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[Eerie music; Erratic static, crackling]
[Music concludes, resonates]
[Scratch]
[Lively crackling]
[Crackling fades]
[Stirring music]
[Projector whirs]
[Deep thud; Music concludes]
[Bright chords resonate]
[Rattling whoosh]
[Azra] I used to worship my mother.
- I wanted to be like her. - [Gentle music]
I thought she was perfect.
- [Rattling whoosh] - Just like a Bollywood heroine.
- Just like Sharmila Tagore. - [Projector whirs]
I tried to be like my mother, but...
[Rattling whoosh]
- [Azra] ..I wasn't. - [Rattling whoosh]
[Rattling whoosh]
[Rattling whoosh; Music fades]
[She blows]
[Static hisses, on TV]
[Dramatic music, on TV]
Okay! Are you ready?
- [Rachel] Yes. - [Azra chuckles]
[Azra] Okay, disclaimer - the plot's a little insane,
it's three hours long, and the old-age make-up is not great,
but...it's the best.
First watched it with my mom when I was 12.
I wish I knew you when we were 12.
- [She chuckles] - I was not cool when I was 12.
- No-one's cool when they're 12. - Oh, I bet you were.
- Yes, maybe. - [Azra chuckles]
My mom used this movie to explain love to me.
Or sex. Something.
- That explains it. - [Azra scoffs]
Okay, this is my favourite song, this is their meet-cute.
- [Music, on TV - "Queen of My Dreams"] - ♪ Oh, hey
♪ Ah-ah-ah
[Music continues]
[In Hindi] ♪ The queen of my dreams, when will you come?
♪ The season of joy is here, when will you come?
♪ Life is passing by, when will you come?
♪ Come! Please, come! ♪
- [Dramatic music, on TV] - [Rachel, in English] Wait!
Isn't that the same actor playing her son
who was her boyfriend-husband who died before?
Yeah, we're not subtle.
We like to whack you over the head with symbolism.
Yeah, but isn't... isn't that weird for her?
- The actress? - Yeah?
She goes from post-rain, sexy scene around a fire
- to now she has to be his mom. - Shh! Don't ruin it for me!
- [Rachel] I mean, it's weird. - [Tense music, on TV]
[Music stops]
[Rousing music, on TV]
[Distorted crackling]
[Call to prayer, on TV; Audio distorts, stutters]
[Audio returns to normal, call to prayer continues]
- [Hassan] I got the Cheerios. - Good.
Now we have a healthy-heart breakfast.
- [Hassan, in Urdu] What's all this? - [Mariam, in English] Beanie Babies.
[Hassan, in Urdu] We have two babies, isn't that enough?
Why so many Beanie Babies?
You don't know... [In English] ..they are very popular.
[In Urdu] We have to take so many gifts for everyone.
For family. For the kids. For the servants, their children.
- For Bijli... - [In English] You think Bijli wants this?
- [She chuckles] - Yes, he does.
It's a collector's item.
[Hassan groans, strains]
20lbs overweight! [In Urdu] We'll have to reduce it.
[Mariam] I'm 20lbs overweight, too.
- Do you want me to reduce? - [Hassan groans]
[Line rings]
[Phone rings]
- [Phone beeps] - [In English] Hello.
So, what's the damage, Abu?
[In Urdu] Four cases.
- [Azra, in English] So far. - Hm.
[In Urdu] At least we'll have space on our way back.
- Need anything from Pakistan? - [In English] What could I possibly want?
A better pillow case, wooden pan box? Mm?
A...marble chessboard.
- Just bring you back, Abu. - [Hassan chuckles]
[In Urdu] Do you want to talk to your mother?
[She exhales]
[Hassan] Azra...
Mariam, Azra wants to speak to you.
[In English] I didn't say that, Abu.
- [Hassan] Well, you should have. - [Azra exhales]
- Azra. - [Mariam grunts]
[Toilet flushes, on phone; Mariam inhales deeply]
- Hello? - Hey, Mom.
[Mariam] Please, use salam.
[Azra] Here we go.
- [In Arabic] Hello. - [Mariam] Hello.
[Azra, in English] I just showed my room-mate that movie.
The one with your favourite actress.
- I don't have a favourite actress. - Yes, you do. Sharmila Tagore.
[Azra] What are you talking about, Mom?
You introduced me to her.
[In Urdu] So, how's your "MIFA" going?
[In English] It's an M-F-A, Mom. It's an acronym.
Nobody says it like a word.
I'm not nobody. [In Urdu] I am your mother.
And you're thousands of miles away in a smoky city.
[Azra exhales]
So, what are you learning in your, uh...M-F-A?
- Shakespeare. - Your mother studied Shakespeare.
Then you know about "soliloquy." It isn't just for exposition.
Characters feel too much to contain, they need release.
Shakespeare won't teach you how to be a good Muslim.
[In Urdu] For that, you will have to study the life of the prophets.
- [In English] They couldn't be contained. - [Hassan coughs]
Can I perform their monologues?
[In Urdu] If you do it with respect.
[Hassan groans]
[Mariam] So, what's your plan? After your MFA?
[In English] I told you, Mom, I wanna be an actor.
[In Urdu] If you wanted to become an actor,
then why did you waste all this time and money?
But you won't understand because you didn't go to university.
[Receiver thuds; Dial tone]
- [She exhales] - Damn it.
[Rachel] You okay?
She's so annoying.
[Dial tone continues]
[Dial tone stops]
Useless.
[Hassan, in Urdu] Did you call me?
How did she get so disrespectful?
[In English] Do you know how hard I've tried to make her into a good Muslim?
[In Urdu] A decent girl.
[Kettle whistles]
What do you know?
[In English] Well, the boys at my school used to say,
if you want to know what your daughter will be like...
[In Urdu] ..look at her mother.
A joke. Always a joke.
- Aren't you tired of making jokes? - [In English] No. Who said I was joking?
[In Urdu] Oh! What happened? You forgot? You liked my jokes.
Yes, I forgot.
Okay, then.
Let me remind you.
- [In English] Stop... - [Hassan chuckles]
[In Urdu] Why are you so shameless?
- [Music - "Modern Age" by CHAD] - [In English] ♪ The modern age
♪ Every day... ♪
[Soft moaning]
[Phone rings]
[Rachel moans]
- We're not answering that. - [Ringing continues]
- [Azra, on voicemail] This is Azra... - [Rachel] And Rachel!
