Emberatoriet meem (1972) - full transcript

Daddy, you raised me to
be independent

and take responsibility
for myself

You sent me to college
so I can think well

Marriage is a decision
between two people

You can voice your opinion

and so can mother

Everyone can voice their
opinion

But in the end the decision
is ours

And we've decided to marry

It's a marriage of heart
and mind

My heart and mind,



and no one else's,

not even my father's

- Girl or boy?
- Boy

We'll call him Mustafa

There, there..

There, there, Mustafa

There, there, Madiha

Mustafa, Madiha, the next will be
Mahmoud and stop there

No, I want a lot of kids

I grew up an only child and
want a big family

Mustafa, Madiha, Mahmoud,

Murad, Madbouli

I don't like Madbouli

Alright then, Maha, Magda



20 kids with names
starting with M

Each one will have 20 more
kids whose names start with M

We'll work and prosper,

they'll work and prosper,
and we'll build an empire

The Empire of M

The rise of Islam and the
first Islamic state

I'm worried about your health,
Mohamed

You don't heed the doctor's
advice or take your medicine

Don't worry, I'm in excellent
health

Dad wasn't one person;
he was me and you

He lives inside us and
will continue to do so

Nothing will change

The mind he thought with
is in my head

The heart he loved us with
is in my breast

Everything will stay the same
and continue as it is

The "M" Empire will
continue

Faten Hamama

In: The Empire of M

With : Ahmed Mazhar

Great actress: Dawlat Abyad

Khaled Abu EI-Naga,
Hisham Selim

Ahmed Naguib,
Usama Abul Fotouh

Hayat Kandil, Layla Hamada

Aly Gohar - Fathiya Shahin

and Hanem Khalil

Story and Dialogue:
ihsan Abdel Kodous

Adapted by: Naguib Mahfouz

Screenplay: Mohamed Mustafa Sami

and Kawthar Heikal

Sound and Mixing director:
Hassan EI-Touni

Local Distribution:
Murad Film Co.

Foreign Distribution:
Al-Gaouny Agency

Production Executive:
Mohsen Alam EI-Din

Editing: Rashida Abdel Salam

Director of Photography:
Wahid Farid

Production: Murad Ramsis Naguib

Directed by: Hussein Kamal

Ministry of Education

You said you were going to visit
Al-Nagah school, right?

Yes, today

You'd better not have told them

No, Ma'am, you didn't even say
when

Alright

Yes?

She's coming now?

Right now?

Bless you, Omran.
I'll reward you for this

Get up! The boss is coming
right now

What an unlucky day

Go put on your white coat

I don't have one

Hide in the bathroom or
something

She's a dictator, really
fussy!

Abdel Hamid, Take me to the
Happy Future School in Shubra

You said Al-Nagah

I've changed my mind.
Take me to Shubra

- Welcome, Madam
- Enjoying this chaos?

Madam, you know what the
situation's like

There's a shortage of teachers;

classrooms made for 30 students
hold more than 60;

we can't afford to rebuild
crumbling walls

Please, Madam

- Let's go, driver
- Please..

Now you can take me
to Al-Nagah School

- Welcome, Madam
- Call the headmistress

- Come in, Madam
- Call the headmistress I said

Yes

- Welcome, Madam
- Hello

I let you know I was coming so
you could clean up the school -

and get on with teaching

I'm certain you've done
just that

I'll pay my visit tomorrow
or after..

Or the day after

Thank you. Let's go, driver

We've been arguing the matter
for almost two years

Those before us spent 20
years discussing it

The level of education, the
state of the students,

exam policies..

We won't reach a solution

Those in the ministry
think with their imaginations,

they lay down projects on paper

They don't live with the
students or teachers

We can't solve a problem
if we don't experience it

- She's very hot-tempered today
- She has a right to be

This meeting, as is the case
with all our meetings

is mere routine, playacting

I'm going to submit a suggestion
to the minister -

that we spend our days
in the schools

We'll come to the ministry
in the afternoons

after we experienced what
we will discuss

That won't do, Mamdouh

Playing ball at school,
at the club

and at home, too?

At school I communicate with
my classmates through the ball

At the club I communicate with
friends through the ball

and at home I communicate
with myself

So I'm banging it here

Ball isn't a game, Mum,
it's a language

Even the ball has a philosophy!

Wash your hands and let's
have lunch

Come here! Get the ball
with you

Satisfied?
Is that the ball talking?

Or did it break the glass
in a demonstration?

No more playing ball
in the house.. Come

Get rid of this ball,
I don't want to see it again

Yes

Do you think you solved the
problem that way?

It's not solved

Aziza..

Yes, Ma'am?

- Is lunch ready?
- Not yet, it's on the grill

- Hurry up, then
- Alright

Madiha.. what's that in your
mouth?

Don't worry, it's not
filled with tobacco

That's not the point. I've never
seen a girl with a pipe

If I decide to smoke I'll
smoke a pipe

Pipes are for men, dear

Only men smoke them

There's no difference between men
and women. That was in the past

In the past, present and future,

and until the Judgement Day

women will be women and men
will be men

You mean sex, right?

There's a difference in sex

But what's the pipe got to
do with that?

Will smoking a pipe change
my sex?

Why doesn't smoking cigarettes
change it -

although men smoke
cigarettes?

Enough, dear

To convince you I'd have to
give birth to you anew

You're driving me nuts

You're home, Mum

For quite a while. Were you
brushing your teeth?

You're always so clean, dear

and you always spray your room.
I'm proud of you

- Thanks, Mum
- Come eat lunch

Maha, lunch is ready

What's this mess?

Listen to these verses, Mum

Your heart has driven
Cupid to madness

He now shares my suffering
and sadness

He'll depart this world
because of you

And cry with me..

