Bellydancers of Cairo documentary film

cathy · 01-05-2008, 02:59 PM

I just saw this, copyright 2006 by Natasha Senkovich. Features clips of and/or interviews with Samasen (at length), Lucy, Dina, Nagwa Sultan, Khayyreya Mazin, Rabab, Eman Zaki, Nagwa Fuad (pretty brief), Aida Nour (very brief) Doaa Hagazy, Katia (Russian originally, now married to an Egyptian and dancing in Cairo), Very short clip with Raqia Hassan. Also Marwa and Dunia--the latter two are apparently of a different kind or class of dancer, not 5-star hotel dancers but more "cabaret" per Senkovich's description.

Released by Copeland Group distribution.

Also features interviews with Gig i De Marrais who is described as a dance ethnologist. Does anyone know any more about her? Interesting.

Also Natasha Senkovich thanks Edwina Nearing, which name I think I have heard but can anyone tell me any more about her?

Available from Netflix for those of you who get Netflix.

It reviews a lot of the issues of respect and reputation that we have been touching on in other threads. What is the connection between dancing in public and prostitution, is the dance innately sexual, honor as a family rather than solely individual issue, how serious this can be, is the costume the problem, etc. She mentions ghawazii and also the alma and ustaz, so this covers some of the same material as Karin Van Nieuwkirk in A Trade Like Any Other.

Cathy

Aisha Azar · 01-05-2008, 03:56 PM

Dear Cathy,
I have the DVD and watched in with DaVid of Scandinavia. He knows some of the main dancers who talk on the video and sort of filled it out for me. It is worth watching and owning. It is early in the morning and I can not remember a specific thing that sticks out about it, but they do talk with dancers of different nationalities about performing in Cairo. When I watch it again, I am sure I will remember more of what David had to add as well as stuff from the DVD. ( He is a riot, by the way, and a good teacher. VERY strung out on dessert, much like , er... someone else in this room.)
Regards,
A'isha

Aziyade · 01-08-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathy

Also Natasha Senkovich thanks Edwina Nearing, which name I think I have heard but can anyone tell me any more about her?

Edwina Nearing for the Gilded Serpent

That pretty much covers it

BTW -- don't forget to check out the bonus material -- there are dances from most of the interviewees!!

Zorba · 01-09-2008, 12:06 AM

A wonderful, wonderful DVD...

Zorba's Video Reviews: The Bellydancers of Cairo

Get a load of Rabab's Shemadan! I stand in awe...

adiemus · 01-15-2008, 09:23 PM

I love this DVD, so glad I read Zorba's review, it's been a favourite (now if only someone could recommend another one? hint! hint!)

Jane · 01-16-2008, 12:28 AM

I think it's very valuable. I liked it so much, I made it required viewing for my students. We watch it in installments before class and discuss it by section. It brings up a lot of other topics, mainly women's issues, as well.

gypsy8522 · 01-16-2008, 02:27 AM

After reading the review, I just thought I'd point out a mistake that was made (or what I think might have been a mistake since I did not see the documentary) in Egypt there is a very commonly used saying that "nobody in the world would want........" it is often used as a generalization of things and therefore not to be taken literally, just like in english we say "no half-brained person would ever do..." I haven't seen the interview but knowing how Egyptians speak I can almost imagine exactly what that man was saying.

A common mistake in translation is when things are taken literally and word for word, often out of their context.

I suggest to anyone that attempts to review a translated work, that he or she first make sure the source is reliable and the subtitles (or voice over... just think youtube!) actually matches what the interviewee is really saying.

The easiest thing in the world is to label other people's beliefs that are different than ours as "religous nonsense", a lot of people would have a similar perception about men with hairy armpits and painted toenails who undulate and shimmy in a feminine manner in public. In order to get people to accept the choices of a group of individuals that may seem out of the norm, in return one should learn to respect and not bash others' beliefs and traditions, remember it's a two way street. Also remember that belly dancing is based on folklore and mainly the the dances coming from the villages, the Upper Egyptian villages in particular. This is a conservative society, or the most backward portion of society if you want to look at it that way. However, their customs are highly influenced by their beliefs and it is also the main reason why they dance the way they do and their singing sounds the way it does. I think if more westerners started to understand this, the less dancers we would see looking like they came out of an Aladin movie.

Zorba · 01-17-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy8522

a lot of people would have a similar perception about men with hairy armpits and painted toenails who undulate and shimmy in a feminine manner in public.

