House of Gods (2024) s01e03 Episode Script

(SOFT FOOTSTEPS)
(PLATES CLINK)
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD: Wait, wait.
This is my first Ramadan
as head cleric.
We will model
our prophet's family
and lead by example.
And what's better than
the holy month of Ramadan
to wash away feelings
that we have
towards those
who we love the most?
Hmm?
Isa
..kiss your sister.
(SHEIKH MOHAMMAD SPEAKS ARABIC)
- You serious?
- Come on.
Your brother.
Your turn.
OK.
Remember
..it's not only food and drink
that break your fast,
but also sin.
Hmm?
(ALL SPEAK ARABIC)
(MUEZZIN RECITES ATHAN)
(WORSHIPPERS PRAY)
(RECITES ATHAN)
(WORSHIPPERS PRAY)
(RECITES ATHAN)
As-salamu alaykum.
(CONGREGATION
RESPONDS IN ARABIC)
MUEZZIN:
Allahu Akbar.
CONGREGATION: Allahu Akbar.
(SHEIKH MOHAMMAD SPEAKS ARABIC)
(CONGREGATION RESPONDS
IN ARABIC)
MUEZZIN: Allahu Akbar.
CONGREGATION: Allahu Akbar.
MUEZZIN: Allahu Akbar.
CONGREGATION: Allahu Akbar.
(WORSHIPPERS PRAY QUIETLY)
Allahu Akbar.
CONGREGATION: Allahu Akbar.
MUEZZIN: Allahu Akbar.
MUEZZIN: Allahu Akbar.
(WORSHIPPERS PRAY QUIETLY)
Allahu Akbar.
CONGREGATION: Allahu Akbar.
MUEZZIN: Allahu Akbar.
(CONGREGATION RESPONDS
IN ARABIC)
(ALL CLAP IN UNISON)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
ABU ZUHAYR:
CONGREGATION: Inshallah.
(CONGREGATION RESPONDS
IN ARABIC)
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
When Nadir came home and
told me, I didn't believe him.
I lived to see the day
a woman is in charge.
Who would want to be?
Have you seen the grey hairs
on my father?
- (WOMEN CHUCKLE)
- And mine!
Your sister is
such an inspiration.
She is.
I'm only here
because of my father.
He's the real inspiration.
Sounds like I'm gonna be
a 'yes-woman'.
(WOMEN CHUCKLE)
A wolf is alone in the jungle
..in deep thought.
The wolf looks skyward
beyond the woods
to see an eagle floating above.
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
The wolf howls
- Awoo!
- (WORSHIPPERS CHUCKLE)
..to get the eagle's attention.
The eagle flies low
to hover above the wolf.
The wolf shares with the eagle,
"How lucky you are to be able
to fly wherever you want."
"I wish I too could
leave this jungle."
The eagle asks,
"Why can't you leave
the jungle?"
The wolf responds,
"I don't know what danger awaits"
"beyond these woods."
The eagle,
sensing the wolf's feelings
trapped in the woods, says,
"Forget about the jungle
around you."
"Can you see
the very next step ahead?"
The wolf was confused.
"Yes, I can."
The eagle responds,
"Well"
"..take the next step, then."
Same 3K?
If you don't mind me intruding,
how is it that
you're still sending money
when you're not the VP?
When did I give you
the impression
that the mosque
was donating to charity?
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
Isa, I want you to be
my customer,
but sending money to
the same account every few weeks
from my service?
So?
It may only be 3K,
but patterns get flagged
no matter the amount.
You know the authorities
could start sniffing.
Like I said, it's for charity.
(CROWD CHEERS)
ABU HANY: This is unbelievable.
How can our clergy in Iraq
be so silent on this sheikh?
Aqil has left a message
with every secretary
of every Grand Cleric
telling him the sheikh has
appointed a woman as his VP.
Nothing.
To them, it seems I am
nothing but nothings.
Sheikhna, with all respect,
you are more than nothing.
And besides, it's not like you
to surrender like this,
my friend.
Never!
Don't you ever mistake my
white turban for a white flag.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
Goal!
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
- (SPEAKS ARABIC)
- Knock or something.
This isn't your office.
ISA: Ah!
Alaykum as-salam.
Oi, um, Dad's been invited
by the Iraqi ambassador's
for iftar dinner.
Ah, what night?
Last night of Ramadan.
Night of the Eid.
I'll tell him. Just leave
the mail there, please.
Was there something else?
ISA:
(BILAL AND ISA SPEAK ARABIC)
BILAL:
(BATUL CLEARS THROAT)
BATUL: Mm.
Sorry.
This was meant to be a call
where you pep me up
for my meeting.
Good luck, habibti.
Just be yourself.
Mm.