This isn't the time for that

Cupid, the god of love

You need the god of
success now

You've no time to waste on such
nonsense

I've never failed exams and
I never will

These sweet love stories
encourage me to study

Enough sweet-talk, get serious

Don't upset yourself

Where will you play then,
not at the neighbours?

She was wrong

- Welcome home, Mum
- Thanks

- When did you arrive?
- In the morning

What're you doing here?
I said to wash your hands

But Mum..

No buts. Go wash your hands

Why are you yelling at him?

Each time you have problems at
work you take it out on the kids

It's not their fault

That's why I can't bear to stay
here more than a week,

because of your constant yelling
at the kids

I'm both mother and father
in this house

I have to be strict with them

And they must obey me

I'm your mother and you must
obey me

Your constant yelling will only
make them more obstinate

Treat them gently,

not with yelling and
screaming, understand?

You're shouting at me too

And why not? Too big for me

Never, Mother. Enough yelling,
let's have lunch

You've gotten old, Madam

It's you who make yourself
feel old and gray

I'm thankful

The ministry and kids could've
done worse to me

Do the ministry and kids -

tell you wear those drab
clothes?

Why don't you wear your bright
dresses?

They brighten you and
make you look gorgeous

What gorgeous?

Yes, gorgeous

Stop whistling, Mahmoud,
we're at the table

The noise you make with your
guitar is enough

Now, now..

I love dolma, especially when
made by Cook Gomaa

Delicious!

Not really; I used to make it
a hundred times better

There's nothing like a woman's
cooking

If I had a cook -

I wouldn't let him do anything

He'll only assist

But today..

The woman gets up and
runs out the house,

leaving so and so to take
care of the food,

so and so to watch the kids,

and you clean the house

Why is Mustafa so late?

Enough speeches and talk

We need to take action

The aims are clear. We must
build ourselves and fight

Build first or fight?

Both together

We can't build unless we
gain freedom

What about us? Shall we stand
aside and cheer?

No, just marry us

- Mum, I want 120 piasters
- I'm going upstairs to rest

I want 120 piasters

What for?

- To buy a book
- A novel, of course?

A new novel, it's really good

No. And give me that one, too

>From now on I only want to
see you reading school books

This is impossible

I'm not a child for you
to treat me like this

I'm going to read novels,

so let's stay friends

I am your friend

But I'm your mother, too

A friend will go along
with you,

whereas your mother will
look to your interests

You're chain-smoking, Mum

She annoyed me

So cigarettes calm people
down when irritated?

Cigarettes are useless

It's just a bad habit

So when one gets used
to it he can't stop?

What are you getting at?

Nothing

- Nabil
- The band

Lunatics

Hello

Yes, she's in

Who's calling?

Mum! It's for you

It's Dr Enayat

Hello, Enayat

I miss you too

Tonight?

I'd love to come

It's a chance to get out
of this madhouse

You say that every time and
don't come

Don't go back on your word,
we're expecting you

Good evening, Mum

- Good evening, dear
- Where to?

I have a dinner invitation
at Enayat's

Who'll be there?

Why all the questions? It's
I who should do the asking

Where have you been till now?

Out

I know that, but out where?

I have the right to go
where I please

I have the right to know where
you were

You can ask but I don't
have to answer

- I'm your mother!
- So what?

I'm responsible for you and
must know where you go

So you can prevent my going out?

Yes, I can

That's dictatorship. Where's the
freedom you're always talking about?

What am I to do with you!

Should I take this bag or this?

That one's not suitable for
your age, it's for a girl

Think me old, boy?
I'm younger than you

Mahmoud, change the tune so
I can dance

Don't dance

And you stop playing guitar

Guitar in the morning and
at night,

before and after meals

- Give me that guitar!
- What use is a guitar?

It's for you to shut up
and listen. Give it here!

Stop it..

What's with you?
I told you to stop that

I want you to study and no
nonsense

And go to bed early

I missed you. Can I kiss you?

Certainly

Mustafa, we must find a way
to deal with Mum

I can't take it

Today I asked for money to buy
a book and she refused

That is a problem

Just one? It's a lot of problems

When Mum doesn't give you
money to buy a book -

it means she controls us

because she controls the capital..

The money

You need money for everything,

even playing ball

- And the guitar
- And cigarettes

And the solution?

To liberate ourselves from
the capital

Freedom can only begin by
liberation from the capital

Capital is everything

Even the government controls us
through capital

They fire whom they please and
deprive him of money

and give raises to whom
they please

Mum and the government are one

Should we demonstrate?

No

Demonstrations are not
legitimate -

nor constructive;
just a means to voice opinion

Mum knows our opinion without
us demonstrating

What to do, then?

We'll do without the capital

We'll make a communal
library at home

and put the books we want
to read in it

- How?
- Yes, how?

Each one of us will contribute
10 or 20 piasters

and we'll have a monthly sum

amounting to 60 or 120 piasters

We'll buy a new book each month

- Who'll choose the books?
- We'll take turns

You'll choose this month, then
Madiha, then Medhat

No, I'll choose first.
I inspired the project

Alright, you'll be first

-I'm next
- Be quiet

I can't afford to pay 20 piasters

Buy two cigarettes instead of
a pack

Shut up

We'll each pay 10% of our
allowance. What do you say?

- Agreed
- Me too

- Starting next month?
-Yes

Yes, let's start

Where to?

To meet the band

You're going out without
Mum's permission?

Why not? Shouldn't
we liberate ourselves?

The cake has arrived

Help yourselves..

Welcome..

Smile

Smile, please..
the photo's ruined

What, am I a new bridegroom?

Who could object to that?

I don't mind, on condition
I get a new bride

You're stuck with me

It's all thanks to you

I want you always by my side

May you always be together

I'm angry at you, Enayat

You should've told me so
I could bring a gift

Really, Mona!

