Original subtitles

Essam Imam presents

Adel Imam

Come on, mister, the queue is moving

What's this? What's this?

Which floor? Which floor?

What did he say?

Seventh

I need a transfer form

to have my children moved to another school

- Where can I get it? - Room 717

- 717? - Yes

Where can I find that?

It's the one we just passed

- We passed it? - Yes

Would you believe it? I've been coming here for a month

and have never been able to get to it

- A month? - Yes

- You've been coming daily? - Daily

- And you can't get in? - No

Haven't you dusted the desk yet, you fool?

I dust it once and twice and thrice, sir

Take away the rag!

- Once and twice and... - Attention!

To make doubly sure, sir

I was doing nothing so I busied myself with dusting

Are you playing smart, boy?

Go get me my coffee! Move it!

What is it, mister?

- I'm sorry, I need... - See Mr. Rashad!

I haven't said anything yet. I need...

See Mr. Rashad!

God is Great

Where have you been, Sekina? See Mr. Rashad

You've left me hanging on the line

So, you were changing the baby's diaper

Well, listen to me

You listen to me because I'm right

If he wants to divorce you,

make him sign a full waiver and then go to hell

No, no, not his aunt, don't let her get involved

She is a mischievous trouble maker

I'm telling you, you don't know her as I do

What is it, Sekina? Listen to me!

You're nursing, dear, the flat is yours legally

Of course you have a right to get back your dowry

Yes, don't leave him anything

Suppose you married again,

wouldn't you need your furniture?

And then what was it all about?

Because you cooked molokheya for him?

Well, get him okra. It's 8 pounds a kilo

and it requires a kilo of mutton worth 12 pounds

And put rice along with it...

Yes, of course, rice

and two lemons...

A tiny lemon nowadays costs ten piastres

What is it, mister?

- It's... - It's what?

Nothing

God's blessings & peace be upon you

May you pray in Mecca

- You too, God willing. Yes? - Oh my God!

I'll tell you

I need a transfer form

to have my children moved to a school nearer to home

That's Mr. Medhat's specialization,

he's on an training course, and will be back in a week

Couldn't you do the work in his absence?

No, everybody has first claim to his job

Besides, it's a question of one week only

Wait, Sekina, listen to me for once

I'll get you a much better husband

Only see to it that you keep the furniture

I say, it's now 11 am.

It's time for neither the noon nor afternoon prayer

Which prayer is the gentleman performing?

Do you know how to prepare a delicious meal

with little cost?

Have your dining table set with meats and fried chicken

And stuffings so tasty as to make one swoon

And here's a new method for stuffing turkeys

with chicken and meat and it's cheap and very tasty

Make sure you have on your dining table

meats and chicken, they're so delicious and nutritious

Ahmed! Ahmed!

Where are you, Ahmed?

What is it? Where are you?

Peel these garlic cloves for me for the aubergines

Is it not enough that I'm preparing the salad for you?

I'm supposed to come home to find the table set

Besides, we're having aubergines day in, day out

Isn't there anything beside that?

Provide the cost, I'll cook you what you will

Get me that meat, I'll cook it

Take the chicken out of the empty fridge, I'll fry them

Moreover, I workjust like you

The crown won't fall off your royal head

for peeling a few garlic cloves!

I work mornings and evenings

And do I pass my evenings in amusement parks?

Or do I dress up and go to the opera?

I'm worn out doing the house chores

What opera are you talking about?

You're not good enough for a circus

If you go to the zoo they'd detain you there

What opera?

Dad! Mom!

Why do you look so exhausted?

We are weary of the long walk

When are you going to move us from this school?

We're worn out!

Good evening, Ahmed

What is this, Soliman?

Some sandwiches

You can't go home without supper

Thanks but I'm used to having supper at home

It's Thursday and we want to close early

but that man out there isn't budging

What time is it now?

What time is it, sir?

It's late and the workers want to get going

Shall I wrap that up for you to take home?

It seems we'll be staying here overnight

- Thursday night is ruined - And Friday, too

Can I have two pounds' worth?

Of course

Look at the man carrying the loaves

Tonight, Thursday night, I'll wed and be a bridegroom

I love you and wish I could forget you

And forget myself along with you

I'd sacrifice my life for you

I live in EI-Sayeda and my sweetheart in EI-Hussein

To win all blessings I visit her twice daily

I'm calling you!

I'm calling you!

Your sweetheart sleeps in a deserted palace

Where are you, my beauty?

Moneera! Moneera!

What is it, Ahmed?

Quietly, the children are sleeping

What time is it now?

It's still early, very early

I can't understand why you go to sleep so early

This is Thursday night, a special night

Tomorrow is Friday, no work

Why have you turned the cassette player on?

That's Abdel-Halim Hafiz

What's brought Abdel-Halim to your mind at this hour?

Abdel-Halim is always on our minds

Only the pressures of life make one forgetful

We remember him as soon as things are not too bad

Go to sleep, Ahmed. Or have you forgotten:

If I went to the zoo they'd detain me there!

They would put you in with the gazelles and songbirds

You know, when one is upset, one speaks nonsense

Today the restaurant grossed over 300 pounds

Why?

Because it's Thursday night. Would it be -

a boon to the restaurant and not a boon to this home?

All right. Go see if the children are asleep

Get up, Ahmed!

Hell! I cleaned the floor this morning only!

What've you done?

- Do it tomorrow - What tomorrow?

Am I destined to drudge night and day?

Afternoon, sunset, evening

For how many years have you been reading this stuff?

