From the Ashes: The Pit (2026) Movie Script
THIS FILM IS INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS,
BUT THE STORY, CHARACTERS,
AND DRAMATIC CONTEXARE ENTIRELY FICTIONAL,
AND ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS
OR ENTITIES IS NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY.
[reporter] In today's weather forecast
for Jeddah,
we expect extended thunderstorm activity
with moderate to heavy showers.
JEDDAH 2013
This may cause some flooding
in low-lying areas.
We urge everyone to be cautious
and to stay away from areas
that may be prone to flooding.
- [pensive piano music playing]
- [water running]
As we said, girls,
accepted hadith has two types.
Authentic or good.
An example of authentic hadith
from the Prophet, peace be upon him, is,
"Three traits. Have them,
and you'll find the sweet taste of faith."
"To love Allah and his messenger
above all else."
"To love others only to please Allah."
"And to hate being a disbeliever
after being saved by Allah
as much as hating being thrown into hell."
- [bell ringing]
- [sighs]
Okay, girls? Now make sure to study hard.
Don't forget that. And God willing,
you'll do well on your exams.
Mona, do my homework.
[student 1] What grade
did you get on the exam?
Oh wow! I don't believe it!
SEEKING KNOWLEDGE
[indistinct chattering]
[student 2] You're joking?
[music intensifies]
FROM THE ASHES: THE PI- [music stops]
- [bell ringing]
OUR LORD, DO NOT IMPOSE BLAME UPON US
IF WE HAVE FORGOTTEN OR ERRED
[cat meows]
[wistful piano music playing]
[exhales sharply]
You see, my daughter, don't let anything
distract you at all from your studies.
- [woman 1] What is all this?
- [woman 2] Why are you shouting?
[woman 1] Where did the bag go?
Where is my stuff?
- [woman 2] What are you doing?
- [woman 1] We were carrying it together!
- [woman 3] It's in the bag.
- [woman 1] Quickly, go look for it!
[indistinct shouting]
[woman 1] Oh my God!
[wistful piano music continues]
- [music fades]
- [game controller clicking]
[woman] You still
haven't washed the dishes.
I did. Those are the neighbors' dishes.
Don't forget to study for your final exam
so that you can finally graduate.
And you, one more life, and that's it.
I don't know what else
you're trying to bring upon yourself,
more than what's already happened to you.
- You don't study.
- [pensive music playing]
You don't pray like you should.
You don't even help around the house.
Twenty-four hours watching TV.
[fading] Twenty-four hours on your phone.
I mean, I don't understand.
What's your purpose in life?
What do you bring me
except trouble and heartache?
You're such a disappointment.
[music fades]
[Marzouka] Girl!
- Oh my God, Mom. You scared me.
- Come here. What have you done now?
I haven't done anything.
How did your appointment
with the doctor go today?
It was all right. Pointless.
"Pointless"? You should be grateful.
If it wasn't for Ms. Siham,
who's taking care of everything
and paying for your therapy
May God reward her.
You know what people would say
if they knew you were
taking psychiatric medications?
What will they say, Mom?
"She's strong for getting treated."
Tell me something. Come here, come here.
Is the doctor married?
You want to find a wife
for the doctor too, Mom?
He's married, and he wears a ring.
What's so embarrassing about my job?
Isn't being a matchmaker
better than being a janitor?
- Right, girl?
- [sighs]
Who's in there?
Your friend Mona's mother.
- Mona?
- Yes.
Mona is not my friend anymore.
What does she want?
- Your father...
- [man] I'm home. Make way.
- Your father is here. Go help your father.
- Give me. Let me help you.
[Marzouka] Quick, go inside.
Go inside, go inside.
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
Did I make you wait long?
My husband is back home.
[Mona's mother] No, it's no problem.
Shall I come back another time?
- [Marzouka] No, stay.
- No, seriously.
Tell me. What else are you looking for?
I'm not really looking for much,
just financially ready.
Go on. Tall, short, fat, skinny
I don't care about those traits,
as long as he's financially ready.
Not like last time.
- Just make sure...
- I know. Not dark-skinned.
I hope I'm not offending you.
Why would I be offended?
I'm not the one marrying him. Really.
Okay, thank you.
Also, I want it to be as soon as possible,
please, huh?
[Marzouka] I have a guy in mind.
How about we set a date tomorrow?
- [Mona's mother] Are you serious?
- Yes, I am. Tomorrow.
But I haven't even told Mona!
[Marzouka] Honey, the sooner, the better.
I have a man who's a real catch.
He's loaded.
[Mona's mother] Okay, I'll check with her,
and let's hope for the best.
- [Marzouka] Let me know. I'll be waiting.
- [Mona's mother] God willing.
[Marzouka] I'm telling you,
you don't wanna miss out on him.
So, as you like. Check with her,
and let me know by tonight.
[Mona's mother and Marzouka] God willing.
[radio show theme music playing]
[radio host] Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome back to our show,
as we explore with you the latest news
What's that smell?
as well as some detailed news
in the world of finance and business
Daddy.
[father] Are the results out?
Daddy, tomorrow is the first day
of the final exams.
Like, how could you forget?
Didn't you say
you would help me with calculus?
- Mm.
- [phone ringing]
[news continues indistinctly on radio]
[ringing continues]
Boy, give me the phone.
- Hello?
- [man] Hello, sir.
- Hey, Abu Uday.
- Little late.
No, no, no, no.
Start right away.
No, that wasn't our agreement.
[battery low chime]
[softly] Mimi, charger.
- [softly] What?
- [softly] Charger, charger.
very quickly.
We start in a couple of days.
- No way.
- But there is something else.
[father] Not my problem.
Mimi! Mimi!
Be right back.
[stirring music playing]
[indistinct shouting]
[machinery whirring, beeping]
[thunder rumbling]
[Abu Uday] Hurry up, guys!
Come on, faster!
We don't have all day! Come on!
[machinery clattering]
[indistinct chattering]
Hey. Penny for your thoughts.
Do you think this rain will get heavier?
I fear they'll get distracted.
[Widad] Even so, it's just two exams.
Don't worry.
I think it would be better
to send the girls home
and reschedule those exams for tomorrow.
Good idea.
Keep them from their studies.
Just shut down the school
so we can be unemployed. That's it.
- You think it's good time for joking?
- Ease up.
Mariam's timing for maternal leave
couldn't be worse.
Honestly, she gave birth quickly.
Maybe from running after those girls.
[laughs]
[melancholic music playing]
Siham, you're the only one
who's fit for this job.
You've been here for one semester,
and things are getting much better
than we ever expected.
So why worry about the advisor now?
[Siham] Paint that entire column.
I don't want to see a single letter.
Don't worry. I'm with you, okay?
Come on.
Girls, I'm so scared.
I don't feel like
I've studied well enough.
[girl 1] Honestly, I'm not scared at all.
My dad stayed up all night
with me to study.
Lucky you.
If my dad helped me study,
I wouldn't have a care in the world.
Samia, weren't you going to get braces?
[Samia] None of your business.
Hey, Mona.
Now, I want you to tell the girls
how you were able to study
at your old school after the fire.
She told us.
Let her speak. Go on.
Well, girls, honestly, it was very scary.
- [Samia] Really?
- I swear to God.
It was so scary
that the tables and chairs were moving.
Even the girls, as they ran,
they kept falling on top of each other.
- Honest to God.
- [girl 1] Honestly, you're a hero.
If I were in her shoes,
I wouldn't be able to spend one day
with my hair all burnt like that.
- [girls chuckle]
- [girl 1] Honestly.
Thank you.
And and later on, as well,
I was wrongly accused.
I swear to God.
You reminded me of our old principal.
Seriously. She blamed me for no reason.
[Samia] Oh my God.
You always say the same thing.
Can you finish the story
without the riddles?
[girl 2] Forget it, girls.
Let's just study.
Mona.
I need to talk to you urgently.
If you're looking for the janitor's room,
it's right over there.
Want me to scrub the floors
with your face? Show some respect!
Girls, Mrs. Puff is here.
So are you just gonna sit there,
fight, and waste your time?
And in the exams, you're gonna
beg each other for the answers?
Miss, honestly, your shirt is amazing.
Where did you get it?
And you, Masha'el?
Do you miss being in trouble?
We weren't fighting.
Just reviewing for the exam.
You! Give me that.
Give me that book on your lap.
- What's that?
- What, miss? Aren't we allowed to read?
Is that a novel? Didn't we say
romance novels were banned?
No, miss.
This novel is about a guy
possessed by a demon.
May God protect us from evil. Oh dear God.
So that's why
your eyeliner looks so demonic.
Wipe it off! Wipe it now!
- Ms. Siham is spoiling you. Come on!
- [bell ringing]
Wait! Come here, come here. Show me that.
What do you have here?
Look at that!
You think you're in a banquet?
Go to the exam room right away!
[intriguing string music playing]
Mom says
the most important thing in a girl
What? Her morals?
The two lashes at the end of her eyes.
Girl! Where are you going?
Back in line!
- Your pockets.
- I don't have pockets.
I swear, I don't.
I don't have pockets.
Open your pencil case.
[case unzips]
Just a mirror.
Nothing else.
You're not allowed
to take anything but your pens.
- It's just a mirror.
- Go in, please.
Sweetie, don't bite your nails.
Be kind to yourself.
Show me, please.
Go in.
- [student] I'm very scared of this exam.
- Mona, give me the answers.
True, false. Okay?
[footsteps approaching]
[knocks on door]
Listen up, ladies.
I know you're nervous
and scared about the exam.
But hopefully,
the exam will be easy enough for you.
All the questions are easy.
But most importantly,
I don't want any of you
leaving your seats.
[laughing]
What's so funny?
I'm sorry, miss. When I get nervous,
I start to laugh. I'm sorry.
Really?
I think
you've seen me angry before, right?
So you don't want me
to embarrass you, do you?
[chuckles] I'm I'm sorry.
Keep it face down.
[tense music playing]
[teacher] Keep it face down.
Psst.
Psst.
[girl 1] Ms. Widad.
Look at Masha'el. Isn't paper banned?
Give it to me.
Masha'el, how many repeated years
will it take you to understand?
I swear, miss. I didn't cheat, miss.
Let's start.
Look at your papers! Come on!
I'll be back in an hour,
in case any of you have questions.
Come on, girls. You may begin.
[tense music continues]
[bell ringing]
[Mona] What was that exam?
It was all outside the syllabus.
- It was so hard.
- I'm going to fail for sure.
- Me too, obviously.
- For example, the second question...
- You! Why'd you do that?
- What?
Because I can. So what?
I've barely kept my cool
this whole semester.
Don't push me! Understand?
Don't keep your cool. I'm so scared.
Do not push me.
- Ew! Your hand can not touch me!
- [Mona] Enough.
Mona, for God's sake, shut your mouth.
Only open it to eat, okay?
Show her some respect
when you talk to her!
[Mona] Hey, Masha'el!
No, no! Stop it! Stop it!
- I'll talk however I like!
- [Mona] Enough, enough!
[girl 1] Get away from me!
Oof! I said don't touch me! Oof!
- You push me to the ground?
- No! Wait, wait!
- You bitch!
- Please! Please!
[Masha'el] You push me
to the ground, dirty bitch?
- I'll show you!
- [Mona] Girls, stop it!
[Masha'el] I'll show you.
Show some respect!
- [Mona] I said stop!
- [teacher] Stop it, girls! Enough!
- Stay seated.
- Come here! I'll show you!
[Mona] Let her go!
- Girls, stop!
- [girls screaming]
Mona!
- You bitch!
- [Mona] No, no, no!
[girls gasp]
- [Mona] Leave her! Stop it! Leave her!
- No one can save you from me now!
- [Mona] Leave her!
- Girls, stop it!
Take them to Ms. Siham!
Miss, look what she did to my face! Look!
Look at me! Look at how she scratched me!
Where? I don't see it.
Would you like me to show you?
Are you going to resume your fight
here in my office?
Miss, really, it wasn't my fault.
You were the one who started it.
You know what? Just quit school
and go to Hollywood. They'll love you.
[girl 1] I didn't hit you.
I was just trying to wipe the dirt off
your uniform. You should thank me.
You mean I'm dirty?
- She's possessed by a demon!
- I hope it takes you.
Enough! Show some respect, you two!
You are so lucky
that it's the final exams.
Otherwise, you'd be expelled.
I'll call your mothers for a meeting.
Miss, not our mothers, please.
I just want to graduate, please.
My mom can't come today.
- Go to your break!
- But, miss!
Otherwise, you will be
banned from the exam.
Go on, you idiot.
[door opens, closes]
Can I have a juice?
[student 1] Look at the dress code
and pick an outfit.
- [student 2] I don't know what to wear.
- [student 1] I checked, and I decided.
[student 2] Remind me of the dress.
I'm telling you. She was in prison.
[student 3] Oh, really? Who told you?
[student 4] I heard.
They also say she hit a girl in prison.
[whimsical music playing]
Would you like to get hit too?
Huh?
- Ms. Widad.
- Hmm?
- I wanted to ask you
- I haven't checked the papers, Hiba.
I wasn't going to ask about the exam.
It's just, uh I don't think
Masha'el was trying to cheat.
Look. I shouldn't give you this, but here.
Good luck.
WE NEED TO TALK. IT'S URGENT.
[melancholic music playing]
[sniffles]
[sniffles]
- Can I?
- I don't like others to wear my perfume.
Maria, I got you the chemistry summary.
Study it
because I'll copy your answers, okay?
You know that I don't study.
Good luck, then.
[melancholic music continues]
[gate closes]
Mona?
- Mona, why are you here?
- Why are you here?
It's not enough to ruin my friendship?
Or are you here to gloat?
I ruined your friendship?
Either you've gone deaf
or you didn't hear
how she made fun of you.