Well, it's enough to see you

Here, Madam

Thank you, I have a piece
already

Would you like a glass
of champagne?

No, thank you

Hello..

Where have you been?
Long time no see, Mona

I spend most of my time at home
with the kids

How pretty you look!
Very chic, too

Come, now!

I'm going to get some pastries

My husband's completely
forgotten me

Thank you

I forgot to introduce you

Ahmed Raafat, businessman,

- Mrs. Mona Hamed
- Hello

Please come to the table

My husband prefers to eat
my cooking

Once I hired a cook and he
noticed the difference

Now I know why he
loves me so much

The best way to a man's heart
is through his stomach

Not true; that was in the past

Right, Mona?

Today, the best way to a man's
heart is through his mind

Sometimes

Men like to think of their work
without interference from us

Does love last after marriage?

You're right. in a year or two
love becomes like a telephone

- Meaning?
- The line goes dead

Impossible

Every couple needs time apart
from each other

How?

She must allow him to spend
the evening alone

Would you allow your wife that?

See? He's scratching his head

He'd never allow such a thing

Why not? This lady is out
for the evening alone

I'm a widow

How is it that we never met
before?

I frequently go to the ministry
where you work

We may have met

I've never met such a pretty
elegant director

Thank you. Excuse me

- Why are you still up?
- I couldn't sleep

Try and sleep, dear

Where have you been? How dare
you go out without permission?

I was studying with a friend.
You weren't here

Studying with the guitar?

Well, tomorrow's a holiday

Listen..

No more going out without my
permission, understood?

You treat me like a child

Where's the freedom you
talk about?

Freedom doesn't mean bumming
around till one in the morning

To earn freedom -

you must have a sense of
responsibility

And your responsibility now
is to study

Go up to bed

We've made a decision
concerning a certain project

What is it?

We've decided to start
a communal library

A wonderful idea

I'm ready to join you

No, sorry

Why not?

The aim is liberation
from capital

And you're the capital

If you join you'll
be a center of power

We don't want centers of power

You're killing me with your
big words

Politics has muddled your brain

I don't know why I let you
go to law school

Play

Let her join. We can take
her money and buy what we want

When you're older you'll know
that whoever pays more -

does what he pleases

That's what centers of power
mean

It's better I don't join

But suppose you buy a book
I won't allow?

You've no right

Don't start with your impudence

Come on now, what happened to
freedom of expression?

Any books you don't allow we'll
read secretly

Meaning what?

If you buy a book on sex
I'm to allow it in the house?

Any book is knowledge; we're
grown-ups

We look out for each other
just as you look out for us

We'll start with sex books

- What's a sex book?
- Shut up

I don't agree. Besides, you should
be studying

You should be reading school
and college books only

Is studying a punishment?

We always pass our exams,
don't worry

I won't allow it

We can implement the project
in three ways

Either you be convinced

or we can wheedle you into
agreeing

Yes?

Or we can do it behind your
back,

buy the books and read them
in secret

Which do you choose?

You're beaten, sir. Checkmate

I choose none of them, so
stop giving me a headache

Mum! A telegram!

Mum! A telegram!

Who's it from, Mum?

Go play with your brothers

Arriving Saturday evening
on Egypt Air

Hope to see you at the airport

Ahmed

You won't even allow me
to kiss your hand!

Not yet

You're impossible. We've been
seeing each other for years

You live in the 18th century!

Your great-grandmother
would've agreed by now

A kiss has no meaning unless
preceded with conviction

I'm not convinced yet

The children again, right?

Life isn't sacrificing yourself
for your children

or they sacrificing
themselves for you

It's living together,
supporting each other -

to make your lives complete

And your life is incomplete

I can't believe you don't
want to marry

The kids will grow up and
have their own homes

and you'll be alone

You'll be left to beg them
for love and attention

One night at Mustafa's place,
another at Mamdouh's,

or at at Madiha's..

You'll find them busy with
their own problems -

with no time for their
mother's

A mother must have a home
and a husband,

and be independent

I'm ready to talk to the kids

- What will you tell them?
- I'll ask for your hand

What can I do?
Anything to get married

The problem isn't just
the kids

It's me, too

Everything you say makes sense

But I can only marry with
my heart and mind

You know you own my heart

But my mind isn't big enough
for both you and the children

I need you, Mona

I can never settle down
without you

Bear with me, please

Bear with me till I'm able
to come to a decision

Try to reach a decision before
I return from my next trip

I need you

I can never settle down
without you

Aziza..

Where's the telephone?

Mahmoud, I need the phone

Just a minute, Mum

Let's hang up. I'll meet you
when I get back from school

Come here

Take this dress to be pressed

- I want it this afternoon
- Alright

- Where's the phone?
- Madiha took it

Why didn't you come to the
lecture?

- I want the phone
- Just a minute, Mum

I'm revising the lecture
with my boyfriend

Don't say boyfriend, say
colleague, and hurry up

What time will you be at
the lecture hall?

Where's the phone?

- Maha took it
- Where's Maha?

Yes, Nabil

- The phone, Maha
- Alright, just a minute

No, hang up

Might as well buy everyone
in this house their own phone

That means 7 phones!

Let's not eat or drink,
and talk on phones instead

I'll call you later, Nabil

Hang up!

Egypt Air?

What time does today's flight
from Geneva arrive?

Flight 810

At 8:30. Thank you

- Done with the phone, Mum?
- No

Go get dressed

Close the door

Abdou, I want to get my hair
done today

At around 4 pm

I can't come in the morning,
you know I go to work

Yes, around 4

Thank you

- Good morning
- Good morning

Good morning, darling

- Morning, Mum
- Morning

Good morning

- That's more like it
- Pleased with me?

