I Can't Think Straight (2008) - full transcript

[Cell phone ringing]

Hello?

HANI: We could just elope,
you know.

But then you wouldn't get to see me
dressed like an extra from Dynasty.

So much to do.

Your hair looks perfect, Madam.

When I want your opinion,
I'll give it to you.

Madam?

That one.

Thank you, Madam.

[Sighs]



I need a cigarette.

- HANl: Are you ready?
- Almost. I'm working.

HANI: 2O minutes
before our engagement party starts?

Where is my husband?

In the garden, Madam.

And where is my coffee?

Coming, Madam.

Did the dress fit Tala?

She didn't stop eating at lunch.

Like a glove, Madam.

HANI:
I love you.

Bye, Tala.

Bye.

And Lama?



Did you take in her clothes?

By two centimeters, Madam.

Excellent.

KAREEM: Ah! Let's hope
this is the final engagement party

your father has to throw
for your sister.

For a man of his stature
to endure the shame...

[Speaks in Arabic]

How do I look?

You could cover your shoulders
a little more.

It's not cold.

It's not proper.

Did Zina like the green dress
I picked for her?

Oh, she loved it, Madam.

[Exhales deeply]

The cake?
How does the cake look?

[Speaking in Arabic]

It looks perfect, Madam.

Just perfect.

[Spanish version of "Alabina"
by Alabina plays]

WOMAN 1 :
She'll do it before dinner.

WOMAN 2: No way.
Tala loves her food too much.

The last time, she broke
the engagement before dinner.

WOMAN 2: And the first time,
she waited till Reema

had her mouth full of coffee.

I just hope she keeps
the jewelry this time.

Eight carats, D flawless,
who wouldn't?

WOMAN 2:
Tala never keeps the jewelry.

She's always had a screw loose.

- And how is my favorite niece, huh?
- Ammo Ramzi.

[ Laughs]

Hi.

You managed to get on a plane?

Plane? Ha! You know
I'll never get on a plane.

Not after that dream I had.

[Speaking in Arabic]

The crash!

The devastation!

The dream was in 1967.

Right after the Six-Day War!

Israel has a lot to answer for.

Anyway, I wouldn't have missed it.

I wanted to meet the man
who made it this far. . . again.

Ammo, I love him.

Of course you love him.
He's Christian, and he's rich.

Not to mention kind, thoughtful,
and forward-thinking.

And handsome.

UNCLE RAMZI:
Handsome is good.

But ask your aunty
why she married me, huh.

Looks and character come and go.

Only large sums of money
last forever.

So it would seem.

You look amazing, Habibti.

I wish I could say the same.

That's because I've been alone
with Mama and Lamia

for four whole days.

You know, I think I found
those weapons of mass destruction

Bush was looking for.

How clever of him to disguise them
as two Arab housewives.

[ Laughs]

Zina, that dress
looks beautiful on you.

Mama says you should be
entertaining your guests.

Yeah, Tala,
surely you should be familiar

with engagement-party etiquette
by now.

[ Laughs]

She looks so happy,
doesn't she, Reema?

Of course.

OMAR:
And beautiful.

Just like her mother.

SAM: No, no, no.
No, I don't think so.

I understand what you're saying.

But I think that 10% is the maximum
you can expect from that spread.

No.

Bye.

I thought you'd gone for the day.

The printer's not working at home.

What are you printing?

Oh, just some. . . bits and pieces.

Come on, come up.

Sit down.

You have a minute, don't you?

All this is going to be yours
one day, you know.

All of it'?

SAM:
And your sister's.

But sales are everything.
They're the lifeblood of this place.

[Sighs]

You know I'm not good
at selling, Dad.

You don't sell life insurance.

I know, I know.
It sells itself.

Life insurance is a sure bet.

I just asked my client,
"Do you know you are going to die?"

There is only one answer.

Then I ask him, "Are you 150%
absolutely, positively happy

that your wife and your kids
are properly taken care of?"

You've got 'em!

Come on, try it.

Uh, Dad.

Oh, come on.
I'm your client. Try it.

[Sighs]

I'm sorry. Dad.

I'm good at the admin.
Yasmin's better with people.

She's a waitress!

She's learning so she can start
her own food company.

Three years at university
so she can wash dishes!

She doesn't need her own company.
She has her own company.

I have a date with Ali tonight.

I like him.

He's a good boy.

Are you going to the mosque first?

We're heading into town
to see a friend of his,

then we're having dinner.

It's Friday!

I believe in our religion, I do.

I just...

I don't like to go
when everyone else does.

If you don't go
when everyone else does,

how will they know
you're a good Muslim?

Go on, then.

But don't be out too late.

I'm not 6, Dad.

I know.

["Number One Boy"
by Nadine Khouri plays]

LEYLA:
So she's Palestinian, your friend?