[Azra] Leave a message.
[Phone beeps]
[Hassan, in Urdu] Hello, dear. [In English] We're now grounded in London.
- We said hello to the Queen for you. - [He chuckles]
[In Urdu] No, I am leaving a message.
- [Azra exclaims] - [Hassan] I don't know.
[Phone beeps]
- [Azra, in English] This is Azra... - [Rachel] And Rachel!
- [Azra] Leave a message. - [Phone beeps]
[Hassan, in Urdu] Azra, dear, we've reached Pakistan.
- It took 24 hours, but we're okay. - [Shower runs]
This is the last time we travel with KAI.
I can't even tell you, the food was so bad.
I was eating a raisin muffin,
but instead of a raisin I found a fat fly.
But Bijli cooked, so that was much better.
Come to Karachi. It'll be fun.
Okay, bye.
[Phone beeps]
[Phone rings]
- [Azra, in English] This is Azra... - [Rachel] And Rachel!
- [Azra] Leave a message. - [Phone beeps]
[Mariam, in Urdu]Azra... Azra, pick up the phone...
Azra, your father had another heart attack...
[Mariam gasps]
- He's gone. - [Intense music]
- [In English] He's gone! - [Azra] Abu!
[Music stutters]
[Music stops, resonates; Muffled ambient noise]
[Ambient sound grows clearer; Indistinct chatter]
[Upbeat pop music, on headphones]
[Music continues, faintly]
[Water splashes, she exhales]
[Indistinct PA announcement]
[She exhales]
[She gargles]
[She gulps]
[She splutters]
[Zahid] Hey, you okay?
Mm. I can't believe you made it.
Thought med students weren't allowed out.
We're not. Death is the exception.
Yeah.
- Is Mom coming to get us? - No, Sadia's picking us up.
- Who? - Sadia.
Remember, um, Dad's cousin, Ronihal?
You don't remember? Her daughter, Sadia.
- Is she single? - What the...?
I'm not talking about for me.
- Oh, for me? - Mm-hm.
Why would you be asking if she's single for me?
Only because you're into our cousins.
I'm... Shut up.
- I should shut up? - You need to shut up.
I'm taller than you, I can beat your ass.
- [In Urdu] Do you have anything to drink? - [In English] Um, yeah, sure.
[In Urdu] What would you like? Juice or a soft drink?
No, I mean... [In English] ..alcohol, vodka, whisky?
We don't serve alcohol, ma'am. [In Urdu] It is prohibited in Islam.
- [She exhales] - Right, of course.
It's just, um...
I'm going to Pakistan because my dad died.
I'm sorry.
KAI
[Azra exhales]
[In Urdu] Back in the day, they used to. But then the Government put a stop to it.
[In English] We used to serve champagne to celebrities
when I worked here in 1969.
[In Urdu] Wow! Our mother lived in Pakistan in 1969.
[In English] She never talked about any of that.
[In Urdu] Everything was different.
But now we have to move forward.
For the sake of our present, we have to forget our past.
[Woman chuckles softly]
May God bless your father with Paradise, my child.
[Music - "Tobah" by Shahzad AliKhan Qawal]
[Music grows louder; Rhythmic percussion]
[Music intensifies]
[Indistinct chatter]
[Music continues]
[In English] Azra! Azra, right?
Okay, come with me.
[Car horn; Music stops]
[Mellow music]
[Music continues]
[In Urdu] Hello, Azra Baji.
[Music fades]
Poor girl. You're too young to lose your father.
Are you married yet?
Oh! Mariam! My daughter is back.
I never visited you.
[Hushed chatter]
[In English] You do look just like your mother did.
I'm your Rani Khala.
[In Urdu] Azra, dear.
[In English] I'm so sorry.
[In Urdu] "We surely belong to God, and to Him we shall return."
[Azra breathes shakily, exhales]
[Faint birdsong]
[Door opens]
[In English] Mommy?
[Mariam gasps shakily]
[Mariam sobs]
[Mariam gasps, sobs]
[Azra, Mariam sob]
[Mariam gasps, sobs]
[Azra gasps]
[In Urdu] Do you need anything?
[Mariam sniffles]
Go change your clothes.
[Mariam sobs]
[Sobbing continues]
- [In English] Thank you for taking us. - Of course.
[Zahid] Is Amira Nani okay? How long has she been like that?
[Sadia] It's pretty recent. The doctor said dementia.
[Percussion-driven music in distance]
[Music grows louder, singers sing]
Whoa.
[Sadia] Yeah, they've been around here ever since I can remember.
Probably since your mom lived here.
Damn, brown don't frown.
[Music continues; Lively shruti box chords]
[Music continues]
[Music becomes muffled, singer's voice reverberates]
[Gloomy music; Percussion-driven music dissipates]
[Music continues; Muffled tabla beat]
[Music builds, distorts]
[Music - "You Me Bullets Love" by The Bombay Royale]
[In Urdu] Wow!
[Music continues]
[Music concludes, teacher vocalises rhythmically]
[In English] Hold your balance, da...
[Teacher vocalises rhythmically]
Smile.
Not with your teeth.
- And then... - Like a brown horse.
- [Teacher] Focus! - [Young Mariam mimics horse neighing]
[Teacher vocalizes rhythmically, Young Mariam mimics horse snorting]
- Mariam! Let's go, let's go. - [Young Mariam mimics horse snorting]
[Young Mariam mimics horse neighing]
[Soft percussion-driven music]
Ha!
[Young Mariam splutters]
- [In Urdu] Is this whiskey or acid? - Whatever it is, it's working, isn't it?
What did you do to this?
- You two are dancing tonight? - Yes.
- Here, I'll do it. - [In English] Oh, thank you.
[In Urdu] I'm an air hostess,
and making hair neat is an important part of my job.
[In English] Right.
[In Urdu] Wow! I am Mariam, and this is my best friend, Rani.
Oh, Rani? My name's Rani, too. Two queens together.
Then this is for you.
[Lively percussion-driven music]
[Joyful singing, rhythmic clapping]
Such a happy occasion!
Yes, but hopefully no-one looks at the bride with the evil eye.
Evil eye? It's hard to look at the bride with a good eye!