For many years, son

I read as a student and as an employee

I read as a bachelor and as a married man with children

I read in health and now when riddled with illness

It's all talk, mere talk

Why do you keep buying the paper then?

It's a disease, God protect us

Any news of anything getting cheaper?

Many things are getting cheap as dust

Me, you, the gentleman here, all of these people

Let me through, please

Let me pass, please

Excuse me, madam

Madam, don't stand crosswise in the bus

Ladies especially should stand edgeways

So you think that funny?

When there's serious talk you're glum and pouting

Damn you and your evil times!

Let me pass, people of 'never mind'!

Let me through

Coca-Cola bottles are more 005in arranged in their cases

If one pressed them they'd explode

Because they're filled with gas!

And what are you filled with? Buttermilk?

Ready to turn into cottage cheese?

Cowa rds!

You raise your voices only to speak nonsense

Stay as you are... raise the kids,

live it up on Thursday nights,

and on Fridays run off to pray

That's enough for you!

Damn you all!

All this is in vain

Everybody drinks bottled water now

Tap water is tastier

People are afraid to drink of it

Let them clean their water tanks

And the government keep water pipes

and drainage pipes apart, and all will be well

You take many leaves of absence, Mr. Ahmed

Hello, Mr. Manager, excuse me

I'm finalizing formalities for having my children

moved to a different school

Last week you had leave for that purpose

The official in charge was away on some course

Take ordinary leave

My leave entitlements are exhausted

Swap with some colleague for the evening shift

I can't take the evening shift

because I have another job in the evenings

Your part-time job is not my business

Without the part-time job I can't make ends meet

Give me an adequate salary and I'll give that up

I'm not the government!

Sir, I'm leaving whether you permit it or not

Do it, then!

I'll refer you to a disciplinary board

- Better not - Why not?

- I'll tell them everything - What?

I'll tell them everything

Go! Go!

Mr. Manager? Goodbye

Which is the top floor, please?

Thirteen

What luck! I love those ill-omened numbers!

Here, take this, may you have a happy day

Thank you, sir!

Here, mister

The gentleman looks like he's in need of money

No, thank you

What?! Here, 10, 20, 30 whatever you want

No, thank you. I have enough

What's on the thirteenth floor?

The Vice Squad

Vice!

What is it, mister? You again?

- Mr. Medhat... - Mr. Rashad!

Yes, Sekina dear...

Look, don't touch anything on the desk, understood?

The peas look fine

They must be, I've bought it for 150 piastres

- No kidding! 150! - Yes!

I get it for 120

They fooled you, they sell you the stale for 120

- Where are the carrots? - Carrots?

It's most delicious with carrots

- And a plate of rice alongside - Yes, you're right

What's this? Are you making conversation with me?

Are we becoming friends or what? See Mr. Rashad!

Yes, Sekina dear, I'm with you

That was a damn advice!

God's blessings & peace be with you

- May you pray in Mecca - You too, God willing

I believe you're here for Mr. Medhat

I hope Mr. Medhat has completed

his training course with excellent grades

He has completed the course, thank God

It seems he has gone to the toilet

Wait for him

If it's a question of the toilet, that's no problem

I'll take a short walk and come back

You probably roam the cafEs after hours

No, I work here at the Mogamma' only

Well, it is quite extensive

I just bought this spot with difficulty

for the value of two carats of land

You sold two carats of land to shine shoes in Cairo?

Put your trust in God. The other shoe

Do you know Mr. Medhat?

- The one who works here? - Yes

I know him. He wears imported shoes,

fears to expose them to our local polish

A quarter? He“ 3 pound!

A shoeshine now costs half a pound?

Don't you know that?

I shine my shoes myself and my children's too

But from now on, I'll shine my neighbours' shoes

Give me the quarter. You seem to be a good fellow

- Bye - Bye, sir

What did you do to the children at the club?

I swear to God I didn't do a thing, sir

Why did you upset your young master?

I sent you with him to take care of him,

not to bring him back home all upset

I didn't upset him, sir

I took very good care of him

But he stuck a tail to my coat

Then he and the young masters his friends

were making fun of me and I didn't know why

When I took notice I said to him:

This is not proper, Master Sameh

After all, there is a limit to everything, sir

What limits, you animal?

So what if he Sticks a tail on you?

Your father has a tail

and so does your mother

Please keep my parents out of this

Are you talking back, you animal?

Stand at attention!

I'll send you back to the unit

where you'll lick your superiors' shoes

and have time struck off your service record!

Out!

Hasn't Mr. Medhat come back yet?

I forgot to tell you, he has colic

of the large intestine and suffers from constipation

It's this water we drink

Are you going to make the water your scapegoat?

Look at the food you eat first

He's been in the toilet for half an hour

He may have fainted or something

Mr. Medhat! Mr. Medhat!

I wish you a speedy recovery!

Speedy recovery, Mr. Medhat!

What is it, mister?

Are you Mr. Medhat?

No, I'm not!

Why are you angry?

I'm angry at this hubbub and racket

A toilet is a place for ease and comfort

You must go in quietly to allow others to be at ease

In Europe and advanced countries

Shut up!

People go to the toilet with soft music!

You expect to have soft music here?

If there's any justice!

Mr. Medhat!

- Again? - Mr. Medhat!

Speedy recovery!

My precious Mama. No..

Dear Mama...

Mr. Medhat!

Speedy recovery!

Hasn't Mr. Medhat come by while you were here?

No, where did they tell you he was?

