality?
How will that interest our readers
who are mostly foreigners?
Take, for example, in the
investigative section...
the article about the relics
in Tal Elamarnah
it's a new subject with nice
pictures
that's what's called
an important subject
- What about sports?
- What sports?
Write about anything,
Soccer...
Hello, Le Caire newspaper... yes...
lt's the office of the
French ambassador
Janmy, How are you?
We had a good time last night,
right?
The lslamic Philanthropic''
Society''
What is it, Hajj? You don't usually
come this early
- lt's a necessity, Sheikh Salman
- What is it?
Listen Sheikh Salman, l've been...
l don't know what to say
Talk, man, l'm your confidant,
have faith in God
Until now, when l sleep...
- l see nice things
- This is a gift from God
Can you imagine that at my
age... l have wet dreams!
and once or twice a week
Twice! How great, so God has
given you strength
These things are not related to
age, this is a natural outlet
God bestows it onto his
good worshipers...
who don't take the way
of vice
But the question is
where's your wife?
The Hajja is with me
but you can say that she
doesn't desire that anymore
and every time l go near her,
she tells me l should be ashamed
because my sons are grown
men with moustaches
Even if she agrees, she's my age
and time has taken it's toll on her
This is very simple, get married
and God bless you
- That's what l'm afraid of
- Afraid of what?
What will people say about a man
my age getting married?
When it comes to God's law, what
people say has no importance
What's with you, Hajj? You can
marry 4, it's God's law
And the kids, Fawzi and Kadri?
or Hamdy the district attorney?
Hajj Azzam, what God allows
no one can oppose
not a district attorney,
nor anyone else
What's with you, Hajj?
lt's God's law
''The Engineering Office For
Construction''
l told you a 1 00 times
the sign needs cleaning
- l swear by Christ, l just did
- And why is it stuffy?...
- open the windows
- l'm afraid of flies
What flies? Open the windows
- Do you have a meeting?
- Yes, there's a meeting
- Shall l prepare things?
- Prepare things
''l quit loving you''
''and you don't love me''
- OK... Fifi...
- Yes, sir
Take her and show her
how we do things here
- and train her yourself
- Yes, sir
Thank you very much, God willing,
l'll live up to your expectations
- Who shall l say it is?
- Rabab, he's expecting me
Welcome
How beautiful!
Come in, whoever comes in here
becomes a member of the house
- ls this a house?
- A house... or an office...
lt's a safe place, comfortable
and cozy
l was afraid you wouldn't come
l always keep my promises
- And who is this?
- My father, rest his soul
- He looks like a real Pasha
- Of course, what did you think?
That l was a fake Pasha?
This picture is of my dad in the
hall of the regal palace...
after taking the oath in front of
the king... lce?
lt was the first time he heads the
Ministry of Public Works
That's why l agreed to come, to
have something l can be proud of
l can say l knew a real Pasha
lnstead of the misery l'm in,
you see the people at the bar
You're so cute
But l've no luck, Pasha
Where's the toilette?
Oh, when you go out, it'll be
on your right
Excuse me
Everything is set, l'll go out
for a couple of hours
l'll meet my brother Malak, there's
something we're taking care of
Take your time
Was the door just opened
and shut?
Yes, this is it exactly,
l like a practical woman
Listen, l've known many women,
from princesses to maids...
but l swear l've never seen
one like you
- l was talking about the door
- What door?
lt's Fanouss... and he left
He'll be late
Good
ls this office for accounting or
import and export, or law practice?
Does it matter if it's for
accounting or law practice?
lt's an engineering office,
l'm an engineer
But l don't see any engineering
going on
l set up this office after l got my
degree from France
- So, you know French, then
- Of course l know French
You'll see for yourself
just how good l am at French
Oh, Pasha!
Why'd you quit engineering?
The country doesn't need
engineers these days
it needs hoodlums...
thieves
- Where are we going to sleep?
- ln the conference room
- Did the man get there?
- He got to the club 20 minutes ago
Oh, Mary, mother of grace...
Malak...
Whatever happens between me
and this man, you stay out of it
l understand, brother, does he know
we're going to meet him?
He set up the appointment, and left
word at the gate so they let us in
So?
- Did you bring the money?
- Of course, Pasha
we keep our promises and Christ
will bear witness on judgment day
l brought my brother Malak
especially...
so you'd see for yourself how
respectable he is
Listen, Fanouss...
l'm not required to conduct
a police check for everyone...
- who wants to live on the roof
- He won't live there, Pasha
the room on the roof has been
shut since it's owner died
and my brother Malak, as you
know, is a tailor...
so, he'll work in it all day
and then go home at night
he has a family and kids,
and a heavy burden
Whatever...
- You got the money?
- Not all of it
A true Copt never lies
And a true Copt keeps his
end of the deal
l said 6 thousand, Shall l write up
a contract to that effect?
4 thousand,
Mr Fekry
By Christ, we're sure that you'll
embrace us with your kindness
You've done a lot of good
to all people
and you've taken so many cases
without asking for retainer
think of us as one of your
cases
and he has children, and the
church gives him charity
and as you see, l'm handicapped
and l can't help him
and you do a lot of good, the
priest at the church told us
- we belong to the same church
- What are you doing?
OK, leave the money
and have one of you come
tonight to get the contract
May God reimburse you
for your love
Of course, we have all the
colors you can imagine
but, delivery will be
after 3 months
- ls there a problem, dad?
- No, son, it's nothing
- You don't look right
- My mind is preoccupied
but don't worry
what's on my mind has nothing
to do with work
- You want some marijuana?
- Oh yes, perfect timing
Fawzi, Shekh Salman wants to
see you and your brothers
and l want you to listen
to him carefully
- What is it, Hajj?
- When you see him you'll find out
Enjoy it, Hajj
- Tell me
- What?
How are things going with
the Japanese?
Excellent
- Consider it ours
- God bless
May God keep the vultures
away
By the way, l forgot to tell you
Selim Za'atar the customs agent
has a new big office
and he insists that you
attend the opening
He deserves it, l'll go
Fifi got me a new job at a
clothing store
Where's this job?
- For a man called Talal Elshamy
- What's wrong with you, Buthaina?
You couldn't find anyone other
than Talal Elshamy to work for?
- What's wrong with Talal?
- He has a very bad reputation
What do you know about him?
Did you work for him?
Listen, l know the whole area
very well
and l know the people, l was born
and raised here
Anyway, he didn't do anything
bad to me
- He will
- When he does, l'll deal with it
but it's 250 pounds a month,
and for us to live...
we need 4 times that amount,
my mother works as a maid
for 300 a month and is exhausted,
my father died while indebted
Some of the creditors waivered
their rights, but others didn't
and we have to pay off his debt
or he won't go to heaven
you're telling me Talal has a bad
reputation, well, who doesn't?
or do you just like to talk?
And listen here...
you can have your silver
engagement ring back
l won't let you police my life
starting now
Hey, Pasha...
Zaki Pasha...
Pasha...
Are you tired?
Are you ill?
- Shall l call a doctor?
- No
What time is it?
Seven thirty
Where's my watch?
ls there a problem, Pasha?
My wallet, there were 900
pounds in it
l was robbed, Fanouss
that girl took everything
she took my sister Dawlat's
ring
and took a set of gold plated
pens
what will a prostitute do
with gold plated pens?
She'll either sell it or give it to
her lover, let's call the police
What police? Are you stupid?
What am l going to tell them?
l don't care about the money
the problem is Dawlat's ring,
l have to get it back
''Oh my love, l'm full of
confusion...
and fire''
Good evening, Pasha,
at your service
- Send me Rabab
- Won't l do?
You'll do, but l want Rabab
for something private
She's off today, and l'm
at your service
- OK, get me the manager
- The manager?
- won't you drink anything?
- Get me the manager
- There they are, count them
- You're right...
you had 6 beers, but you also
ordered 9 Brandys with them
because you were mixing
beer with brandy
There is no Brandy
Will you pay here, or would you
rather go to the bathroom...
- What do you want, Pasha?