[Women laugh]
[Upbeat percussion-driven music, rhythmic clapping]
Mariam is so cheerful, she lights up the room.
But her mother...
Yes, but why is she dressed like a man?
Shh, quiet.
Instead of acting like a man, she should marry one.
[Music, clapping continue]
[Women laugh]
[Music continues]
[Applause; Music concludes]
[Applause subsides]
Put those files here. Now, go!
You looked good yesterday.
Now it's time that someone dances at your wedding.
Ammi, you said next year.
So? I'm finding good suitors for you this year.
Things have changed. What's the problem?
Here.
- What's this, Ammi? - [Amira] Take a look.
[In English] "I'm looking for a pretty woman to be my wife.
"Must fulfil three rules.
- "One - must be from a good family." - Mm.
"Two - must have strong Islamic values.
"And three - must have, at minimum, a wheatish complexion."
He plans on moving to America.
[In Urdu] What? Show me.
Why I didn't see that? Here, give it to me.
No-one is going anywhere. Understood?
Why? He can marry a white-looking woman, but not live around white people?
Stop it. I'm sick of people leaving here.
[Carrom disc rattles]
Do you know, Mariam, why you don't have any siblings?
Because, to give birth to you, they cut me open.
Just like... they cut up India to create this country.
Abu!
[In English] The red piece is the queen. You cannot win without her.
[In Urdu] See? Heaven is at your mother's feet.
[Funky music]
[Music continues]
[In English] Rani! You won't believe who's getting married.
[Young Rani] Who? You?
- What? - [Young Mariam] I know.
[Young Rani] Oh, my God, you have to tell me everything!
[Music concludes]
- [Dramatic music, in film] - Wait, so, do I get a say?
- [In Urdu] In what? - I'll tell you...
Where is he?
[In English] Yeah, okay. Come. Come on, now.
[Music continues]
- [Patron] Shh! - [Young Mariam] Sorry, excuse me.
- I'm sorry. - Sorry.
This is my cousin, Hassan. Hassan, my best friend, Mariam.
Hi.
He's unmarried.
- Just saying. - [Patron 2] Shh.
[In Urdu] Why haven't we met before?
He lives in Edinburgh.
Doing a fellowship. Tell her.
I am doing a fellowship in Edinburgh.
In what?
[In English] Medicine. I want to be a trauma surgeon.
Wow.
[In Urdu] So specific. Why?
I want us to feel less pain.
We all used to be one, but now we're scattered.
[In English] I want to help put us back together again.
Like Humpty-Dumpty.
Yeah, like Humpty-Dumpty.
Brains run in the family, you know.
[Mellow music, in film]
[In Urdu] And you?
I might want to be an air hostess.
[In English] Cool. Have you been on a plane before?
[In Urdu] No. Um, I've never been outside of Pakistan.
But I will go.
Should we go on your first flight together?
Let's see.
[Stirring music, in film]
[Music builds; Lively percussive beat]
[Music swells; Rumbling whoosh]
[Music - "Queen of My Dreams" by Kishore Kumar]
[Singer sings in Hindi]
[Music continues]
[Wind-like howl]
[Music continues, in film]
[Music fades]
[Laid-back percussion-driven music]
[Music swells, concludes]
[They slurp]
[In Urdu] Say hello.
- [In Arabic] Hello. - Hello.
[In Urdu] This colour, Mashallah, looks beautiful on you.
Yes. On you, too.
[Suitor] Your Urdu is so good.
Can you read and write it as well?
Yes...
- KNOWS HOW TO READ AND WRITE URDU - Do you read the Quran?
I...have read the Quran.
- MUST KNOW HOW TO RECITE QURAN - So, you know Arabic.
Uh, no, I learned Arabic to read the whole Quran, but...
[In English] ..I really have no idea what I'm saying.
MUST KNOW ARABIC
[In Urdu] Let's go?
[Plane engine roars]
[Music, on car stereo - "I Want to Tell You" by The Brymers]
[In English] That's the one I take to the UK.
You know, I was in the terminal when the Beatles were here.
♪ I didn't mean to say... ♪
- [In Urdu] Really? - Yes.
They stopped here to refuel.
I think they were on their way to Hong Kong.
I was in the lounge. And then walked in Paul McCartney.
I don't know why he thought no-one would recognise him.
Then, girls were everywhere.
It was a mob!
I was surprised his clothes didn't get ripped off.
They did.
- What? - [Young Mariam laughs, inhales]
♪ I didn't mean to say those things... ♪
Rani and I were there.
We bribed the security guard.
We ended up right next to him.
Oof!
- [In English] You were the mob. - Mm.
I'm not the walrus, but I was most definitely the mob.
[Young Hassan chuckles]
[Lively jazz music]
[Music continues; Bustling chatter]
[Indistinct conversation]
[Laughter]
[Indistinct conversation]
[Music continues, on car stereo]
[Lighter clicks]
- [In Urdu] How do I look? - [In English] First class.
[In Urdu] Ladies and Gentlemen...
hopefully you had a pleasant journey this evening.
Your captain this evening has been Dr Hassan Malik.
Thank you for travelling with us.
We have arrived at our destination.
Now, please...
[In English] ..get the hell out.
- [In Urdu] That's how they say it, right? - [In English] Perfect.
[Gate creaks]
[Car door creaks]
[Car door shuts]
[Music continues]
- [Car recedes] - [In Urdu] Don't tell my mum.
Okay, Madam.
[Gate creaks]
[In Hindi] You're mine.
- And me? I'm yours. - [Mellow music]
And...
you're mine.
And me?
I'm yours.
[Rattling whoosh; Women recite prayers softly]
[In Urdu] We don't do it that way.
- Why not?! - [Mariam exhales]
This is the men's job, so men do it.
- Are you a man? - [In English] Oh, stop it, Mom!
[In Urdu] Unless now you've also become a man?
Yes, I'm a man. Look, I am a man!
Men wash men, and women wash women.
When we bury the body, it must be clean.
Not dirty.
Remind me, when I die, you're not allowed to touch my body.
[In English] Well, you won't know if I wash you or not...
'cause you'll be dead.
[Mariam inhales sharply]
[Azra, in Urdu] Take out this pencil.
[Azra breathes shakily]
[Women recite prayers softly]
- I'm finished. - What?
- I finished these. - You finished?
Okay.
Where do I start?
[Recitation continues]
- So, you don't know how to read this? - No.