In the toilet

And you were looking for him here?

It's my last chance to finish what I came for

Look, I'll let you into the secret

Secret?

Mr. Medhat is too dainty to use the toilets here

He must be out in some of the fine buildings around

where the toilets are truly pleasant

Really?

What about the suspects inside?

Nobody has checked on them, sir

Open up the door

Come in, sir

Wake up, girls! Where do you think you are?

In a bedchamber, sweeties? This is a government office

Bring me Hend Sleem

- Have you put in sugar? - Two pieces, sir

Idiot! I've told you a hundred times, one piece

Don't be upset. I have mine with two pieces

Go get me another

Cigarette?

Oh, you don't smoke! But I do

Why are you refusing to sign the statement?

You're impeding submission of the case to Prosecution

With all due respect, I'll sign only to my statements

Well, whose statements are these?

Theirs. I abetted vice, violated decency

I haven't committed anything more

You well know, this is one charge and that's another

These are the statements I'm willing to sign to

Mr. Medhat

Speedy recovery

Are you Mr. Medhat?

Medhat who? I'm not Medhat

But If you want me to be Medhat

for your sake I'll be very Medhat

What's going on?

Are you Mr. Medhat?

No, I'm not

What do you want?

- What were you doing? - None of your business

Mr. Medhat

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Sir! Sir!

What is it?

Where are you going?

Going in

Where to? To do what?

Isn't this the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Yes, it is

Well, I'm going in for Mr. Medhat

Medhat who? In which department?

I only know that his name is Medhat

He works in the Education Department at the Mogamma'

He's come for some business and I've come to hurry him up

What's his business here?

He came to relieve himself

What do you mean?

In proper language we say "to relieve oneself"

I'll say it plainly, he's come to go to the toilet

The toilet?!

You know, the toilets at the Mogamma' are scandalous

Mr. Medhat is a man of refinement

He likes to go somewhere decent

Where else than in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

He used to come here, but since the Arab League

was completely renovated, he has been going there

There it is, right in front of you

- At the Arab League? - Yes

All right, thank you very much

- You're welcome - What?

You're welcome

- Peace be with you - And with you

You're brothers, aren't you?

You are but you don't want to say so

Which of you is the other one?

She was with us and did exactly as we did

She was with us and did exactly as we did

She was with us and did exactly as we did

Hend

They may say what they will, I too will say what I will

You should hear me and write down what I say

I was arrested in a public place, in the cafeteria

of a 5-star hotel, not in an apartment as is written

Whom are you trying to fool?

I have the right to say what I will

It's up to the Prosecution to accept it or not

Why do you want to charge me with something I didn't do?

What will you profit by that?

Your colleague here is very insolent

You have seen that yourselves

It's not in your favour

Her insolence bodes evil for all of you

If she comes to her senses, the old statements will all be scrapped

and replaced by new ones

The Prosecution will review them and set you free

It was your fault, mom. You insisted

that I marry your niece who marred and tarred my life

May God forgive you, because you are my mom

As for her, no!

May she marry someone

who'd make her live torture and torment

Listen to me and go ask his pardon, he's an evil man

I didn't do anything wrong

Let him do what he will, I'll not prostrate myself

He's called the barrack's chief of staff

They'll detail two guards to take you into detention

Please sign the statement. They treat us

better at the DA's office than they do here

You know that I wasn't working with you

Yes, dear, you were

Working doesn't necessarily have to be in a bed

Sign or you'll be carried out on a stretcher

Just try to touch me

Mom, burn all of my clothes, no, don't...

rather, set them on fire, better still, poison them!

If that niece of yours attends my funeral

my torment will be double

I want you to know the way I've committed suicide

It's by falling from high up. The idea came to me

from the TV, from the film "Between Heaven and Earth"

How I hoped the lift would break down and not take me up

But the Mogamma's lift did not break down

It's my destiny

I've come for Mr. Medhat

Mr. Medhat has just arrived. He's taking the lift

Thank God

Mr. Medhat!

- Mr. Medhat! - What is it?

Nothing... You're quite right, sir

You don't only deserve to come to the Arab League

You should go to the UN

To be fully at your ease, sir

Truly, at first I was wondering...

But having seen you, I say you have every right

What's the matter exactly?

Shall I speak when you're pressed to be relieved?

Pressed to be relieved?

Yes, of course, I know it

Go in, be at ease, and when you come out

I'll explain my request and all will be well

Go on. I wish you a speedy recovery

Which Medhat do you want?

Aren't you Mr. Medhat of Education Department at the Mogamma'?

What Mogamma'?

Tahrir Square Mogamma'

- Tahrir? - Yes

Zaki!

- Anwar! - Anwar who?

We're brothers and there's no need for violence

Scram! You could have landed us in trouble!

Did you find him?

Hasn't Mr. Medhat come back yet?

Mr. Medhat is a high-class man, a Gezira Club member

I know. I've looked for him at the Arab League,

at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at all hotels

I'm not budging from here till I get my business done

whether by Medhat, by the Minister, by the devil!

Calm down, mister

I won't! I'm an official just as you are

I help provide services to fifteen million citizens

My work extends everywhere, homes, streets, factories!

Just as I serve people's interests somebody must serve mine

I'm only claiming my rights

I'm sheltering here till my papers are finished

God's blessings and peace be upon you

Where do you think you are, man?

Get lost before I lose my temper and thrash you!

If you do my papers you'll merit more in Heaven

God has not created us to pray all the time

He has appointed a proper time for everything

Prayer that impedes work is invalid

You're assaulting prayer, you enemy of God?