That one making fun of me
is the one who made me like this.
She's the only one who helped me.
You say you're my friends? Where were you?
Mona, are you trying to tell me
that Maria is your friend,
and she's not using you at all?
Are you trying to tell me
that I'm unworthy?
As if you were ever my friend
just for the sake of it, huh?
Mona, I'm not here to argue with you.
I just came to say two things and leave.
You want to listen to me, that's good.
You don't want to, fine!
Okay, tell me. Tell me.
Go ahead, I'm listening.
Tell me! What do you want?
You know what?
It's my fault for trying to warn you.
As you wish.
M Masha'el, wait.
I want
You see
You see, to be honest, I I'm [sniffles]
What I want to understand is
why have we stopped talking to each other
ever since we came to this school?
- BRB.
- Where are you going?
I'm going to see where
that vulgar girl went.
- Huh?
- I'll tell you later.
Who do you mean?
It's because I thought
you couldn't stand me anymore.
And the same with Hiba.
[Mona] Well, it's true
that what happened was too much,
but it shouldn't have ended like this.
[sighs]
Mona, it's okay. Calm down. It's fine.
I knew you were here.
What? Are you pretending to be upset?
You? What brings you here?
You're following us?
Sh! No one is talking to you.
M M Masha'el wanted to apologize to you.
- [Maria] Mm-hmm!
- Me?
Apologize to her?
Why the hell would I do that?
You'll apologize, like it or not.
You forgot that slap, or what?
I'm here to make you pay
for that slap, you ape.
- I'm an ape?
- Mm-hmm.
Show some respect, you hear me?
- [Mona] Girls, stop it.
- Let go of me!
- [Mona] Girls, stop it!
- I said let go!
[Mona] Girls, stop!
[Abu Uday] Let's go!
- Stop it!
- I'll teach you!
Enough, enough! Girls, stop it!
- [Abu Uday] Go with him!
- [Masha'el] I'll show you!
- [Abu Uday] Faster, guys!
- Let go!
[Masha'el] I'll show you!
- [Abu Uday] Let's get done with it.
- I'll teach you how to show respect.
- I'll show you!
- [Abu Uday] Don't stop!
[Maria] My hair! My hair!
[tense music playing]
[Abu Uday] Let's finish up the job!
Come on, pull!
[girls screaming]
[music swells]
[music fades]
[thunder rumbling]
[student] Come on, come on, let's go!
[Widad] Come on, girls!
- Come on, it's raining.
- Come on, dears, hurry!
Come on! Get inside for the second exam!
- Have you seen Masha'el?
- Where are you going?
[Widad] Hurry up, dears!
Have you seen Masha'el?
Anyone see Masha'el and Mona?
- [Widad] Come on, come on!
- Masha'el!
- Have you seen Mona?
- Come on, girls.
Masha'el.
- Come on!
- Mona!
- Come on!
- Masha'el!
- Where are you going? Come here!
- Just a second. I'm just looking for...
- Looking for what?
- I'll look for Masha'el and Mona quick.
They're probably upstairs. Come on.
Go on, hurry! Come on!
[teacher 2] Come on.
[thunder rumbling]
[melancholic music playing]
[thunder rumbling]
Praise be to the one glorified by
the thunder's praise and the angels' fear.
Hey, ma'am. Come here.
[woman] Yes, miss?
These are the girls who are not present
in the classroom.
- Look for them. See where they are.
- Sure, I'll find them.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- Girl!
- [intriguing music playing]
What are you doing?
You're cheating, huh?
No, miss.
Show me your hand! Show me!
What's this?
Uh, my initial and my dad's.
Your dad, eh? Your dad?
Wasn't it Mazen, or has it become Hazen?
May God guide you.
- [Hiba] Miss.
- What?
- I need to use the restroom.
- Why didn't you go during break?
Unless you have a medical condition,
you have to wait till the end of the exam.
We'll wait a little for your classmates
before we distribute the tests.
[sighs]
[Marzouka] You know,
ever since I left that lousy school,
God has showered me
with wealth and abundance.
Hello, Um Maria. Please join us.
[door closes]
[thunder rumbling]
What could be so important
that made you bring me here
in this weather?
Our daughters brought us here.
Who else could it be?
Excuse me. Nobody was talking to you.
Oh my God. Like mother, like daughter.
Your daughters were in a physical fight.
They pulled each other's hair.
And such behavior is unacceptable here.
"Hair pulling"? [Scoffs]
No way.
I'm sure it was her daughter's fault.
It's all on my daughter?
And yours is some kind of angel?
[Siham] Easy, Marzouka.
You've worked with us
at the old school, right?
You know what girl fights are like.
Oh! You were a janitor.
[knocking at door]
Ms. Siham, can I speak with you?
It's urgent.
Listen, mothers. We're here to solve
your daughters' problems calmly
if you don't mind.
Excuse me for a few minutes.
Mona, Maria, and Masha'el
are not in the exam room.
I looked everywhere, and nothing.
- What do you mean?
- They're gone.
[sighs]
Wash your hand. Come on, wash it properly.
Would you rather
I take you to the principal?
- Is there anyone else in here?
- Uh, I don't think so.
Please double-check real quick.
- Wash it properly!
- No. No one's here.
What's going on?
We're wiping off the summaries
that are now written on hands
instead of paper.
What's wrong with this generation?
- [thunder rumbling]
- [rain pattering]
[tense music playing]
- Hey, dear, did you look everywhere?
- Yes.
- None of them were over there?
- No, there's no one.
[music intensifies]
Mrs. Samra, did you find anyone?
- No, no one at all.
- Not even there?
- Not anywhere.
- Okay, get in.
[sighs]
[tense music continues]
[groans]
[Mona groans]
[Mona] Girls.
Where are we?
My leg! My leg!
My leg hurts!
My leg hurts!
My leg!
I think I broke my leg!
Hello?
Hello! Can anyone hear us?
Get us out!
M M
- [Masha'el] Please help us.
- Maria! Maria!
[groaning]
- Are you okay?
- Where are we?
- Where are we?
- [Mona] You're bleeding.
Where are we? [Whimpers]
Look what you've done!
Even this you're going to blame on me?
[groans]
They'll get us out.
- [Maria] Where are we? Where are we?
- It hurts.
[whimpers]
Girls, girls! I'm so scared!
- [Masha'el] Somebody help us!
- Where are we?
[whimpering]
- [Maria] Is this sewer water?
- [groans]
[Masha'el] My leg. My leg!
[Maria] What happened? What happened?
- [Mona] What do we do now?
- [Maria] Can they hear us?
- [Masha'el groaning]
- [thunder rumbling]
[giggling]
[music fades]
No, no, no. I won't be late.
Start brewing the coffee. I'm on my way.
I'm sorry.
For calling you a 40-year-old adolescent.
When?
Just now.
- [jaunty music sting]
- [Marzouka laughs]
[tense music playing]
It's true that I called you in
about the fight.
But something has happened now.
Can we just get it over with?
I have to leave.
Um Maria, this is really serious.
Your daughters ran away from the school.
What?
[tense music continues]
We have to start the exam.
We can't wait any longer.
[music fades]
Oh, my tummy!
Miss, I have to go to the restroom.
No going to the restroom
till after the exam.
- [sighs]
- [thunder rumbling]
[teacher 2] Ms. Widad!
Tell me, did you find them?
- Seems they ran away.
- They ran away from school?
- [gasps]
- [student] How come? In this weather?
[softly] Ms. Hafsa!
I swear to God, if you make a sound,
I'll take away your exam!
No way. They didn't run away.
I'll take away your paper!
It doesn't make any sense, miss!
I said focus on your exam!
[Widad] It's okay, calm down.
Can you focus on your exam
and leave this to the school?
[indistinct chattering]
[tense music playing]
[indistinct chattering continues]
I can't take this anymore!
I want to get out of here!
I want to get out of here! [Groans]
You're not the only one down here.
We're all in this.
If I was alone,
I wouldn't have fallen here.
Tell yourself. Your meddling
is what brought you here.
Are you girls serious?
There's no time for fighting.
Me? You're the ones being followed
by disasters wherever you go!
You want me to bury you
in this grave we're in?
Shut up!
[melancholic music playing]
Let's get out first, then you can fight!
Somebody come save us!
Help us! Can anyone hear me?
Somebody help us now!
- Help!
- [Masha'el] Somebody help us, please!
Somebody help us!
Somebody get us out of here!
Someone get us out of here!
- Help us!
- [Masha'el] Anybody! Help us!
Can anyone hear us?
[Masha'el] Anybody!
[music fades]
So you haven't seen them?
Are you sure?
Okay. Look around the school,
and let me know.
Okay.
What does this mean?
The ground cracked open
and swallowed them?
I knew it from the beginning.
This school is way below our level.
I can understand your stance.
But schools have strict rules,
and we expect everyone to adhere to them.
How can this school be so irresponsible?
There are no supervisors,
no principal, no security guard!
And the gate is always wide open
for anyone to come and go as they want!
The school has nothing to do with
the girls' recklessness and bad conduct.
What does this mean?
Are the girls going to fail?
Is that all you care about?
- [slaps desk]
- Where is my daughter?
If anything happens to her,
blame only yourself, Siham!
I said, Um Maria,
that I understand your stance.
But that doesn't give you
the right to raise your voice!
I've been saying that I'm sure
her daughter dragged Maria into this,
but you wouldn't believe me!
Why not vice versa?
Unlike your daughter, mine is well-raised!
And my daughter comes from servants?
You said it yourself.
I didn't say anything.
Hear that, Ms. Siham?
And you want me to stay calm?
If you don't like our school, Um Maria,
here's your daughter's file.
Find her a school
that fits your standards!
[melancholic music playing]
You ladies can kindly go wait
in the courtyard
until we find a solution
or they come back.
Let's hope for the best.
[door closes]
[drawer opens]
[Mona whimpers]
[Mona grunts]
[Maria] Don't do that.
You'll slip. You'll slip!
You won't be able to do it.
- [Mona grunts]
- [Maria] Stop it! You're going to fall!
[Mona grunts]
[grunting]
[Mona grunts loudly]
[groans]
Mona, take care.
[Mona] Girls.
Girls, can one of you try
to climb with me?
Mona, can't you see my leg?
[breathing heavily]
Mona, weren't you carrying my phone?
[Masha'el] Like it's gonna work
after it got soaked.
- The phone.
- [music fades]
The phone, the phone. I can't find it.
- What do you mean you can't find it?
- Let me look for it. Where did it go?
[thunder rumbling]
- I found it! I found it, I found it!
- Give it to me, give it to me!
- I found it, I found it!
- Hurry, give it to me!
It won't start.
Try.
It's not starting!
Try again!
It's not starting. It's not starting!
Oh God!
[yelps]
[tense music playing]
- What's wrong? What is it?
- It's nothing.
[Maria] What is it? Tell me now!
Say something! What is it?
[music intensifies]
[Maria yelps]
[girls scream]
[Maria] Oh my God! Oh my God!
- [door opens]
- [music fades]
Close the door, quick.
[door closes]
I didn't expect this
from Mona and Masha'el.
I thought they had changed.
Are you okay?
You're lucky
you didn't see the two mothers
fighting when they were in here.
Why? What happened?
No sense of responsibility.
Each one was blaming the other.
Really?
Indeed.
I thought the girls matured
after what happened.
You're right.
But, Siham,
you know they're just teenage girls.
I mean, who would do this
on such a rainy day? It's not normal.
[thunderclap]
When does the second exam end?
I think less than an hour.
[Siham] Hmm.
Did you call Mona's father?
Mm. He didn't answer.
I'll call her mother.
Hello?
[vacuum whirring]
[melancholic music playing]
[Siham] Hello?
Um Mona?
Hello?
I can't hear you,
but can you come to the school, please?
Hello...
[disconnect tone]
It disconnected.
[thunderclap]
Oh God.
Dear God.
It's going to be okay, God willing.
[door closes]
ABU MASHA'EL
CALLING
[sighs]
[busy signal]
[footsteps approaching]
[phone beeps]
Even you are being blamed for it?
Everything that goes wrong
in this world is our fault.
[Maria's mother sighs]
May God help us.
[busy signal]
Oh goodness me.
He's even threatening to divorce me!
Oh God!
But I wouldn't worry about you.
I heard you're a matchmaker.
Tell me. How did it go with you?
[sighs]
I've been trying to call Maria,
but her phone has been busy.
She snuck a phone in, and you're fine?
As if you can control your daughter
in this generation.
Honestly, can you?
No. Honestly, I can't.
She's giving me a hard time.
I tried beating her.
I tried grounding her.
- It's not the first time she's done this.
- Not the first time?
May God help and guide her.
- Ms. Siham?
- What do you want with Ms. Siham?
I'm telling her
this is not your daughter's first time,
and that it's her fault!
Are you ever gonna stop?
Do you enjoy making trouble?
You'll see who's making trouble.
Step aside!
I'm not stepping aside.
You want to go tell on my daughter.
Let go of my hand!
[unsettling music playing]
Miss, I don't know the answer
to this question.
Sweetie, why are you crying?
We told you to study hard.
It's a tough year.
Why won't you listen?
I never taught hadith, but let me see.
"Fill in the blanks.
Lying surely leads to"
Hiba, look for Maria too.
[Hafsa] Think about it.
Miss, I have a question too.
Keep your eyes on your paper, please.
Hiba?
What kind of school is this?
[unsettling music continues]
Masha'el!
Mona!
[thunder rumbling]
[music fades]
Do you girls think we can eat it?
[Maria] Is that
what you're thinking about?
I mean, in case we're here for long.
Even for days.
You think we'll be here for days?
No one has realized we're gone yet.
[Maria] Speak for yourself.
I'm sure my parents
are searching everywhere for me.
Actually, mine too.
The only person
who searches for you is here.