- and we'll make you pay...
- l want Rabab
- Wasn't she with you today?
- you miss her already?
- You know everything, then
Anyone who has my job
has to know every little thing
- Rabab robbed me
- You asked for it
You cheated
Pasha, you tricked me and the
owner of the bar...
and the customers
This place is respectable,
we only offer drinks...
nothing else,
we are respectable people
that's why l fired Rabab
and you're fired, too
and don't even let me see you
pass in front of the bar
Do you want to leave on your feet
or on a stretcher, lover boy?
Get up before l beat you up
in front of the bar trash
How did l miss that?
How did l miss that you're
a pimp?
- Good evening
- Good evening
- Where's Hoda Sha'rawy street?
- l don't know
Are you a stranger here?
No, but sometimes a person
gets disoriented
l don't know anything about
all these streets
we stand where they tell us to
You mean you stay standing
all night?
- lt's our destiny
- You can't sit?
Oh God, if they catch me sitting
or sleeping, l'll get punished
- But you can walk around
- ln the area of my watch
You look like an excellent
young man
Thank you, sir
Walk with me for a few meters
- l told you, sir...
- Come on
- Here
- No, l can't
we're not allowed to take
anything from anyone
- What's your name?
- Abd Rabbu Abdelbary, sir
Nice to meet you
Listen, Abd Rabbu, first of all,
l'm not just anyone
secondly, no one can see us,
here, don't upset me
But this is a lot, no one
does anything like this
l do this
l like to make people happy
May God bring you happiness, sir
When you know me better,
you'll be sure
God bless you, sir
Where have you been, Pasha?
- Good evening, Dawlat
- ''Good evening, Dawlat''!
What is it with you?
Do you think you live in a
hotel? Wait and talk to me
- Yes, Dawlat?
- Do you know what time it is?
l've been sitting here worried
about you for 4 hours
- Do you think l'm a little boy?
- Am l going to worry about you...
- or about the diseases l have?
- l'm tired and l want to rest
You're tired, Pasha?
Tired from what?
From running after cheap women
in the streets and dirty bars?
At least think about your age,
you shameless man
You have one foot in the grave,
Zaki
Think about God in your
last days
and you'll be crazy if you think
that there is one woman...
who can actually like you,
you dirty old lecher
Open the door, don't let me
break it on your head
You've dirtied your family history
and ruined your father's reputation
Open up, l want my
diamond ring
- What are you doing here so early?
- l'm waiting for you
l was wrong, Taha
but you have to understand
The world around me is like a trap,
l don't know what l'm saying
Give me the engagement ring
No
Give me the ring, l know
you have it
Give it to me, don't make like
Abdelhalim Hafeth
What can l do with your craziness?
l have to be patient
but it's almost over
- Did you look in the mirror?
- A little bit...
You look great
- Pray that l get lucky today
- God willing, you'll be lucky
You look like an officer already,
better even then an officer
l should go, l want to catch the
busses while they're still empty
or else the crowds might
mess up the suit
No, take a taxi so that you
can stay calm
and say this prayer in front
of the exam committee
Say... God, help me overcome
all their hurdles
and don't forget the two verses
seeking refuge in the Lord
- Bye
- Good bye
Come in, Hajj
Look, Hajj A'azam, ministers and
other higher ranking officials...
attend openings of new institutes,
come in, Hajj
Thanks to God and you
and people like you
l've become a huge institute
but l thought Hajj A'azam must
bless it himself
You're very dear to me, Za'atar,
and l'm happy for you
and the children too, may God
add to your wealth
- What would you like to drink?
- We can only drink coffee
What coffee? We can drink coffee
anytime
Suad...
- Yes, Mr Selim
- Get Hajj A'azam some juice
- Yes, sir
- Bring it yourself, Suad
Of course, Mr Selim
ln the name of God
- ls this your daughter?
- My daughter!
She's an employee, my daughter
is still in prep school
ln the name of God,
she must be your secretary
We don't have secretaries
and all that, Hajj
- Mrs Suad is very energetic
- She's a Mrs?
And she has a boy about
6 or 7 years old
her husband went to work
in lraq, He died there
- God rest his soul
- l've no idea how he died
= Here you go, Hajj A'azam
- Thank you very much
l'll go make your coffee myself
- But with very little sugar
- At your service
What is it, Hajj?
There are pretty faces that give
you a feeling of comfort
She looks decent
You have a high average,
Why'd you choose the police
academy over other colleges?
- To serve my country, sir
- Even the engineering graduate...
- can serve his country
- Of course, sir
but if everyone serves in his
field, his service will be better
Good, what are the characteristics
of a good police officer?
Discipline, a sense of justice,
determination, honor
and above all, he must be humane
in all his actions
What does your father do?
He's an employee, sir
- An employee or a doorman?
- Well, sir...
- the doorman is an employee
- Thank you, Taha, dismissed
Next
- Where were you?
- With Mr Talal in the storeroom
- Doing what?
- He was doing an inventory
to see what items are low
so he can order more
Why is everyone looking at
both of you like that?
Everyone knows we were
messing around
Relax, it's messing around
with our clothes on
- With your clothes on?
- Yes, with our clothes on
he keeps rubbing against me
until he starts to shake and shiver
and that's all there is to it, and
he looks like a duck in heat
and he pays ten pounds,
is that bad?
we're all in the same boat,
and your turn will come
l don't know why each woman
doesn't take a look at herself
Saddam Hussein killed many
Egyptians
lt's very possible that he killed
the husband of this cute employee
l don't like to talk to her
about that
Why hasn't she gotten married
till now?
Who's going to marry a poor
woman raising a child...
and just barely making a living
Also, women are all over the place
Who's going to marry a widow
with a high school degree...
and a child to raise?
Me
But that's Shameful, she's
a nobody
She's nothing next to you,
you're much bigger than that
Listen, l know God's commandments
to be short...
l want a woman to sleep with
not a woman l'd inherit or
take her salary every month
ln that case, she'd be
very lucky
But l have conditions, if they
agree to them, we'll do it
You lost my diamond ring,
you drunken pervert?
And then you lie and say that you
haven't been to the jeweler's?
- Have some respect, Dawlat
- Which of us should have respect?
Where's the ring? To which
piece of trash did you give it?
You've disgraced the name of
the noblest family in Egypt
- Get out of my house?
- What do you mean your house?
This is my house,
the house of Dosouki Pasha
Dosouki Pasha whose name
you've disgraced
You're worse than me
At least l did it outside the house
but you did it here
The number of men who have
come here to sleep with you...
is more than the members of both
the old and new Wafd parties
You've totally lost your mind
You don't belong here, you
belong in the mental hospital
Then where do you belong?
in the dirty bars, of course, with
the punks you've become one of
or go stay in the streets,
go
go after the woman you look for,
leave my house
Again? This is my house
and you're the guest
an annoying guest, l can't
stand you anymore
neither can l, come on,
leave
l'll make an example of you
in front of the tenants
Go out
What is it?
There's nothing serious,
a brother and sister quarreling
and you know Dwalat,
she was always crazy
When he takes me in his arms
and talks to me softly
l see the world through
rose colored glasses
He tells me words of love
words that live forever
and that made me important
He entered into my heart
as a part of happiness
and l know the reason why
lt's him for me and me for him,
in this life
He said that to me
and swore
When he takes me in his arms
and speaks to me softly
l see life through rose colored
glasses
He tells me words of love
words that live forever
and that made me important
He entered into my heart
as a part of happiness
and l know the reason why
lt's him for me and me for him,
in life
He said that to me
and swore
When he takes me in his arms
Christine, my love
the most precious thing in my life
Zaki, you don't look well,
what's wrong?
You always know what l'm feeling
without me saying anything
You're open just like the
television
There's a sad show
inside of you
There's sadness,
but without the show
lt's your destiny, as you say
Come, let's sit at the table
l had a fight with Dawlat
That's not new,
you always fight
She kicked me out of the house
She's crazy, but kind
Did you make a big mistake
this time?
l lost her ring, l'm willing to get
her a better ring
No, Zaki, that's shameful
A woman can forget her lover,
her husband, her father
but her jewelry, never
What if l told you that she's been
plotting to kick me out?