What are you? Are you an infidel?

By what right do you make me into an infidel?

Or do you want to play the dervish?

I play the dervish?

You push me? I'll show you! I'll make you say

your afternoon prayer at the DA's office!

Your going to prison will be at my hands

Assaulting an official while performing his duties!

Call security! Call the police!

Help! Security, come quickly!

Get out

I'm not budging from here. I have rights

Do what you want in jail

What's going on?

He assaulted an official

I assaulted you, you liar?

I'm a liar, you enemy of God?

Me, an enemy of God?

Take him! Here's the criminal!

I didn't do anything! I'm not budging!

My glasses! My glasses!

I haven't done anything!

Let go of me! I must get my papers finished!

Nobody fire!

Throw down your weapons!

I want Mr. Medhat!

What's going on?

They say there are terrorists at the Mogamma'

May God protect us, sir

Terrorists?

Open the door! Open the door!

Step aside

- What're we going to do? - I don't know

Let's run for our lives!

Say again!

Terrorists have taken over the Mogamma'?

Hold on, hold on

Say it again

What are you saying, General?

The Mogamma' houses the government, the state!

Shall I have no rest? Not even for half an hour?

Shall I never get any good news?

Only catastrophes, fires, armed robberies & terrorism?

May God help you, Excellency

Everybody knows that you shoulder a heavy burden

Other ministers spend their time listening to music

and appear on TV more often than singers!

The safety of the whole country hangs on you, sir

Inform Central Security, State Security, the Fire Brigade

Yes, sir!

Certain days are so ominous!

0 Got“.!

Please, mister, we are not at fault

We shall be hurt to no purpose

We have families to look after

I'll testify that you were not in the wrong

Be sensible, son, don't bring ruin upon yourself

It's no use now. Your testimony will be in vain

The government attaches no weight to all that

How far would you go?

To the prison gates or the gallows?

You shut up! It's you who have brought it upon us

Be it prison or the gallows, this thing must be rounded off

Will you round it off all alone, brother,

or do you need someone beside you?

Put your trust in God and let your own heart tell you

I'm on your side, not against you

If you're embittered, I'm a hundredfold so

Place it there

Whatever you say, bravest of men

Praised be God who decrees all change

Cut it short. We want a few more

I swear there are no more

Unless you permit me to go downstairs to get you one

Go downstairs to return no more!

Move! Move!

I've fortified all entrances and exits

with butane gas cylinders, just as you said

One shot at any cylinder and hell would break loose

Listen, friend...

Are our souls a plaything in your hands?

You want to burn us alive!

Shut up! You in particular will burn twice,

on earth and in hell. When you return

someone's "good morning" you demand payment for it!

Listen, exercise extreme caution

Let no erring shot be fired at a cylinder

These cylinders will be our last resort, not our first

Halt! Not a single step more!

Who are you? Friend or foe?

Friend, I swear to it!

I'm with you even if it comes to death

Anything that troubles the General is fine for me

What do I have to fear?

Which General do you work with?

General Araar

- Who? - Araar

Araar?

The Mogamma' is full of decent generals,

and your lot had to be with that one?

No wonder you're prepared to do anything

Arm him, I vouch for him

Come

Take position. Guard the rear

Where is the rear?

- The rear? - It must be backwards

Good morning, sweeties...

- What's this? - Good heavens!

Pardon! I've escaped from the 13th floor,

the Vice Squad. They've arrested me wrongfully

They say I'm a member of an indecent network

I'd die if my name appears in the papers

Tell me, don't you need volunteers?

- What? - Volunteers

Things are getting better and better

Volunteers?

What's this racket?

You again, idiot?

In Europe and advanced coun...

What's going on?

Really, What's going on?

Do we have enough information about the terrorists?

Anything at all?

Say any thing!

Mom, we shall meet where all people will meet,

in the hereafter

God's blessings & peace be with you

Your son, Samir Bassiouny

What's this? All these for me? Who told on me?

No power on earth can stop me from committing suicide

No power will stop me from committing suicide

I will commit suicide

I will commit suicide

No power on earth can stop me from committing suicide!

What's that?

It seems to be one of the terrorists

No, it's someone who wants to commit suicide

because his wife's making his life a living hell

Shall we rescue him, sir?

Let's rescue ourselves first, General

Let him go to hell!

Find me a way to contact those people

Let me know what sort of people they are

I have an attack plan, sir

Any attack will involve victims, General

I think we should establish communication

Who's there?

It's me, I'm looking for my glasses

I've lost them in the rush and now I have a headache

I've found them

Intact or broken?

Intact

Thank you

What will happen next?

What did you say?

I say, what will happen next?

Anything, good or bad, will be fine

The trouble is that nothing is happening

What matters is, what are we going to do?

- What's your name? - Helal

Are you afraid, Helal?

No, things cannot get any worse than they are

Suppose we found ourselves in the middle

of some deep sea, what would we do?

We would flounder about

You said it: We shall flounder about

Either we get to the shore and rest on our feet

or we drown, there is no other alternative

Do you get what I mean to say?

Halt!

What is it?

Flee for your life. They have taken over the Mogamma'

- Really? - Yes

I'm the one that was giving away money in the lift

I was going to the top to jump off

Death by jumping off the top is sinful

but death along with you is all right

What death, mister? Why this in omen?

Death by machine gun fire is rapid and sweet

Do you want me to die with you or shall I jump off?