Even underground you're picking a fight?
It's messed up anyway.
[Mona] It's okay, Masha'el.
She didn't mean what she said.
Besides,
she's really kind.
Don't talk on my behalf.
Don't push me.
[Maria] Or what?
You're going to get out and leave me?
[tense music playing]
Masha'el was right.
You only care about yourself.
Actually, I never considered you
to be my friend.
All I hear is, "Mona, solve this for me.
Mona, bring me this."
- "Mona, do this. Do that."
- Enough, Mona.
- "Mona, do my homework."
- Enough!
- "Mona, do this! Mona, do that!"
- Mona, enough!
- You are such an annoying person!
- [crumbling]
- You're disgusting! You're so annoying!
- Let go of me!
- I hate you!
- [Masha'el] Mona, enough!
[panicked breathing]
[music fades]
Any word from the guard?
Sadly, he says no one saw them.
[Maria's mother exhales]
Has your daughter done this before?
You know, Ms. Siham,
that girls of that age
can influence each other.
And my daughter
has never done anything wrong before.
Are you sure that there's no reason
for her to do this?
Be careful what you're saying, please.
What's this nonsense that you're saying?
Absolutely not!
It's just a question, Um Maria.
Excuse me just a moment.
[mysterious music playing]
[phone beeps]
Hello?
That spoiled daughter of yours
is going to kill me.
I don't know where she's gone.
[mysterious music continues]
[thunder rumbling]
Hiba?
- D...
- [Siham] Ms. Hafsa!
- Who's watching the exam room?
- [Hafsa] The janitor.
What on earth made you leave your exam?
[tense music playing]
[beeping]
- [student 1] Take care! Take care!
- Girls, girls, back to your seats.
Back to your seats, girls.
Back to your seats.
[student 2] Hurry up. Hurry up.
[music intensifies]
Calm down, girls.
There's nothing going on.
- [water splashing]
- [girls screaming]
[clattering]
[music swells]
- [alarm ringing]
- [girls screaming]
[dramatic tense music playing]
[girls screaming]
Where are you going?
- Ow, ow! My hair!
- You're calling me an uncivilized janitor?
[dramatic tense music continues]
Masha'el!
Mona!
Masha'el! Mona!
[Marzouka] Come here! Come here!
What are you going to do about it, huh?
What are you going to do about it?
Masha'el!
No!
No, no, no, no, no!
[thunderclap]
I'm here!
[alarm ringing]
[grunts]
- [Marzouka] What are you gonna do?
- Teach you! You and your daughter!
[girls screaming]
[grunts]
[grunts, strains]
[screaming continues]
Hey, girls! Help me!
I'm stuck on the roof!
Come here! You clearly don't know
who you're talking to!
Hey, girls!
[Marzouka] What are you
going to do about it?
What are you going to do about it?
[grunts]
[rumbling]
[screaming]
- [alarm ringing]
- [girls screaming]
Next time, don't make decisions
that don't concern you.
Now go and deal with the girls.
Move! Come on!
Girls, girls! Go back! Go back!
Go back to your classrooms.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
Oh dear God.
Back to your classrooms, girls!
There's nothing to be afraid of!
Come on!
Ms. Siham. Ms. Siham.
The bathroom pipe exploded.
Later, later!
It's okay. Come on.
Back to your classrooms, all of you!
Stop it, both of you! Enough! Stop it!
- I'm not surprised! You're a janitor!
- I'm a janitor with more manners than you!
You started it!
- See? See? She's the one who started it!
- Um Maria! Enough! Enough!
Calm down. Let's just...
- Leave me alone!
- [Siham] Ms. Ruba!
Go collect the exams
from all the classrooms!
I'll send the girls home!
What's going on?
Go shut off the main water valves
and see where Hiba went!
Go!
[thunder rumbling]
[melancholic music playing]
What are you doing up here?
Come here, quick!
Oh, my leg.
[Masha'el whimpers]
[groaning]
[Mona] Here. Let me see your leg.
[Masha'el grunting]
[Mona] Easy, easy, easy, easy.
[groans]
[Maria] Mona.
Girls.
The rain is getting heavier.
We'll drown.
God willing
God willing, the rain will stop.
[Masha'el] Maybe we need more water.
Maybe it will lift us up,
and we'll be able to get out.
But but I don't know how to swim.
Don't worry. Don't worry.
Don't worry. We're here with you.
[thunder rumbling]
[breathing heavily]
[guard on PA] Abdul Nour Khalifa!
Abdul Nour Khalifa!
Ayman Jamal!
Instead of looking for your daughters,
you're making trouble in my school?
She started it. I didn't do anything.
You see? You're just like your daughters!
Abdul Nour Jamal
Okay. We searched for them everywhere,
but we couldn't find them.
So, unfortunately,
I have to call the police.
Please, Ms. Siham, don't.
Didn't you say they could come back?
Ms. Siham, we can't afford
to be dragged into this kind of scandal.
Please, not the police. Okay?
Okay. We'll wait a little longer.
Thank you.
Ahmed Al-Arodhi! Ahmed Al-Arodhi!
Come. Get in here.
What were you doing up there?
I was looking for them.
But we'd already looked for them.
But, miss
Besides the fact
that they're in big trouble,
I'm sure they're out in the rain
while you were looking for them.
No way.
There's no way they would run away.
- We had the exam. I know them.
- Hiba.
As far as I know, you used to be friends.
- They would never do anything without...
- Without what?
Without telling you?
Is that what bothers you?
That they didn't tell you?
[Hiba sighs]
Why won't anyone believe me?
They're my friends, and I know them.
Or do they have to end up
the same way like Amira?
God forbid. And trust me.
No one cares about their safety
more than Ms. Siham.
[melancholic music playing]
I've been waiting to make up
and become friends like we used to be.
Something is not right about this.
My driver is waiting outside.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[music fades]
Do you think it will work?
I don't know.
What if it doesn't?
We'll die?
No, we won't die.
[somber music playing]
Cheer up.
Try to think about anything else.
I wish I never came out here.
It's all your fault.
Why did you follow me?
Mona, not now.
Like we have any other time?
Why did you follow me?
I came to tell you that your mom
is trying to marry you off again.
Is it my fault for worrying about you?
[cracking]
Girls.
Girls!
- [crumbling]
- [screams]
- [dramatic tense music playing]
- Maria!
- [gasps]
- [Masha'el] No! No, come here!
- [screams]
- [Masha'el] She's drowning!
Pull my hand! Pull my hand!
[strained scream] Pull my hand! Come!
Come here!
Give me your hand!
[music swells]
[Mona] Maria!
[music fades]
[girl 3] Hiba!
Did you find them?
Do you see them with me?
- Lama.
- Yes?
Did Maria say that she would run away?
No. I don't think she'd do that.
[Siham] Hiba.
You either stay here quietly
or you go to your driver.
And tomorrow,
I'll have a talk with your mother.
Why are you ignoring what's happening?
Are you okay
with the school getting flooded?
- And those girls that are still...
- No, we're not ignoring what's happening.
And the girls you're talking about
are the root of the problem.
And God knows
what they've been up to today.
- Don't talk about them like that.
- Hiba.
[sighs]
Listen, sweetie.
What happened last year
was a lesson for you and us.
And I would never let it happen again.
God willing, the girls will be back.
I promise.
Now, please, Hiba.
Put my mind at ease and go home.
Our rides are here anyway, miss.
[somber music playing]
[both grunting]
[grunting continues]
[Maria coughing]
[Mona] It's okay, dear.
You made it. You made it.
[Masha'el] Mona, come out of the pit
so that the flood doesn't pull you in.
You could drown.
Give me your hand.
[breathing heavily]
[Masha'el] Come up here. Let me help you.
Give me your hand.
[sobs] Masha'el.
Yes, it's okay. It's okay.
[Maria] Mona.
[crying]
[thunder rumbling]
[music fades]
[jaunty music playing]
Bless your mother's hands.
[Ruba] Okay, girls. Come with me, hurry.
[Hafsa] Uh, what's with them?
What have they done?
We're trying to call their parents
to come pick them up. Here.
Hello? Dad, where are you? You're so late.
It looks like we'll die here.
I'd rather die
Than go home to be married off,
then get divorced and go through
the same struggle again.
Mona, calm down.
We will graduate, God willing.
W we'll go to college and have fun.
But I can't blame my mom, to be honest.
It's not up to her
to force you to marry again.
I deserve it.
Her life was ruined because of me.
What do you mean?
The other day
I was taking the groceries from my dad.
[door opens]
[Mona's father] What's this, girl?
Cover yourself.
- It's okay, Dad. Give me...
- No, leave this one. Take this.
Get inside. I'll be right there.
- Dad, let me help you with the rest.
- No, no. It's okay.
[uneasy music playing]
[knocking at door]
- [Mona's father] Hello.
- Hey.
[door closes]
[man] So that's it?
You insist on getting a divorce?
Try to resolve the issue
instead of breaking your own home.
He betrays me by marrying a second wife,
and she lives in the same building?
Let's go, Mona.
I wish I had shut my big mouth
and never told her!
Mona, it's okay. What's done is done.
[melancholic music playing]
Masha'el, I'm now sharing a room together
with ten other kids.
Mona.
You did nothing wrong.
Put yourself in your mother's shoes.
What did she gain from this?
And what did I gain from it?
And I lost my father.
And now she wants to marry me off
and get rid of me.
[thunder rumbling]
YOUR PRESENCE HAS GRACED OUR SCHOOL.
WE MOVE FORWARD WITH YOU
IN LEARNING AND LOVE! HIGH SCHOOL 887
[melancholic music continues]
[sighs]
You can't live with them
And you can't live without them.
[breathes deeply]
I want my daughter. I want my daughter!
[sobs]
Just trust in God.
- He'll protect them.
- Oh dear God. Please, God.
They'll come back. They'll come back.
[music fades]
Eat. Mona, eat quickly.
We're expecting guests.
Has someone seen my phone?
[woman] Give me your plate.
Masha'el.
I'm sorry for saying that it's your fault.
But I feel I'm the meanest person
on earth, even with my family.
Maybe I deserve to be here.
If anyone deserves this, it's me.
It's because I angered my father.
Girls, it's not your fault.
[uneasy music playing]
[bike bell dings]
[man] Coming!
Welcome, chocolate!
You finally came. It took you long enough.
Here. Now give me my money.
Hmm?
You want it? Come get it.
- My money.
- Come get it!
- Come get it. Come get it!
- Stop! Stay away from me!
[tense music playing]
[gasps, panting]
Your mother and I suspected
you were hiding something disastrous.
You're such a disappointment.
- I didn't do anything...
- Shut up!
Not a word! Not a word!
You brought us shame and scandal,
you disgrace!
- You're such a disappointment.
- Dad!
I wish I had died
before seeing you like this.
[sobs]
[Masha'el] I can't forget his face
and how he didn't want to talk to me.
He wouldn't listen to me. He wouldn't
I let him down.
What God has put us through,
it's for a reason.
If I die, maybe they'll be relieved.
Come on, girls. We all make mistakes.
[thunder rumbling]
Ahmed Ali!
Ahmed Ali! Ahmed Ali!
Ahmed Ali!
[Widad] That girl is so stubborn.
And she made me doubt that I mean,
I felt that maybe they're really here.
Will you all stop questioning
my decisions?
You saw for yourself.
We searched everywhere. Did we find them?
I mean, where could have they gone?
Disappeared?
[Widad] I mean,
did you double-check with her?
Just stop speculating, all of you!
Are you going to do my job for me?
I have it up to here. Enough.
Why are you talking to me like this?
I'm trying to help you.
I haven't spared any effort.
That's your job. Not a favor.
Siham, why are you
talking to me like this?
I'm not your youngest child
for you to talk to me like this.
I'm your superior! Understood?
[thunder rumbling]
I wish Mona and Masha'el were here
so they could see how hard
you tried to defend them.
[guard] Abdul Wahab Khalil!
Abdul Wahab Khalil!
Ayman Shakir! Ayman Shakir!
Khalil Alawi! Khalil Alawi!
[melancholic music playing]
Khalil Alawi!
Somebody help!
Somebody help!
Girls.
Is that it? You gave up?
I don't have the will anymore.
This is God's punishment,
and we deserve it.
You want us to die for a few mistakes?
Girls, we're still young.
And it's normal for us to mess up.
But that's just selfish.
Seriously.
I'm not selfish.
I'm not selfish!
I just didn't think
it would get this serious.
And I didn't want Dad to find out.
[music fades]
MOUZNA
[bell ringing]
[indistinct chattering]
- You're going out now?
- Yep, yep.
But your dad might see you?
He won't recognize me.
Except for my bag.
[ominous music playing]
HIGH SCHOOL 887 FOR GIRLS
Come on, hurry!
[music stops]
Go easy on the door.
[Arabic music playing on radio]
I've missed you.
- Actually, you know something?
- What?
Sometimes, I feel you're using me.
I mean, whenever you want something,
you message me,
then you suddenly disappear.
Are you for real?
Don't be such a drama queen.
- [music volume increases]
- Come on. Let's go.
Mazen.
- [tense music playing]
- [man] Is this your mahram?
- Yeah. She's my sister. You can ask her.
- Where's your ID?
What's your name?
You don't wanna say your name, huh?
Hey, girl!
- Get out, get out! Get out of the car!
- [Mazen] I'm coming.
Is this her bag?
[crying]
[Maria] The next day at school,
the principal found out,
and she publicly accused her.
And the principal scolded her
in front of everyone.
And you stayed quiet about it?
Mom and Dad found out
and stopped talking to me.
- Huh.
- [music fades]
Oh, they stopped talking to her.
Lama is your friend,
and you never told her?
Stop it, girls.
I didn't tell you so you can reprimand me.
She wants a pat on her back.
And Lama still knows nothing about it?