[Azra mutters]
[Recitation continues]
When you read, your father receives many blessings.
[In English] Read.
[Recitation continues]
[Music, on stereo - "Endless Love" by The Hollywood Saxons]
♪ Endless
♪ Oh, our love is endless... ♪
[Young Mariam]"What fire is in mine ears?
"Can this be true?"
[Music continues, on stereo]
"I will requite thee,
"taming my wild heart to thy loving hand.
"If thou dost love,
"my kindness shall incite thee to bind our loves up in a holy band.
"For others say thou dost deserve,
"then I'll believe it better than reportingly."
[In Urdu] This is so unfair. How did I become a third wheel?
[Young Mariam, Young Hassan laugh]
[Music, on speakers - "Full Moon Dream" by Gan Guo]
[Bustling chatter]
Should I feed you with your spoon or mine?
Mariam! So, this is that handsome guy.
Yes, Hassan.
- [She giggles] - Both of my marriages happened
because of this dish, chicken manchurian.
And now my third marriage will be in China.
- You're coming right? - Yes, for sure, Jenny.
You should come, too. We'll party in China. Okay!
For sure, Jenny.
[In Mandarin] No, no, not there!
[Footsteps patter]
[In Urdu] Handsome guy?
Where else do you want to travel, besides China?
- Um... - [In English] It's hot.
- [Young Mariam slurps] - Mm!
[Young Mariam stifles laughter]
- It is hot. - Mm-hm.
Well, Paris is on the list. London, of course. And...
I've always wanted to go to California.
Really?
- Yeah, well, I'm going to the West. - [In Urdu] Really?
[In English] I'm doing my residency in the Wild Wild West.
Canada.
- Are you joking? - No.
Why Canada?
[In Urdu] They have everything I want.
And Canada's not going to send me to Vietnam.
[In English] So, you're going to marry a Canadian girl?
Mm-hm.
And once she marries me, she'll become a Canadian, too.
Hot.
[Laid-back percussion-driven music]
[Music swells, concludes]
[They slurp]
- [In Arabic] Hello. - Hello.
[In Urdu] Can you make chai?
Yes.
My number one quality in a wife.
- [In English] Really low standards, huh? - Thank you.
- [Band plays upbeat soul music] - ♪ Sitting here with a tormented mind
♪ Wanting you, babe, all the time
♪ But I lost you, I lost you
♪ And I know you're never coming back
♪ 'Cause I need ya, I need ya
♪ Honey, if you knew how I need ya
♪ No, no, no You just gotta accept it, girl
♪ I can't, 'cause I lost my world
♪ No matter what you want, you gotta set me free
♪ 'Cause you're the only one for me
♪ I got my heart set on you
- ♪ Sweet baby - ♪ And your love, baby
♪ I got my heart set on you... ♪
[Music continues]
[She exhales]
Did I tell you my parents want me to get married?
[In Urdu] Doesn't every self-respecting Pakistani girl want to get married?
[Young Mariam, in English] No, but I mean now.
I'm meeting potentials in my living room.
- Anyone good? - Uh...one wanted a maid.
And the other, an Imam, so...
no.
Do you want to get married?
[She chuckles]
- [In Urdu] Are you asking? - Do you want me to ask?
[In English] I'm not the one you need to impress.
[Music continues]
I can be quite impressive.
♪ I got my heart set on you, sweet baby
♪ And your love, baby
♪ I got my heart set on you, sweet baby
♪ And your love, baby
♪ I got my heart set on you... ♪
[Laid-back percussion-driven music swells, concludes]
[They slurp]
- [In Urdu] Say hello. - [In Arabic] Yes. Hello.
- Hello. - Hello.
[In English] Nice tie.
Oh... Oh, yeah, it was inspired by The Beatles.
[Ms Abu chuckles]
[In Urdu] The chai is delicious, Auntie. [In English] I do hope Mariam made it.
[Amira chuckles]
[In Urdu] Yes, yes. [In English] I hear you're a doctor.
You're in Edinburgh?
I've heard Edinburgh Castle is quite a sight.
Absolutely, Uncle. It's built on top of a dormant volcano.
I'd love to visit. Although we have plenty of volcanoes around here.
[All laugh, Amira inhales]
[In Urdu] What are your plans after the UK?
As one does, I'll try to look for a job, but...
In Pakistan.
[Uneasy music]
[In English] Um, kindly remind me, you two met through...?
- Rani. - My cousin, Rani.
Rani?
[In Urdu] Uh, Hassan's father's brother's daughter.
So, you'll return to Pakistan for work?
- Actually... - [Young Hassan] Yes.
Pakistan will always be my home, Auntie.
Mariam is our only daughter.
- We need her to stay near us. - [In English] Of course, Auntie.
[In Urdu] I also want your only daughter to be with you.
- [Music fades] - [Amira, in English] Oh, nice, good.
[Phone rings]
- Hello? - Ammi?!
[In Urdu] We're engaged!
It's happening?! It's happening?!
[Music - "A Toute Berzingue" by Celesta Pizz]
[Singer sings in French]
[In Urdu] Take a right up here.
- [Mellow music plays quietly] - [Amira] Show me that one.
How about something else? A sari perhaps?
Get the orange sari. A sari is perfect for every occasion.
Look at this one. Show its border.
Mm?
No?
Let me show you the sari of all saris.
Get rid of this one. Get that one in the corner.
The one on top. Get that one.
This sari was worn by Sharmila in her film, uh...
- Aradhana. - [Merchant] Mm-hm.
- [In English] I love Sharmila Tagore. - [Merchant] Mm-hm.
[In Urdu] You remember the name of the movie?
And how could you love her? When did you meet her?
What are you talking about with this "love" nonsense?
And remember - all actresses are liars.
Stop getting so involved, okay? Just stick to your job.
Hold on.
It's for her engagement?
No, for mine! Odd man.
That means there will be photos?
- Yes, so?! - She looks like your only daughter.
Listen. This moment won't come again.
I say, don't look at the price tag.
- So, I should look at you? - Look at this moment.
Look at this sari.
And look at your daughter's face.
Put it on.
Beautiful. Perfect.
So, you like it? Please, pack it up for us quickly, please.
- Ammi... - Hm?
- Ammi, I have to tell you something. - Go on.
Oh, you! Nice to see you again, Rani.