No, stay with us, let's die together

Thank you very much

0 Got“. 0 Got“.!

Calm down, madam

- O God! 0 God! - Calm down, madam!

You take it

Yes, take it

Who's on the line?

Are you sure you have the right number?

Yes, sir

But this is a feminine voice, a tender voice

I'm the Minister of Interior

What? Who?

How do I know you're the Minister of Interior?

Isn't it possible that you may be somebody else?

Is it possible that you don't recognize my voice?

How should I recognize your voice?

Are you singer Abdel Wahab or Abdel Halim?

Have we had mutual dealings that I should recognize your voice?

Look, it's the Minister of Interior speaking,

and in my capacity I ask you, who are you?

Swear to it that you are the Minister of Interior

I'm the Minister of Interior and as I'm willing

to believe you, you should believe me. Who are you?

I have been assigned to speak with you

The situation here is horrifying

The whole floor is mined with butane gas cylinders

They will explode them with the guns they have

They warn you and your men, if you make any rash move,

they'll burn up the Mogamma' with all those in it

Do you know their demands? How many are they?

How should I know? They're holding a gun to my head

All right, child, tell them the Minister

wants to talk with them. To negotiate is best

We want the safety of all, terrorists as well as hostages

The Minister wants to talk with you personally

To talk with me?

No, I will not speak on the phone

If he wants to talk, let it be through a wireless

The telephone would restrict my movements

With a wireless I can talk in the midst of people

- My motion would be free - OK.

Tell them to send the wireless with a child, 4-5 years old

Anything else?

No

What?

I cannot endure any more!

Calm down, madam, and have patience!

Let me go. Excuse me, I'm leaving

Where to?

I have permission to leave two hours early

Yes, I gave her permission

Because I'm nursing

Nursing? Do you look like a woman that nurses?

Besides, what the government says doesn't bind us

In Europe and advanced countries they nurse artificially

Adulterated and expensive

Then stay here that I may get you your rights

All in order, sir. The Wireless is on the way

They're looking for a child to send it with

- Have they agreed? - Yes

So far so good

Please, please, this is not the right time

We have better things to do

I promise, as soon as things settle

I'll speak to everyone of you individually

What? What is it?

Walking in the footsteps of the devil ends in perdition

That guy is doomed, his end is certain

He'll either end in prison or on the rope

A beauty like you whom all youths yearn for...

What makes you get involved with him?

You're not made for prison but for a pleasant life,

for perfumes, furs and fancy cars

All you need is a long dress and a veil

that you may become virtuous

Return to your senses

Why have you chosen me in particular for your advice?

Is that the gaze of someone giving advice?

You're like a sister to me and I fear for you

And those? Aren't they like kin to you?

Aren't they to be feared for?

No, those are not fit for advice, they're stubborn

I'm like them, as stubborn as they are

- One dies only once - I don't want to die!

Calm down, madam. It's not up to you!

I say, let's assault them!

What?! Assault? And risk our lives?

Come closer to me

Let's attack them as one man. What could happen?

A few of us may die, 3 or 4 or 6!

But I'm not a man, I'm not a man

Calm down!

You try it first

You attack first, we will follow you

I don't know how to attack, I can only plan

In Europe and advanced countries

the one who plans is the one who attacks

- Really? - Really

I know What's behind all this whispering

If you don't like being here with us

you can go down to those important people below

But I won't send you down the stairs

I'll send you down the window

No, I'm happy to be here with you

Why don't you go down to them below?

I'm quite comfortable here

It's the President, sir

You mean the Prime Minister?

No, sir, it's the President

Yes, Mr. President

We're fully in control of the situation

A bunch of fools, we can finish them off in a minute

But, for the safety of the officials in the Mogamma',

we are resorting to amicable means

No, we don't have adequate information about them, Sir

But it's a very trivial operation

Rest assured, Sir, rest assured

Where's the child?

Damn you!

This is not your street boss...

It's the Minister of Interior

High-ups tremble in his presence

Fine, fine... May God preserve him

We are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our country

How I wish to see them all torn to pieces!

We are willing to sacrifice ourselves

Your son will come back to you safe and sound

His name is Mahrous, sir

You're the mother of a hero, Mahrous

- What? - I mean Mahrous' mother

Hold this instrument, Mahrous

Go up the stairs, be careful not to drop it

Or it'll malfunction

My son dropping a thing. that'll be the day!

But we must first come to an agreement, sir

What agreement?

You're a man of understanding, Minister

My son is walking into an adventure

Only God knows if he will come back on his feet or on a stretcher

What are your demands?

He should be exempted from school fees all through

That can be arranged

And, God willing, when he completes secondary education

you enroll him in the Police Academy

That's a long time ahead

I promise you, only pray that I may still be Minister

There's only one more thing, sir

What else? Get it over with

A good reward to give joy to the boy

All right, we'll give him a hundred pounds

What, what, what?

A hundred pounds?

Get one of your boys to go up those stairs, General

My son, by the grace of God,

earns 150 pounds a day without trouble

What? A hundred and fifty pounds a day?

Would I lie to you, sir?

Bring me the boy

Here you are, sir

What do you do, dear?

I beg standing by the traffic signal

What?

I beg standing by the traffic signal

You beg, standing by the traffic signal!

Give her 150 pounds

- Come with me - Where to?

When I say, "Come with me", you do it

I don't like to repeat myself

A little child is bringing up a wireless set

You'll take it from him, while frowning,

then you'll say: May your mother be bereaved of you!

What'“ you say?

May your mother be bereaved of you!