I made a mistake, and I know that I did.
And I really regret it.
God, forgive me.
Please, God, forgive me!
[Hiba] Masha'el! Mona! Maria!
Can you hear me?
[Mona] Yes, yes! We're down here!
[Masha'el moans]
- Masha'el! Mona! Maria!
- Please, God. Yes.
Get us out!
Help. Yes, God, help us.
Girls, can you hear me?
[inaudible dialogue]
[Siham] What was
that childish nonsense? Huh?
What was that?
It's my fault for being too lenient
and treating you like a grown-up!
What's going on in this school
that you don't want us to know?
Somebody tell us.
Hiba, do you know where the girls went?
Do you know where Masha'el is?
- Do you know where they are?
- [Maria's mother] Speak up.
Do you know where
our daughters are or not?
Are you taking out your anger
from your personal life on us here?
I made a decision, and it's final!
You're expelled from school
as of today! Understood?
Stop it! Enough!
You burned down an entire school,
and now you want to expel her?
- What's next?
- [Mona in distance] Help!
We're down here!
- What did I hear just now?
- [tense music playing]
Does she mean the fire?
- No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No.
- Huh?
It was an accident. I swear.
She didn't mean to. I swear.
What happened was fate.
She didn't mean to set the school on fire.
It was caused by a cigarette butt.
[tense music continues]
[Mona in distance] We're down here!
You?
People died.
Some of the girls' futures were destroyed.
And me! Me? Do you see? Me!
What are you, huh?
Are you human, like us?
Please, Mrs. Marzouka.
I swear she didn't mean it. Please!
I'll be scarred for life because of you!
And you can sleep at night just fine,
can't you?
[Masha'el] Get us out!
[Maria] Get us out!
[Hiba] Girls!
[Mona] Yes! Yes, we're here!
I swear, Mrs. Marzouka,
it was an accident!
- Believe me. Now is not the time for this!
- [Hiba] Ms. Siham.
Ms. Siham, come help the girls.
Come help the girls, hurry!
- Masha'el! Masha'el!
- [Hiba] Hurry, Ms. Siham!
[tense music playing]
- [banging on door]
- [Mazen] Coming! I'm coming!
What the hell?
Oh my God!
Why are you still after me?
Forget about me already!
You thought I wouldn't find you again?
I swear, I broke up with her on that day!
Now let me go!
I swear to God, if you come near her,
it will be the last time you see daylight!
[Marzouka sobs]
[sobs] Mimi!
They will come out, dear.
They will, believe me.
They will come out.
They will. They will, God willing.
- Hello. Can you hear me?
- [man] Yes, ma'am. How can I help you?
- Yes, I can hear you.
- We need Civil Defense now!
What's the address?
[hopeful music playing]
I told you they would get us out.
[Masha'el] Thanks, God. We're getting out.
[water burbling]
What's this?
No. No, no, no!
No, no, no!
[Abu Uday] Hurry up, guys.
Come on, faster. We don't have all day.
Come on, let's get done with it!
The rain has finally stopped. Come on.
So you have no excuse now.
Come on, you guys.
[bike bell ringing]
Go get your aunt Haneen, please.
[boy tuts, sighs]
Okay.
Aunt Haneen!
How are you?
- [boy] Yassine!
- None of your business.
Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!
What?
Where is Mona?
Now you remember you have a daughter?
Get inside, woman.
None of your business.
I'm asking you,
where did your daughter go?
Are you insane? She's studying inside.
Well, your daughter ran away from school.
- And you don't even know about it!
- What?
I've been calling you,
but you wouldn't answer!
Where's your phone?
SAHAR
TWO MISSED CALLS FROM SAHAR
[phone ringing]
ABU UDAY
Yes, Abu Uday.
Abu Rakan, you need to come right away.
We need you. Where are you?
What is it now?
What have you done this time?
There's a big pit
in the neighboring school.
There's a big pit
that was caused by us, sir.
What are you talking about?
You need to come right away.
Hurry up, man!
- [sirens wailing]
- [dramatic tense music playing]
[officer 1] Operations,
there's been a landslide in the area.
Three female students
are trapped in the pit.
Out of the way, everyone!
Team, do a full 360-degree sweep
of the entire area.
Hiba, Hiba! Hiba, when you saw them,
were they alive? Were they alive or not?
[officer 1] Make sure
the school's wall is secured.
[officer 2] Copy!
- Alive or not, just please, tell us!
- Please tell us!
[officer 2] Mohammed,
is the harness fully ready?
[Mohammed] Ready.
[officer 1] Make sure
the ladder is set up correctly.
Did you get anyone out yet?
[officer 1] Everyone make sure
that the ladder is lowered properly.
Make sure the school's wall is secured.
We're getting out.
- [officer 1] The thermal camera is here.
- Finally, we're getting out.
[officer 1] The thermal cameras
are being deployed.
Thank you, God. Thank you, God!
Thank God. Thank God.
Why are we standing out here?
We need to be inside!
What's going on here? A fire?
There's a pit in the school ground.
Some girls fell in.
[officer 1] The pit is eight meters deep.
The students are still alive.
- What's going on here?
- I don't know how this happened.
It looks like the ground collapsed,
and some people got hurt.
Okay, listen. Evacuate the workers,
and move the machines.
All right, all right, all right.
- Make sure the Red Crescent is on-site.
- Excuse me, guys.
Let me through, please.
- The Red Crescent is ready.
- [Maria's father] Excuse me.
For your own safety, you can't go in.
I'm in charge of the construction
over there.
- [Sahar] Hussam!
- That's my wife. Excuse me.
Help me, Hussam! Help me! Your daughter!
- What's wrong with her?
- [sobs] Please help me!
[Hussam] Tell me!
[officer 3] We've reached six meters down.
Girls, they're finally here.
Are you okay?
Her leg is broken.
[officer 1] We need an update
on the victims' condition.
- Can you stand up?
- I can't move it.
- Go easy! Go easy!
- [officer 3] One student has a broken leg.
[man 1] I need a splint for the left foot
and a stretcher.
[man 2] Right away.
[officer 3] A stretcher and a splint
are being sent down.
- Excuse me.
- [Mona's father] Mona!
We just need someone
to reassure us, please.
We just need someone to tell us
whether our girls are alive or not!
Are they alive or not?
Hopefully they're fine.
Calm down, Mrs. Marzouka.
Please calm down.
[officer 3] The second student is injured,
but she can climb the ladder.
[officer 1] Are you ready
to receive the students?
- [Siham] Excuse me.
- [officer 4] Yes?
[Siham] Please, can you tell me
how the girls are doing?
I'm the school principal.
Civil Defense has reached them,
and they'll be out soon.
[Siham] But, I mean, did they talk to you?
Are they okay? Can they hear you?
[officer 4] Rescue operation
is in progress.
- We're doing everything we can.
- Thank you.
[officer 3] The Red Crescent
is here and ready.
[sirens continue wailing]
[helicopters whirring]
[sniffles]
[sobs]
This is all because of the workers.
They're so incompetent.
They should be held accountable.
- Shut your mouth! Do you hear me?
- Hey, hey!
What's wrong? I'll smash your face!
Stop it now or I'll take you both to jail.
Hussam!
Come on, let it go.
[officer 1] We must hurry.
The ground is unstable.
[car door opens]
[emotional music playing]
How are the moms doing?
They're okay.
They're holding on to each other,
and I hope they'll be fine.
Forgive me. I swear I didn't mean it.
I'm glad that this happened.
Honestly, it's a weight off my chest.
I wish I had listened to my gut feeling
and sent the girls home this morning.
As soon as I saw the rain.
Believe me, you did the right thing.
Whatever happened was meant to happen.
Thank God that at least
the rest of the girls got home safe.
[sobbing]
[sniffling]
Mona, come on, go.
- [man 1] Can you climb up?
- [Masha'el] Come on.
Go.
[Maria] Mona, go.
[stirring string music playing]
[man 1] Raise your head
as you're going up.
[officer 3] The first student
is on her way up.
- [man 1] Hold tight.
- [Mona whimpers]
[man 1] Don't look down.
[Mona whimpering]
[officer 5] Move to the back.
Move backward.
- Give us anything. Any update.
- [officer 5] Clear the way. Move, move.
[officer 3] Excuse my colleagues.
The situation is unstable.
[officer 1] The second student is injured,
but she can climb the ladder.
- [officer 3] We got the first student.
- [Haneen] I want to see my daughter!
[man 3] We're ready
to receive the stretcher.
Mona! Mona!
- Mona!
- [Widad] Mona, thank God. Are you okay?
Are you okay?
- Forgive me, my darling.
- [Widad] Mona! Are Mimi and Masha'el okay?
[bystanders clapping]
- [Sahar] God!
- [Hussam] Excuse me. Excuse me, please.
Come on, go.
I'll go after you. Don't worry.
[officer 3] Hurry up, guys.
Ready to receive the stretcher?
[man 3] Ready to receive it.
[tense music playing]
[officer 3]
We're sending the stretcher now.
Please go faster. The ground is unstable.
[Masha'el groans]
[man 1] Come on.
The stretcher is on the ladder.
Are you ready to pull?
[man 2] Ready.
[man 1] Pull it up slowly.
Pull it up slowly.
[officer 3] Faster!
The ground is unstable.
The rescue team is down there.
- [Sahar] Please bring her up!
- Please, God! Please, God!
[Masha'el grunts]
[officer 3] The second girl
has been rescued.
[man 1] Careful, careful.
[Marzouka] That's my daughter!
Masha'el! Masha'el!
That's my daughter!
That's my daughter! Masha'el!
[man 2] Out of the way. Out of the way.
- [Marzouka] My dear, can you hear me?
- Have you seen Maria?
[Marzouka] Watch out. My daughter!
My daughter! My daughter!
- Masha'el, can you hear me? Masha'el!
- [Hussam] My daughter is in there!
I just need to know if she's okay,
if you please!
Just send someone in there
to check on her!
I just want to see my daughter, please!
[officer 3] Attention.
Get the student out now.
The ground is unstable.
[in Arabic] "Say, 'He is Allah,
one and indivisible.'"
"'Allah the sustainer.'"
"Say, 'He is Allah, one and indivisible.
Allah the sustainer.'"
[officer 1 in English] Evacuate the area!
Evacuate the area now!
[Maria screams]
[officer 1] There's been a collapse.
Everybody step back!
- [Sahar] What collapse?
- Let's go, let's go, let's go!
Everything is going to be okay.
[officer 3] We need support immediately.
Out of the way. Out of the way.
Let's go, let's go!
[Sahar sobs] Maria!
[sobs] Maria!
[officer 3] Maria!
[melancholic music playing]
[officer 3] Maria!
Maria, can you hear us?
[screaming]
[inaudible dialogue]
CANTEEN
[melancholic music continues]
[crying]
[Sahar crying]
[inaudible dialogue]
[crying continues]
[melancholic music continues]
[melancholic music continues]
[music fades]
Thanks to your parents' prayers
and your mothers' care,
your teachers and their effort,
your classmates and their support,
we were able to reach
the first day of your transitional phase
from school into the outside world.
The future.
We hope we were able to provide you
and equip you with everything you need.
Knowledge, ethics,
tactfulness,
persistence, and determination.
[stirring music playing]
And there's something important
you should know.
Mistakes happen no matter your age.
No one is infallible.
What matters is that you fix your mistakes
and learn from them.
Not to ignore them.
Because if you ignore them,
they will become worse.
And always seek to become
better versions of yourselves,
not better than others.
And lastly, we wish you success
and good luck in your life to come.
[hopeful music playing]
[exhales sharply]
[Hafsa] And now,
a word from our A student,
top of her class,
Lama Abdul Karim.
[applause]
Isn't she the one who kept saying
all year, "Girls! I haven't studied"?
[giggles]
[Lama] Dear teachers,
our mother guests,
my fellow classmates,
and everyone
attending our honorable ceremony.
Our days together taught us things
that we could have never learned
except from each other.
[hopeful music continues]
[girls laughing]
[music soars]
[sighs]
Hurry, Mom! We're very late!
Whose graduation is it, mine or yours?
See? I told you she was coming.
She wouldn't possibly miss this.
- Maria!
- Whoo!
[girls hiss happily]
Why are you so late?
It wasn't me. It was Mom who made us late.
- How are you?
- I'm fine. How are you?
I'm good.
- Hurry, let's go.
- Mom, do I look good?
- [Maria] Ah, yes! Put it over my shoulder.
- [Mona] Let's go.
On this happy occasion,
I can't help but say that I'm sad.
Lama, look.
What happened was all my fault.
Lama, please. Please forgive me.
Didn't you say
[Lama] Because it means
that our days together are ending,
and they will turn into memories.
[Maria] Lama, please forgive me.
[Lama] For the first time,
I wish we didn't have to grow up,
so we could spend more time and more days.
Come on, come on, come on!
[Lama] Throughout the days
we spent together
Look.
we learned so many things
that we couldn't have possibly learned
except from each other,
not from books.
May God bless this marriage,
bless both of you,
and join you together in all goodness.
- [man 1] Congratulations.
- [man 2] Congratulations.
- [man 3] Congratulations to the groom.
- [man 4] Congratulations, son.
Hurry up, woman! Come quick!
You're a bride now!
[women ululating]
[Mona] Congratulations!
And finally, I wish every one of you
a life full of happiness and success,
God willing,
and, of course, full of adventures.
[joyful music playing]
[Maria] Lama!
- [Lama] Hey!
- How are you?
Girls, finally, no more studying.
- What? We have university.
- Come on, Mona.
- [Hafsa] Girls!
- Let us have fun.
[Hafsa] All of you!
Miss, you want to search us, even today?
From now, sadness is banned!