ALI:
Yeah, she lives in London,

but her wedding
will be back in Jordan,

where I was
for her engagement party,

you remember?

What does Tala do?

I think she has something
of her grandfather's spirit in her.

You know she's recently launched
a company over here?

[Rings doorbell]

For an Arab woman
from her background,

that's pretty unusual.

What's the matter?
You nervous?

A bit. I'm always like that
with new people.

Don't be. Tala's great.
Trust me, you'll love her.

HOUSEKEEPER: Evening.
- ALI: Evening.

How long have you and Ali
been dating?

About two months.

And?

Does he want to marry you?

Uh...

LEYLA: I think he's just
waiting for me to ask him.

Tala, my eldest daughter,
is getting married in six weeks.

And what does your father do?

Stop interrogating
the poor girl, Mama.

ALI:
Hey.

TALA:
She is going outwith Ali, not me.

Tala, meet Leyla.

Hello.

Sorry to break your British reserve,
but we always kiss in Jordan,

usuallyjust before
we slit your throat.

When are you going
to stop criticizing your homeland?

When everyone else
stops being afraid to.

LEYLA: How do you and Ali
know each other?

He went to school
with my third fiancé.

They were at Cornell together.

She's had four, you know.

Fiancée, I mean.

Four?

REEMA:
She's too picky.

I always liked Namir.

Mama, he was a drug addict.

He was from a very respectable family.

Yeah, and during
our engagement party,

I caught him in the bathroom
with white powder on his nose.

You always jump to conclusions!

Maybe he was trying
to hide a skin blemish.

He had some pock marks
on one side of his face.

Tala! I've just had
your wedding dress taken in.

Congratulations on your wedding.

Will it be in a mosque?

A Church! A church!

TALA:
Not all Arabs are Muslims.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have assumed.

Are you a Muslim?

Yes.

TALA:
Why?

REEMA:
Tala, what kind of question is that?

Because she was born a Muslim.

No, she wasn't.

Weren't you?

She was born a female.

And a member of a certain race.

And if she'd been adopted
by a Jewish family,

she'd have been Jewish.

Thank God she wasn't adopted!

What the Middle East doesn't need
is more Jews.

Mama, please don't start
with the anti-Semitism.

Anti-Semitic?
Who's anti-Semitic?

I am Semitic!
That's the point.

And yet the Israelis
grabbed Palestine from us.

And Arab countries threw out
over a million Arab Jews.

But the Israelis should be fair
to the Palestinians.

They know what it's like
to lose their land.

Now someone's speaking sense!

TALA: True. But we need
to draw a line under the past

and move forward.

Your headache medicine, Madam.

I don't have a headache.

But it's 7:00, Madam.

Well, then, I haven't adjusted
to London time yet.

Nice to have met you.

I apologize for my daughter.

Good night.

See you.

TALA:
You didn't answer my question.

I'm not Jewish.

Why not?

Why aren't you?

I don't subscribe to any religion.

- So you live without any faith?
- Ah, I didn't say that.

Why should my beliefs offend you?

They don't. I just wanna know
why they don't offend you.

Tala, ease up!

Don't they do small talk
in the Middle East?

This is small talk
in the Middle East.

For serious debate,
we move on to politics.

And before that happens,
I'm gonna take Leyla to dinner.

Do you want to blow off your parents
and join us?

They are going back
to Jordan tomorrow.

But thank you both.

Perhaps another time.

I'd like that.

We can be all British
and talk about the weather.

You are naughty!

MAYA:
Leyla! He'll be here soon!

Come on!

I don't understand why Ali
can't eat with us first.

He's booked a tennis court, Mum.

At 1 :00? That's lunchtime.

Uh, only in the suburban
time zone, Mum.

I believe London's, what,
two hours ahead of us?

Or would that be two years?

You and your cosmopolitan attitude!

What kind of salad
are you making, anyway?

It's a Greek salad.

Oh! And an Indian salad
isn't good enough for you?

Mum, what is an Indian salad?
Week-old lettuce and chilies?

You two are so worried
about other cultures.

London! Greece!

What about your own heritage?

Did you ever think about that?

India has one of the richest cultures
in the world!

Well, I'm glad you said that, Mum.

Because I'm thinking of spending
six months out there, backpacking.

You are not going backpacking.

And in India of all places!

What about the culture?
The heritage?

What about being raped
and murdered?

And clean underwear?

Were you going
to take underwear, Yasmin?

Ah!

MAYA: What if you meet people
we know?

They'll think we can't afford
to send you on a real holiday!

Mum, there are, like,
a billion people in India.

What are the chances
that I'm going to bump into someone

from your Surrey bridge club?

[Doorbell rings]

Ali!

Are you going to the door
dressed like that?

We're going to play tennis, Mum.

- What's that smell?
- YASMIN: It's feta cheese.