Of course

Why are the windows closed?
It's a lovely day

Hope it stays fine so we don't
have to close them again

I'll have to go without
Mahmoud, he's not ready

- Hurry him up
- I tried

He's free

as long as freedom isn't at
the expense of others

There's only one car,
we're all ready

Good morning

What's that you're wearing?

Do you forget you're a girl?
You should wear girls' clothes

I'm neither girl or boy,
I'm a human being

We say the race of human beings

These clothes aren't for
school, they're for the beach

You're driving me nuts

Don't upset her. It was a relief
to see her in a good mood

What to do? One goes right
and the other goes left

There's no left or right
at school,

only independent character

Freedom starts with
an independent character

Stop philosophizing and go put
on something else

Comb your hair

And you, Maha, change those
boots

Or I swear you're all
grounded on Friday

I'm late. Bye, Mum

Morning

Morning, Abdullah

If we don't rehearse today
we're done for

The party's tomorrow. The whole
gang's waiting to rehearse

The club hall is busy,
at school it's not allowed

We'd rehearse at Aly's
but his dad kicked him out

We'll rehearse, even if we have
to do it in the street

I'll call you in a while

Bye

Mum, remember Mrs Moushira?

Dr Ezzat's wife?

Yes

A relative of hers received
a marriage proposal

But she's hesitant

He's a very good man,

around 45, 48 years old..

A businessman

How old is she?

Around 39, 40..

Wow! She's old!

If she loves him she should
marry

Love has nothing to do
with age

She's free

People are free to do as
they please

A week ago I visited a school

It was a surprise visit..
oh, what I saw!

The school that was expecting
me -

was in perfect order

Nothing gets done unless
one goes and sees to it

Not just in schools, but
everywhere,

there's only one official

He relieves others of
responsibility and makes them lax

Even in the streets

If an official is passing through a
street it gets cleaned and paved

The streets he doesn't pass
through

Would be full of potholes
and trash

There's no planning, no
principles, only lies

Employees lie to their bosses,
the bosses lie to their bosses

All the talk and reports
are lies

Must you comment on everything I say
with a speech?

Even in our homes, Mum

You think you're the only
one responsible

You don't see that each one of us
can be responsible for himself

It's a shared responsibility

Life's like a soccer match

One can't score a goal -

without the help of the
whole team

- But they must play well
- That's the problem

Who can judge if they play
well or not?

The catastrophe is that only
one is allowed to judge,

and say whether it's
good or not

Enough! Must I listen
to arguments at the ministry -

and at home, too?

I haven't had my turn yet

Postpone it, I'm going out.
I have work

Really? Will you be home late?

Yes, around 9 or 10

I want to come home and find
you studying

That's responsibility

We have to finish rehearsing -

before Mum comes home at 9

We've been meeting in the
street for a year

I wait for you at the
school gate

and walk you home

or we meet at the club and
sit amongst others

I long to be with you
in a closed place

so we can talk in private

I want to feel we're not
hiding

I don't want to hold
your hand in secret,

but freely

I also wanted to ask you
to my house

But I'm afraid.. Mum and
my brothers..

My place, then. We can listen
to music and dance,

talk, have tea

- But you must behave
- I'm on my best behaviour at home

Medhat

Yes?

Are you going out too? You're
all going out and leaving me alone!

Why am I here, then?

I have to go to Aly's house
to study

Go ahead, then

I'm going to quit. Mum caught me
stealing her cigarettes

They still treat us
like children

And my mum calls me Lulu!

Me, Lulu!

Here you are

Want a sip, Souad? A sip for
you and one for me

Oh! If my mistress finds out
she'd kill me

I have to account for even
a sip of water

Leave her alone, Medhat.
Each to his own maid

Mum won't employ anyone but
Aziza

Come here

What's this you're doing
at home?

It's a rehearsal, Mum

Since when do you rehearse
at home?

- We had nowhere else
- Why didn't you tell me?

You wouldn't have agreed

You thought I was going to the
hairdresser,

- and I was going to stay out late
- Right

Tell your band to leave.
That's enough

We can't Mum, we have to
finish

Let us finish, the party's
tomorrow

Don't embarrass me in front
of my friends

Alright. Finish while I watch

You go ahead, Mum

No. In front of me

Let's continue, guys

Aziza

Did you pick up my dress
from the cleaner's?

- Yes, Mistress
- Where's Madiha?

- Out
- And Maha?

- Out
- And Medhat?

No one's home except Mustafa,
he's studying

They thought I wasn't coming
straight home

- Where's Mum?
- In her room

This is indecency! This is not
a home,

it's a nightclub!

Please, Mum, stay
with the kids

I have an appointment

I won't, I don't like this
nonsense. I'm leaving

I can't take such goings-on;
it's like a nightclub!

I beg you, this is not the time

Stay with the kids

You stay with them; didn't you
raise them to do what they please?

It's your fault, so deal with it

I'm going to stay with my brother
for a few days

You don't feel comfortable
there, you dislike his wife

Then I'll go home

Why stay alone when you can
be with us?

I'm alone here, too.
Nobody bothers about me

Sir..

Yes?

I'm going to buy some tea,
need anything else?

- Don't be long
- Alright

I'm late. I have to go home

Mum's waiting for me

I'll walk you to the door

No, stay and study

Medhat? Oh! I'm telling
your mother

I did nothing

And you..

It's not my fault

Even kids! What a generation!

Where were you?

I was at the rowing club

You were rowing till 7:30 ?

I walked home from the club
with my friends

And who are these friends?

Boys, girls..

They're my friends, so stop it, Mum!

Why didn't you say you were
going out?

Did you think I wouldn't
be back?

You weren't here, so I couldn't
tell you

Listen, no more going to
clubs

I wonder what club Maha went to?

Your flat is nice

Thank you

Have a seat

Want to see my life history?