I want a lion roaring it out

May your mother be bereaved of you!

- Frown! - Here

Here, uncle

May your mother be bereaved of you!

Bravo!

I'll recommend you for playing on TV

What's the matter, woman?

I'm happy for my son. He deserves all jubilation

He faced all terrorists though he's not an officer

Bravo, Mahrous! I'm very pleased with you

What do the terrorists look like?

Easy, General! Easy!

Tell me, what have you seen?

A bearded man, with a long beard

- A man with a long beard? - I see!

What else?

He said: May your mother be bereaved of you

Tell me, do they have weapons?

They have guns and knives and all sorts of things

The boy!

Now the picture is clear

Now they account us for much. I know their bugbear

Bugbear!

Yes, the bugbear

- Who's the bugbear? - What?

Who's the bugbear?

Shalabi, take my place

I'll look out the window to see how things are

What things? Things are rotten!

Let go of my hand!

Shalabi, reconsider your position

You were doing quite well

Now you're about to bring ruin upon yourself

In Europe and advanced countries they don't

I was brought to ruin long ago

And a living earned off the feet of men, I'll gladly forgo

What?

Why're you looking at me like this?

Frankly, I'm in love

Really?

I've never seen such beauty

Married, right?

My cousin

It's she who has driven me here to commit suicide

- A shrew? - A nagger

- Beautiful? - She is featureless!

I'm telling you she's my cousin. We all look alike

Your size?

No, I exercise and follow a diet

She outweighs me by 30-40 kilos

Me?

Tell me how did you two make love?

You mean...?

Yes, how?

With the collision method

A challenge between greats, the meeting of giants

Can you imagine. . Just a second

I used to sit and watch

Animal World on TV

to see how elephants dealt with such matters

- Are you an idiot? - No, why?

Because the censors cut out those scenes

Even between elephants?

Even between elephants

I'm a coward!

I submit my resignation!

What's happening up there?

A failed attempt by one of the hostages to escape

Things have been brought under control. No injuries, out!

They have forces enough to blow the Mogamma',

even to blow the Pyramids

Let them attack. I'm ready for the confrontation

Why should we be trodden down in the scramble?

We accepted our lot contentedly, patiently!

Stop it, you nagger!

I'll let them fire on any woman uttering a word

Damn you all! You are the source of all trouble!

Calm down, brother...

- What's your name? - Samir

Calm down, Samir. Behave in a civilized manner

They're the fairer sex. Be tender with them

Tenderness with them is short-lived,

What's half an hour in a 24-hour day?

Are you the half-an-hour type?

No, I'm not speaking about myself

Are any of you of the half-an-hour a day type?

Leave off this foolery and let's go our way!

It's lunch time and we must have some rest

Are we not human beings?

In Europe and advanced countries

they treat people as human beings

I want to speak with you for a moment

- Me? - Yes

The police down there aren't the real danger,

these people here are

If you control them no one will overpower you

Attention! The Minister of Interior is speaking

Considering my responsibility for the safety

and security of all citizens, I call you to surrender

in order to prevent bloodshed

It's for the safety of people & yours as well!

I'd stress that we shall not succumb to any threats

whatever the cost may be!

I remind you that not one terrorist operation

has been successful in this country

neither during the tenure of my predecessors nor mine

I repeat, either immediate unconditional surrender

or else, you very well know what!

What we have just heard calls for an answer

Make those people down there understand

Gentlemen, we're not playing cops and bandits

We have demands that must be met

To all soldiers, attention

If you want a battle, we are prepared

Our answer will reach you promptly

O Almighty God!

Mr. Minister, calculate the number of cylinders here

Estimate their fire power and destructive capacity

As I've said, we have demands that must be met

May I have an idea about your demands

to see if they're legitimate or otherwise?

Our demands... yes...

Just a moment...

Don't you feel hungry? What would you have for lunch?

Anything to prop us up

Anything? Nonsense! You're respectable people

What do you think of kebab and meat fingers with salads?

- God is Great - God is Great

By God, you're a man of understanding!

Order a kilo of kebab for every one

Lots of outlets and fewer meat fingers

The salads, assorted!

In Europe and advanced countries

they have "tehina" salad with kebab

Our first demand is for kebab and meat fingers

- What? - Kebab and meat fingers

- What? - Kebab and meat fingers

Lots of kebab and fewer meat fingers

Salads, green, tehina, aubergine and soft drinks

Kebab! They want kebab for lunch

How can we get enough for that throng?

It's risky to let them have kebab, sir

They'd like it up there and stay put

Kebab for lunch, escalope for supper,

and we remain stuck here day and night

Sir, let's blockade them completely

I suggest we cutoff the water supply

Patience, General, that's not the way to handle it

I say we get you Kentucky packages

I wash my hands of responsibility

The authorities want to get you Kentucky packages

- Please, don't budge! - We said kebab!

If you give way to the authorities

we will end with beans and ta'meya

- That'd be a catastrophe! - Don't give way

What counts is the public will

Express your will yourselves

The authorities are down below. The windows are open

Kebab, Kebab!

Kebab, Kebab!

Kebab, kebab! Else we'll turn your life into hell!

Kebab, kebab! Else we'll turn your life into hell!

Kebab, kebab! Else we'll turn your life into hell!

Kebab, kebab! Else we'll turn your life into hell!

Kebab, kebab! Else we'll turn your life into hell!

Kebab, kebab! Else we'll turn your life into hell!

All right, get them kebab

Sir, won't you perform the afternoon prayer?