- Hi.
- Hi.

How are you?

ALI:
Hey!

- MAYA: Ali!
- Hi, Auntie. Hello.

- How are you?
- First class!

- ALI: Hi, Uncle.
- SAM: Hello, Ali.

ALI: Mmm, something
smells good in here.

Thank you.
That's my Greek salad.

Hey, Yasmin,
I didn't know you could cook.

Of course she can.

And so can Leyla.

She makes the best cakes.
And never puts on weight.

- LEYLA: Mmm-hmm.
- Yep, that's our Leyla.

She's gonna make
a wonderful housewife someday.

And apparently she knows how to sell
life insurance with the best of them.

How many times
do I have to tell you?

It sells itself!

LEYLA:
We should be going.

- Bye, Uncle.
- MAYA: Oh, next time come for lunch.

Oh, I'd love to, next time.

- LEYLA: Come.
- ALI: Okay, okay.

Let's hope she has the sense
to hold onto him.

Like a life raft.

Mum!

[Sighs]

Oh, by the way, umm, we're
meeting some friends at the club.

I hope that's okay.

Scared I'll beat you one-on-one?

Ooh, terrified.

Who are we playing with?

You remember Tala'?
Oh, and another friend of mine, Jeff.

Actually, I owe Jeff a game,
so you can play Tala.

Is that okay?

Fine.

Hey!

How are you guys doing?
I hope you've been practicing.

- Hey. How are you?
- JEFF: Not bad, you?

- ALI: Good.
- LEYLA: Hello.

["Hey, Girl"
featuring Vivienne Poona plays]

Come, let's play.

- How are you?
- Hey.

They have a really great coach here
if you want a lesson.

That was amazing.

You're pretty good, you know.

You're not so bad yourself.

This way.

I'll show you
the changing rooms.

That was quite a comeback.

I prayed for divine intervention.

Look, I didn't say
that there wasn't a God.

It's just religion that bothers me.

Sorry if I offended you.

On the contrary, you made me think.

Yeah? About what?

About -- thank you --
why we follow certain paths.

Is it just expectation
or conditioning?

Oww!

Let me take a look at that.

It's all right.
I'm always clumsy.

You know, you should
really relax more.

Just. . . be at ease with yourself.

Maybe a shower will help.
They're over there.

All right.

[Laughing]

So, are you coming
for the polo match tomorrow?

Honey, as much I'd like
to see you fall on your ass,

HO can do tOfTIOITOW.

Rugby's on.

It's just a practice game,
but it's usually fun.

I'm supposed to have lunch
with my family tomorrow.

Hey, I'm sure they won't mind.

Think of all the fun you'll have
treading divots.

Just watch where you tread, huh.

You missed lunch yesterday,
and now you want to miss it today.

It's Sunday!

Why don't you ask Ali
to come for lunch?

He could meet Namima.

He's taking me to a polo match, Mum.

Polo? You mean the game?

No, Mum,
she means the mints.

All those horses
and sweating South Americans!

Will Prince Charles be there?

Well, at least you're making
an effort for a change.

MAYA:
What's that?

[Cell phone rings]

- Excuse me.
- Sure.

- Hello?
- SAM: Leyla?

Hi, Dad.

Listen, we're going to be later
than I thought.

Ali's really into the polo.

- SAM: He just called.
- Who just called?

SAM:
Ali.

He asked if you
wanted to go over to his place

to watch the rugby
after you got back.

I didn't tell your mother.

Thanks, Dad.

TALA: Thanks, Antoinette.
See you later.

TALA:
Hello!

Hello!

Impressed?

LEYLA: Mmm...

I didn't even break out in a sweat.

I kept thinking you were gonna fall,
leaning across on the horse like that.

I like to take chances.

Is that why you left
your family's business?

I wanted to see if I could
create my own brands.

I'm impressed.

No, don't be.
Not yet, at least.

I've yet to get a decent order.

But something should pan out soon.

How about you?

- Me?
- Mmm.

Nothing to tell.

My dad encouraged me to join
his company, and I've never left.

And? Do you like it there?

It's not exactly inspiring.

So what inspires you, Leyla?

Writing.

Fiction.

Can I read some of your stuff?

Uh...

How else am I going to find out
what goes on

beneath that quiet exterior?

[ "Little Feeling"
by Leonie Casanova plays]

$0...

Let's...

Hello?

Really?

You have an amazing talent.

I'm just learning.

Make sure you do something with it.

Have you really
been engaged four times?

[Sighs]

I mean, you seem
like such a decisive person.

Yeah, well, I'm not proud of it.

You know about the last guy.
He had a problem with drugs.

Or make up.

The second guy, well,
he ticked all the boxes.

He was Christian-Arab, good family,
handsome, intelligent.

It just didn't click.

I can understand that.

And the first?