I'm more interested in your
future

If you'd met me when I was
younger you'd have still loved me

I'd have waited for you
to grow up

and see whether you were worth it

- I've grown up
- And you're worth it

You know, for a year -

I've wanted to kiss you

I don't want to kiss you
just because we're alone

but because you too want me
to kiss you

Now I really feel you're mine

Nabil..

I wonder where Maha is?

Enough, enough!

- A little while more, Mum
- No more!

Stop, for my sake

I can't take it

Let's continue tomorrow

I'm sorry

Where were you all this time?

I was with Nabil

Talk to me properly.
Where did you go?

To his place, to listen to
music

Good God! At his place?

You shouldn't have done that

They're my friends

Your friends are crap and
you're crap!

You're maddening me!

Each of you wants to do as
he pleases!

I'm killing myself for you!

I stay locked up at home -

and kill myself for you

You're all conspiring against me

People have kids to bring
them joy -

but you make me sick

Nothing satisfies you

I don't know what to do to
make you happy

Damn you all' Running a disco
in my house!

You make me lose control of
my senses

Can't I go out in peace for once?

I can't have a good time

Mona? How could you not meet me?

I'm sorry, I couldn't

No, I'm not ill

My voice is a little hoarse

Later, later

Call us when you guys get home

Good bye

What? Why so quiet? Talk

Talk, don't be afraid

Why? So I can get slapped again?

Mum never hit me before

Nobody ever hit me before

What can I say after she
smashed my guitar?

You forced me to do that

You have no right to do so

I have the right to hit you
if you do something wrong

- No
- I'm your mother

You had no hand in that,
any woman can become a mother

"Such is my father's crime;
I've harmed no one"

We're not discussing your
motherhood

We want to discuss the
authoritative power here,

the authority of giving orders

How could you break
my guitar?

I've the right to break it over your
head if I don't like your behaviour

I'm the head of this household

I'm the one who works and struggles

to earn the money you live on

That's not reason enough for
you to control us

If we follow the logic of
breadwinner equals boss -

I might as well find another
mother -

richer than you, and let her
support me and run my life

If I'm not to be in charge of
running your lives -

I have the right to not
support you

No you don't. You don't support
us of your own free will

Society and the law decree that
you do so

Nobody answer the phone. Sit down

It's love, Mustafa

I gave no thought to society or law
when I bought you those clothes

- I bought them out of love
- Love's a capitalist emotion

It's an excuse for dictatorship

Any dictator can do as he likes

and tell his people he loves
them; he only loves himself

I don't buy you anything

does that mean I don't love you?

No one understands what
love is

- You shut up
- We all love you

But we don't run your life

You don't love me

You forget how hard I work
and struggle

We all work

Society's need for your work is
no less than its need for ours

You work at the ministry, we
achieve learning at college

The government pays your salary
So you can provide for us

You benefit, but what do I gain?

The individual shouldn't
benefit alone

He must benefit society as
a whole

You gain something, Mum..

Personal pleasure

- What pleasure?
- Your joy in us

You want an empire
you can be proud of

M, M, M.. all our names
start with M

Did you ask us what
we thought of M?

Nobody answer. Sit down

What do you want?

We want democracy

- Pardon?
- Democracy in management

Who should run this house?

- Me, of course
- No

- You, I suppose
- Not me

The popular platform,
meaning elections

Democracy is elections

The family will elect the person
to run this house

- It'll be every two years
- And have a list of duties

Crazy talk! You've all gone nuts

The things you read and hear
have muddled your brains

I know who I'm going to vote for

I have demands, whoever we elect
must meet them

And what are your demands, sir?

Me? To have elections

Let's try it, Mum.
It's a new idea

Please say yes, Mum

- For my sake, Mum
- And if I refuse?

You'd be undemocratic

then we'll enlist
the popular platform

You teach these things in
schools, Mum

- Please, Mum
- Alright, alright!

Wait, I'll answer it

Alright; but after elections
things will change

Where are you, Mona?
I called you nonstop

I'm very sorry, Ahmed

The kids are driving me crazy

We're both victims

If I were the only victim I would
forgive you

What I can't forgive or stand
for -

is that you victimize yourself

What can I do?

When you're away I wait for you

When you're here I'm unable
to see you

Unable or don't want to?

You know..

How can I no matter how
much I want to?

They're 6 kids, Ahmed,
6 problems

I live for them and live
with them

And I'm problem number 7

You were never a problem

because you bear with me
and understand me

You don't know what I went through
to meet you at the airport

- What?
- I went to the hairdresser..

Is that all?

There's more..

I'll call you later

I'll call you guys early tomorrow

I know who was on the phone

They must've told you what
happened

I'll tell you everything

When I finished studying
with Aly

I took the elevator .. she got
in with me

Who?

Their maid, Souad

The elevator was empty

She looked at me and smiled

She came closer and grabbed me..

And kissed me. That's what
happened

Have you grown up so much?

Mustafa, Mustafa..

Come here

Listen to your brother's
story

Deal with it and come tell me
what you did

There, carry the responsibility

Mahmoud..

Give me the phone, I want it

- Morning, Mum
- Morning

We've decided to hold the elections
in 5 days,

next Friday

We have to get ready

What do you mean?

Election campaigns.
All candidates -

must present themselves and
announce their objectives

>From what hour to what hour?

It's not a cinema, Mum

I can't let you neglect your
studies -

and play this election game

That would be real cinema

We're not playing

If I neglect my work that'd
be playing

Look, I'll allow this to be
from 2:30 after lunch -

until 5

Before and after that we work,
is that acceptable?

Yes, Mum

Are you done, Mum?

Here

I'm the only one who has no right
to use the phone

Do you want the phone?