- To do what with the apartment?
- She'll take it for herself
- Then what'll she do with it?
- She'll give it to her children
but when l die, Dawlat will
inherit everything
- She's my only heiress
- She's older than you
she can die first and you'll
inherit her
ln that case, her kids will
inherit her share
l don't know why she's doing
that?
l don't see things that way
at all
She's probably calmed down by now,
l'll call her...
and everything will be fine
Don't trouble yourself,
l know her well
Shall we bet a bottle
of ''Black Horse''?
l'll talk to her
lt's over Mrs Christine...
that subject is over
any discussions will not change
what happened
Yes, but it's his house just as
it is yours
No, you must understand
Zaki, will never enter this
apartment again...
as long as l live, and even
after l die
OK, just relax and listen
- l don't want to hear anything
- Please, for my sake
What? Who do you think
you are?
You're just one of his lovers
Don't think that you're
something important
What? l'm Christine,
What are you saying?
No, listen... instead of wasting
your time with me...
go see to your clients, maybe
one of them needs something
Zaki, you win the bet
- Didn't l tell you?
- l thought she was only crazy
but she's a vulgar bitch and
God willing, she'll die before you
Good evening
Welcome, Mr Hatem,
you've lit up the place
You've really lit it up
with a thousand watt lamp
You're a sun and a moon, welcome
Aziz, let them bring us everything
you think is nice
- And the drinks?
- Whiskey
- And the gentleman?
- Whiskey, also
- This is my friend Abd Rabbu
- Hello, Mr Abd Rabbu
- Hello, Pasha
- Welcome
Aziz, please send me a shot,
quickly
At your service
Come on, we're breaking bread
together, eat and drink up
You shouldn't have, Pasha
l want you to be happy, Abdu,
very happy
God bless you, Pasha
Drink up
lt doesn't taste good,
but it's nice
lt's nice, sir
You know, Abdu...
after you have another glass...
you'll feel like you want to do
nice things
very nice things, the nicest thing
in the world
l know it, sir, but my wife
is in our hometown
all the way in upper Egypt
Does it have to be with your
wife?
By the way...
most women are not very
nice
- Take your hand off, sir
- Calm down
Calm down, people are
watching us
Be normal
Abd Rabbu
- Abd Rabbu
- What?
Are you stupid?
You want to make a scandal?
You know that l can hurt you
but hurting people is not in me
- Where are you going now?
- l'm going to hell!
Damn!
What your asking me to do is
shameful and forbidden
- lt shakes heaven and earth
- OK, enough
Just come and spend the
night...
and leave in the morning
Come on
What's wrong with the tenants?
There are no more manners...
and people are not responsible
Why doesn't everyone make
sure he closes the lift door?
This is disgusting
Hello, Mr Hatem... these tenants
are unbelievable
Someone went up in the lift
and left the door open
Who's this?
Zaki Pasha, irresponsibility
is normal these days
l know... who's this?
- He's with me
- Oh, he's with you
but he's strong...
he's with you
Why don't you go up and bring
the lift down?
- When Mr Hatem tells me to
- Oh, when he tells you to
Tell him to go bring the lift down
Don't worry,
nothing will happen to him
Enough, Pasha
- Go up, Abd Rabbu
- Go up, Abd Rabbu
Wow! Did you see him?
He went up so fast,
He ran up
He's like a tiger
He's very strong
You're a decent guy and you
deserve good things
You'll have a nice night,
Mr Hatem
That's how nights are, they
are nice to some people...
and crappy to others
Come in
Are you shy?
ls that man a real Pasha
or a fake one?
No, his father was a real Pasha
and became minister a couple
of times in the past
- What does he do?
- Nothing
He lives off of some properties
he inherited, always been a loser
A relic, like you just saw
He's a drunken freak
and a lecher
He's not a relic,
he's a piece of junk
OK, make yourself at home,
l won't be late
Come in
Thank you, sir
You can't sleep in those
clothes
Here
l'm not used to sleeping
early
but if you want to, go ahead,
there's another room inside
No need, after you go to bed,
l'll sleep here on the floor
l'm used to that
- Drink up, Abdu
- ls this ''carcareh''?
What, ''carcareh''?
Try it and you'll know
it's not ''carcareh''
it's the same color as ''carcareh''
You said you'll finish your
duty after 2 months, right?
Yes, sir
- What will you do afterwards?
- l'll go back to my hometown
lt's the first time l see someone
come to Cairo...
and then go back to his
hometown
What can l do? ln order to get
a job here...
- l need someone with clout
- l'm that someone
May God bring you happiness
But like l told you...
l live alone, as you see
Abdu, l have taken an oath
to make others happy
but who's the person who
deserves that?
Drink up
Drink up
You want to watch something nice
on TV?
Something intense
TV is not fun at night
Oh Lord!
What's this, sir?
- lt's very intense, right?
- Very
You said you were married,
right?
- Abdu
- Yes, sir, l'm married
But my wife is plain,
not like these
- Do you sleep with her a lot?
- Why this embarrassing question?
There's no embarrassment
When l go on home leave,
l do it 2 or 3 times a day
- until my leave is over
- 2 or 3 times a day, and you...
say she's plain?!
You're vicious
To tell you the truth, sometimes
she refuses...
or she might feel tired,
but l make her do it
Thank you
Thanks
Thanks
Tamer, go inside and watch
the TV show
Go on, son
This marriage will conform
to the laws of our religion
lt's not common law or anything
else, God forbid
No, we know that you are
a pious and religious man
Thank God, Suad will live with me
by herself in Cairo
and the boy will remain here, and
she'll see him whenever possible
and don't worry, l'll take care
of his expenses
What do you say, Suad?
- Whatever you say, chief Hamidu
- OK, then...
the wedding gift will be 1 0
thousand, the dowry 20 thousand
and the differed dowry 5 thousand,
and l'll take her as she is
God bless
Anything else, Hajj?
This marriage will remain secret
lf my wife finds out,
l'll divorce you right away
What if she finds out from someone
else, why blame me?
No secret ever gets past me
lf an ant enters my home, it
won't find an exit
ln that case, l agree
- Any other requests, Hajj?
- The most important one
God has bestowed both of us
with children
so, l don't want any children
or any pregnancies
and this is not negotiable
Let's hear your agreeing
- Yes, of course
- l'll setup the house in a week
and come to register the marriage
and take you with me
Let's hear some trilling
Congratulations, Hajj
Fanouss
Fanouss
- Hope you slept well, Pasha
- What are these bags?
Your sister sent them
- Make me a cup of coffee
- Ok
Your sister changed the apartment
lock and installed extra locks
the guy who brought the bags
said that
Yes, Dawlat... we're brother
and sister, Dawlat
things can't get to this sorry
state between us
Dawlat...
Why are you sitting so far?
We're both alike, and our poverty
shows, it's best to stay alone
No, l was sitting with them
but l didn't like what they were
saying, so l moved away
- What were they talking about?
- About their dads and moms
One's dad is an under secretary,
another's is a judge or an engineer
and another's mother is an expert
in the United Nations
To be honest, l was afraid they
might ask about my dad's job
That's why l came and sat with you
What does your father do?
A building guard...
a doorman, and yours?
a shoemaker
We have a small shoe store
lf they'd known that the
coordination office...
would put the sons of the doorman
and the shoemaker with them
they would have blown up
the coordination office
l don't know how we'll be able
to go on with such people
we'll find people like us
Allah the most gracious
Teacher of the Quran
Creator of the human beings,
He taught them how to distinguish
The sun and the moon
are perfectly calculated
The stars and the trees
prostrate
He constructed the sky
and established the law
You shall not transgress
the law
God, forgive me and open
heaven's gates to me
- May you pray in Mecca, sir
- May we pray together
God has bestowed on you a
beautiful voice and piety
Thanks be to God
Piety to god is the best
of gifts
Are you always in the mosque?