Well, that was a big mistake
I let my mother pressurize me into.

He produces tons of dates.

My mother loves dates.

You can never have too many dates.

Oh, trust me, I found out you can.

How about you?

What about you and Ali?

How's that going?

I like him a lot.

Does it click?

Not the way I imagine it should.

Well, maybe we expect too much.

It's starting to rain.

Oxford !

Oxford's where you go
to get a degree,

not to get away.

It's only an hour by train.

Why do you have to go for two days?

So, if it takes me three hours
I can stay the night?

Oh, my God!

What is that?

It's Ethiopian bread.

We have Indian bread right here.

Anyway, I thought
they were starving in Ethiopia.

Yeah, well, if they had bread,
then this is what it would look like.

Who are you going with?

A friend.

Ooh, Ali.

No, not Ali.

Does everything
have to revolve around him?

Hey, she has a friend,

and they're going away
for a couple of days.

Why do you make everything
a problem?

["Mirror, Mirror"
featuring Nadine Khouri plays]

Don't let her get to you, Ley.

She's not. . . .
She's not getting to me.

What's wrong?

Are you two-timing Ali?

Of course not.

You know me. I can barely
go outwith one guy properly.

Yeah, why is that?

Is there anything you
want to talk to me about?

No.

I mean anything.

You lied to Mum and Dad last
week about the polo with Ali.

I know. I can't believe I did that.

No, it's about time if you ask me.

But why?

Who are you going to Oxford with?

Nobody. Just Tala.

I see.

What? What do you see?

Well, nothing.

It's just you've been spending a lot
of time with this Tala, haven't you?

She's nice.

Nice?

Nice, as in Mum's
bridge-club ladies nice,

or nice as in. . . hot?

What's wrong with you?

Her family's sponsoring
a charity event.

And her sister's
going to be there, okay?

0kay!

MAYA: Do you two think
that lunch will make itself?

No, but that lettuce is ready
to walk out the fridge on its own.

MAYA: Come and take
this horrible bread

and send it to Africa
where it belongs!

TALA:
Have you been to Oxford before?

LEYLA:
Oh, I love it.

There's something magical about it,
especially the buildings.

That sweet city
with her dreaming spires.

Matthew Arnold?

TALA:
Mmm-hmm.

Shall we go see the library?

LEYLA:
I'd love to.

What's Lamia doing?

TALA:
Buying a picnic hamper.

LEYLA:
Is she upset with us?

TALA: Just with me. She wants me
to shop for the wedding.

LEYLA:
In Oxford?

TALA: Well, I refused
to meet her in Paris.

TALA:
Here, Leyla, try it.

LEYLA:
Mmm, that is amazing.

Lamia, would you like to try some?

I don't do carbs.

TALA: Since when?

Lamia, you study here, right?

Mmm-hmm.

LEYLA:
What subject?

Flower arranging.

So, I hear you didn't get the order.

Well, maybe now you can
come back and help Baba

and stop all this independent stuff.

You know, Leyla's
the most brilliant writer.

You have to read her stuff.

No, no, I'm just learning.

But I do love it.

One day soon, you will read
her stuff in bookstores.

Could you publish an edition
with pictures in it?

TALA:
Shall we walk some more?

- LAMIA: No.
- LEYLA: Yes.

LEYLA:
Whatever you prefer.

I need to get back to the room.
Kareem always checks where I am.

Tell him that you're busy.

Are you coming with me?

No.

Come on.

It's exactly that kind of relationship
I've wanted to avoid at all costs.

So your fiancée not like that'?

Hani?

No.

He is an Arab, and was born
and brought up in Jordan,

but he's different from the rest.

Kind, open-minded.

And he makes a great martini.

He sounds wonderful.

Yeah, he is.

He is.

At least, I can't find
anything wrong with him.

Why are you trying?

Thank you.

For what?

For all this.

It's overwhelming.

You know, it's been a while
since I've seen it all

through new eyes.

Thank you.

["Ma Fini Fakker"
featuring Mena plays]

I have absolutely no sense of rhythm.

Come here.

Have you ever done this before?

Slept with a woman while my fiancé
makes wedding preparations?

No.

Never done that before.

That's not what I meant.

When I was 18,

I fell madly in love with a girl
my first year in college.

We spent a few
wonderful months together.

I never knew
I could feel so complete,

so alive.

Till now, obviously.

Till now.

So, what happened?

I broke it off.

I was in pieces.

I told myself
that it was for the best,

that I was away from home,
and I was lonely, and...

And. . . now?

This is not a way to live, Leyla.

It's not easy.

It's not acceptable.

We didn't break any rules
last night, Tala.

Yeah, but we did
where I come from, okay?

Nobody lives like this,
at least not openly.

And you live in the West now.

Yeah, but I don't think
it's acceptable

to cheat on your fiancé
anywhere in the world.