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
(EXHALES)
(CLICKING AND TAPPING)
(MEN SPEAK ARABIC)
(CLEARS THROAT)
- As-salamu alaykum.
- Alaykum as-salamu.
MEN: Alaykum as-salamu.
(GLASSES CLINK)
- BATUL: As-salamu alaykum.
- MEN: Alaykum as-salamu.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
I propose we set an amount
of our catering budget
to send food for homeless
shelters in this holy month.
I'd prefer if they money
was sent
to the poor families in Iraq.
But are we not all
Allah's creation?
I humbly suggest we focus on
shelters of homeless women
this Ramadan.
Vulnerable women are
the fastest-growing demographic
in need in Australia.
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD: Hm.
Are we all agreed?
Yes.
Yes.
- Yes.
- SHEIKH MOHAMMAD: Brilliant.
(MEN CALL OUT INDISTINCTLY)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
(MEN CHEER)
(MEN CALL OUT)
(MEN CHEER)
Oh!
JAMILA: Still losing, huh?
Nothing's changed.
Well, first of all,
I'm in a dishdasha,
and second of all, um,
we're not keeping score, so
Oh, yeah,
it's definitely the dishdasha.
- How's she going in there?
- (SIGHS)
Your sister will make
a heck of a VP, you know.
I know.
(MEN CALL OUT)
- Yusef!
- Oh, he's got another one!
(PEOPLE CHEER)
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD:
My final agenda item.
Thank you.
Education is
our most precious resource.
What our community needs now
more than ever is a school.
There are other Shiite schools
in Sydney, Sheikna.
Yes, but they are limited.
Parents have come to me
complaining about
long waiting lists.
(ABU ZUHAYR SPEAKS ARABIC)
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD:
All this will happen.
The school will have
a seminary wing
for those who want to further
their religious education.
It will be
the first in the country.
It will also cater
to the special needs
of our extraordinary children,
such as your grandson, Yusef.
Sheikh Shaaker?
It's my duty to support an
Islamic school and a seminary.
It's exactly what we need.
Abu Batul, how can you preach
integration,
then build an institution
built on segregation?
Do you want to isolate
our children even further?
My friend,
this school will be unlike
any other school in the country.
How? With a hawza? A seminary?
Look, we will hire
Muslim and non-Muslim teachers,
males and females -
equal numbers.
Focus on academic results.
Non-Muslims will want
their children to attend.
Integration will be
at its very heart.
It is still a religious school.
But with a modern curriculum.
We will teach subjects
often frowned upon -
arts and drama, music and dance.
We will celebrate
our Iraqi heritage with pride.
Are you building a school,
Sheikhna, or a nightclub?
Music has been part of
our culture for centuries.
Some scholars argue that music,
when done tastefully
I am not one of those scholars.
This is all wrong.
You are teaching sinful acts
outside of what we represent
for our children.
Batul, you are quiet
..not that we don't know already
where your vote will go.
The reality is, Sheikhna,
the majority of ulama forbid
the use of musical instruments.
Uh, 'music' and 'dance'
were intended just as phrases,
weren't they?
Like shorthand
for 'Iraqi culture'?
I think it's time to vote now.
Samir.
Yes, but only to the vision
you have proposed.
- Sheikh Shaaker.
- No. I cannot.
Well, it is settled, then.
You will see, my friends.
This school will be
a great pride,
a lasting legacy
of this community.
But your daughter
hasn't formally said yes!
Yeah.
I cannot vote for a school
that teaches music and dance.
And even the Islamic schools
that do
..their principals are not
head clerics at a mosque.
(SWIRLING PIANO MUSIC)
- Abu.
- I'll walk.
- Dad!
- I said I will walk!
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
The Sheikh has gone home.
BATUL: Oh.
How did it feel?
The power?
Aamu, it's late.
The school, his school,
this is for your mother.
After university,
they talked of keeping culture
and song and dance alive
through a school.
That's why he can't give it up.
He promised her.
That's what your little tantrum
took from him.
(PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SIREN WAILS IN DISTANCE)
(MELANCHOLY PIANO MUSIC)
Sheikh Mohammad is cunning.
Mm, so cunning as to look
so stupid, so humiliated,
but why?
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SHEIKH SHAAKER SPEAKS ARABIC)
Batul is your friend.
Surely this is a trick
from Sheikh Mohammad.
Why else would
he let his daughter
stand up to him like that?
She was raised
to speak her mind.
No-one tells Batul what to do,
not even her father.
(PRAYERS PLAY ON RECORDING)
What are you trying to prove
going against Dad?
Heaven forbid a woman sticks to
what she believes in.
She's got to stick
by her family.
Baba raised us to love
Allah first, then family,
Did you forget when we grew up,
you, me, Hind, our friends,
we never belonged?
HIND: Hey, don't lump me in
with your generation.