- Thanks be to God
- Thank God, what's your name?
- Taha Elshathly
- Are you in first year?
- Yes
- l'm Khaled Abdelrahim
l'm in third year, and as you can
see, l'm from upper Egypt
but it's obvious you're
a city boy
- l live here in Cairo
- Where do you live?
- Downtown
- So, you're high class
Exactly, if you're talking
about the roof being high
Brother Khaled, l live on the
roof of a downtown building
Downtown roofs are better than
roofs in low income neighborhoods
Thank God for what you have
Thanks to God is always present
in the heart and soul
and at all times, be they good
times or hard times
ln the name of God,
you are pious...
you are devout by nature
- Where do you pray on Friday?
- ln a small ''zawiyah''
- close to where l live
- No, that won't do?
Friday prayer cannot be held
in a small ''zawiyah''
plus prayer in a mosque even
if it's far from home...
- there's great reward in that
- Tell me what mosque you pray in
even if it's at the ends
of the earth...
And l'll come pray all prayers
with you
Listen, brother Taha, your zeal
to perform prayer...
shows the depth of your
faith
that's why l'll do you
a good deed...
and take you to goodness,
God willing
l'm with you
l'm late, right?
Forgive me
Come, don't be afraid
- Mr Talal
- Yes
l need 20 pounds...
even if you deduct them
from my salary
Ten pounds are enough
Stay till your clothes dry up,
then come to the store
Turn the lock five times,
OK?
1 0 pounds you son of a bitch!
Here, Pasha
- What's this?
- Mr Hatem's newspaper
- He sends us a copy now
- put it here
What's all this banging upstairs?
What's this chaos?
Hajj A'azam is redecorating
his apartment
- l wish you'd talk to him
- Talk to whom?
- A'azam Pasha
- A'azam Pasha?
When did A'azam
become a Pasha?
l saw him shining shoes in front
of El-Amrecain
Can that be? He owns half
of Seliman Pasha street
- You don't believe me?
- No, l believe you...
but how can a shoe shine boy
own all these stores...
- and all that money?
- l'd tell you if l knew
and you would have quit being a
maid and become like him
You go tell him that l said
stop this banging
- and get the door
- OK
A'azam Pasha!
- lsn't this Zaki Dosouki's place?
- Zaki Pasha
OK, don't get upset,
Zaki Pasha
l'm a process server and l have
a notice for your Pasha
would you like to take it or let
the Pasha come get it?
l've become crazy and a
squanderer
Whoever says that about you...
he himself is crazy and a lunatic
Dawlat has filed an incompetence
case against me
she claims l'm a squanderer
and l'm crazy
Since it's your sister...
l can't be impolite
Dawlat is not only tyrannous
she's tyrannous and crazy
Aren't you afraid to walk
by yourself like that?
- How are you, Taha?
- Fine, What's wrong?
Nothing, l'm tired, l've been
standing since morning
a soon as l get to the room
l just drop dead
l just wanted to make sure
you were OK
Tell me about yourself
How are you doing in college?
l feel like a stranger there
This is not our country anymore
People like us have become
like strangers in it
There's something behind
your words
Listen to me...
and be patient until you
finish the college you're in
and take your degree
and go to the Gulf area
- l can, but on one condition
- What?
That you come with me
Who knows? Who knows what
tomorrow is hiding
l feel that you're feelings
for me have changed
l didn't change, lt's life that is
changing around us
l can barely talk
Hello
What is it, darling?
Abdu, what is it?
l'm afraid, sir
Afraid of what?
Of God
Why? Are you doing something
wrong?
What are you? All l'm doing is
wrong
Alcohol day and night, lechery
with you, l've quit praying
l heard the sheikh talk about God's
punishment of homosexuals
we are rocking heaven and earth,
that means an earthquake, sir
You're from upper Egypt
and you're not very smart
You think only you and me
do this?
no, there's a lot of us
here, in Europe and in
America
and in the Gulf,
all over the world
An earthquake!
What's wrong with a man
loving another?
What's wrong with that?
God is very great, and He's
very gracious
- l want to put your mind at ease
- How?
Do you know what is
truly forbidden?
and this is not open to
argument
lt's adultery
sleeping with a strange woman,
to prevent the mixing of posterity
to get pregnant by her lover and
saying her husband is the father
or getting an abortion
and that is forbidden, of course
but a man loving another man,
what's wrong with that?
What's wrong with that?
What's wrong with that?
What do you mean?
Men don't get pregnant, Abdu
Put this cloth roll here
Put this cloth roll here
Watch it, don't drop
the scissors
Put this merchandise down
Everything is fine
And you...
Hello, cutest of girls
How are you, Miss Buthaina?
Won't you greet me with...
''Good evening, uncle Malak''
- How are you, chief Malak?
- That's better
l have a job for you which will
open doors for both of us
- What kind of job?
- Talk to Talal on my behalf...
and convince him to buy
shirts from me
My work is excellent
and you'll get your commission
What are you saying? Who am l
to speak on your behalf?
l'm just a sales girl,
nothing else
Business discussions shouldn't
be dry like this...
wait just a second
This is a gift for you
lt's your size
l don't take gifts from anyone,
why would l take a gift from you?
Because of the business
that will be between us
Forget it, Talal gets his
merchandise from large workshops
lf you talk to him,
he'll listen to you
- Why would he listen to me?
- Miss Buthaina...
l've been in this business since
l was six years old
and l've lived in this area
all my life
so, l know what Talal does
and where he does it
and you certainly have some
effect on him
a beautiful young girl
like a fresh apple
Talal will never refuse
anything you tell him
You're not respectable
and impolite
ls it impolite to say the truth?
OK, look me in the eye
Have you never gone to Talal
at the storeroom?
You're a cheap rascal
This means you've gone to him
We'll talk again
Enough, Hajj
l won't take much of your time
l know you're very busy
And l'm at your service
l don't want you to be upset with
me because of the past 2 weeks
l didn't have any free time
to see you
l understand, Pasha
What do you want, Hajj?
l'm sure you checked me out when
you heard l wanted to meet you
and all l found out is good,
you're a stand up man
Thanks be to God
Everything comes from God
Listen, Pasha...
l want to contribute to the
service of the country
and the service of the people
where l have my businesses
and where there are people l've
lived amongst and loved
We're all like you, Hajj
but as they say, to each
his way of doing things
l've prayed and consulted God
almighty
and l thought l'd nominate myself
to the parliament...
for the Kassr Elnile district
- Kassr Elnile?
- Yes, they're my people
Do you know what we call that
district in the parliament?
The piece of cake
Could you explain to me?
Explain what?
l said ''the piece of cake''
meaning that it's sweet
lt has no problems,
no low income neighborhoods
no one to keep asking
for things
or the young people asking
for apartments or jobs...
until they make you hate
your life and get hypertension
- Where did you say you were from?
- From upper Egypt
Why don't you look for a sweet
district in upper Egypt?
l haven't been there for a long
time, and no one knows me there
- but in Kassr Elnile...
- Listen...
there are people who have asked
for that district
they've only asked, which means
there's room for negotiations
- Give me some time to think
- Good deeds should be expedited
lt's a million, Kamal Pasha,
right?
Yes, but what do you think
of the drawing?
The drawing is very beautiful
but it's a lot of money
this money is not for me
it goes to several people
as for me, well, l have
enough money
l know, Pasha
l want you to know who was
asking for that district
- Who?
- Abu Rihab, you know him?
- Owner of Rida Welnour stores?
- Right
He's with the Moslem Brotherhood,
and you know that
and you're not on good terms with
them, how will you accept him?
When he runs for parliament,
no one can say no to him
that's democracy
- and we're a democratic country
- Yes
But if he runs he might win
he's blowing the market, selling
for half the price, and less
he has so money he can
buy votes
Nomination is easy
Anyone who wants to run, let him
run, no one will stop him
but how he can win?