WHEW! For a moment I thought you were talking about me - but fortunately I don't dance in a feminine manner!

Outi · 01-18-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adiemus

I love this DVD, so glad I read Zorba's review, it's been a favourite (now if only someone could recommend another one? hint! hint!)

Yasmina's DVD Journey of Desire. You can get it from Farida Dance UK.

Home

Journey of Desire

01-05-2008, 02:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
cathy Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 424	Bellydancers of Cairo documentary film I just saw this, copyright 2006 by Natasha Senkovich. Features clips of and/or interviews with Samasen (at length), Lucy, Dina, Nagwa Sultan, Khayyreya Mazin, Rabab, Eman Zaki, Nagwa Fuad (pretty brief), Aida Nour (very brief) Doaa Hagazy, Katia (Russian originally, now married to an Egyptian and dancing in Cairo), Very short clip with Raqia Hassan. Also Marwa and Dunia--the latter two are apparently of a different kind or class of dancer, not 5-star hotel dancers but more "cabaret" per Senkovich's description. Released by Copeland Group distribution. Also features interviews with Gig i De Marrais who is described as a dance ethnologist. Does anyone know any more about her? Interesting. Also Natasha Senkovich thanks Edwina Nearing, which name I think I have heard but can anyone tell me any more about her? Available from Netflix for those of you who get Netflix. It reviews a lot of the issues of respect and reputation that we have been touching on in other threads. What is the connection between dancing in public and prostitution, is the dance innately sexual, honor as a family rather than solely individual issue, how serious this can be, is the costume the problem, etc. She mentions ghawazii and also the alma and ustaz, so this covers some of the same material as Karin Van Nieuwkirk in A Trade Like Any Other. Cathy Last edited by cathy; 01-05-2008 at 03:02 PM.

01-05-2008, 03:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,462	Belly dancers etc. Dear Cathy, I have the DVD and watched in with DaVid of Scandinavia. He knows some of the main dancers who talk on the video and sort of filled it out for me. It is worth watching and owning. It is early in the morning and I can not remember a specific thing that sticks out about it, but they do talk with dancers of different nationalities about performing in Cairo. When I watch it again, I am sure I will remember more of what David had to add as well as stuff from the DVD. ( He is a riot, by the way, and a good teacher. VERY strung out on dessert, much like , er... someone else in this room.) Regards, A'isha

01-09-2008, 12:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zorba Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 857	A wonderful, wonderful DVD... Zorba's Video Reviews: The Bellydancers of Cairo Get a load of Rabab's Shemadan! I stand in awe... __________________ -Zorba "The Veiled Male" http://www.doubleveil.net "There is nothing sadder than a veil, that is for sale."

01-15-2008, 09:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	I love this DVD, so glad I read Zorba's review, it's been a favourite (now if only someone could recommend another one? hint! hint!) __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

01-16-2008, 12:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jane Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In the mountains Posts: 412	I think it's very valuable. I liked it so much, I made it required viewing for my students. We watch it in installments before class and discuss it by section. It brings up a lot of other topics, mainly women's issues, as well.

01-16-2008, 02:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
gypsy8522 Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 558	After reading the review, I just thought I'd point out a mistake that was made (or what I think might have been a mistake since I did not see the documentary) in Egypt there is a very commonly used saying that "nobody in the world would want........" it is often used as a generalization of things and therefore not to be taken literally, just like in english we say "no half-brained person would ever do..." I haven't seen the interview but knowing how Egyptians speak I can almost imagine exactly what that man was saying. A common mistake in translation is when things are taken literally and word for word, often out of their context. I suggest to anyone that attempts to review a translated work, that he or she first make sure the source is reliable and the subtitles (or voice over... just think youtube!) actually matches what the interviewee is really saying. The easiest thing in the world is to label other people's beliefs that are different than ours as "religous nonsense", a lot of people would have a similar perception about men with hairy armpits and painted toenails who undulate and shimmy in a feminine manner in public. In order to get people to accept the choices of a group of individuals that may seem out of the norm, in return one should learn to respect and not bash others' beliefs and traditions, remember it's a two way street. Also remember that belly dancing is based on folklore and mainly the the dances coming from the villages, the Upper Egyptian villages in particular. This is a conservative society, or the most backward portion of society if you want to look at it that way. However, their customs are highly influenced by their beliefs and it is also the main reason why they dance the way they do and their singing sounds the way it does. I think if more westerners started to understand this, the less dancers we would see looking like they came out of an Aladin movie.