I want nothing

I want nothing at all

This is impossible, Mona

I've been waiting since yesterday

Sorry

You can't imagine what I'm
going through

The kids are driving me mad

And you're driving me mad

- Good morning, first
- Good morning

I'll call you later

Yes, sir, in 10 minutes

These papers need to be signed
today urgently

The committee is here. Should
I show them in?

Show them in

Good morning

Please be seated

Good morning

Good morning

I'm sorry to say that the
reports I read -

are the same reports I've
been reading for years

Khadiga, what do you know
about Hosniya?

Nothing of course

She's a student at your school
facing hardship

I received a report about her

We're not just teachers and
headmistresses

We're mothers

A teacher doesn't only
provide learning

It builds the personality
of the child

Every teacher and headmistress

must live amongst their students

You'll ask how, when the numbers
are so great..

Mona, you didn't call me back

Hello

Yes, today at 4

Where?

- Al-Ahram Newspaper
- What? Where?

Al-Ahram

I'll be waiting

No excuses

4 o'clock. Thank you

Vote for Mustafa, patron
of the arts

Freedom

Stand by Mustafa

Where is family democracy?

Mustafa: Freedom, Democracy,

Freedom

Vote for your smart brother

We all love you, Mustafa

Mustafa

Vote for Mustafa, the young
democrat

Vote for Mustafa, patron of music

Freedom is Love

When did you make all this?

- Didn't you go to school?
- I went

Nobody's running except
Mustafa

Hello, Mum

Is this nice? I made it

Aren't you going to campaign, Mum?

I'll leave that to you

You all know me well

Or don't you know your
mother yet?

We want to know what
our future will be

Yes

Mum, I want some money

- Are you going out?
-Yes

Where are you going?

You want the truth?

-Yes
- To meet Nabil

- Where will you go?
- I don't know yet

Do you know where I want
you to see him?

Here at home, amidst your
siblings

Really? I can see him
here?

-Yes
- And where are you going?

Out. I won't be late

Nabil, listen..

Come to our house

Don't be afraid, Mum said
you could

- Who's this Nabil?
- Not your business

Mum allowed it

If he comes here I'll break
his leg

- You can't..give
- I won't allow it

It's not your business

None of your business.. Mum!

At last, I get to see you

It's been two days

- I've missed you
- Me too

How long till we keep
meeting like this?

It's either a park, my car
or the desert

Why can't we have a home?

That's always been our problem

We'll never have a home
for just the two of us

The kids will always be with us

Open the subject with them

Someday each of them will
have his own home

They have to know

We've nothing shameful to hide

What's between us isn't shameful
but we're unable to achieve it

I know what I want

You don't

That's enough

You're right. You've waited too
long, humored me a lot

I don't deserve your great love

I can't give you all of myself

Meaning you and the children?

I love you and the children

Perhaps if you didn't have any
children -

I wouldn't have loved you as much

That's fantasy. The reality is -

you'll find me living with you
with a third of myself

I'll be divided between you work,
and the kids

When I should be with you totally

I'll be with you everywhere

When you're with the children,

at the ministry, and now

Love isn't just two persons

It's their whole world

Will you be with me during
elections?

Elections? Don't tell me
you're running

Not me. The kids decided to
hold elections at home

to elect a board and a chairman

in order to do without me

- Seriously?
- Seriously

- And you agreed?
-I agreed

They must be joking

I don't know

I don't know if they're
joking or serious

I'm so confused

You make me even more so

I've been confused since the
day we met

I fear it's my confusion that
makes me short-tempered

And that caused the kids
to turn against me -

and come up with this
election thing

The only way to end your
confusion is to accept

Mona..

Say you accept

I will but not now

I have to leave now

When will I see you again
and where?

At home.. my home

Come meet the kids and let's
see what happens

No individual problems

Those with individual problems
are responsible for them

We're confident they'll
manage

as long as he doesn't do so
at the expense of others

But I can't solve my problem

And you can't solve it for me

You must live the experience
till the end

Do as you please till you
learn from it

Listen, Abdou.. sit

Tomorrow when you set the table,
add chairs for all of you

That means that you too,

you and Aziza will join us too

and Hassanein too

We're all of one class

We live together and eat together

as they do in developed societies

- What're you doing?
- Campaigning

I said no campaigning after 5

Get going..

Enough.. to your studies

She's right. Enough for today

Are you neglecting the garden?

Have you all left your chores
to sit here?

Go see to your work

Is this a place to put the
broom, in the living room?

- Where are the girls?
- In their room

I want the house spic-and-span

Alright

We're having an important guest
for dinner

Alright

That's enough now.. enough

What happened?

Mahmoud hit me and yelled
at me

He wouldn't let me invite Nabil

Where can I meet him?

How dare he give himself
such liberties!

Why can a boy bring his girlfriend
home

while a girl can't ask her
boyfriend?

Calm down, this is not the time

I'll fix everything

We have a guest coming to
dinner

I want you to be cheerful and
not mention this matter

And you, comb your hair

and wear a nice dress

For my sake

Who's coming?

Probably some old fogy
from the ministry

If he's an old bore I'll
say hello and leave

Do you notice something
about Mum?

- Notice what?
- I've noticed

I don't understand why Mum wants
us to meet this guest

- What of it?
- Why's he coming?

Mum, can you do my tie?

Cigarettes can ruin your health

But they shouldn't ruin your
morals

If you insist on smoking don't
steal cigarettes

Lose either your health or
your morals..

But not both

Welcome, welcome Mr Ahmed

- Hello
- We've been waiting for you

Come in, come in

Mustafa, Law School

- Hello
- Wonderful

- Madiha, Fine Arts
- Hello

- Maha, high-school
- Hello

- Mahmoud, 10th grade
- Hello

- Medhat, 9th grade
- Hello

- Mamdouh, 6th grade
- Hello

All your names start with M

I told you, the Empire of M

Come in

After the elections it won't
be an empire

Lots of things will change

This election thing is original

I've been to many countries -

but never heard of home
elections

The family in its natural
state -

is a socialist cell within
society

The prevailing social system
must include the family

Enough, Mustafa

Mustafa loves politics and
political discussions

Are you interested in politics
too, Mahmoud?