That's our game
not by forgery, God forbid
but you can say we've studied
the psyche of the Egyptians
the people are holding on to
the government...
as if it were their mother
even if this government
does whatever it wants
this is our job
l know, but this the first
time we do business together
forget the million, for my sake,
make it half a million
Listen, Hajj...
l only know how to draw
two things
either a million...
or a billion
what do you say?
l agree, let's recite
the ''Opening''
ln the name of God most gracious
Praise be to God...
Master of the day of Judgment
You alone we worship...
The money has to be here next
week, in cash
of those whom You blessed, not of
those who have deserved wrath...
- Amen
- Congratulations, Hajj
Why is this wine white and that
other one red, Hatem?
When we eat fish, we drink
white wine
Then, the red one is for meat
How smart you are!
Bravo
- But why is all of this?
- We're celebrating
Celebrating what?
Everyone who finishes his tour of
duty goes home quietly
No, we're celebrating your
working full-time
also, the second surprise...
is that you won't go back
to your hometown
How? What about my son
and my wife?
They'll come live with you here
l found you an apartment,
and in the same building
there's a room on the roof whose
owner left and went home
and l rented it right away, for
your wife and son... Cheers
- What?
- Cheers
Cheers
- Cheers
- Cheers
Cheers, Hatouma
lt's not like you think,
Zaki Pasha
l mean, the reciprocal cases...
between you and your sister,
won't be solved quickly
she's filed an incompetence case
against you...
and that will take years
to be over
and you've filed a case to prove
your right in the apartment
and this might take
a year or two
Could that be, Mr Fekry?
Mrs Christine...
this is our country
and we know it well
- What can l do, then, counselor?
- l'll tell you
but don't say that l suggested
this
some hoodlums
some hoodlums who can break
into the apartment in any way
either by breaking down the door
or a wall
the point is they should
occupy it...
and then you go in...
and live in it normally
of course, she'll file a lawsuit
which will take the courts forever
to come to a ruling
she could die before they ever
rule on it
- ls there no other solution?
- That's the only solution
- l can't do that
- But your sister is evil
she is very evil
We are the siblings of Abdela'al
Pasha, we don't that to each other
But you're the victim
Even if l am the victim
Dawlat is my sister and l have
to put up with her
and anyway, l'm not out
on the street
- Where's my coat?
- Where to, Zaki Pasha?
Zaki
Zaki
Zaki, l've never seen you
like this
and l've never seen you neglect
yourself like this, what is it?
Why didn't l get married?
l could have had children
and they would have definitely
changed my life
of course, you'll say that you
were available to me
but what can say about stupidity?
l was afraid l'd marry you and
then cheat on you
l'm weak in front of any whim
and then you would have
hated me
and that's the one thing l could
never bear
No, l would have forgiven you
That's what you think
My problem is that there were
important things in front of me
and l didn't see them
or l saw them after it was too late
- l'm going to go
- l'll take you
l've never hurt anyone
l've only hurt myself
even the women l slept with,
they were all consenting
they used to come into my house
and then leave very happy
that's why God will be very
merciful with me
He'll give me the greatest
discount...
You are forgiving...
and merciful
- How are you, Buthaina?
- What's up?
A great day, God willing...
and by the blessing of the
Virgin Mary full of grace
- What's your problem, man?
- ls that how you greet people?
There's no need to frown,
your secret is safe
- l have no secrets
- OK, you have no secrets
but l owe you a favor
for the sake of being neighbors
and your nice mother
What do you want?
- How much does Talal pay a month?
- 250 pounds
Because you're stupid, l swear
what l'm saying is no joke
l have a job for you
for 600 a month
a very respectable job
and if it's not, you'll make it
respectable
Our leaders claim...
that they rule us by the laws
of lslamic Shari'a...
and that they implement
democracy
and God knows that they're
lying on both counts
lslamic Shari'a is suspended
in our afflicted country
and the government earns
from gambling...
and selling alcohol...
and fornicating tourists
and what's worse...
is that the government turns
this money into employee salaries
and thus feeding its people
from illicit money...
and makes them perpetrators
of the proscribed
and then the curse of the
proscribed plagues us
l'm saying it clearly
and directly...
and without any ambiguity
we don't want our nation
to be democratic...
nor secular nor socialist
we want it to be lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
lslamic... lslamic
- Peace be upon you
- and you
How are you, Buthaina?
As you can see, l'm hanging
the laundry
- Where were you?
- l was praying Friday
Friday prayer has been over for
2 hours, maybe more
l pray at a far mosque,
and l like to walk
plus the fact that the lmam's
speech runs long
Religion facilitates affairs
look for a mosque near by
- What are these books?
- One of them is for you
- A gift?
- God willing
- Are you going to grow your beard?
- God willing, l'll never shave it
after today
Here's your book
Keep it, my hands are wet
or, you read it, l'm not too crazy
about reading
- l don't like your affairs
- You're not my guardian...
- to like them or dislike them
- Be reasonable
Leave my hand or l'll call out
to all the people here
- Has it come to that?
- Listen, Taha
l'll get to the point,
our story is over
ln English, it's the ''end''
they write at the end of a movie
each of us chose a path,
you've grown your beard
l wear short skirts and l like it,
so we don't fit together
He brought me a gift!
The veil before the check
l wish you'd spend one night here
so l can feel like l'm you wife,
like other married women
Smarten up, Suad, ours is not
common law marriage
l married you according
to lslamic law
also, spending the night
is not important
it's not the proof of love
- What are you doing?
- Shining your shoe
No, shining shoes is a science
let me... look...
O Lord! lt's like you're
a real shoe shine boy
Yes, l like shining shoes
and it puts me in a good mood
- Thank you
- But l've noticed that you...
whenever you go to the other
house, you're dressed up
The other one is the origin, and
you've nothing to do with it
So, this house is the fake one?
There it's 24 carat gold,
and here it's fake?
Why ruin our mood?
The 24 carat gold is here
But there it's the house of the
mother of my children
they're not children,
they're grown up men
Then you should pick the words
you use
Forgive me
l wanted to ask you for a favor
Ask away, my love
- l want to go to Alexandria
- Why?
Did you forget that l have a son
l haven't seen for months?
And l miss my family, l'd like to
go smell the sea air
l'm staying in a huge apartment
alone, between the kitchen...
- and the TV and the bedroom
- You will not go alone
- l must be with you
- So, come with me
l can't leave Cairo for one
second these days
We can go in the afternoon
and come back at night...
as if you're resting here, or
let me go by myself
Neither this or that, and don't
forget that we have an agreement
- l have another solution
- Let me hear it
My brother can bring my son
so l can play with him a little
that's not part of the agreement
either
and why don't you play with me?
Seriously, playing with me...
is there anything better than it?
Bye
Thank you very much
Listen, Taha, love is neither
shameful nor forbidden
Real love... un-proscribed
love is allowed
The prophet, peace be upon him,
loved A'aisha
and you say you love this girl,
real love
l've known her since she was a
kid playing on the roof
we grew up together
and dreamed together
and felt happiness and
sadness together
l swear, among all the women
that God created...
l've never seen another,
or desired another
God knows how l feel
towards you
l don't like to see you
in a bad way
and l'd like to tell you that the
believer is always optimistic
and God willing, adversity
will be followed by comfort
She closed the door with every
key there is
Then comfort could be
with another
This girl is not all the
women in the world
Forget about her
Don't be upset
Which is better, loving a woman
or loving Jihad?
Loving God or loving a woman?
God bless you, you've instilled
comfort into my heart
Let's talk about what's important
Tomorrow, the university will not
be like it is every day
and l want you to have
a leading role, Taha
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
not western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
lslamic... neither eastern
nor western
- Steady
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- Gos is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
God is great
- Say God is great
- God is great
Your excellency...
Miss Buthaina Elsayed...
daughter of the late Elsayed
A'antar, they live on the roof
Say hi to the Pasha, Miss
- Good evening, Pasha
- Hello
starting today, the office will
be your responsibility
- What's going on?
- Who are these people?
What do they want from us?
What do you want from us?
Why'd you take my son?