The time for the afternoon prayer extends till sunset

May God save us before sunset and we'll perform

the afternoon prayer and a thanks prayer as well

They may put a wrong interpretation on it, sir

They'd say the Minister heard the call to prayer

but didn't go to pray

All right, let's go

God's blessings and peace be upon you

O God, remove our affliction and save our people

Amen

O God, guide us among them that You guide aright

Make us wholesome among them that You make wholesome

O God, condemn us not for what the foolish among us have done

Whom does he mean by the foolish?

Surely he means the terrorists, sir

Yes, that's possible

The kebab, salads and all will reach you soon

The restaurants are sending their own men

to deliver the orders to you

Are those the men that will bring us the food?

If they come up here they will devour us

They look like anti-terrorist guys

If we ask for others, they may have another team ready

We demand 5-star service, the kebab is to be

brought up by Semiramis Hotel waitresses

I have a simple plan,

while they're busy eating

we confuse them by a feint through the fire engine ladder

to distract them and then we go in

I don't like it

I want the incursion to be effected

without shedding a single drop of blood

The incursion will be effected without bloodshed

All right then, we may try

Cairo Gove rho rate, Education Department

How come that when it's not prayer time you pray

and when it is prayer time you don't?

The call to prayer is on, why aren't you praying?

An attack! An attack!

What is it?

They're sending troops up the fire engine ladder!

Open the water faucet!

- What is it? - I don't know

Open up!

The soldiers are coming up!

Truly, an incursion without a drop of blood!

Great! Great!

Throw the cylinder!

Withdraw! Withdraw!

- What are you doing? - I'm paying

No, it's at the expense of the government

- At the government's expense? - Yes

Still, we have to pay

- Tea, ladies - Thank you

My hands are greasy, damn it

Do you want a perfume?

No, I use Eau de Toilette

Lipstick?

I don't use lipstick

because my man is so often away

He's away so often because you don't wear makeup

Do it and he will stay beside you all the time

No, no, please!

- Try, just a little - No, I can't

I'm not used to such things

There's a limit to patience. Let's get it over with

I want to tell you something important

This thing will come to an end somehow

We have demands that have to be met

If you want this affair to end answer our demands

We will listen, we will see...

And just for the sake of argument

My demands...

I have no demands

I came to get a certificate for my children

I wanted to have them moved to a school nearer to home

But since matters have come to this

our demands too must be high

All my life I have been obeying the government

The present one, the one before,

and the coming one

Supposing I didn't obey, what would happen?

Nothing. I'd be left to stew in my own juice

I commute to and from work crammed in the bus, saying:

"Glorified be He Who hath subdued these unto us"

Prices are up. so what?

I have only a couple of children

I obey the government's family planning authority

I have only a boy and a girl and thank God they're fine

The class is overcrowded with 84 pupils

The children come home worn out and dizzy and pale

from overcrowding and air pollution in the class

still, thank God, they're all right

Nothing gives me trouble but obtaining bread

I stand in along queue, I suffer while getting it

and I suffer while eating it

Like the rest of you I'm humble and contented

My only demand is for the recognition of my humanity

I don't want to be insulted

at home, at work, or in the street

I think, for such demands I shouldn't be penalized

or reprimanded or blamed

But since matters have come to a head-throat stage

come on, demand what you will, I'm at your service

Come on, state your demands

We're in a strong position

Those people below may respond to our demands

Come on, madam, what is your demand?

Speak, don't be afraid

What do you want?

Ask for an aeroplane, each of us to get

five or six million dollars and go wherever one wants

Do you think yourself Rambo? What's wrong with this country?

Think of something else

Please, will you do me a favour?

- What do you want? - I take very costly medicine

Three hundred pounds a packet,

and it isn't readily available

I had to sell my possessions

How many packets do you need? What medicine is it?

Here's the prescription

They're crazy, sir,

taking over the Mogamma' to get some medicine!

Get the medicine, General

We're destined to be burdened

by the shortcomings of the other ministries

I can't believe I should risk capital punishment

and get nothing for it but a packet of medicine

Let's demand something big. My life isn't that worthless

I support a wife, two kids and a widowed sister

Tell the Minister to order all police stations

to jail any wife complaining against her husband

Any wife doing that must be ill-bred!

Are you an imbecile? You want me to ask the Minister

to forbid wives complaining against their husbands?

This is an opportunity to ask for big things

In execution they will dwindle to little things

If we start by demanding little things

we'll get nothing

State your demands!

What is it? Do you lack nothing at all?

Do we have milk and honey for breakfast

and TV recipes for lunch?

Speak up! Why are you silent?

You, why are you silent?

Keeping a gun in your pocket, what for?

Why did you stand by my side?

I stood by your side to hasten my own end

I have a death sentence hanging on my head

Someone of the connected people robbed me, robbed me off my land

while I was away... in the army

When I returned I tried to get my own back by law

Sixteen years spent in the law courts to no avail

From judge to judge, from court to court

and never a decision was handed down

And when I lost patience and things got out of hand

I was sentenced in 3 months

In sixteen years I couldn't get my rights,

and in ninety days I was sentenced to death

In meting out imprisonment or death,

courts are agile,

and so heavyhanded

when returning a citizen's rights

Then justice is what we require

That's what we should demand, justice

What do you demand?

Why have you volunteered with us?

I'm too shy to say

Do you feel embarrassed like the rest of us?

Yes, I do

While you get over your shyness,

let's see what our friend Helal demands

Do you also want an aeroplane to fly abroad?