No

Mahmoud's hobby is music

Great, but you're still in school

I tell him when he graduates
from college

he can become a musician,
a writer, whatever he wants

- Correct
- Of course he'll agree

It's not correct, how can it be?

Why shouldn't he become a musician
now and waste his chance?

Is a college degree a must?

Charlie Chaplin didn't go
to college,

neither did Shakespeare

But they made use of their
talents

and were able to benefit society

Let's continue our chat at the
table

This way, Mr Ahmed

See what I see?

We look so nice tonight,
all made up..

Please, sit here

Where did you go on your
last trip?

To London

Actually I'm sick of traveling

I've decided to concentrate
my business here

I'll have an office here -

with reps in other counties

I want to be a rep

I notice you do all your business
with capitalist countries

In business there's no capitalism
or socialism

For example -

France does more business with
Russia -

than Russia does with China

Likewise -

America has trade with Russia

Business is business

- Enough politics, Mustafa
- No, this is important

No need for important
talk now

Could you live amidst
such a crowd?

You heard the discussions
and saw what might happen

We'll get used to each other

I think we should wait till
you get used to each other

The reality of the situation
will help us do so

I mean when we all live together

Broach the subject and make
them face reality

I don't know

I'm so confused

I'm even more frightened now

Mustafa, I want you

Sit down,

Look, Mustafa..

Since we're all being so honest

and since everybody does as
they please

that we're holding elections
and choosing a chairman

I want to tell you something
I've been hiding from you

A certain person has proposed
to me

I've been refusing him for years

- but he keeps proposing
- Marriage?

Your mother's still young
and receives offers of marriage

What do you think?

Noting so far. I'd like
to hear your opinion

It's your right

You've deprived yourself of many
things for us

But now you must marry
and live your life

Telling you not to marry
would be selfish

And I'm certain neither of us
are selfish

You agree, then?

Yes, Mum. Congratulations

It's still early for that

I haven't accepted yet

We'll talk more about this
later

I suppose it's Mr Ahmed..

There's news..

A new incident I want
to tell you about

Mum has a suitor, she's
getting married

I didn't think the matter
would come to marriage

The groom is Mr Ahmed,
of course. It was obvious

It's her right, she must marry

Have mercy. She's been alone
for 10 years

We thought she got used
to being alone

Where will they live when
they're married?

With us here, of course

She can't leave us and live
somewhere else with him

Where will he sleep?

What a ridiculous question!
In Mum's room

He's going to sleep with Mum?
Oh, no!

A lot of things will change when
a stranger comes to live here

He won't be a stranger
when they marry

Two days ago another stranger
was coming to our house

Nabil will visit me just as
Souad comes to visit you

and Mervat comes to visit
Mustafa

No one's visited me yet

This isn't the time for such
talk

No we should agree while
remaining confident -

that nothing will change our
will

The elections will decide
the authority

We'll all vote for Mustafa as
chairman of the house

It's the only way to run
our own affairs

Will you inform the popular
platform about the marriage?

No, this is a private matter

So much for the M empire.
He's not an M

- Should we change his name?
- We'll call him Mishmish

Congratulations

Why, nothing's happened yet

I agree

Wait till I agree first

Mustafa says it's your right

As long as my right isn't
at the expense of yours

Congratulations

I told them

They all agree

But their looks say the
opposite

It would've been better had
they refused

Don't be like that. It's your
imagination

Just as you imagined that
they're having elections -

to do without you.
Who can do without their mother?

I agreed to the elections
as a game

But our affair isn't a game;
it could harm them

Many people with children have
remarried and the kids are fine

Many remarried, hurt their
kids and ruined their futures

Think of yourself,

Give some of your love to
yourself

don't give it all to them

You can't make them happy
unless you are

And you haven't been happy
for years

I don't know

I can only be happy if my
children are

You're nervous right now

Calm down, we'll talk
tomorrow

How about dinner?
I have some foreign guests

I'll pick you up at 9

No, better to meet somewhere

At home; we've got nothing to hide

Where to, Mum? Will you go
out everyday?

No, but I've been invited
to dinner

- You won't eat with us?
- I want to come with you

It's getting late; go to bed

But I want to come

Leave Mum alone, Mamdouh.
Have a good time

What are you doing up?

I couldn't sleep; I tried but
I couldn't

Come, darling. Come to bed

What did you and Mustafa
decide?

That I must try

Do you know what your
problem is?

You have no hobbies

You should take up sports or art..

Mamdouh isn't wrong to love
Soccer

Mahmoud isn't wrong to love
guitar

- What do you like?
- Writing novels and stories

Write, then, after you finish
your schoolwork

I'll buy what you write

Who knows, it might get published
or made into a film

- Really?
- Really

Write, and I'll buy

I'll start tomorrow.. no, tonight

Go on

- Where's Mamdouh?
- I don't know

You don't know?

Madiha.. Maha!

- Where's Mamdouh?
- I don't know

Oh, God! Mustafa..

- Is Mamdouh with you?
- Where?

I can't find him

Go look for him instead of
standing there

Mamdouh!

- Did you find him?
- No

Madiha..

I found him

I found him, Madiha

Why are you sleeping here?

They said you were scared to sleep
alone, so you're getting married

- We thought you'd died
- You terrified us

We thought tomorrow's
party was ruined

- What party?
- The election party

- election night
- Must there be a party?

Of course. We've invited all
our friends -

to share the experience

so that every home
can hold elections

You plan all that without
my permission?