God suffices me,
He is the best protector
His name is Taha Mohamad
Elshathly and this is his file
and we found these books in his
house
Bring him down
Taha, l promise no one will
touch you again
and that you'll go out of here
right away
but you have to talk... to which
group do you belong?
l don't have a group
We found the books that all
groups were based on...
why was it at your house?
lt's not illegal to own books
also, this is culture
You shouldn't lie to someone
who is trying to help you
and this is an insult to my
intelligence, l don't appreciate it
l was only participating
in the demonstration
The building where your father
works as a doorman...
a lot of high-class people
live in it
Whom among them do you know?
l know all of them
So, you must know
Mr Hatem Rashid
Of course, Pasha
What do you know about him?
He's a respectable journalist
and the editor of
Le Caire newspaper
What else?
That's all, Pasha
You see how you lie?
We know everything
about every body
We know what you don't know about
your mother or your father
Do you know that your mother was
married before she met your father?
That's the first time l hear
of that, pasha
Ask her when you get out
and see what she'll say
let's concentrate on
Hatem Rashid
He's... excuse my language...
- he's a homosexual
- Good
what does homosexual mean?
Pasha, you just...
you just said you know everything
about everyone
OK, Taha...
we'll do to you what they do
to Hatem Rashid
and we have people who do
this very well
what do you say?
- Take his clothes off
- No!
No!
O God!
- Hello, Pasha
- You're opening the door?
- Where's Fanouss?
- He went up to see his brother
The smell of the apartment has
changed since you came
- Thank you, Pasha
- What's up?
l paid the electric bill,
and Christine called
and your barber wants to know
when to stop by
and Fekry Abdelshahid the lawyer
called and said...
that he attended the court
session and got a postponement
and said he'll tell you everything
when he sees you
is someone suing you,
Pasha?
lt's something trivial, my sister
Dawlat is suing me
These are dark times when a
sister sues her brother
you're her support
She'll go back to her senses
May God show her the
right way
- Do You want anything from me?
- No, Buthaina, you can leave
- l'll see you later
- Good bye
Buthaina...
you're an excellent girl
and l feel comfortable with you
l wish you'd be with me
all the time
l'll be with you as long as you're
happy with me
and you pay me well, and you
treat me very well
Buthaina, don't misunderstand
me
God created beauty...
for people to see...
and to love and respect
- What do you mean, Pasha?
- l mean you're beautiful
beautiful, but you need
the touch of an artist
would you put yourself
in my hands?
l took an oath never to refuse
you anything
May l change your hairdo?
How do you want it to look?
Look at yourself in the mirror
lt's the taste of Pashas
Go on, you're late
''Groppi''
Thank God for your safe
return, son
Thank you
l was worried about you
you've been out for a while
Ever since l came out,
l went into my room...
and l only left it
to come meet you
Thank God you got
the message
What did you tell them?
lf l had told them anything,
l wouldn't have come out
- and you would have gone in
- God bless you, son
Yes, but...
- you don't know what happened
- l can imagine everything
- lt surpasses imagination
- lnfidels can do anything, son
Even infidels wouldn't do
what they did to me
- Calm down
- Good evening, sir
- What would you like to drink?
- Bring me tea
- Two teas
- At your service
l want you to go back to
college and study well
What College and what studies?
That is all over
l want you to be true to me
as l was to you
and just as you had requests
which l carried out...
l have requests l want you to help
me carry out
We'll help you if we can
- l want revenge
- Did they torture you that badly?
- They raped me
- Lower your voice
Calm down
Don't say that to anyone else,
control yourself
people are looking at us
What's that you're wearing,
Abu Wa'el?
A gift form the mister,
may God reward him
Since when do you wear
see through underwear?
l took it because l shouldn't
turn him down
after all, he's given us a lot
and he likes us
Why are you quiet? Answer me,
or am l talking to myself?
l don't feel good about this man
- He helps us live a good life
- The hell with his good life
- Also, this is not your scent
- Hell!
Are you going to smell me?
You're going to be like that?
Smell me as l am, then
Shut up
Shut up
This area is not known
to them
No one knows anything
about it
You haven't come in a long
time, Sheikh Shaker
l come when there is an
absolute need
Our son Taha Elshathly,
the one l told you about
God willing, he'll be
comfortable here
Sheikh Bilal,
the Ameer of the camp
and he's responsible for
preparation and execution
God willing, you'll be
his charge...
until he prepares you
for the mission
Hello
- Hello, Mr minister
- How are you, Hajj?
- Fawzi, my eldest son
- Yes, of course...
- how are you, Fawzi?
- How are you, sir?
- How are you, Fawzi?
- lf you please, Pasha...
- could you move to another table?
- Sure...
- Come, A'azam
- What is it, Pasha?
He says that table is not
well protected
they'll get us another one...
you know how security is
your inquest at the parliament
yesterday was great
it was good, l told the TV
people to air it
so, watch yourself
What, Pasha?
Give it to your uncle
- OK, l'm fine
- Give him Kofta, it's not heavy
- Here you go
- l forgot to congratulate you
Thank you, but for what?
- For the car dealership
- From your lips to God's ears
lt's still just talks, the Japanese
are completing their inquiries
- See how you're father is?
- l swear to God...
- we haven't signed a single paper
- What is it, boy?
What's wrong, Hajj A'azam?
l'm Kamal Elfoly, nothing in this
country gets past me
- This is well known, sir
- May God keep us on good terms
- Here you go
- May God help seal the deal
this contract will get you 200
million a year, at least
and this is too big for
you, hajj
you could choke on it
Can you explain?
We want one quarter
- One quarter of what?
- Of the profits
Shouldn't l know exactly
who ''you'' are?
What's the matter, Hajj? l've
always said you had street smarts
What do you mean?
l'm not alone, Hajj A'azam
there are many people with me
but you can say they like
to keep a low profile
think of me as a delegate
A respectable people who do
not accept impoliteness...
A respectable people who do
not accept impoliteness...
What do you like about the
bull this man is saying?
Wait, let's see time's fiasco
the worst fiasco
Cheap naked girls...
l don't know where they
got them from...
and now there's a TV
in every home
and in every home, there are
our daughters and wives...
- So, we must...
- You're still young
this esteemed representative used
to shine shoes at the corner
You drink a lot
and way too early
- People usually drink at night
- Just passing time, you want some?
- No, Pasha
- You never drank before?
Never, and l've learned from
the films l see on TV
- You want me to drink something?
- l'll give you an idea...
at the beginning, it's sour
but then it makes you
very happy
l don't care what you say
- What a waste
- lt's not a waste
l mean the difference between
us and foreigners
foreigners appreciate alcohol
and they like it
here, we appreciate hash
- There's a big difference
- Zaki Pasha...
l don't like either, you just
live like foreigners do, sir
Listen, if you care about me...
Stop saying ''sir'',
it's true, l'm an old man...
but you don't have to keep
reminding me
- call me Zaki
- l'll say Zaki Pasha
OK, what l want to say...
is that living the life of the
foreigners is not strange
l was one of them, l lived and
studied in Paris
Paris
l know it like l know Cairo
- They say Paris is beautiful
- Of course...
- Paris is the whole world
- Why'd you leave it?
You should have stayed there
l'm stupid
You can say it was stupidity,
or destiny
- You look like you want to travel
- l wish
- Where would you like to go?
- Anywhere...
away from this forsaken place
Do you hate your country?
lt never did me anything good
to make me like it
Buthaina... it's true you're poor
but poverty has nothing to do
with patriotism
What patriotism? Am l the only
one who wants to leave?
Everybody wants to leave
You know if life was like it
was a very long time ago...
before they came up with
passports and visas...
the whole population
would have left
lf you're not good to your country
you won't be good to anyone
That's because you live in it
as a Pasha
What are your problems? Your
sister is quarreling with you
So what?
the problem is with people who
can't eat or feed their families
people who keep looking for jobs
and no one cares about them
people who put up with humiliation
whether they're sitting or walking
you only walk in Seliman street,
try to go somewhere else
and see what goes on, Egypt has
become very hard on its people
that's why every body
wants to leave
not because they hate it, but they
can't bear its injustice
Why did you stand up?