[all cheering]
[joyful music continues]
[music fades]
[poignant music playing]
FROM THE ASHES: THE PI[poignant music continues]
[poignant music intensifies]
[music fades]
BUT THE STORY, CHARACTERS,
AND DRAMATIC CONTEXARE ENTIRELY FICTIONAL,
AND ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS
OR ENTITIES IS NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY.
[reporter] In today's weather forecast
for Jeddah,
we expect extended thunderstorm activity
with moderate to heavy showers.
JEDDAH 2013
This may cause some flooding
in low-lying areas.
We urge everyone to be cautious
and to stay away from areas
that may be prone to flooding.
- [pensive piano music playing]
- [water running]
As we said, girls,
accepted hadith has two types.
Authentic or good.
An example of authentic hadith
from the Prophet, peace be upon him, is,
"Three traits. Have them,
and you'll find the sweet taste of faith."
"To love Allah and his messenger
above all else."
"To love others only to please Allah."
"And to hate being a disbeliever
after being saved by Allah
as much as hating being thrown into hell."
- [bell ringing]
- [sighs]
Okay, girls? Now make sure to study hard.
Don't forget that. And God willing,
you'll do well on your exams.
Mona, do my homework.
[student 1] What grade
did you get on the exam?
Oh wow! I don't believe it!
SEEKING KNOWLEDGE
[indistinct chattering]
[student 2] You're joking?
[music intensifies]
FROM THE ASHES: THE PI- [music stops]
- [bell ringing]
OUR LORD, DO NOT IMPOSE BLAME UPON US
IF WE HAVE FORGOTTEN OR ERRED
[cat meows]
[wistful piano music playing]
[exhales sharply]
You see, my daughter, don't let anything
distract you at all from your studies.
- [woman 1] What is all this?
- [woman 2] Why are you shouting?
[woman 1] Where did the bag go?
Where is my stuff?
- [woman 2] What are you doing?
- [woman 1] We were carrying it together!
- [woman 3] It's in the bag.
- [woman 1] Quickly, go look for it!
[indistinct shouting]
[woman 1] Oh my God!
[wistful piano music continues]
- [music fades]
- [game controller clicking]
[woman] You still
haven't washed the dishes.
I did. Those are the neighbors' dishes.
Don't forget to study for your final exam
so that you can finally graduate.
And you, one more life, and that's it.
I don't know what else
you're trying to bring upon yourself,
more than what's already happened to you.
- You don't study.
- [pensive music playing]
You don't pray like you should.
You don't even help around the house.
Twenty-four hours watching TV.
[fading] Twenty-four hours on your phone.
I mean, I don't understand.
What's your purpose in life?
What do you bring me
except trouble and heartache?
You're such a disappointment.
[music fades]
[Marzouka] Girl!
- Oh my God, Mom. You scared me.
- Come here. What have you done now?
I haven't done anything.
How did your appointment
with the doctor go today?
It was all right. Pointless.
"Pointless"? You should be grateful.
If it wasn't for Ms. Siham,
who's taking care of everything
and paying for your therapy
May God reward her.
You know what people would say
if they knew you were
taking psychiatric medications?
What will they say, Mom?
"She's strong for getting treated."
Tell me something. Come here, come here.
Is the doctor married?
You want to find a wife
for the doctor too, Mom?
He's married, and he wears a ring.
What's so embarrassing about my job?
Isn't being a matchmaker
better than being a janitor?
- Right, girl?
- [sighs]
Who's in there?
Your friend Mona's mother.
- Mona?
- Yes.
Mona is not my friend anymore.
What does she want?
- Your father...
- [man] I'm home. Make way.
- Your father is here. Go help your father.
- Give me. Let me help you.
[Marzouka] Quick, go inside.
Go inside, go inside.
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
Did I make you wait long?
My husband is back home.
[Mona's mother] No, it's no problem.
Shall I come back another time?
- [Marzouka] No, stay.
- No, seriously.
Tell me. What else are you looking for?
I'm not really looking for much,
just financially ready.
Go on. Tall, short, fat, skinny
I don't care about those traits,
as long as he's financially ready.
Not like last time.
- Just make sure...
- I know. Not dark-skinned.
I hope I'm not offending you.
Why would I be offended?
I'm not the one marrying him. Really.
Okay, thank you.
Also, I want it to be as soon as possible,
please, huh?
[Marzouka] I have a guy in mind.
How about we set a date tomorrow?
- [Mona's mother] Are you serious?
- Yes, I am. Tomorrow.
But I haven't even told Mona!
[Marzouka] Honey, the sooner, the better.
I have a man who's a real catch.
He's loaded.
[Mona's mother] Okay, I'll check with her,
and let's hope for the best.
- [Marzouka] Let me know. I'll be waiting.
- [Mona's mother] God willing.
[Marzouka] I'm telling you,
you don't wanna miss out on him.
So, as you like. Check with her,
and let me know by tonight.
[Mona's mother and Marzouka] God willing.
[radio show theme music playing]
[radio host] Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome back to our show,
as we explore with you the latest news
What's that smell?
as well as some detailed news
in the world of finance and business
Daddy.
[father] Are the results out?
Daddy, tomorrow is the first day
of the final exams.
Like, how could you forget?
Didn't you say
you would help me with calculus?
- Mm.
- [phone ringing]
[news continues indistinctly on radio]
[ringing continues]
Boy, give me the phone.
- Hello?
- [man] Hello, sir.
- Hey, Abu Uday.
- Little late.
No, no, no, no.
Start right away.
No, that wasn't our agreement.
[battery low chime]
[softly] Mimi, charger.
- [softly] What?
- [softly] Charger, charger.
very quickly.
We start in a couple of days.
- No way.
- But there is something else.
[father] Not my problem.
Mimi! Mimi!
Be right back.
[stirring music playing]
[indistinct shouting]
[machinery whirring, beeping]
[thunder rumbling]
[Abu Uday] Hurry up, guys!
Come on, faster!
We don't have all day! Come on!
[machinery clattering]
[indistinct chattering]
Hey. Penny for your thoughts.
Do you think this rain will get heavier?
I fear they'll get distracted.
[Widad] Even so, it's just two exams.
Don't worry.
I think it would be better
to send the girls home
and reschedule those exams for tomorrow.
Good idea.
Keep them from their studies.
Just shut down the school
so we can be unemployed. That's it.
- You think it's good time for joking?
- Ease up.
Mariam's timing for maternal leave
couldn't be worse.
Honestly, she gave birth quickly.
Maybe from running after those girls.
[laughs]
[melancholic music playing]
Siham, you're the only one
who's fit for this job.
You've been here for one semester,
and things are getting much better
than we ever expected.
So why worry about the advisor now?
[Siham] Paint that entire column.
I don't want to see a single letter.
Don't worry. I'm with you, okay?
Come on.
Girls, I'm so scared.
I don't feel like
I've studied well enough.
[girl 1] Honestly, I'm not scared at all.
My dad stayed up all night
with me to study.
Lucky you.
If my dad helped me study,
I wouldn't have a care in the world.
Samia, weren't you going to get braces?
[Samia] None of your business.
Hey, Mona.
Now, I want you to tell the girls
how you were able to study
at your old school after the fire.
She told us.
Let her speak. Go on.
Well, girls, honestly, it was very scary.
- [Samia] Really?
- I swear to God.
It was so scary
that the tables and chairs were moving.
Even the girls, as they ran,
they kept falling on top of each other.
- Honest to God.
- [girl 1] Honestly, you're a hero.
If I were in her shoes,
I wouldn't be able to spend one day
with my hair all burnt like that.
- [girls chuckle]
- [girl 1] Honestly.
Thank you.
And and later on, as well,
I was wrongly accused.
I swear to God.
You reminded me of our old principal.
Seriously. She blamed me for no reason.
[Samia] Oh my God.
You always say the same thing.
Can you finish the story
without the riddles?
[girl 2] Forget it, girls.
Let's just study.
Mona.
I need to talk to you urgently.
If you're looking for the janitor's room,
it's right over there.
Want me to scrub the floors
with your face? Show some respect!
Girls, Mrs. Puff is here.
So are you just gonna sit there,
fight, and waste your time?
And in the exams, you're gonna
beg each other for the answers?
Miss, honestly, your shirt is amazing.
Where did you get it?
And you, Masha'el?
Do you miss being in trouble?
We weren't fighting.
Just reviewing for the exam.
You! Give me that.
Give me that book on your lap.
- What's that?
- What, miss? Aren't we allowed to read?
Is that a novel? Didn't we say
romance novels were banned?
No, miss.
This novel is about a guy
possessed by a demon.
May God protect us from evil. Oh dear God.
So that's why
your eyeliner looks so demonic.
Wipe it off! Wipe it now!
- Ms. Siham is spoiling you. Come on!
- [bell ringing]
Wait! Come here, come here. Show me that.
What do you have here?
Look at that!
You think you're in a banquet?
Go to the exam room right away!
[intriguing string music playing]
Mom says
the most important thing in a girl
What? Her morals?
The two lashes at the end of her eyes.
Girl! Where are you going?
Back in line!
- Your pockets.
- I don't have pockets.
I swear, I don't.
I don't have pockets.
Open your pencil case.
[case unzips]
Just a mirror.
Nothing else.
You're not allowed
to take anything but your pens.
- It's just a mirror.
- Go in, please.
Sweetie, don't bite your nails.
Be kind to yourself.
Show me, please.
Go in.
- [student] I'm very scared of this exam.
- Mona, give me the answers.
True, false. Okay?
[footsteps approaching]
[knocks on door]
Listen up, ladies.
I know you're nervous
and scared about the exam.
But hopefully,
the exam will be easy enough for you.
All the questions are easy.
But most importantly,
I don't want any of you
leaving your seats.
[laughing]
What's so funny?
I'm sorry, miss. When I get nervous,
I start to laugh. I'm sorry.
Really?
I think
you've seen me angry before, right?
So you don't want me
to embarrass you, do you?
[chuckles] I'm I'm sorry.
Keep it face down.
[tense music playing]
[teacher] Keep it face down.
Psst.
Psst.
[girl 1] Ms. Widad.
Look at Masha'el. Isn't paper banned?
Give it to me.
Masha'el, how many repeated years
will it take you to understand?
I swear, miss. I didn't cheat, miss.
Let's start.
Look at your papers! Come on!
I'll be back in an hour,
in case any of you have questions.
Come on, girls. You may begin.
[tense music continues]
[bell ringing]
[Mona] What was that exam?
It was all outside the syllabus.
- It was so hard.
- I'm going to fail for sure.
- Me too, obviously.
- For example, the second question...
- You! Why'd you do that?
- What?
Because I can. So what?
I've barely kept my cool
this whole semester.
Don't push me! Understand?
Don't keep your cool. I'm so scared.
Do not push me.
- Ew! Your hand can not touch me!
- [Mona] Enough.
Mona, for God's sake, shut your mouth.
Only open it to eat, okay?
Show her some respect
when you talk to her!
[Mona] Hey, Masha'el!
No, no! Stop it! Stop it!
- I'll talk however I like!
- [Mona] Enough, enough!
[girl 1] Get away from me!
Oof! I said don't touch me! Oof!
- You push me to the ground?
- No! Wait, wait!
- You bitch!
- Please! Please!
[Masha'el] You push me
to the ground, dirty bitch?
- I'll show you!
- [Mona] Girls, stop it!
[Masha'el] I'll show you.
Show some respect!
- [Mona] I said stop!
- [teacher] Stop it, girls! Enough!
- Stay seated.
- Come here! I'll show you!
[Mona] Let her go!
- Girls, stop!
- [girls screaming]
Mona!
- You bitch!
- [Mona] No, no, no!
[girls gasp]
- [Mona] Leave her! Stop it! Leave her!
- No one can save you from me now!
- [Mona] Leave her!
- Girls, stop it!
Take them to Ms. Siham!
Miss, look what she did to my face! Look!
Look at me! Look at how she scratched me!
Where? I don't see it.
Would you like me to show you?
Are you going to resume your fight
here in my office?
Miss, really, it wasn't my fault.
You were the one who started it.
You know what? Just quit school
and go to Hollywood. They'll love you.
[girl 1] I didn't hit you.
I was just trying to wipe the dirt off
your uniform. You should thank me.
You mean I'm dirty?
- She's possessed by a demon!
- I hope it takes you.
Enough! Show some respect, you two!
You are so lucky
that it's the final exams.
Otherwise, you'd be expelled.
I'll call your mothers for a meeting.
Miss, not our mothers, please.
I just want to graduate, please.
My mom can't come today.
- Go to your break!
- But, miss!
Otherwise, you will be
banned from the exam.
Go on, you idiot.
[door opens, closes]
Can I have a juice?
[student 1] Look at the dress code
and pick an outfit.
- [student 2] I don't know what to wear.
- [student 1] I checked, and I decided.
[student 2] Remind me of the dress.
I'm telling you. She was in prison.
[student 3] Oh, really? Who told you?
[student 4] I heard.
They also say she hit a girl in prison.
[whimsical music playing]
Would you like to get hit too?
Huh?
- Ms. Widad.
- Hmm?
- I wanted to ask you
- I haven't checked the papers, Hiba.
I wasn't going to ask about the exam.
It's just, uh I don't think
Masha'el was trying to cheat.
Look. I shouldn't give you this, but here.
Good luck.
WE NEED TO TALK. IT'S URGENT.
[melancholic music playing]
[sniffles]
[sniffles]
- Can I?
- I don't like others to wear my perfume.
Maria, I got you the chemistry summary.
Study it
because I'll copy your answers, okay?
You know that I don't study.
Good luck, then.
[melancholic music continues]
[gate closes]
Mona?
- Mona, why are you here?
- Why are you here?
It's not enough to ruin my friendship?
Or are you here to gloat?
I ruined your friendship?
Either you've gone deaf
or you didn't hear
how she made fun of you.
That one making fun of me
is the one who made me like this.