No, I only want to go to my home village

What's so good about your home village?

There I wouldn't be insulted as I have been here

I'd live among my folks whom I love and who love me

I'd plant my land which has become a waste land

You're here in the service of the Motherland

I'm not in the service of the Motherland

I'm in the service of his excellency the general,

and of the lady and of the children of his excellency

You are right, Helal, the Motherland is not one man

nor a thousand using you for their own purposes

Mr. Minister

What? What do you say?

You asked for kebab, we said, all right

But to get carried away by your vanity to the extent

of dictating state policy, no, no!

I swear I'd blow the Mogamma' with all in it!

Wise up!

What you said, Helal, has angered those people greatly

It seems they don't want you to plant your land

They'd rather have you stand at ceremonies

the whole day through under the scorching sun

About turn

Dismissed

I'm not an immoral woman. I'm for show only

My job is merely to sit with the other girls

The customers see me and decide the goods are superb

They get drunk and can no longer tell the difference

I slip by, get my fee, and no one can catch me

That's my profession. I know no other

I tell the officer that's what I was doing

and I'm prepared to say so before Prosecution and Court

He says, "No, you sleep with men"

I say, "No, I only keep them company"

He says, "No, you sleep with them"

That's coercion. No one should coerce another

No one is entitled to do that whoever he may be

The Ministry of Interior has announced

that an unfortunate incident has occurred at the Mogamma'

A madman is withholding a certain number of hostages

It's believed he has some aid in his reckless deed

To ensure the safety of hostages and other citizens

Security is dealing with the madman prudently

So far there has been no loss of life and no damage

Mr. Minister, why so? We were proceeding well!

Anyhow, you have declared me a madman,

accordingly, I shall behave as a madman

I have one demand which I shall by no means retract

The first item in the midnight news bulletin

should announce the resignation of the cabinet

- What? - Resignation of the cabinet

A government that tells lies must resign

If this demand is not met

you'll have corpses raining out of the windows

Are you serious?

No one asks that of a madman!

I'm a madman by the testimony of the government!

Resignation of the cabinet! They'll never do that!

The Great Pyramid would sooner be a heap of dust!

This way you're committing suicide

And you're taking us with you to slaughter

In Europe and advanced countries

the cabinet wouldn't resign

I said from the very start that you're insane!

We'll now see whether I or the government is insane

It's regrettable that we should meet under such circumstances

Such incidents take place all over the world

Some ending without harm,

and some ending with calamities, God protect us!

We pray to God that all may end well

The government has to deal with matters with strictness

When a puny fellow tries to make the cabinet resign

just because he's holding a few hostages,

what of our honour, of the prestige of the State?

What's amazing is that he wants the cabinet to resign

just because we described him as a madman

The Ministry of Interior has always practised self-control

but unfortunately other channels prefer propaganda

We're the first to get a dose of that propaganda

What of legitimacy and respect for the Constitution?

Nothing can make the cabinet resign

but a vote of no confidence and that will never be

because the Assembly is all ours

I think we should make a pretence of resigning

And when things settle down all goes back to normal

You mean we should announce the resignation then deny it?

No! That would be a blot on our Information Service

We'll say that the announcer made a mistake

If we meet that terrorist demand

then we'd daily have a similar demand on our hands

No cabinet will then last more than a month

Or does the Minister of Interior think differently?

What I think you'll see translated into action

We're men of deeds not words

Latest: The Ministry of Interior has announced

that the unfortunate incident at the Mogamma'

has ended ten minutes ago when the Special Forces

took over the situation and released the hostages

The Ministry will issue a detailed statement

once the investigations are completed

All in order, sir

Take your positions and be ready for the assault

Listen all of you up there!

Whether you're one or five or ten or a thousand!

He who may impose anything on the Government

has not been born yet!

We have been overpatient with you

But there's a limit to patience

We account your hostages as righteous martyrs

sacrificing their lives for the Country!

The government will pay them generous compensations

As for you...

As for you...

As for you, you know What's coming to you!

I need not explain

Work at the Mogamma' begins at 8.00 am.

By 8.00 am. everything will be normal

Employees will be at their desks

If you don't release the hostages and surrender

by 6.00 am, you'll be wiped out in 15 minutes!

The government has no arm to be twisted

He who doesn't like this can go to the Assembly

He who doesn't like that can go to hell!

He who acts the way you are doing

is committing suicide. That's all I have to say!

It's over!

Take all of them inside and let no one move

Move to the corridor! Move!

Take rest. There's ample time before dawn

How can I have rest, General, with all of this happening?

What losses would you expect if we made the assault?

That doesn't matter, sir

What's important is that the operation should succeed

regardless of who dies

The government will pay you good money after you die!

Your heirs will become rich. See how I've benefited you?

You may be worthless in the eyes of the government

but you are very precious to me

I don't want you to be upset with me

I don't think I have crossed any of you

Go your way. You are free

Wait!

Hold your fire!

Were you among the hostages?

What?

Were you among the hostages?

Yes, I was among the hostages

Did you see the crazy terrorist?

- Who? - The crazy terrorist

Yes, I saw the crazy terrorist

How did he look? Can you give us a description?

Well, he was neither very tall nor very short

Neither very bulky nor very lean

Neither very dark nor very fair

He was like any one of us

What were you doing at the Mogamma'?

I had some affair to see to

and it was settled, thank God

We have found no terrorists in the Mogamma', sir

Only a shoe-shine man and a service soldier

Subtitled by : ANIS EBEID Cairo , Egypt