["Tell Me" featuring
Leonie Casanova plays]

What do you like most
about this place?

Worlds that once existed.

Just. . . the scent of antiquity.

Eww! It smells like mold in here.

I don't care what anyone says, Lamia.

You have a romantic soul.

Hello, Mama, can you hear me?

Stop the dryer.

Hello, Lamia.

LAMIA:
Mama.

Your tea, Madam.

LAMIA: This place
is a complete dump!

Give it to Philippe.

LAMIA:
All museums and no shops.

They don't even have a Gucci!

REEMA: Did you get her
something colorful?

Tala thinks grey is a color.
And they got bored of shopping.

They?

LAMIA:
Her friend is here with her.

Leyla.

The Indian Jewess?

The Indian.

I didn't know she was Jewish.

They're spending
all their time together.

LAMIA: I guess it's nice for Tala
to have such a close friend.

Good thing she's
coming back next week.

That's the other thing.

I think she wants to stay
in London a while longer.

REEMA: She did this
with the second engagement.

Or was it the first?

And she never came back
for the wedding.

I'm sure it's not exactly like that.

LAMIA:
Mama?

Mama?

Home sweet home.

[Telephone rings]

Hello?

Mama!

- HANl: Hello, Albee, my love.
- TALA: Hani!

Did you enjoy your trip?

Yes.

HANI: I'd give anything
to be with you now.

Sit down, sit down.

I have a surprise for Tala.

I'd like you to see it.

HANI:
How was your trip?

TALA:
Fine, I just walked in.

HANI:
I know.

TALA:
How do you know?

HANI:
I can see you.

What do you mean?
Where are you?

Right here!

Habibti!

REEMA:
They're so in love.

It brings tears to my eyes.

And you must be Leyla.

It's such a pleasure to meet you.

Tala's talked about you a lot.

LEYLA:
You too.

How was Oxford?

Lovely.

Much more than I had expected.

HANI: You know, no one
ever says how romantic Oxford is --

the river, the buildings, the history.

Well, let's have dinner.

You girls must be hungry.

I have to go, but thank you.

Oh, no, I won't hear of it!

A quick bite!

Hani works in the Jordanian
government, you know.

TALA:
The foreign office.

Does that cover relations
with Israel?

Yes.

How can you stand it?

We have to stand it.

And sometimes even
learn something from the Israelis.

What do you want to learn?
How to shoot children?

Obviously not that.

But Israel is the closest thing
to a democracy

that we have in the Middle East.

Oh, thank God I didn't send
your sisters to that American school!

They turned you into an Arab-hater.

Aunty, your daughter is one
of the proudest Palestinians I know.

Why don't you show Leyla and Tala
the invitations?

- What invitations?
- Our wedding!

REEMA:
Well?

It's beautiful.

HANI: Hmm.

Really perfect.

Are you all right?

Just a headache.

REEMA:
Here.

I just need the bathroom.

REEMA: Upstairs.
Ninth door on the left.

Thank you.

Do you want me to go with you?

No, I'm fine.

What are you doing?

Holding your hand.

So what happens? We each get
five minutes of hand-holding?

I get a night in Oxford
and he gets a night in London?

That's not fair.

What is fair, Tala?

We can't live like this.

Our families wouldn't understand.

I can't lead you
into a life that's. . . difficult.

I don't need your protection.

Thanks to you, I know what I want,
and I can't go back.

I want to feel the way
I did last night every day.

I want to be with someone
that ten years from now

makes my heartjump
when I hear her key in the door.

And that someone is you.

I. . . . I can't hurt Hani.

Are you in love with him?

There are things I love about him.

I can't ruin lives.

You will.

Especially yours.

HANI:
Tala? Are you okay?

Tell me you can do this.

LEYLA:
Good-bye, Tala.

Hmm, Ramzi! Welcome!

Hello!

Welcome!

Christ, I'm still here.

[Cries]

No two women should look
this beautiful at 6:00 in the morning.

Is the king coming for breakfast?

No, I'm going to the airport.

Sami's flying in from New York
for the wedding.

I haven't seen your brother in years.

Does he still like musicals?

I don't know.

But I'm sure he's looking
very much forward to seeing you.

Why?

We'll be back in time
for breakfast with your parents.

Wasn't he supposed to get a place
for Lamia, like, four years ago?

Would you leave a suite
at the best hotel in town

if you were getting it for free?

I'd leave Paradise itself
if Mama was there.

Well, Kareem would brave hell
to secure his inheritance.

He's not their son.

But, in the absence of a son,
he is the perfect son-in-law.

Which David could never be.

Anyway, he broke up with me.

He did?

I'm sorry, Habibti.

He wants to bring up
his kids as Jews.

Hannukah. Passover.

Imagine Mama's face.

Mmm, I'd really rather not,
though it might be worth it.