She's the only one who helped me.
You say you're my friends? Where were you?
Mona, are you trying to tell me
that Maria is your friend,
and she's not using you at all?
Are you trying to tell me
that I'm unworthy?
As if you were ever my friend
just for the sake of it, huh?
Mona, I'm not here to argue with you.
I just came to say two things and leave.
You want to listen to me, that's good.
You don't want to, fine!
Okay, tell me. Tell me.
Go ahead, I'm listening.
Tell me! What do you want?
You know what?
It's my fault for trying to warn you.
As you wish.
M Masha'el, wait.
I want
You see
You see, to be honest, I I'm [sniffles]
What I want to understand is
why have we stopped talking to each other
ever since we came to this school?
- BRB.
- Where are you going?
I'm going to see where
that vulgar girl went.
- Huh?
- I'll tell you later.
Who do you mean?
It's because I thought
you couldn't stand me anymore.
And the same with Hiba.
[Mona] Well, it's true
that what happened was too much,
but it shouldn't have ended like this.
[sighs]
Mona, it's okay. Calm down. It's fine.
I knew you were here.
What? Are you pretending to be upset?
You? What brings you here?
You're following us?
Sh! No one is talking to you.
M M Masha'el wanted to apologize to you.
- [Maria] Mm-hmm!
- Me?
Apologize to her?
Why the hell would I do that?
You'll apologize, like it or not.
You forgot that slap, or what?
I'm here to make you pay
for that slap, you ape.
- I'm an ape?
- Mm-hmm.
Show some respect, you hear me?
- [Mona] Girls, stop it.
- Let go of me!
- [Mona] Girls, stop it!
- I said let go!
[Mona] Girls, stop!
[Abu Uday] Let's go!
- Stop it!
- I'll teach you!
Enough, enough! Girls, stop it!
- [Abu Uday] Go with him!
- [Masha'el] I'll show you!
- [Abu Uday] Faster, guys!
- Let go!
[Masha'el] I'll show you!
- [Abu Uday] Let's get done with it.
- I'll teach you how to show respect.
- I'll show you!
- [Abu Uday] Don't stop!
[Maria] My hair! My hair!
[tense music playing]
[Abu Uday] Let's finish up the job!
Come on, pull!
[girls screaming]
[music swells]
[music fades]
[thunder rumbling]
[student] Come on, come on, let's go!
[Widad] Come on, girls!
- Come on, it's raining.
- Come on, dears, hurry!
Come on! Get inside for the second exam!
- Have you seen Masha'el?
- Where are you going?
[Widad] Hurry up, dears!
Have you seen Masha'el?
Anyone see Masha'el and Mona?
- [Widad] Come on, come on!
- Masha'el!
- Have you seen Mona?
- Come on, girls.
Masha'el.
- Come on!
- Mona!
- Come on!
- Masha'el!
- Where are you going? Come here!
- Just a second. I'm just looking for...
- Looking for what?
- I'll look for Masha'el and Mona quick.
They're probably upstairs. Come on.
Go on, hurry! Come on!
[teacher 2] Come on.
[thunder rumbling]
[melancholic music playing]
[thunder rumbling]
Praise be to the one glorified by
the thunder's praise and the angels' fear.
Hey, ma'am. Come here.
[woman] Yes, miss?
These are the girls who are not present
in the classroom.
- Look for them. See where they are.
- Sure, I'll find them.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- Girl!
- [intriguing music playing]
What are you doing?
You're cheating, huh?
No, miss.
Show me your hand! Show me!
What's this?
Uh, my initial and my dad's.
Your dad, eh? Your dad?
Wasn't it Mazen, or has it become Hazen?
May God guide you.
- [Hiba] Miss.
- What?
- I need to use the restroom.
- Why didn't you go during break?
Unless you have a medical condition,
you have to wait till the end of the exam.
We'll wait a little for your classmates
before we distribute the tests.
[sighs]
[Marzouka] You know,
ever since I left that lousy school,
God has showered me
with wealth and abundance.
Hello, Um Maria. Please join us.
[door closes]
[thunder rumbling]
What could be so important
that made you bring me here
in this weather?
Our daughters brought us here.
Who else could it be?
Excuse me. Nobody was talking to you.
Oh my God. Like mother, like daughter.
Your daughters were in a physical fight.
They pulled each other's hair.
And such behavior is unacceptable here.
"Hair pulling"? [Scoffs]
No way.
I'm sure it was her daughter's fault.
It's all on my daughter?
And yours is some kind of angel?
[Siham] Easy, Marzouka.
You've worked with us
at the old school, right?
You know what girl fights are like.
Oh! You were a janitor.
[knocking at door]
Ms. Siham, can I speak with you?
It's urgent.
Listen, mothers. We're here to solve
your daughters' problems calmly
if you don't mind.
Excuse me for a few minutes.
Mona, Maria, and Masha'el
are not in the exam room.
I looked everywhere, and nothing.
- What do you mean?
- They're gone.
[sighs]
Wash your hand. Come on, wash it properly.
Would you rather
I take you to the principal?
- Is there anyone else in here?
- Uh, I don't think so.
Please double-check real quick.
- Wash it properly!
- No. No one's here.
What's going on?
We're wiping off the summaries
that are now written on hands
instead of paper.
What's wrong with this generation?
- [thunder rumbling]
- [rain pattering]
[tense music playing]
- Hey, dear, did you look everywhere?
- Yes.
- None of them were over there?
- No, there's no one.
[music intensifies]
Mrs. Samra, did you find anyone?
- No, no one at all.
- Not even there?
- Not anywhere.
- Okay, get in.
[sighs]
[tense music continues]
[groans]
[Mona groans]
[Mona] Girls.
Where are we?
My leg! My leg!
My leg hurts!
My leg hurts!
My leg!
I think I broke my leg!
Hello?
Hello! Can anyone hear us?
Get us out!
M M
- [Masha'el] Please help us.
- Maria! Maria!
[groaning]
- Are you okay?
- Where are we?
- Where are we?
- [Mona] You're bleeding.
Where are we? [Whimpers]
Look what you've done!
Even this you're going to blame on me?
[groans]
They'll get us out.
- [Maria] Where are we? Where are we?
- It hurts.
[whimpers]
Girls, girls! I'm so scared!
- [Masha'el] Somebody help us!
- Where are we?
[whimpering]
- [Maria] Is this sewer water?
- [groans]
[Masha'el] My leg. My leg!
[Maria] What happened? What happened?
- [Mona] What do we do now?
- [Maria] Can they hear us?
- [Masha'el groaning]
- [thunder rumbling]
[giggling]
[music fades]
No, no, no. I won't be late.
Start brewing the coffee. I'm on my way.
I'm sorry.
For calling you a 40-year-old adolescent.
When?
Just now.
- [jaunty music sting]
- [Marzouka laughs]
[tense music playing]
It's true that I called you in
about the fight.
But something has happened now.
Can we just get it over with?
I have to leave.
Um Maria, this is really serious.
Your daughters ran away from the school.
What?
[tense music continues]
We have to start the exam.
We can't wait any longer.
[music fades]
Oh, my tummy!
Miss, I have to go to the restroom.
No going to the restroom
till after the exam.
- [sighs]
- [thunder rumbling]
[teacher 2] Ms. Widad!
Tell me, did you find them?
- Seems they ran away.
- They ran away from school?
- [gasps]
- [student] How come? In this weather?
[softly] Ms. Hafsa!
I swear to God, if you make a sound,
I'll take away your exam!
No way. They didn't run away.
I'll take away your paper!
It doesn't make any sense, miss!
I said focus on your exam!
[Widad] It's okay, calm down.
Can you focus on your exam
and leave this to the school?
[indistinct chattering]
[tense music playing]
[indistinct chattering continues]
I can't take this anymore!
I want to get out of here!
I want to get out of here! [Groans]
You're not the only one down here.
We're all in this.
If I was alone,
I wouldn't have fallen here.
Tell yourself. Your meddling
is what brought you here.
Are you girls serious?
There's no time for fighting.
Me? You're the ones being followed
by disasters wherever you go!
You want me to bury you
in this grave we're in?
Shut up!
[melancholic music playing]
Let's get out first, then you can fight!
Somebody come save us!
Help us! Can anyone hear me?
Somebody help us now!
- Help!
- [Masha'el] Somebody help us, please!
Somebody help us!
Somebody get us out of here!
Someone get us out of here!
- Help us!
- [Masha'el] Anybody! Help us!
Can anyone hear us?
[Masha'el] Anybody!
[music fades]
So you haven't seen them?
Are you sure?
Okay. Look around the school,
and let me know.
Okay.
What does this mean?
The ground cracked open
and swallowed them?
I knew it from the beginning.
This school is way below our level.
I can understand your stance.
But schools have strict rules,
and we expect everyone to adhere to them.
How can this school be so irresponsible?
There are no supervisors,
no principal, no security guard!
And the gate is always wide open
for anyone to come and go as they want!
The school has nothing to do with
the girls' recklessness and bad conduct.
What does this mean?
Are the girls going to fail?
Is that all you care about?
- [slaps desk]
- Where is my daughter?
If anything happens to her,
blame only yourself, Siham!
I said, Um Maria,
that I understand your stance.
But that doesn't give you
the right to raise your voice!
I've been saying that I'm sure
her daughter dragged Maria into this,
but you wouldn't believe me!
Why not vice versa?
Unlike your daughter, mine is well-raised!
And my daughter comes from servants?
You said it yourself.
I didn't say anything.
Hear that, Ms. Siham?
And you want me to stay calm?
If you don't like our school, Um Maria,
here's your daughter's file.
Find her a school
that fits your standards!
[melancholic music playing]
You ladies can kindly go wait
in the courtyard
until we find a solution
or they come back.
Let's hope for the best.
[door closes]
[drawer opens]
[Mona whimpers]
[Mona grunts]
[Maria] Don't do that.
You'll slip. You'll slip!
You won't be able to do it.
- [Mona grunts]
- [Maria] Stop it! You're going to fall!
[Mona grunts]
[grunting]
[Mona grunts loudly]
[groans]
Mona, take care.
[Mona] Girls.
Girls, can one of you try
to climb with me?
Mona, can't you see my leg?
[breathing heavily]
Mona, weren't you carrying my phone?
[Masha'el] Like it's gonna work
after it got soaked.
- The phone.
- [music fades]
The phone, the phone. I can't find it.
- What do you mean you can't find it?
- Let me look for it. Where did it go?
[thunder rumbling]
- I found it! I found it, I found it!
- Give it to me, give it to me!
- I found it, I found it!
- Hurry, give it to me!
It won't start.
Try.
It's not starting!
Try again!
It's not starting. It's not starting!
Oh God!
[yelps]
[tense music playing]
- What's wrong? What is it?
- It's nothing.
[Maria] What is it? Tell me now!
Say something! What is it?
[music intensifies]
[Maria yelps]
[girls scream]
[Maria] Oh my God! Oh my God!
- [door opens]
- [music fades]
Close the door, quick.
[door closes]
I didn't expect this
from Mona and Masha'el.
I thought they had changed.
Are you okay?
You're lucky
you didn't see the two mothers
fighting when they were in here.
Why? What happened?
No sense of responsibility.
Each one was blaming the other.
Really?
Indeed.
I thought the girls matured
after what happened.
You're right.
But, Siham,
you know they're just teenage girls.
I mean, who would do this
on such a rainy day? It's not normal.
[thunderclap]
When does the second exam end?
I think less than an hour.
[Siham] Hmm.
Did you call Mona's father?
Mm. He didn't answer.
I'll call her mother.
Hello?
[vacuum whirring]
[melancholic music playing]
[Siham] Hello?
Um Mona?
Hello?
I can't hear you,
but can you come to the school, please?
Hello...
[disconnect tone]
It disconnected.
[thunderclap]
Oh God.
Dear God.
It's going to be okay, God willing.
[door closes]
ABU MASHA'EL
CALLING
[sighs]
[busy signal]
[footsteps approaching]
[phone beeps]
Even you are being blamed for it?
Everything that goes wrong
in this world is our fault.
[Maria's mother sighs]
May God help us.
[busy signal]
Oh goodness me.
He's even threatening to divorce me!
Oh God!
But I wouldn't worry about you.
I heard you're a matchmaker.
Tell me. How did it go with you?
[sighs]
I've been trying to call Maria,
but her phone has been busy.
She snuck a phone in, and you're fine?
As if you can control your daughter
in this generation.
Honestly, can you?
No. Honestly, I can't.
She's giving me a hard time.
I tried beating her.
I tried grounding her.
- It's not the first time she's done this.
- Not the first time?
May God help and guide her.
- Ms. Siham?
- What do you want with Ms. Siham?
I'm telling her
this is not your daughter's first time,
and that it's her fault!
Are you ever gonna stop?
Do you enjoy making trouble?
You'll see who's making trouble.
Step aside!
I'm not stepping aside.
You want to go tell on my daughter.
Let go of my hand!
[unsettling music playing]
Miss, I don't know the answer
to this question.
Sweetie, why are you crying?
We told you to study hard.
It's a tough year.
Why won't you listen?
I never taught hadith, but let me see.
"Fill in the blanks.
Lying surely leads to"
Hiba, look for Maria too.
[Hafsa] Think about it.
Miss, I have a question too.
Keep your eyes on your paper, please.
Hiba?
What kind of school is this?
[unsettling music continues]
Masha'el!
Mona!
[thunder rumbling]
[music fades]
Do you girls think we can eat it?
[Maria] Is that
what you're thinking about?
I mean, in case we're here for long.
Even for days.
You think we'll be here for days?
No one has realized we're gone yet.
[Maria] Speak for yourself.
I'm sure my parents
are searching everywhere for me.
Actually, mine too.
The only person
who searches for you is here.
Even underground you're picking a fight?
It's messed up anyway.