So l can get things off
my chest
You couldn't have done that
sitting down?
Anyway, l'm to blame for
this bad mood...
because l opened up this
touchy subject
Listen, l'm going to get you
out of this mood
You'll listen to the most
beautiful voice in the world
a French singer called
Edith Piaf
Have you heard of her?
l don't know French
You don't have to know French
you just need to feel the beauty
of the voice
and the beauty of the performance
and the lovely tune
This song reminds me
of nice days
and happy memories
This song talks about a girl
standing in the middle of a crowd
and the crowd kept
pushing her away
until she found herself in front
of a man she didn't know
but she had nice feelings
towards him
she felt that she wanted to live
with him forever
live with him forever
then the crowd wave
came back...
and pushed her away from him
and she started feeling lonely
again
What a shame
Come here
Your eyes are very beautiful
This is the first time someone
really sees my eyes
Mind you, we have to stay friends
Of course, friends
You know, Houda...
l'm beginning to like the smell
of cigarettes
But not all cigarettes
smell nice
l know these are
filled with hashish
- Doesn't religion forbid them?
- You think l'd do that?
lf the were forbidden
l wouldn't have touched them
l guess this is not good stuff
because you're not in a good mood
No, l'm in a good mood...
but l'm preoccupied with work,
and work is not all good
it has a lot of problems, too
What if l tell you something
that will make you happy...
and just float up high,
what would you do for me?
Talk, maybe you'll
ease my mind
l'm...
l'm...
- l'm 2 months pregnant
- What?
God damn you and
your parents!
l don't need this?
Didn't we have an agreement?
What's this got to do with
agreements? lt's God's will
Can anyone say to God's will
that there was an agreement?
l'll say it once, you have to have
an abortion, l don't need it
- and you don't need it either
- l do need it
it's a piece of me, do you want
to cut out a piece of me?
lf you don't have an abortion
then l'll divorce you
Divorce me, and God's
law will rule between us
- Thank God for your safe return
- What's wrong with you?
Do you see me coming back from
my job in the Gulf?
- Where are you coming back from?
- From work
But it's nice work,
the nicest work
- Didn't we have an agreement?
- Yes, and l'm committed to it
You said l'd have to repay your
favor, so what's the agreement?
Come inside and l'll tell you
exactly what l want from you
''Contract of partnership''
- Have you lost your mind?
- Listen here, girl...
this is work, not fooling around
that hunk of junk called Zaki Pasha
is over
he's already got one foot
in the grave
when he dies the apartment will
belong to Fekry Abdelshahid
this is a contract of partnership
between me and the Pasha
when he dies, the apartment
will be mine
so l can go in and never
have to leave it
l want his signature on
every paper in the contract
and this is a simple job
for you
make him sing when he's drunk
or when you're sleeping together
- l don't care
- You're nothing like your name
you're not a Copt, you're a devil
hiding among the Copts
l'll give you 5 thousand pounds
you'll get them when you bring
me the Pasha's signature
l don't think there's another man
as straight as me
whether l was Coptic or Jewish
or Moslem
think of your mother
and brothers and sisters
you need the money
You might die before Zaki
ln that case l will have at least
tried
take the contract
Assuming that l'll get the
signature of Zaki Dosouki...
- how do l guarantee you'll pay?
- We'll exchange...
- no money no contract
- Malak Armanious...
never goes back on his word
l'll give you the money before
you give me the contract
Who is it?
Quick, your son is burning with
fever and throwing up...
and l don't know what to do
What are you waiting for?
Your son's condition is serious
tell the Mr to call an ambulance,
if he really cares for you
Go get the boy and meet me
downstairs quickly
Why are you still here? Go
- lt's a catastrophe
- God willing, it'll be fine
don't worry, your son will get
the best of care
don't worry
What's wrong with him?
Be strong, and may God
grant you patience
They took my boy away!
My boy, Abd Rabbu!
My boy!
Oh, fruit of my womb!
They took my son
Abd Rabbu, they took my son
away!
My son!
My son!
Did you talk to your sister?
- Yes, Hajj
- Did you convince her?
Listen, Hajj...
you're a regular guy and you
like to do what's right
true, l can talk to her, but not
when it comes to God's law
And the agreement between us?
Any agreement which negates
God's law becomes void
- This is you have to say?
- lt's all she has to say
Thank you, you did what you
could, chief Hamidu
l think you can just about
catch the train
chief Hamidu...
shouldn't you take some time
and rethink things...
and do what's good? Personal
relations should be respected
l don't need to think, you're
the one who needs to think
we don't go against God's laws,
and God is on our side
But keep in mind...
no one knows where God's will
might lead him
Leave me, you bitches!
Smother her with it
After this, we'll get another
one that's bigger
Hello, mister minister
- How are you, congratulations
- Thank you, Mr Kamal
A picture, Kamal Pasha
l want to talk to you urgently
Set the time and place you like
- Now, find a place to sit in
- Come this way
- You've made a mistake, Hajj
- l ask God's forgiveness
- l always keep my word
- You're stalling
You've had the contract for
2 months, what's going on?
This is a contract for one quarter,
the Japanese must be told
ot they'll think l'm cheating and
they'll take away the dealership
What's wrong? Do you think l
run a furniture store?
You're talking to a man who
can move the whole country
Everybody knows who you are
and what you can do
No, wait...
we have a saying that goes...
whoever carried the donkey
up the stairs...
is the only one who can
take it down
The donkey?
What does that mean?
lt means that l can get you out
of the parliament...
- and with a scandal
- ls this a threat?
l'm not a nobody so that you or
someone else can threaten me
Well, well...
- you've become quite strong
- You started
l hope you're not counting on
the parliament immunity
or you'd be very naive
a couple of sessions in parliament
can make you lose it
- and people with skeletons...
- No, l've no skeletons
You have skeletons everywhere
l'll tell you about a small
skeleton
What did you do about
the mandatory draft?
Nothing in your file proves that
you performed military service
So what if l leave the
parliament?
The parliament benefited from me,
l didn't benefit from it
Without the Parliament you'd be
naked in a crowded street
l told you before, l'm not alone
l'm just a delegate
and l'm the nicest one
in the group
- Don't be stubborn
- Tell you what, Mr Kamal...
- why don't we sit and talk
- Who's ''we''?
You and me and the ones
you say you represent
give me a chance to explain to them
and they might understand
No, there no use
Mr Kamal...
l went into parliament
with my money
and even if l leave it...
l'll just think of it as
merchandise that got burnt
Dad, the Japanese guy looks
like he wants to leave
lsn't he going to listen to the
singer? Join us, Mr Kamal
No, l'll leave you to your
singer
- Good night
- Good night
- What is it, dad?
- Everything has a limit
and your father knows when
to say ''no''
l swear you must have known
this Mrs Christine
lt's like she's singing
just for you
She's singing for both of us
No woman forgets the man
she loved
You're right
but Christine and l dealt with
each other like foreigners do
the love that was between us
turned into friendship
it's difficult for two people
in love to become enemies
even if they leave each other
You know, Zaki Pasha...
if l find someone like you,
but younger...
l'd marry him right away
You'll never find a younger
version of me, my beauty
we are the last of the
respectable men
Don't ask me to sing again
l can listen to you all night
Christine...
you are all the happy memories
in my life
- You've had a lot to drink
- That's true...
Please, Madame, for my sake,
take the bottle away
- Only you can handle him
- She's from the roof
Welcome back, Mr Hatem
you don't usually stay late
at work like this
Thank you, Shathly,
l just got back from Alexandria
l was invited to a party which
the prime minister was at
- ls there a problem, Shathly?
- Yes, sir
Here you go, sir
- What are these?
- The keys to the Nassr City kiosk
and this is the key for the room
on the roof
Abd Rabbu took his wife
and left the building
That dog!
That Dog!
May God show you the right way
God suffices us,
He is the best protector
Mister lssam
Madame Rashid
Professor Rashid
Mister lssam, your wife
is with the French Consul
- Hatem, go out
- Hatem, go out
Typical Parisian prostitute
You've nothing to do with ldrees,
you never loved me like ldrees
Father
Father
A half hour a week...