We thought we could start
our own mini peace process.

He never made a secret
of being attached to his culture.

Then, why did he even
get involved with you?

I mean, what kind of a person allows
you to get emotionally entangled

when they know
that there's no way forward?

I need a coffee.

No.

No.

You need to stop
selling yourself short

Sometimes...

Sometimes you can't stop

and rationalize everything
so perfectly.

Don't you ever just do something,

even when you know deep down
it's going to be a disaster?

KAREEM: You will like Zina,
if you give her a chance.

She's a nice girl.

And she wears a lot of black also.

I think the two of you
will match perfectly, huh?

I'm really not interested in women.

KAREEM: Too busy working
at the investment bank, I imagine.

You have to start thinking
about your future, Sami.

What, like you?

Hmm, yes.

Like me.

Welcome, Sami.

Thank you.

It's not very often

that I have all my daughters
at home at the same time.

I'd like to propose a toast.

To Tala and Hani.

EVERYONE:
To Tala and Hani.

And may you have many daughters.

LAMIA:
Oh, Baba!

Eww. No, thanks.
I'm a vegetarian.

Really? Me too!

Have you ever been
to Dan's Bakery in New York?

In the village!
I love that place!

SAMI:
They make the best...

TOGETHER:
Arabic Bread!

And they have
the best-looking bakers.

That's not important.

Well, it is to me.

[Laughing]

Did anyone see? There was
another suicide bomb last night.

It's barbaric, the way
they brainwash these people.

This idea of a paradise
waiting for you

if you kill innocent people.

They're not killing innocent people.
They're killing Israelis.

Have you forgotten
what they did to us

at Sabra and Shatila
and DeirYassin?

So we sink to their level
and kill children?

Children who will grow up
to be Israeli soldiers.

Kareem, please.

With all due respect, Hani,

but you and I have never suffered
like our Palestinian countrymen.

If I remember rightly, you were busy

the last time we went
to a refugee camp

to interview people for jobs.

I was holding the fort at the office
for your father that day.

And Lamia and I went
to the Refugee Charity Dinner

just last month.

Hmm, where the refugees
washed the dishes.

[Laughing]

Will you all excuse me, please?

I've, um. . . .
I've got a lot I have to do.

REEMA: The seamstress
will be here at 10:00.

Make sure you hold
your stomach in this time.

["Underground"
by Nadine Khouri plays]

[gasps]

Are you trying to kill me?

Creeping into the house
like a robber?

Sorry.

You missed Bollywood Sisters.

Nina's just found out her
16-year-old daughter is pregnant.

And a drug addict.

I made you some pasta.

I need to talk to you.

What's the matter?
Are you sick?

No, I'm fine.

Actually, very good.

HaPPV-

- Where's Dad?
- In town with a client.

He'll be back home soon.

Ali called.

Oh, shit. I forgot about him.

Well, he's a wonderful boy.

Mum...

I'm not happy with him.

Then Aunty Gulshan's son
is looking for someone.

He's very successful.

He's a bookie.

Well, and tall and handsome.

He's 6'7".
All I can see is his navel.

Well, then you'll have tall children.

Mum, I can't be happy with him.

The way I'm not happy with Ali.

And...

And I've always known why,

but I was hoping that the reason
I thought was the reason

might not really be the reason,

and that things would change,
but they never have, not really.

And now I know for sure

that what I've been feeling
all these years

is actually the right thing.

- Do you want cheese with this?
- And there's nothing wrong with it.

I haven't got cheddar like you asked,
I got parmesan, though.

If you could just listen to me.
I'm gay!

SAM:
I'm home!

What did I miss?

I'm gay.

But I've only been gone two hours!

You always said you just
wanted us to be happy.

I lied.

Who did this to you?

I haven't caught a disease, Mum.

I'm just gay,
like I have brown hair.

First you stop coming to mosque,

now you're up to your neck in sin!

It's not a sin!

Mum, I haven't killed or stolen,
and I'm trying not to lie to you.

It's a huge sin!

According to who?

According to God!

What kind of a God is that?

I don't accept it!

Then you will burn in hell!

That's enough!

It's okay.

No!

[ Maya cries]

[Door slams shut]

I think maybe it's time we discussed

getting you that flat
you've been asking for.

If I could help it, I would.
But I can't.

I know, Beta.

I know.

How many pre-wedding dinners
is it possible to have?

And another thing.

If the rule's no black, then fine.

But how come you get a dress
that's elegant,

and I get one that's Liberace?

Because I did Tala's shopping
for her in Paris.

"Zina, don't wear black.
It's not a funeral. Mama."

It's a funeral for the 2O lambs
that got slaughtered for this dinner.

They made tofu kebabs
for you, Habibti.

Come on, Zina.

Sami's downstairs.

He asked where you were.

Send him this dress.
He'd probably love it.