[Mona] It's okay, Masha'el.
She didn't mean what she said.
Besides,
she's really kind.
Don't talk on my behalf.
Don't push me.
[Maria] Or what?
You're going to get out and leave me?
[tense music playing]
Masha'el was right.
You only care about yourself.
Actually, I never considered you
to be my friend.
All I hear is, "Mona, solve this for me.
Mona, bring me this."
- "Mona, do this. Do that."
- Enough, Mona.
- "Mona, do my homework."
- Enough!
- "Mona, do this! Mona, do that!"
- Mona, enough!
- You are such an annoying person!
- [crumbling]
- You're disgusting! You're so annoying!
- Let go of me!
- I hate you!
- [Masha'el] Mona, enough!
[panicked breathing]
[music fades]
Any word from the guard?
Sadly, he says no one saw them.
[Maria's mother exhales]
Has your daughter done this before?
You know, Ms. Siham,
that girls of that age
can influence each other.
And my daughter
has never done anything wrong before.
Are you sure that there's no reason
for her to do this?
Be careful what you're saying, please.
What's this nonsense that you're saying?
Absolutely not!
It's just a question, Um Maria.
Excuse me just a moment.
[mysterious music playing]
[phone beeps]
Hello?
That spoiled daughter of yours
is going to kill me.
I don't know where she's gone.
[mysterious music continues]
[thunder rumbling]
Hiba?
- D...
- [Siham] Ms. Hafsa!
- Who's watching the exam room?
- [Hafsa] The janitor.
What on earth made you leave your exam?
[tense music playing]
[beeping]
- [student 1] Take care! Take care!
- Girls, girls, back to your seats.
Back to your seats, girls.
Back to your seats.
[student 2] Hurry up. Hurry up.
[music intensifies]
Calm down, girls.
There's nothing going on.
- [water splashing]
- [girls screaming]
[clattering]
[music swells]
- [alarm ringing]
- [girls screaming]
[dramatic tense music playing]
[girls screaming]
Where are you going?
- Ow, ow! My hair!
- You're calling me an uncivilized janitor?
[dramatic tense music continues]
Masha'el!
Mona!
Masha'el! Mona!
[Marzouka] Come here! Come here!
What are you going to do about it, huh?
What are you going to do about it?
Masha'el!
No!
No, no, no, no, no!
[thunderclap]
I'm here!
[alarm ringing]
[grunts]
- [Marzouka] What are you gonna do?
- Teach you! You and your daughter!
[girls screaming]
[grunts]
[grunts, strains]
[screaming continues]
Hey, girls! Help me!
I'm stuck on the roof!
Come here! You clearly don't know
who you're talking to!
Hey, girls!
[Marzouka] What are you
going to do about it?
What are you going to do about it?
[grunts]
[rumbling]
[screaming]
- [alarm ringing]
- [girls screaming]
Next time, don't make decisions
that don't concern you.
Now go and deal with the girls.
Move! Come on!
Girls, girls! Go back! Go back!
Go back to your classrooms.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
Oh dear God.
Back to your classrooms, girls!
There's nothing to be afraid of!
Come on!
Ms. Siham. Ms. Siham.
The bathroom pipe exploded.
Later, later!
It's okay. Come on.
Back to your classrooms, all of you!
Stop it, both of you! Enough! Stop it!
- I'm not surprised! You're a janitor!
- I'm a janitor with more manners than you!
You started it!
- See? See? She's the one who started it!
- Um Maria! Enough! Enough!
Calm down. Let's just...
- Leave me alone!
- [Siham] Ms. Ruba!
Go collect the exams
from all the classrooms!
I'll send the girls home!
What's going on?
Go shut off the main water valves
and see where Hiba went!
Go!
[thunder rumbling]
[melancholic music playing]
What are you doing up here?
Come here, quick!
Oh, my leg.
[Masha'el whimpers]
[groaning]
[Mona] Here. Let me see your leg.
[Masha'el grunting]
[Mona] Easy, easy, easy, easy.
[groans]
[Maria] Mona.
Girls.
The rain is getting heavier.
We'll drown.
God willing
God willing, the rain will stop.
[Masha'el] Maybe we need more water.
Maybe it will lift us up,
and we'll be able to get out.
But but I don't know how to swim.
Don't worry. Don't worry.
Don't worry. We're here with you.
[thunder rumbling]
[breathing heavily]
[guard on PA] Abdul Nour Khalifa!
Abdul Nour Khalifa!
Ayman Jamal!
Instead of looking for your daughters,
you're making trouble in my school?
She started it. I didn't do anything.
You see? You're just like your daughters!
Abdul Nour Jamal
Okay. We searched for them everywhere,
but we couldn't find them.
So, unfortunately,
I have to call the police.
Please, Ms. Siham, don't.
Didn't you say they could come back?
Ms. Siham, we can't afford
to be dragged into this kind of scandal.
Please, not the police. Okay?
Okay. We'll wait a little longer.
Thank you.
Ahmed Al-Arodhi! Ahmed Al-Arodhi!
Come. Get in here.
What were you doing up there?
I was looking for them.
But we'd already looked for them.
But, miss
Besides the fact
that they're in big trouble,
I'm sure they're out in the rain
while you were looking for them.
No way.
There's no way they would run away.
- We had the exam. I know them.
- Hiba.
As far as I know, you used to be friends.
- They would never do anything without...
- Without what?
Without telling you?
Is that what bothers you?
That they didn't tell you?
[Hiba sighs]
Why won't anyone believe me?
They're my friends, and I know them.
Or do they have to end up
the same way like Amira?
God forbid. And trust me.
No one cares about their safety
more than Ms. Siham.
[melancholic music playing]
I've been waiting to make up
and become friends like we used to be.
Something is not right about this.
My driver is waiting outside.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[music fades]
Do you think it will work?
I don't know.
What if it doesn't?
We'll die?
No, we won't die.
[somber music playing]
Cheer up.
Try to think about anything else.
I wish I never came out here.
It's all your fault.
Why did you follow me?
Mona, not now.
Like we have any other time?
Why did you follow me?
I came to tell you that your mom
is trying to marry you off again.
Is it my fault for worrying about you?
[cracking]
Girls.
Girls!
- [crumbling]
- [screams]
- [dramatic tense music playing]
- Maria!
- [gasps]
- [Masha'el] No! No, come here!
- [screams]
- [Masha'el] She's drowning!
Pull my hand! Pull my hand!
[strained scream] Pull my hand! Come!
Come here!
Give me your hand!
[music swells]
[Mona] Maria!
[music fades]
[girl 3] Hiba!
Did you find them?
Do you see them with me?
- Lama.
- Yes?
Did Maria say that she would run away?
No. I don't think she'd do that.
[Siham] Hiba.
You either stay here quietly
or you go to your driver.
And tomorrow,
I'll have a talk with your mother.
Why are you ignoring what's happening?
Are you okay
with the school getting flooded?
- And those girls that are still...
- No, we're not ignoring what's happening.
And the girls you're talking about
are the root of the problem.
And God knows
what they've been up to today.
- Don't talk about them like that.
- Hiba.
[sighs]
Listen, sweetie.
What happened last year
was a lesson for you and us.
And I would never let it happen again.
God willing, the girls will be back.
I promise.
Now, please, Hiba.
Put my mind at ease and go home.
Our rides are here anyway, miss.
[somber music playing]
[both grunting]
[grunting continues]
[Maria coughing]
[Mona] It's okay, dear.
You made it. You made it.
[Masha'el] Mona, come out of the pit
so that the flood doesn't pull you in.
You could drown.
Give me your hand.
[breathing heavily]
[Masha'el] Come up here. Let me help you.
Give me your hand.
[sobs] Masha'el.
Yes, it's okay. It's okay.
[Maria] Mona.
[crying]
[thunder rumbling]
[music fades]
[jaunty music playing]
Bless your mother's hands.
[Ruba] Okay, girls. Come with me, hurry.
[Hafsa] Uh, what's with them?
What have they done?
We're trying to call their parents
to come pick them up. Here.
Hello? Dad, where are you? You're so late.
It looks like we'll die here.
I'd rather die
Than go home to be married off,
then get divorced and go through
the same struggle again.
Mona, calm down.
We will graduate, God willing.
W we'll go to college and have fun.
But I can't blame my mom, to be honest.
It's not up to her
to force you to marry again.
I deserve it.
Her life was ruined because of me.
What do you mean?
The other day
I was taking the groceries from my dad.
[door opens]
[Mona's father] What's this, girl?
Cover yourself.
- It's okay, Dad. Give me...
- No, leave this one. Take this.
Get inside. I'll be right there.
- Dad, let me help you with the rest.
- No, no. It's okay.
[uneasy music playing]
[knocking at door]
- [Mona's father] Hello.
- Hey.
[door closes]
[man] So that's it?
You insist on getting a divorce?
Try to resolve the issue
instead of breaking your own home.
He betrays me by marrying a second wife,
and she lives in the same building?
Let's go, Mona.
I wish I had shut my big mouth
and never told her!
Mona, it's okay. What's done is done.
[melancholic music playing]
Masha'el, I'm now sharing a room together
with ten other kids.
Mona.
You did nothing wrong.
Put yourself in your mother's shoes.
What did she gain from this?
And what did I gain from it?
And I lost my father.
And now she wants to marry me off
and get rid of me.
[thunder rumbling]
YOUR PRESENCE HAS GRACED OUR SCHOOL.
WE MOVE FORWARD WITH YOU
IN LEARNING AND LOVE! HIGH SCHOOL 887
[melancholic music continues]
[sighs]
You can't live with them
And you can't live without them.
[breathes deeply]
I want my daughter. I want my daughter!
[sobs]
Just trust in God.
- He'll protect them.
- Oh dear God. Please, God.
They'll come back. They'll come back.
[music fades]
Eat. Mona, eat quickly.
We're expecting guests.
Has someone seen my phone?
[woman] Give me your plate.
Masha'el.
I'm sorry for saying that it's your fault.
But I feel I'm the meanest person
on earth, even with my family.
Maybe I deserve to be here.
If anyone deserves this, it's me.
It's because I angered my father.
Girls, it's not your fault.
[uneasy music playing]
[bike bell dings]
[man] Coming!
Welcome, chocolate!
You finally came. It took you long enough.
Here. Now give me my money.
Hmm?
You want it? Come get it.
- My money.
- Come get it!
- Come get it. Come get it!
- Stop! Stay away from me!
[tense music playing]
[gasps, panting]
Your mother and I suspected
you were hiding something disastrous.
You're such a disappointment.
- I didn't do anything...
- Shut up!
Not a word! Not a word!
You brought us shame and scandal,
you disgrace!
- You're such a disappointment.
- Dad!
I wish I had died
before seeing you like this.
[sobs]
[Masha'el] I can't forget his face
and how he didn't want to talk to me.
He wouldn't listen to me. He wouldn't
I let him down.
What God has put us through,
it's for a reason.
If I die, maybe they'll be relieved.
Come on, girls. We all make mistakes.
[thunder rumbling]
Ahmed Ali!
Ahmed Ali! Ahmed Ali!
Ahmed Ali!
[Widad] That girl is so stubborn.
And she made me doubt that I mean,
I felt that maybe they're really here.
Will you all stop questioning
my decisions?
You saw for yourself.
We searched everywhere. Did we find them?
I mean, where could have they gone?
Disappeared?
[Widad] I mean,
did you double-check with her?
Just stop speculating, all of you!
Are you going to do my job for me?
I have it up to here. Enough.
Why are you talking to me like this?
I'm trying to help you.
I haven't spared any effort.
That's your job. Not a favor.
Siham, why are you
talking to me like this?
I'm not your youngest child
for you to talk to me like this.
I'm your superior! Understood?
[thunder rumbling]
I wish Mona and Masha'el were here
so they could see how hard
you tried to defend them.
[guard] Abdul Wahab Khalil!
Abdul Wahab Khalil!
Ayman Shakir! Ayman Shakir!
Khalil Alawi! Khalil Alawi!
[melancholic music playing]
Khalil Alawi!
Somebody help!
Somebody help!
Girls.
Is that it? You gave up?
I don't have the will anymore.
This is God's punishment,
and we deserve it.
You want us to die for a few mistakes?
Girls, we're still young.
And it's normal for us to mess up.
But that's just selfish.
Seriously.
I'm not selfish.
I'm not selfish!
I just didn't think
it would get this serious.
And I didn't want Dad to find out.
[music fades]
MOUZNA
[bell ringing]
[indistinct chattering]
- You're going out now?
- Yep, yep.
But your dad might see you?
He won't recognize me.
Except for my bag.
[ominous music playing]
HIGH SCHOOL 887 FOR GIRLS
Come on, hurry!
[music stops]
Go easy on the door.
[Arabic music playing on radio]
I've missed you.
- Actually, you know something?
- What?
Sometimes, I feel you're using me.
I mean, whenever you want something,
you message me,
then you suddenly disappear.
Are you for real?
Don't be such a drama queen.
- [music volume increases]
- Come on. Let's go.
Mazen.
- [tense music playing]
- [man] Is this your mahram?
- Yeah. She's my sister. You can ask her.
- Where's your ID?
What's your name?
You don't wanna say your name, huh?
Hey, girl!
- Get out, get out! Get out of the car!
- [Mazen] I'm coming.
Is this her bag?
[crying]
[Maria] The next day at school,
the principal found out,
and she publicly accused her.
And the principal scolded her
in front of everyone.
And you stayed quiet about it?
Mom and Dad found out
and stopped talking to me.
- Huh.
- [music fades]
Oh, they stopped talking to her.
Lama is your friend,
and you never told her?
Stop it, girls.
I didn't tell you so you can reprimand me.
She wants a pat on her back.
And Lama still knows nothing about it?
I made a mistake, and I know that I did.
And I really regret it.