Auntie, Mariam.
What's wrong? You seem like you're in a big hurry?
Yes, Auntie, I'm actually moving to New York.
- New York?! Why? - For my job.
Your job has so much control over you and your life?
See, that's what happens.
- I have another parcel. - Yes, I'll check.
Excuse me, tell me how much. So, what were you saying?
Nothing.
Tell me.
Hurry and pack this up.
[Percussion-driven music in distance]
[Music continues]
[They sing, voices overlap]
[Music continues in distance]
- You didn't bring one for me? - [Young Mariam chuckles]
- Do you want some? - You eat.
So, listen, did you tell your mother?
- [Young Mariam sighs] - Mariam...
[In English] Why can't I just do what I want?
They up and left their homes.
- Well, that was different. - Yes, it is different.
We're in 1969, yeah? I should be able to do whatever I want.
I'm not the one you have to convince.
[Young Mariam sighs]
[In Urdu] Fine.
- I'll tell them. - Mm-hm.
But the thing is...
if you can't get the ghee out of the jar with your finger straight...
you have to bend it.
[He groans]
[He chuckles]
[Music - "Ko Ko Korina" by Ahmed Rushdi]
[Music continues]
[Music fades]
[Young Hassan exhales]
This jewellery is my mother's.
On her engagement, my father gave it to her,
and now, on your engagement, I'm giving it to you.
- This jewellery is on its own journey. - [She chuckles]
First it was in India when we got married,
then it came to Pakistan with us,
and now it will go to Canada with these two.
What?
What do you mean "going to Canada?"
There's still lots of time.
Getting visas, preparing.
It'll still take time, maybe even months.
How awful that you'll be here and your kids will be there.
I'm sure that we'd do the same if we were in their position.
We need to accept that these are their lives. They need to live them.
These aren't just their lives.
We have a right to decide what happens in their lives.
We gave them so much, how can they just abandon us?
Amira.
Why? I didn't say anything wrong.
We never had the choice to pick who we would marry.
In our time, that's how it was done.
But why are we talking about all this. This is a happy occasion!
Come on... [In English] ..let's celebrate.
[Ms Abu chuckles softly]
[Excited chatter]
You are a brilliant actress.
[In Urdu] Thank you for the compliment.
Nani, is this silk?
[Photographer, in English] Three, two, one...
[Shutter clicks]
[Melancholy music]
[In Hindi] One small wound can turn into a very deep mark...
and one small meeting can turn into company for lifetime...
[Music continues]
[In English] I'm sorry.
[Music fades; Birdsong]
Why did I even come here if I can't be with him?
You are here with him.
It's just the way things are done.
Yeah.
Maybe...
Maybe things are a little fucked-up everywhere.
How was it?
I don't know.
No, no, no. Tell me about it. What'd you guys do? How did it feel like?
Azra, shut the fuck up.
What's wrong with you?
[Door slams]
[Azra exhales]
[Sombre string-driven music]
[She breathes heavily]
[Music continues; Indistinct conversation]
[Sobbing]
[Mariam sobs]
[Music continues]
[Music concludes]
[Men recite sermon, in Arabic]
[In English] I wanna go.
[In Urdu] Women don't go to the funeral or the graveyard.
- [In English] These are the rules. - The rules are meant to be broken.
[In Urdu] What will people say?
[In English] I don't care what people think.
- Wouldn't you want to go? - Leave it.
What the hell? This is archaic.
[In Urdu] Why are you being so selfish?
Azra, Azr...
[Birds caw]
[Faint singing in distance]
[She exhales]
[Ruminative music]
[She exhales]
[She breathes deeply]
[Music continues]
[Static hisses, on TV]
[Young Azra, in English, on video]When do I start? Oh, now?
[Music fades]
[Young Azra, in Urdu] ♪ Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo
♪ I'm a little chick
♪ The hen is my mother
♪ I'm my mother's kid
♪ Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo
♪ Whenever you eat a seed
♪ Please, feed me a seed, too
♪ Then I'll sing a song
♪ And I'll show everyone my dance
♪ Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo. ♪
[Mellow music]
[In English] Thank you very much. That was my daughter, Azra Malek,
performing a traditional Pakistani rhyme in the Urdu language,
"Choo, Choo."
Thank you for watching,Visions of Pakistan.
[Music - "Farewell to Nova Scotia" by Kim Harris]
♪ The sun is setting in the west
♪ The birds are singing from every tree
♪ All nature seems inclined to rest
♪ But still there'll be no rest for me
♪ I grieve to leave my native land
♪ I grieve to leave my comrades all... ♪
- [Music fades] - Ow.
[In Urdu] There's not even one of our films.
[In English] This one looks good.
[In Urdu] How are we going to survive in this village?
We'll make money.
I had to take a big loan to do my medical residency a second time.
Not a Sharmila film in sight.
[In English] Mariam, we talked about this.
- [Mr Shah] Dr Malek! - Sir.
This is the new Indian doctor in town that I've told you about.
You must come over for chai.
We'd love to.
Our daughters are about the same age. They could play together.
[Music - "Don't You Know" by Brenda Mitchell]
♪ Think of the past, think
♪ Try to remember
- ♪ You know that you belong... ♪ - [School bell rings]
[Music fades]
[Indistinct chatter]
- Bye, Mom. - [Mariam] Be good.
Don't talk to strangers.
[Atmospheric rock music]
- Hey, good mornin'. - [Music stops]
You must be the new student in my class. Azra!
Yeah! Azra Fan-tazra, all right!
Um, was that a stranger who dropped you off, or...?
- Uh, no, that was my mom. - [Mr Sharp] Your mom. Yeah. I know, I...
It was fairly obvious, actually. I was kidding. 'Cause you guys are, uh...
Anyway. Have a good day at school.
[School bell rings]
[Quiet chatter]
[Mr Sharp] Okay, gang.
Eyes up on me, and close up your books.
It's time for Bible studies.
Thank you, Alicia. You know the drill.
Scoot, scoot, scoot.
Uh, Azra?
Oh, I-I leave now?
Yes, sir.
All right.
[Chair scrapes floor]
Lift, don't drag.
So, folks, yesterday, we talked a little bit
about Matthew 21:18,
in which Jesus curses a fig tree.
[Faint chatter]
I'm Alicia.
Are you Muslim, too?