What kind
of a stupid comment is that?

He likes you a lot, you know.

ZINA:
Yeah, well, I like him, too.

LAMIA:
You should go outwith him.

He's the right age to marry.

You seem to have a lot in common.

You both like New York.
You both like black clothes.

We both like men.

Stop saying things like that!

[Sighs]

Yeah, if you don't say it, Z,
maybe it won't be true.

Kareem thinks it's a phase.

If he meets the right girl,
he'll get over it.

That strategy sure didn't work
for Uncle Ramzi.

Uncle Ramzi is not gay!

Yeah, and the Pope ain't Catholic.

What do you think, Lamia?

Do you think that. . .7

Do you think that being gay
is a "phase"?

Do you think it's all right
to sacrifice your own sister

to a life of misery
married to someone who's gay?

No matter how well
their clothes match.

Well, I guess you would know more
about that than anyone else.

What's her problem?

I have a strange sense of déjé vu.

I'm sorry, Baba.

Have you told Hani?

I don't know what to tell him.

Except that I know
it won't be fair to him

to go through with the wedding.

Mmm-hmm.

You know what fathers want
for their daughters?

For them to be happy.

Sons move on. They have choices,
especially here in the Middle East.

But a daughter...

A daughter needs a hand
now and then.

What are you going to do
about this?

Oh, I don't know.

Maybe we can just have the party.

Your Uncle Ramzi can tell
his plane-crash stories,

and everyone in town can toast
the new scandal with champagne.

See Hani.

Go and get dressed.

It will be okay.

- Ravi!
- Sir?

Pack all the wedding food
and send it to the camps.

[Sighs]

They should have
cancellation insurance for weddings.

That stuff would sell itself.

["Kidda" by Natasha Atlas plays]

Can I have the keys, Dad?

She won't get it.

Get what?

Nothing.

Where are you going?

I'm helping Leyla look for flats.

She doesn't have to go.

She needs to.

- ALI: What exactly happened'?
- TALA: I broke Hani's heart.

ALI: Hey, Tala. You have
to give yourself a break.

If you knew he wasn't the right one,
then you did exactly the right thing.

Yeah, except I should
have told him sooner.

Look, honey, we all
wish we had hindsight.

So, what about you, hmm?
What's new?

Me? Y.F.S.

Young, free and single!

You're not seeing Leyla?

Nah. She dumped me.

What happened?

Well, on the plus side,
it wasn't really my fault.

She told me she's gay.

I know. I was shocked, too.

You know, she even told her parents.

You're kidding.

No.

Got to admire her guts.

She's always had a
fierce streak, that one.

You know, there's not many
people in our community

that'd be willing to do that.

Always liked that about her.

Come on, you.

["Hey, My Baby"
by Nadine Khouri plays]

[Phone rings]

Hello?

Hi, this is Tala speaking.
Can I speak to Leyla?

Yeah. One minute.

For you.

Who is it?

Tala.

I'm not talking to her.

Yasmin!

Yasmin, I'm not talking to her.

Take the phone!

She, uh, can't come
to the phone right now.

No, I, uh. . . .
I'll call back tomorrow.

Perhaps one of the most stunning
archeological finds of that century,

indeed, any century,

was the founding in the south
of Jordan of the "lost city" of Petra.

Dramatically carved
out of rose-colored stone

by the Nabataeans,

the massive columns of the temples
rise up to surprise visitors

as they walk through a high canyon
to reach the entrance.

A breathtaking site.

Now a thriving tourist destination,

Petra has enthralled generations
of archeologists and visitors alike

thanks to the stories and beauty
of its "lost city."

Like the rest of Jordan,
it is well worth a visit.

Hello.

I enjoyed the lecture you gave.
I learned so much.

JENNIFER:
Oh, it'd be so great to go.

LEYLA: Apparently you can only
go to Petra on a horse or a camel.

JENNIFER: That would be great.
- LEYLA: It would be fun.

What are you doing here?

My family sponsored the lecture.

What are you doing here?

I'm interested in Jordan.

It has a population of five million

and no natural resources
to speak about.

Petra's lovely, but there isn't
much to say about Jordan,

because it's me you're interested in.

How was your wedding?

JENNIFER:
Leyla, let's go.

This is my friend, Jennifer.

Your friend?

Her girlfriend.

Girlfriend.

JENNIFER:
Who was that?

LEYLA: Oh, that's my. . . .
My friend Tala.

["Underground"
by Nadine Khouri plays]

Do you want that?

Do you want to join us
for a drink tonight'?

I can't. I have to work.

Yeah, how's that going?

I got the order.

That's fantastic, Tala! Great!

Do you know how difficult it is
to get into those big chains?

I thought that's exactly
what you wanted.

Yeah. It was.

Well, we should celebrate!
It'll be fun!

Leyla said she might join us tonight.