God, forgive me.
Please, God, forgive me!
[Hiba] Masha'el! Mona! Maria!
Can you hear me?
[Mona] Yes, yes! We're down here!
[Masha'el moans]
- Masha'el! Mona! Maria!
- Please, God. Yes.
Get us out!
Help. Yes, God, help us.
Girls, can you hear me?
[inaudible dialogue]
[Siham] What was
that childish nonsense? Huh?
What was that?
It's my fault for being too lenient
and treating you like a grown-up!
What's going on in this school
that you don't want us to know?
Somebody tell us.
Hiba, do you know where the girls went?
Do you know where Masha'el is?
- Do you know where they are?
- [Maria's mother] Speak up.
Do you know where
our daughters are or not?
Are you taking out your anger
from your personal life on us here?
I made a decision, and it's final!
You're expelled from school
as of today! Understood?
Stop it! Enough!
You burned down an entire school,
and now you want to expel her?
- What's next?
- [Mona in distance] Help!
We're down here!
- What did I hear just now?
- [tense music playing]
Does she mean the fire?
- No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No.
- Huh?
It was an accident. I swear.
She didn't mean to. I swear.
What happened was fate.
She didn't mean to set the school on fire.
It was caused by a cigarette butt.
[tense music continues]
[Mona in distance] We're down here!
You?
People died.
Some of the girls' futures were destroyed.
And me! Me? Do you see? Me!
What are you, huh?
Are you human, like us?
Please, Mrs. Marzouka.
I swear she didn't mean it. Please!
I'll be scarred for life because of you!
And you can sleep at night just fine,
can't you?
[Masha'el] Get us out!
[Maria] Get us out!
[Hiba] Girls!
[Mona] Yes! Yes, we're here!
I swear, Mrs. Marzouka,
it was an accident!
- Believe me. Now is not the time for this!
- [Hiba] Ms. Siham.
Ms. Siham, come help the girls.
Come help the girls, hurry!
- Masha'el! Masha'el!
- [Hiba] Hurry, Ms. Siham!
[tense music playing]
- [banging on door]
- [Mazen] Coming! I'm coming!
What the hell?
Oh my God!
Why are you still after me?
Forget about me already!
You thought I wouldn't find you again?
I swear, I broke up with her on that day!
Now let me go!
I swear to God, if you come near her,
it will be the last time you see daylight!
[Marzouka sobs]
[sobs] Mimi!
They will come out, dear.
They will, believe me.
They will come out.
They will. They will, God willing.
- Hello. Can you hear me?
- [man] Yes, ma'am. How can I help you?
- Yes, I can hear you.
- We need Civil Defense now!
What's the address?
[hopeful music playing]
I told you they would get us out.
[Masha'el] Thanks, God. We're getting out.
[water burbling]
What's this?
No. No, no, no!
No, no, no!
[Abu Uday] Hurry up, guys.
Come on, faster. We don't have all day.
Come on, let's get done with it!
The rain has finally stopped. Come on.
So you have no excuse now.
Come on, you guys.
[bike bell ringing]
Go get your aunt Haneen, please.
[boy tuts, sighs]
Okay.
Aunt Haneen!
How are you?
- [boy] Yassine!
- None of your business.
Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!
What?
Where is Mona?
Now you remember you have a daughter?
Get inside, woman.
None of your business.
I'm asking you,
where did your daughter go?
Are you insane? She's studying inside.
Well, your daughter ran away from school.
- And you don't even know about it!
- What?
I've been calling you,
but you wouldn't answer!
Where's your phone?
SAHAR
TWO MISSED CALLS FROM SAHAR
[phone ringing]
ABU UDAY
Yes, Abu Uday.
Abu Rakan, you need to come right away.
We need you. Where are you?
What is it now?
What have you done this time?
There's a big pit
in the neighboring school.
There's a big pit
that was caused by us, sir.
What are you talking about?
You need to come right away.
Hurry up, man!
- [sirens wailing]
- [dramatic tense music playing]
[officer 1] Operations,
there's been a landslide in the area.
Three female students
are trapped in the pit.
Out of the way, everyone!
Team, do a full 360-degree sweep
of the entire area.
Hiba, Hiba! Hiba, when you saw them,
were they alive? Were they alive or not?
[officer 1] Make sure
the school's wall is secured.
[officer 2] Copy!
- Alive or not, just please, tell us!
- Please tell us!
[officer 2] Mohammed,
is the harness fully ready?
[Mohammed] Ready.
[officer 1] Make sure
the ladder is set up correctly.
Did you get anyone out yet?
[officer 1] Everyone make sure
that the ladder is lowered properly.
Make sure the school's wall is secured.
We're getting out.
- [officer 1] The thermal camera is here.
- Finally, we're getting out.
[officer 1] The thermal cameras
are being deployed.
Thank you, God. Thank you, God!
Thank God. Thank God.
Why are we standing out here?
We need to be inside!
What's going on here? A fire?
There's a pit in the school ground.
Some girls fell in.
[officer 1] The pit is eight meters deep.
The students are still alive.
- What's going on here?
- I don't know how this happened.
It looks like the ground collapsed,
and some people got hurt.
Okay, listen. Evacuate the workers,
and move the machines.
All right, all right, all right.
- Make sure the Red Crescent is on-site.
- Excuse me, guys.
Let me through, please.
- The Red Crescent is ready.
- [Maria's father] Excuse me.
For your own safety, you can't go in.
I'm in charge of the construction
over there.
- [Sahar] Hussam!
- That's my wife. Excuse me.
Help me, Hussam! Help me! Your daughter!
- What's wrong with her?
- [sobs] Please help me!
[Hussam] Tell me!
[officer 3] We've reached six meters down.
Girls, they're finally here.
Are you okay?
Her leg is broken.
[officer 1] We need an update
on the victims' condition.
- Can you stand up?
- I can't move it.
- Go easy! Go easy!
- [officer 3] One student has a broken leg.
[man 1] I need a splint for the left foot
and a stretcher.
[man 2] Right away.
[officer 3] A stretcher and a splint
are being sent down.
- Excuse me.
- [Mona's father] Mona!
We just need someone
to reassure us, please.
We just need someone to tell us
whether our girls are alive or not!
Are they alive or not?
Hopefully they're fine.
Calm down, Mrs. Marzouka.
Please calm down.
[officer 3] The second student is injured,
but she can climb the ladder.
[officer 1] Are you ready
to receive the students?
- [Siham] Excuse me.
- [officer 4] Yes?
[Siham] Please, can you tell me
how the girls are doing?
I'm the school principal.
Civil Defense has reached them,
and they'll be out soon.
[Siham] But, I mean, did they talk to you?
Are they okay? Can they hear you?
[officer 4] Rescue operation
is in progress.
- We're doing everything we can.
- Thank you.
[officer 3] The Red Crescent
is here and ready.
[sirens continue wailing]
[helicopters whirring]
[sniffles]
[sobs]
This is all because of the workers.
They're so incompetent.
They should be held accountable.
- Shut your mouth! Do you hear me?
- Hey, hey!
What's wrong? I'll smash your face!
Stop it now or I'll take you both to jail.
Hussam!
Come on, let it go.
[officer 1] We must hurry.
The ground is unstable.
[car door opens]
[emotional music playing]
How are the moms doing?
They're okay.
They're holding on to each other,
and I hope they'll be fine.
Forgive me. I swear I didn't mean it.
I'm glad that this happened.
Honestly, it's a weight off my chest.
I wish I had listened to my gut feeling
and sent the girls home this morning.
As soon as I saw the rain.
Believe me, you did the right thing.
Whatever happened was meant to happen.
Thank God that at least
the rest of the girls got home safe.
[sobbing]
[sniffling]
Mona, come on, go.
- [man 1] Can you climb up?
- [Masha'el] Come on.
Go.
[Maria] Mona, go.
[stirring string music playing]
[man 1] Raise your head
as you're going up.
[officer 3] The first student
is on her way up.
- [man 1] Hold tight.
- [Mona whimpers]
[man 1] Don't look down.
[Mona whimpering]
[officer 5] Move to the back.
Move backward.
- Give us anything. Any update.
- [officer 5] Clear the way. Move, move.
[officer 3] Excuse my colleagues.
The situation is unstable.
[officer 1] The second student is injured,
but she can climb the ladder.
- [officer 3] We got the first student.
- [Haneen] I want to see my daughter!
[man 3] We're ready
to receive the stretcher.
Mona! Mona!
- Mona!
- [Widad] Mona, thank God. Are you okay?
Are you okay?
- Forgive me, my darling.
- [Widad] Mona! Are Mimi and Masha'el okay?
[bystanders clapping]
- [Sahar] God!
- [Hussam] Excuse me. Excuse me, please.
Come on, go.
I'll go after you. Don't worry.
[officer 3] Hurry up, guys.
Ready to receive the stretcher?
[man 3] Ready to receive it.
[tense music playing]
[officer 3]
We're sending the stretcher now.
Please go faster. The ground is unstable.
[Masha'el groans]
[man 1] Come on.
The stretcher is on the ladder.
Are you ready to pull?
[man 2] Ready.
[man 1] Pull it up slowly.
Pull it up slowly.
[officer 3] Faster!
The ground is unstable.
The rescue team is down there.
- [Sahar] Please bring her up!
- Please, God! Please, God!
[Masha'el grunts]
[officer 3] The second girl
has been rescued.
[man 1] Careful, careful.
[Marzouka] That's my daughter!
Masha'el! Masha'el!
That's my daughter!
That's my daughter! Masha'el!
[man 2] Out of the way. Out of the way.
- [Marzouka] My dear, can you hear me?
- Have you seen Maria?
[Marzouka] Watch out. My daughter!
My daughter! My daughter!
- Masha'el, can you hear me? Masha'el!
- [Hussam] My daughter is in there!
I just need to know if she's okay,
if you please!
Just send someone in there
to check on her!
I just want to see my daughter, please!
[officer 3] Attention.
Get the student out now.
The ground is unstable.
[in Arabic] "Say, 'He is Allah,
one and indivisible.'"
"'Allah the sustainer.'"
"Say, 'He is Allah, one and indivisible.
Allah the sustainer.'"
[officer 1 in English] Evacuate the area!
Evacuate the area now!
[Maria screams]
[officer 1] There's been a collapse.
Everybody step back!
- [Sahar] What collapse?
- Let's go, let's go, let's go!
Everything is going to be okay.
[officer 3] We need support immediately.
Out of the way. Out of the way.
Let's go, let's go!
[Sahar sobs] Maria!
[sobs] Maria!
[officer 3] Maria!
[melancholic music playing]
[officer 3] Maria!
Maria, can you hear us?
[screaming]
[inaudible dialogue]
CANTEEN
[melancholic music continues]
[crying]
[Sahar crying]
[inaudible dialogue]
[crying continues]
[melancholic music continues]
[melancholic music continues]
[music fades]
Thanks to your parents' prayers
and your mothers' care,
your teachers and their effort,
your classmates and their support,
we were able to reach
the first day of your transitional phase
from school into the outside world.
The future.
We hope we were able to provide you
and equip you with everything you need.
Knowledge, ethics,
tactfulness,
persistence, and determination.
[stirring music playing]
And there's something important
you should know.
Mistakes happen no matter your age.
No one is infallible.
What matters is that you fix your mistakes
and learn from them.
Not to ignore them.
Because if you ignore them,
they will become worse.
And always seek to become
better versions of yourselves,
not better than others.
And lastly, we wish you success
and good luck in your life to come.
[hopeful music playing]
[exhales sharply]
[Hafsa] And now,
a word from our A student,
top of her class,
Lama Abdul Karim.
[applause]
Isn't she the one who kept saying
all year, "Girls! I haven't studied"?
[giggles]
[Lama] Dear teachers,
our mother guests,
my fellow classmates,
and everyone
attending our honorable ceremony.
Our days together taught us things
that we could have never learned
except from each other.
[hopeful music continues]
[girls laughing]
[music soars]
[sighs]
Hurry, Mom! We're very late!
Whose graduation is it, mine or yours?
See? I told you she was coming.
She wouldn't possibly miss this.
- Maria!
- Whoo!
[girls hiss happily]
Why are you so late?
It wasn't me. It was Mom who made us late.
- How are you?
- I'm fine. How are you?
I'm good.
- Hurry, let's go.
- Mom, do I look good?
- [Maria] Ah, yes! Put it over my shoulder.
- [Mona] Let's go.
On this happy occasion,
I can't help but say that I'm sad.
Lama, look.
What happened was all my fault.
Lama, please. Please forgive me.
Didn't you say
[Lama] Because it means
that our days together are ending,
and they will turn into memories.
[Maria] Lama, please forgive me.
[Lama] For the first time,
I wish we didn't have to grow up,
so we could spend more time and more days.
Come on, come on, come on!
[Lama] Throughout the days
we spent together
Look.
we learned so many things
that we couldn't have possibly learned
except from each other,
not from books.
May God bless this marriage,
bless both of you,
and join you together in all goodness.
- [man 1] Congratulations.
- [man 2] Congratulations.
- [man 3] Congratulations to the groom.
- [man 4] Congratulations, son.
Hurry up, woman! Come quick!
You're a bride now!
[women ululating]
[Mona] Congratulations!
And finally, I wish every one of you
a life full of happiness and success,
God willing,
and, of course, full of adventures.
[joyful music playing]
[Maria] Lama!
- [Lama] Hey!
- How are you?
Girls, finally, no more studying.
- What? We have university.
- Come on, Mona.
- [Hafsa] Girls!
- Let us have fun.
[Hafsa] All of you!
Miss, you want to search us, even today?
From now, sadness is banned!
[all cheering]
[joyful music continues]
[music fades]
[poignant music playing]
FROM THE ASHES: THE PI[poignant music continues]
[poignant music intensifies]
[music fades]