- Jehovah Witness. - What's that?
We're like...Christians, but different.
Cool. Us, too.
Cool. How?
We don't eat pork. And we don't celebrate Christmas.
Well, we don't celebrate birthdays, and we can't get blood transfusions.
Oh.
We think everyone's born a Muslim.
We...don't think that.
[Phone rings]
Hello?
[In Urdu] Yes. Hello, Ammi!
How are you?
No, Ammi, it's not "Nova Kosha," it's "Nova Scotia."
- [Amira] Nova Scotia! - Yes.
It's a small place.
You'll visit?
You should come visit! When are you going to come visit?
We'll take you blueberry picking.
- [Amira] Huh? - [In English] Blueberry.
[Amira speaks indistinctly]
Blue...berry, Ma. Blue...
[In Urdu] Blue...
[She gasps]
[Phone rings]
Hello. Sorry, the line got disconnected.
It was a bad line.
[Laughter]
- [Zahid] Everything's delicious. - [Hassan] How'd you make it all?
[Mariam] With love. Always. For you.
- Always. - Sure.
[Mariam chuckles]
What's in the lentils?
- What? - Something's not quite right.
- Mm! - Mm-hm.
- I said it with love. - [Mariam] You said it with love?
[In English] Tupperware parties are becoming so popular.
And you know how much I love parties.
[In Urdu] Yes, of course. So, you want to sell plastic food containers?
[In English] Storage containers, like for modern houses.
They're really chic now.
- Will this be your first job, Mom? - [Mariam] Yes.
But, you know, I shouldn't have to do one, but...
- [In Urdu] How was school? - [In English] Trying out for basketball.
- [In Urdu] Yeah? - Mm! My darling!
- Azra? - Fine.
- [Hassan] What is "fine?" - Um...we've been reading a lot.
You're good and great, you know? It takes some to find your groove.
You're so lucky to be good at sports.
- Yeah, you should feel lucky. - [Zahid] You, shut up.
- [Hassan] Hey! - [Mariam] It gives you a community.
And then, you're not alone.
Okay, what? She's not alone, Mom. She has that caterpillar
- on her upper lip to keep her company. - [Mariam] Hey!
It's not her fault. All the women in your father's family have a mooch.
[Zahid] Yeah, yeah.
- [Mariam laughs] - [In Urdu] Moustache girl.
[Laughter continues]
[In English] "Tupperware freshness, that's our promise."
There's a script.
What's a script?
[Mariam] It's like a set of rules you have to follow.
Words you have to memorise to put on a show,
or a play, or a movie.
[She gasps]
- Ow. - [In Urdu] Come here.
[In English] Imagine you're an actress.
You have to channel your inner Sharmila Tagore.
- Now, spin it around in your hands. - [Music - "Brother's Jig" by Doolin']
Now, open the lid.
- What's inside? - [Both gasp]
[Lid clacks]
What a satisfying snap. Now, laugh.
[Young Azra laughs]
- Keep your mouth closed. - [Mariam laughs politely, muffled]
Like a brown horse.
[Both laugh politely, muffled]
[Music continues]
[Music fades]
- [Mrs Shah] I love this container. - [Mariam] Tupperware.
Um, I don't think we can eat that.
- It's bologna, right? - Mm-hm.
It's, uh, pork. Pig.
It's haram. Forbidden.
What a sin.
Okay. Just cheese, then?
- Perfect. Cheese is perfect. - [Mrs Shah chuckles]
[Toy beeps at varying pitch]
[Mrs Shah] Just cheese.
And bologna. Enjoy.
Want a bite?
- No. - Oh.
I just had a big birthday party
- last weekend. - Cool.
- [Jaya] When's your birthday? - In a month.
[Jaya] Are you gonna have a birthday party?
[Mariam, Mrs Shah converse indistinctly]
[Mellow music]
[Music, on TV - "Queen of My Dreams" by Kishore Kumar]
[He sings in Hindi]
[In English] Why is he singing to her?
'Cause he loves her.
But he just met her.
You mother fell in love with me when we first met.
No.
Your father fell in love with me first.
[In Urdu] Why are you lying to the kids?
I'm not lying. That's your habit, not mine.
- Okay, so you still love me, right? - Yes, of course.
[Mariam, Hassan laugh affectionately]
[Music continues]
[Young Azra] Did you really fall in love with Abu the moment you saw him?
- [Music stops] - I did.
It happened for me, and it'll happen for you.
Someday, you'll be the queen of some man's dreams,
and he'll love you at first sight.
And he'll sing for you. And you'll get married, just like I did.
Mom, can I have a birthday party?
[She chuckles]
Let's talk tomorrow.
[Mariam kisses]
[Switch clicks, door shuts]
[Upbeat synth-pop version of "Queen of My Dreams"]
[She vocalises]
[She sings in Hindi]
[Music concludes]
[Laid-back percussion-driven music]
[Kettle whistles; Music swells, concludes]
[Women slurp]
[Mariam, in English] The airtight lid system is unlike any other.
- Because of the burp feature. - [Tubs clatter]
Bless her heart, she's still in that awkward phase.
Hope she outgrows it soon before she burns the house down.
Some girls never grow out of it. You just hope their husbands don't notice.
[Women cackle]
You know, the other day, she dropped one that was filled with Pakistani food,
and it didn't even fall out.
Because of the burp feature.
- Oh, is that where you're from? - I love Indian food.
- Do you make those curries? - [Young Azra] They're not "curries."
Curry's actually just a generic name, for saucy, stew-y things.
Ow.
I make many curries.
And for every Tupperware set that you buy, I'll send you home with a free curry.
Well, I love curry!
- That's a curry in a hurry. - Flurry of curries!
[Women cackle]
[Impassioned moaning, on TV]
[Jaya] This is dumb. Wanna play outside?
[Young Azra] Yeah.
[Both yell ecstatically; Upbeat synth-pop music]
[Both laugh]
- Look, a rock. - Whoa, it's so cool.
[Both laugh]
[Laid-back percussion-driven music]
[Kettle whistles; Music swells, concludes]
[Women slurp]
You know, I've made so many curries and put them in these containers,
never having to worry about a leak.
I wish we had these back home.
In fact, I've just sent a whole set of these
to my mother in Pakistan.
Oh, Mariam, you're fantastic. And, Azra, you're a natural!