No. I'm really busy.

Is everything okay?

I don't get it.

YASMIN:
Which part?

ALI: Why do you want to get
Leyla and Tala together?

I mean, the other day,
Tala didn't seem interested at all.

Listen. Did you ever watch
the TV show, The L Word'?

ALI: No. But did you ever consider
not talking in riddles?

They're in love with each other.

Who?

YASMIN:
Sonny and Cher.

Leyla and Tala.

Leyla and Tala?

- Good evening, Madam.
- Good evening.

I'm meeting Ali.

The other party hasn't arrived yet.

Would you like
to take a seat at the bar

or would you like me to show you
to your table?

- The table.
- Sure.

- Good evening.
Reservation for Ali, 7:30.

Oh, yes.
Follow me.

There you go, Madam.

Thank you.

The gentleman
sends his regrets, ladies.

He's unable to make it.

But he does wish you
a pleasant evening at his invitation.

Thank you.

We've been set up.

So it seems.

You look wonderful.

So do you.

I know.

I'm just joking.

[ Laughs]

How's your husband?

I don't have one.

I broke off the wedding
the morning of the wedding.

That must have been very difficult.

It was the second-hardest thing
I've ever had to do.

What was the first?

Leaving you to go back to Jordan.

Well, I'm glad to see
you were discreet.

Well? How did it go?

Their eyes met.

A brief smile
played across Tala's mouth.

Unconsciously,
Leyla licked her lips.

It's all over.

Okay. I'm still
getting used to the idea.

You sound just like my dad
when you say things like that.

You know what?
I've always liked your dad.

What about you?
How are you?

Fine.

Really good.

My book got published!

Really?

I mean, it will.

Next week, actually.

That is so wonderful, Leyla.

No one deserves it more than you.

How's your girlfriend?

Jennifer?

Has there been more than one?

No.

She's fine.
Thanks for asking.

Do you love her?

There are things I love about her.

And is that good enough for you?

No, not really.

Did you tell your parents
why you broke off your wedding?

TALA: I told them
it wouldn't be fair to Hani.

Did you tell them why?

Look, Leyla, you. . . .
You don't understand.

Jordan. . . .
It's an unforgiving place.

My parents have
a strong place in that society,

and it's a culture
that doesn't change.

I guess as long as people don't dare
to be truthful about who they are,

it never will change.

Leyla, I love you.

It's that simple.

Why should it be anyone else's
business, even my family's?

We make it their business
every time we have to lie

about who we're with,
and why we're with them.

'Cause, you know, you once told me
to be more at ease with myself.

Thanks to you, I am.

Now I'm telling you the same thing.

[Doorbell rings]

TALA: Every night
I empty my heart,

but by morning it's full again.

Slow droplets of you seep in
through the night's soft caress.

At dawn I overflow
with thoughts of us,

an aching pleasure
that gives me no respite.

Love cannot be contained.

The neat packaging of desire
splits asunder,

spilling crimson through my days.

LEYLA:
Long, languishing days

that are now bruised tender
with yearning,

spent searching for a fingerprint,
a scent, a breath you left behind.

[Doorbell rings]

Rani, where are my parents?

They just finished lunch, Miss.

I gave Madam some mint tea.

Go in.

["Holy Daughter"
by Leonie Casanova plays]

REEMA: Maybe I should try
a South American maid.

As long as it's a third-world country,
I don't mind where it is.

They work hard.
They don't even think about...

Mama, Baba, I have
something I need to tell you.

Haven't you shamed
us enough already?!

[Reema cries]

Please, Reema.

Tala!

Tala, wait.

"The sun hit her hand
with a red-hot force

that burned straight through
the clear-veined skin of her wrist.

And when she shut her eyes
tightly and briefly against it,

the heat still glowed
under eyelids like coals."

[Applause]

Thank you, Leyla, for a very
illuminating talk and reading.

If anyone would like a signed copy,

Leyla has kindly agreed
to do a signing.

[Applause]

I really loved it,
especially the ending.

That's nice to hear.
Most people just love it when it ends.

[Laughs]

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Hi. Amina, please.

Amina. Quite a unique name.

Thank you.

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.

Who shall I make it out to?

"To Tala...

...who finally had the courage
to come out to her parents."

Thank you.

What did you tell them?

I told them I was in love

with a beautiful, intelligent...

. . talented, clumsy...

. . woman.

I'm sorry we had to go
to a hotel last night.

We won't from next week.
I'm getting my own place.

Mabrouk!

Congratulations!
Is it a flat?

One bedroom.

What is it?

I was just thinking...

You're gonna need a bigger place.

Why?

Because I told my parents
we're gonna have children.

One day.

Soon.

Children?

Soon.

["I Kissed A Girl"
by Jill Sobule plays]

She's what?

But some of my best
friends are Lebanese!