- l'm very busy
- lt's not a half hour...
you've never played with me
ldrees, what are you doing?
You left me for the servants
to play with me
What do you want? Why are you
upset? why're you looking this way?
Thank you
Thank you very much
you bastard...
You asked me once and said...
why didn't you...
why didn't you stay in Paris?
and l said it was destiny
the truth was something else
This country was better than
Paris
The latest fashions started here
before they hit Paris
the streets were very clean
they used to wash it every day,
and the stores were fancy
and the people were polite
Let's talk upstairs, people are
staring at us
Why do they stare at us?
Let them stare at the country
that went to hell...
at the buildings that were better
than European buildings...
and now have become garbage
dumps on top...
and an abomination
at the bottom
We live in the time
of abomination
l'm the oldest tenant in this
building
the oldest one
l lived the best days of my life
in it
and the best people live in it
with me
from the first princesses...
till you, my princess
Zaki Pasha, let's go upstairs
and then you can say all you want
- Let's go
- l'm the oldest tenant
the oldest one
l want a favor from you, Pasha
You can ask me for anything
ask for the whole of
Seliman Pasha street
l'm the oldest tenant
in the building
l applied at the bank for a loan
for 5 thousand pounds
but they said l need
a guarantor
l'd guarantee you with my life
lf l don't guarantee you...
then who will?
l have the papers
would you sign them?
No, this way
Yes, l got the...
the pen
What is it, Pasha?
- What is it?
- l want to go to the bathroom
Are you OK, Pasha?
l hope you're OK, come with me
Come with me, l hope
you're OK, Pasha
l hope you're OK, Pasha
Come
- l hope you're OK, Pasha
- l'm well
Zaki Pasha
Get up
- What's wrong, Madame?
- Where am l?
Thank God for your safety,
you suffered a bad hemorrhage
A hemorrhage, you bastards!
They aborted me by force
l'm going to take you all
to hell
Save me, Hamidu
They aborted me by force,
Hamidu
They killed my son
They did their evil deed
Mrs Suad, everything is
destined
Hajj A'azam never went against
the agreement, but you did
and everyone should bear
the consequences of his mistakes
May God take revenge on you
and your father and your family
you infidels, you disbelievers
l will not put up with
any impoliteness
You suffered a hemorrhage and we
took you the best hospital
The Hajj knows God's
commandments very well
and he has never gone
against his laws
Hajj A'azam has divorced you
And you'll get all your legal
rights, and more
You brother has a cheque
for 20 thousand pounds
and he hospital bill
has been paid in full
and anything of yours in the
apartment, no matter how small
will be sent to your house
in Alexandria
What's this?
What's going on?
l apologize, Hajj, our job
is always annoying
l'm major Hamdy Sha'aban from
the drug enforcement agency
- What do we have to do with drugs?
- Ask your father
- You know l have immunity
- We know that very well...
Mister representative,
but why are you so worried?
The men might not find
anything
What are you photographing?
No, they'll find something
May l use the phone?
As you wish, sir
Yes, Pasha...
Thank you very much,
Mr Armanios
Malak, Mrs...
Malak Armanios
Mr Malak...
this is a small sum
for your gallantry
Mrs Dawlat, you don't know
me well
l own a workshop
l informed of this...
to save the reputation of a
respectable and noble family
But l still need you for the
more important favor
And l'm at your service
Brother Taha, the Amir
wants you now
l wish l'd met you
a long time ago
lt wouldn't have worked out
Why not?
l was just a kid
a baby
You're still a baby
a baby full of femininity
and caring
and compassion
and gallantry
l wish l would live long
so l could live with you
the longest time possible
May God let you live long
l'm 65 years old
You could live till 1 00
l heard someone on TV...
say that when you love life,
life love you back
That's possible
Zaki Pasha...
l've fallen in love with you
because you respected me
and protected me
you were never lecherous
Let's travel somewhere
After a week or two...
l'll get the revenue
from the land
and we can travel
- To Paris
- To Paris
Paris
and you can look at the
restaurants and stores...
and theatres and museums
and the forests just outside
of Paris
we can chase each other around
l'm still a virgin
Come in
feel at home...
anyway, the last time...
Enough adultery!
Enough filth!
What is it?
How can you come into people's
homes without permission?
- We're the police
- Do you have a court order?
Are you going to teach me my
job? The Mrs is your sister
and filed a report that you
practice adultery in her home
My sister filed the report?
This is not her home
this is my office and she
doesn't live with me
She opened the door
with her own key
and you can say whatever you want
at the station
- lt's a case of flagrante delicto
- Yes, flagrante delicto
l'll show you! You're violating
the sanctity of my home
The sanctity of the home or the
prostitute next to you?
Prostitute?
She's more honorable than you,
you bitch
You see, officer? He's calling me
names and hitting me
This is another crime,
add it to the report
Calm down, Madame, everything
will be in the report
Bring him and the girl to the
station, as they are
Get off me
l won't leave naked,
and neither will she
even if you kill us,
Don't you come close!
Come close...
l need you
ldriss...
l'm so lonely
Sit, A'azam
Major Hamdy said you came clean
before they found the drugs
Because they were going to
find it
Just so you know that we know
everything about you
Neither car dealerships
nor shoe stores...
make all this money
we know everything about you
from the beginning
Your file is full, everything
is in it
What are you going to do?
l'm ready to sign the contract
Some articles have been altered
l agree to them, of course
l saw you photographs,
what the hell...
Whenever the drug enforcement
people are sure of something
- they take journalists with them
- l don't need a scandal
No, everything is fine
since you talked to me
What are we going to do to
get out of this dilemma?
lt's already over
after they checked the
heroine canisters...
they turned out to be full
of car shining powder
50%%%, A'azam
Go to my son's office
to sign the contract
Mr Kamal...
- Congratulations on the company
- Thank you
we're partners in everything...
right?
lt's true what they say...
Do whatever the monkey wants
on it's turf
There's nothing wrong with a monkey
obeying another monkey
''Today's journalism''
The coast is clear
You'll be next to the building,
on the other sidewalk
You'll find the guards,
once he comes out, get away
because he'll be in the line
our fire
- How will l recognize him?
- Once he comes out of the building
l'll blow the horn,
depend on God
- Good evening
- Good evening
- Where's Dewan street?
- Where'd they tell you it was?
- Here, in Garden City
- Where in Garden City?
- Close to Mamal Elsukar street
- Mamal Elsukar is the next left
- Yes, sir, the car is coming
- l see it
- Get the car
- Do you know Dewan street?
l don't know
Help!
Taha!
Abdelshafee, cover me and l'll
get Taha
Taha!
l believe l have the right
to use the phone
Quiet, lover boy
A man like you should
be ashamed of himself
He looks like the guy on the
tea packages
There's a book called
The elder regresses to his youth
This is the elder
There is law in this country,
Mr Zaki
and what's going on is
a crime
l have to talk to the assistant
minister of the interior
so he can come see what
the junior officers...
- do to respectable people
- And who are you?
l'm Fekry Abdelshahid
the lawyer
have you heard of me?
These people insulted me,
and insulted this poor girl
Very good, let's fill out
report of cursing and slander...
by the police officers...
what's with you, Dawlat?
What did your brother do to deserve
all these insults?
Anyway, the law will
give Mr Zaki his rights
Buthaina...
what we went through tonight
is the best of the worst
there are much worse problems
What's all this evil
that's inside Dwalat?
And where did she get the key
from? l don't understand
We have to forget what happened
to us tonight
We have to forget the
insults
or we'll die from grief
l've always been unlucky
l have no luck
Come in
Over there
Good evening
- Congratulations, bride
- Thank you
- Sing ''La vie en rose'', Christine
- Just for you
When he holds me in his arms
and talks to me softly
l see life through rose colored
glasses
He tells me words of love
words that live forever
and that makes me feel
important
He entered into my heart
as part of my happiness
and l know why...