- You two make such a great team. - A dynamic duo.
Could we have some more chai?
[Women cackle]
- You've earned yourself a birthday party. - [She laughs happily]
Ooh!
[Birdsong]
[Mariam] You're too slow!
Get your arms into it. It's good for you.
The ladies said power-walking is the latest thing.
This family needs to get physical.
[In Urdu] We need to do something.
[He pants]
[He grunts]
[He groans]
Abu!
- [Hassan groans] - Hassan?
Go! Call 911! Go!
What happened?
[Gloomy music]
[She pants]
[Music continues]
[In English] Be careful.
[Music continues]
[Mariam sobs, music fades]
[Mariam] Please, don't take him away.
Please, don't take him away. Please...
Please, don't take him away.
[In Urdu] I lied to my mother.
It's all my fault.
I'm a bad person. I know, I'm a bad person.
I'm bad.
[She sobs]
Don't take him.
[Mariam sobs]
Please, Allah...
- [She gasps, sniffles] - I'll do all five prayers.
I won't miss even one.
- [Ruminative music] - [In English] I submit.
I submit. I submit.
I submit.
- [Rattling whoosh] - [In Hindi] From this day forward...
I will try...
never to cry again.
Never again.
[Static hisses, on TV]
[Hissing continues faintly]
[Car horn in distance]
[Dial tone]
[Line rings]
[Rachel, in English, on phone] Hello?
- Hello? - [Azra] Uh...
- Hello? - [Azra] Hi. It's me.
- [Rachel] Hi, are you okay? - Yeah, it's been, uh...
I don't know.
But I bought this calling card, so...
[Rachel] I've been thinking about you non-stop.
- You must be so exhausted. - [Azra] I didn't do anything.
[Rachel] What do you mean? You flew there. You're halfway around the world.
Yeah.
My, um...
brother got to do all the rituals,
like washing him and wrapping his body, and...
..I was sitting with the women, reading the Quran in a room.
Wait, you read the Quran?
[Azra] Yeah.
Yeah.
And then, the men got to take him to the graveyard.
[Rachel] Just the men.
Yes. The men go, we stay.
That... That's really hard, that really sucks.
[Azra] I know. I know.
So...what's happening there?
I told our professors about you. They were asking.
And they gave us our audition slots for next week.
- Is your mom okay? - She's fine.
Azra...
- She's fine. - [Rachel] Talk to me.
Yeah, I can't. It's okay, I gotta go, okay?
[Rachel] Azra?
- Azra! - [Receiver clacks]
[In Urdu] Who were you talking to?
Oh, just...
auditions are happening at school... [In English] ..so, just trying to...
When you become the famous actress...
[In Urdu] ..don't forget to thank me in your acceptance speech.
I will.
[In English] I wish Ammi was as supportive as you.
She is supportive.
- She hates that I'm an actor. - [Rani] Mm. She doesn't hate it.
Well, maybe just a little.
The Mariam I knew...
she would have loved it.
[In Urdu] Okay, everyone's eating. Come on, join us.
Okay, I'm coming.
[She exhales]
[Deep whoosh resonates]
[Arabic singing, on stereo]
[Mariam recites prayer in Arabic]
Azra?
[In Urdu] Recite it with me.
[Mariam recites prayer in Arabic]
[She repeats]
[Mariam recites prayer]
[She repeats]
[Mariam recites prayer]
- [She repeats half-heartedly] - [In English] It's too hard.
[Mariam] It's not hard, you just have to memorise it.
I wish my mother had taught me.
We can do it together.
[Mariam recites prayer in Arabic]
[Young Azra repeats]
[Mariam recites prayer]
[Young Azra repeats]
[Mariam recites prayer]
[Singing grows louder]
- [Young Azra] What do we do with it? - [Jaya] You keep him.
It's an early present. Listen.
If you're gonna have a birthday party, you have to have a party sub.
I had a party sub.
[Jaya laughs]
- [Young Azra] Can I keep it in my room? - What is it?
- A toad. - [In Urdu] Frogs are dirty!
- [In English] They are? - Look, I didn't make the rules.
- Frogs are dirty, okay? - They can't be.
[Hassan, in Urdu] Azra, let me see.
[Door closes, Hassan exhales]
Hm.
[In English] There's going to be a lot of times in your life
where you are going to like things that other people don't like.
Even your Ammi might not like them, but...
..you're going to have to accept the fact
that you're the kind of girl that likes frogs.
Mm? It's okay.
Still perfect.
[Music - "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and The Waves]
[Music continues; Cheering]
♪ Ooh, yeah
♪ I used to think maybe you loved me
♪ Now, baby, I'm sure
♪ And I just can't wait till the day
♪ When you knock on my door
♪ Now I'm walkin' on sunshine, whoa-oh
♪ I'm walkin' on sunshine, whoa-oh
♪ And don't it feel good, hey!
♪ All right, now, and don't it feel good, hey! ♪
[Music stops]
[Music, on stereo - "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison]
♪ We feel miles apart inside
♪ Was it something I said, or something I did?
♪ Did my words not come out right?
♪ Though I tried not to hurt you... ♪
Wayne wants to know if you wanna dance the next song.
What's the next song?
It doesn't matter, Azra. Do you think he's cute?
♪ Just like every night has its dawn... ♪
Have you gotten your period yet?
Just remember, you can get pregnant if you have.
♪ Just like every cowboy sings a sad, sad song... ♪
Do you wanna dance?
- ♪ Every rose has its thorn... ♪ - [Music builds]
♪ Yeah, it does... ♪
[Music continues; Rousing electric guitar solo]
♪ I listen to our favourite song
♪ Playin' on the radio
♪ Hear the DJ say, "Love's a game
♪ "Of easy come and easy go"
- ♪ But I wonder, does he know... ♪ - [Music fades]
My mom said she's calling your mom to come get you.
- You danced with Wayne. - You danced with someone, too.
Yes...
Did you like it?
[Music - "Don't You Know" by Brenda Mitchell]
[Both laugh]
♪ Think of the past, think
♪ Try to remember
♪ You know that you belong... ♪
- [Mariam] Azra?! - [Music stops]
What are you doing?
D-Drinking pop.
Your mother is outside.
[She groans]
[Cabinet door slams]
[She sobs]
Just use a different container.
[Mariam] I need the lid for this container!