During elections we don't ask
our opponent's opinion

I'm an opponent now?

An enemy, right?

You can hold your own party

No, I won't

The house belongs to those
who work in it

What a mess!

Who'll clean this?

Did you ask Uncle Ahmed to come?

Why? He's neither a candidate
or a voter

We've invited our friends
and he's your boyfriend

I don't like the word boyfriend

It's improper

Besides, it's not your business

I don't know why Mum won't
invite Mr Ahmed

Let's invite him and surprise
Mum

so we can bring our friends

But she doesn't want him

I bet she wants him to come
but she's hesitant

- I'll go call him
- I'll come with you

- Where will we get his number?
- From the phone book

Mustafa the patron of soccer

Mum, didn't you invite any
of your friends?

I've nothing to do with
this party, dear

Mum, this is Ismail

How do you do?

Mum, this is Nabil, my boyfriend

Uncle Ahmed is here, too

- Hello
- Hello

I'm here because the kids
invited me

Who called you?

It was either Madiha or Maha

They issued a formal invitation
on behalf the family

Shall I sit with you or with
those who invited me?

With me, of course

Look, Mona, I..

Let's not talk about us today.
This is the children's party

A moment, folks

Brothers and sisters, tonight
is unlike any other night

This isn't an ordinary party

It's an election meeting

We invited people who aren't
our constituents -

and non-voters

so that they may share the experiment
and practice it

The experiment is to introduce
the State system into every home

Like any other organization

there are elections and
a management board,

and a chairman

Management in the home must
be done through elections

Excuse me

- Come here
- Like what she's doing?

I want no scenes. If you're
worried about her, go sit with her

or take them with you

He's your guest. I want no
scenes

Alright, Mum

- Anything wrong?
- No, nothing

Where are your friends,
Mamdouh?

I'm sitting with Mum

Come on, Hassanein, join us

Let's have beer together;
let's drink

If all elections were
like this -

everyone would come to vote
like me

Here, Abdou
Drink with us, Aziza

- Me?
- yes, go ahead

- Did you talk to your dad?
- He refused

- What will you do?
- Wait till he agrees

Suppose he never agrees?

What do you want me to do?

Daddy, Daddy, just
like a little boy

Excuse me

Not that music

Change it to something fast

I'll buy you another

If we marry could we live
on my salary alone?

It's only 17 pounds

We'd have to live in Dad's
house or yours

I'm ready to live with you on
10 pounds, but you can't

You live in Zamalek and so do I

I live in a villa, not a flat
like you

But I'm ready to live in an alley
or a hut

Consider it's over

I wouldn't marry you even if
your father agreed

Excuse me

Madiha, what is it?

Mustafa, ask the folks to come
and dance

Didn't you preach for equality?

Yes, we should do that

Hassanein, come dance with us

This party's for everybody

That wouldn't be proper, sir

Be modern, there's no such
thing as proper or improper,

nor high or low

What certain people do everyone
has the right to do

- As you wish
- Come on

Hear me out!

Mr Mustafa

Mr Mustafa..

A thousand times Mr Mustafa

God bless Mr Mustafa

Play!

It's a shock, Mum, a shock!

Consider what happened an
experience -

not a shock

You're still young

Someday you'll meet the man who
understands and appreciates you

He'll be independent

You deserve the best man
in the world

Don't frown

Smile and forget what happened

Don't let anyone see you like this

Smile.. smile

Let's join the guests

What have you done to
yourself?

It's not my fault

Mustafa, go sit with Mr Ahmed

What for?

Go on!

Come, Madiha, help me
move this oaf

Just what I needed.. help
him lie down

Watch his head

- What has he drunk?
- Beer

- Who brought beer to the house?
- Mustafa

And I thought he was grown up
and sensible

What will he do to you if
he runs the house?

Sorry for leaving you alone,
Ahmed

- You must be bored
- Calm down

You seem very nervous

What can I do?
As you can see..

Even the eldest whom I thought
was old enough to know better -

behaves mindlessly

I lied when I said I'd be with
you with a third of mind

I have no mind left

A moment, please

Those who have the right to vote,
write your nominee's name

Aren't you going to vote, Mum?

No, dear

Who will count the votes?

I will

It should be the eldest
voter

It's either Aziza or
Hassanein

Aziza's older than me

Really, Hassanein? Don't
you remember?

I remember

- Mum
- What to do? I love her

- Mum
- One must know a mother's worth

Mistress Mona

Loyal Aziza!

Mum

The Mistress

Bless you, Hassanein

- Mum
- That's me, Mum!

- We have a majority
- One vote left

It must be Mustafa's

Mum

You too, Mustafa?

Congratulations, Mistress

God bless you, Mistress

What was all the fuss about,
then?

To tell you we love you

Now let's elect a board
of directors

- All of us are the board
- We're all with Mum

Congratulations, may you
be appointed minister next

Minister!

The children's problems
are enough for me

Their problems can be solved

Their problems never end

They need me more with every
passing day

What about us?

You know how much I need you

But I'm only one person,
and they're six

Is everything between us
over, then?

What's between us can never
be over

But presently I can't be both
yours and theirs

There's only one solution

I'll go abroad again

The more I need you and feel
you near me -

I'll go further away

But I'll never lose hope

I'll always be hoping

Leave

Leave so you can come back

But don't say you're leaving

Say you'll give me time
to think

Mum, we've composed a new
salute to our empire

We should call it the
Democratic Empire of "M"

Let's call it the land..

Land of love

Where everyone loves one another

Mustafa : Khaled Abu El-Naga

Medhat : Hisham Selim

Mamdouh : Ahmed Naguib

Mahmoud : Usama Abul Fotouh

Madiha : Hayat Kandil

Maha : Layla Hamada

The Empire of M

Produced by:
Murad Ramsis Naguib