[Young Azra] I-I'm sure it's here. We just need to keep looking.
- God is punishing me. - I'm sorry, it was an accident.
"Accident?"
[In Urdu] I've sacrificed everything for you!
[In English] It's all that girl's fault.
- She's a witch! - She's not a witch! It's not her fault!
[In Urdu] Daughter of a pig!
I'm your daughter... [In English] ..that makes you the pig.
[Smack thuds]
[She gasps]
[She breathes shakily]
[Mariam breathes shakily]
[In Urdu] Heaven is at your mother's feet.
[Gulls caw]
[She exhales]
[In English] Mom?
[Mariam] Azra.
Azra...
a woman is like jewellery.
There are two kinds of jewellery.
One that is out in the open...
..and one that is under the glass.
The one that is out in the open...
can be touched...
tried on, and thrown away.
Not the most desirable.
But the one that's under the glass...
can't be touched by just anybody.
It's the most precious, the most beautiful.
Azra...
..daughter...
..you are supposed to be that jewellery under the glass.
Isn't it Tupperware time?
You're not needed today.
But...
I thought we were a team.
You're not on my team.
[Melancholy music]
[Music builds; Thudding kick-drum]
[Kettle whistles]
[Music continues; No audible dialogue]
[Mr Sharp] Your mom dropped this off for you.
[Alicia] How was your birthday party?
I've never read that before.
Do you want to?
I'll trade you. The book for a bite.
But it's Bologna.
[Music continues]
[School bell rings, reverberates]
[Traffic hums in distance, music fades]
Hotels have bars, right?
[In Urdu] Should we go?
[Sadia] They don't sell to Muslims.
- [In English] How do they know? - [Sadia] Your name.
[In Urdu] So, they don't sell to Muslims...
[In English] ..but they sell to foreigners?
[In Urdu] She's a true foreigner, by the way.
- There is a way. - Yeah. I have a guy.
"A guy"? [In English] You mean a bootlegger?
[In Urdu] In Pakistan, everyone has a guy for everything.
Want to go?
Huh?
[Laid-back percussion-driven music]
[Engine revs]
[Music swells, concludes]
- This hat is ridiculous. - [Sadia, in Urdu] Brother!
[In English] Okay, let's go.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. We're not going anywhere.
He comes to us. Chill.
- [Urdu] How many do you want? - Three.
- Bum, bum, bum... Three? - Mm.
[Man beckons]
[In English] You don't specify what, or look at his selection?
There's no menu?
No, he's a specialist. You get one thing only.
[In Urdu] Your hat?
I like it.
- You want it? - [Man chuckles]
[Man laughs]
[In English] Are you serious?
[Azra laughs]
Oh, yeah. Cool!
[Azra laughs]
- [In Urdu] Thanks, brother. - Be careful out there.
[Music - "Boohey Barian" by Hadiqa Kiani]
- Should we go in the water? - Yeah! Let's go!
[In English] You're such an asshole!
What is this? Vodka, whisky?
It's kind of like moonshine.
I mean, it might make you blind, but it's gonna help you sleep tonight.
- I could use some sleep tonight. - Mm-hm.
- Oh, the moon! - ["Queen of My Dreams" plays nearby]
- Right, wow. - Ooh!
[Azra gasps]
- That's my song! - Oh, yeah?
That's my song!
[Azra, Sadia sing "Queen of My Dreams"]
- She knows it! - Hey, hey!
[Singing continues]
[Music continues]
[Music fades]
[Contemplative music]
[Music continues; No audible dialogue]
[Music continues]
- [In Urdu] Don't tell Mum. - Okay, Madam.
[Music continues]
[Gulls caw]
[Music continues]
[Goat bleats]
[Music continues]
[Music fades]
[In English] Please, use salam.
[In Urdu] Where were you?
I looked all over the house for you.
I want a shower.
No. I'm not saying this to you. Let's go, Mariam.
[Mariam] That's not Mariam, I'm Mariam.
Come on, I need to shower.
Let's go.
Let's go, Mariam.
Everyone here is crazy. What do they know?
Thank God for you.
- [Azra] Let's go? - [Amira] Let's go.
- Should we open the Cheerios? - Yes.
[Amira] You won't use cold water, will you?
[Water sloshes]
Gently. Gently.
[Water trickles]
- [Amira] Mariam. - Mm.
[Amira] Where did you go?
I've thought about you a lot.
- Me? - [Amira] Yes.
I wanted to come visit.
Put it here.
But I didn't come visit on purpose.
You know why? I wanted to punish you.
Are you still mad?
So much time's passed.
You did what you wanted, but...
I'm fine.
I wish I could have told you how much I care for you.
How much I love you.
[She sighs]
[Amira] Forgive me.
[Amira sobs]
Nani...
[Amira] It's cold.
Where's my soap? The blueberry one.
The one you sent...from where?
- Nova Scotia? - "Nova Cotia", "Cotia Nova."
[Amira laughs]
Shall we sing a song?
- You know this one. - [Amira] Which one?
♪ Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo... ♪
[Both] ♪ I'm a little chick
♪ The hen is my mother
♪ I'm my mother's kid
♪ Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo. ♪
[Traffic hums; Birdsong]
[Rattling whoosh, gentle music]
[In Hindi] For the sake of your children...
every mother cries from time to time.
Some shed their tears...
and others drink them.
[Rattling whoosh; Music stops]
[Merchant, in Urdu] Sister! Sister!
Sister, buy some flowers? They're super fresh.
- [Mariam] How much? - They're 50 for two.
- [Mariam] They're so expensive now. - What can we do?
Things have got expensive. This is the price.
Thank you, sister.
[Stirring music]
[Projector whirs]
[Music, whirring continue]
[Music swells; Rousing orchestral strings]
- [Azra, in English] Mom? Mom? - [Music stops]
[Birdsong]
[Mariam recites prayer in Arabic]
[Azra exhales]
[In English] If heaven is at the mother's feet, what's at the father's?
Stinky socks.
[Azra chuckles]
[Mariam chuckles]
[Distant singing]
[Azra] Mom...
Naani told me something I have to tell you.
[Singing grows louder; Drone-like shruti box music]
[They perform "Queen of My Dreams"]
[Music fades]
[Music - "Ishq Ki Na Koi Bhi Hud Hai" by Qurram Hussain]
[Singer sings in Urdu]