I wasn't screwed up
by September 11 like you guys.
(ZIPPER BUZZES)
Remember, Batul, we always
had to explain ourselves -
why we weren't eating
during Ramadan,
why youse were in a headscarf,
why we got cut each time
someone mocked our Prophet.
We were stuck.
Half what our religion
wanted us to be
and half what society
thought we were.
I lived it too, Isa.
Yeah, this school
could change all that.
We're all capable
of being wrong.
Baba is not the Prophet,
peace be upon Him,
and what he proposed,
it isn't what I believe in.
Hey, um, this time last year,
under Seyyed Javad,
the mosque was taking in
a lot more.
Attendance has been up
since Baba's taken over,
so the donations
Times are tough.
What do you want me to say?
Instead of worrying about
this kind of bullshit,
why don't you do your real job
as Dad's VP and help him?
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
How is the old sewing machine
doing?
It's alright. I don't know how
Mum used to use it. It's so old.
What's wrong with being old?
Hind
I'm sorry. I
It's alright, Dad.
If I really, really wanted to
move out, no-one could stop me.
Cuz, I need you
to do us a solid, yeah?
NADIR: Yeah, whatever you need.
Aamu. Thank you, aamu.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
ISA:
Oh. (SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
I'm sending some money
to a charity,
but I wanna keep it on the DL.
Can you transfer this for me?
But don't use anyone local.
Gotta be outside.
Is it a one-off
or is there gonna be more?
Might be more.
(PHONE BUZZES)
I've gotta take this, yeah?
(ISA SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SEYYED MODHAFFAR SPEAKS ARABIC)
Seyyed?
Isa!
Sheikhna, my daughter's 14.
She loves her religion,
but she has health problems -
low iron, low blood sugar.
She wants to fast,
but doctors say she needs to eat
through the whole day
or she'll get unwell.
Mm.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
Tell that to your daughter.
She wants to be
like her friends.
They're all fasting.
I see.
Would you like me
to talk to her?
- Yes.
- OK. I will.
Allah Almighty has chosen
the right vessel to lead us.
- Thank you, Sheikhna.
- Thank you.
You've done so much already,
Baba.
Starting to redefine
the roles of a woman,
your plans for the school
..all of it,
except the music and dance.
It's forbidden.
You are the cleric now, hm?
You raised me to think.
Perhaps I did too good a job
or not good enough.
I'm not sure.
I thought we shared a vision.
I'm not saying no to your dream.
We can spread our incredible
culture through Islamic art,
visual arts, even drama classes.
A school must look to
its students' life.
Isolationism
never turns out well.
If the school is to nurture
the new generation
of female VPs,
it must be inclusive
and you know that.
Anything else?
Yes.
It's about Isa.
(SIGHS)
- NADIR: And up.
- (EXHALES SHAKILY)
Nice, nice. Go down.
Upper form. To the chest.
To the chest.
Push. Push. Push.
Alright, you've got one more.
You've got one more. Let's go.
Push it out. Push it out.
Down to your chest.
All the way down.
All the way down.
Push, push, push.
(WEIGHTS RATTLE)
- Nice.
- (ISA EXHALES)
- You good?
- Yeah, cuz.
Shit's just 100 pounds.
Isa, it's pretty stupid doing
this on an empty stomach.
Plus, I don't know
about you getting a pump
with those spaghetti arms.
Yeah, well, Sheikh Shaaker
has invited us
for iftar dinner tonight.
I want him to know he's dealing
with the son of a beast.
Yeah, sure. It's got nothing
to do with Jamila.
ISA: Go on.
(WEIGHTS RATTLE)
Cuz, it's fuckin' over.
Just let it go.
Yeah, but we've got history.
It doesn't go away.
Stop talking like a soft cock.
Keep your feelings locked up
and throw away the keys.
- (WEIGHTS CLANK)
- Idiots.
Working out
while you're fasting?
That's exactly what I said.
Yes?
Dad wants to speak to you.
I'll be up in a sec.
Oi. I'm not stupid.
Cuz, don't make this
about me, alright?
We're talking about your shit.
Now, Jamila's dad
will fuckin' stone her to death
and do the same to you.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
Tonight is
the Ambassador's dinner.
Your sister has
an idea to discuss.
I think you should meet
the Ambassador.
He's old-school.
A female VP will cost Baba
too much trouble.
- But Sheikh Shaaker's
- SHEIKH MOHAMMAD: What?
Of course. I'd be honoured to be
your VP at the Ambassador's.
I'm not going with you.
I'll be at Sheikh Shaaker's
with Batul.
I don't understand.
I asked Sheikh Shaaker
to attend the dinner
as our representative.
You think he'll abandon
his own dinner?
He understands duties.
And that'll make him
vote for your school?
No.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
Abu Zuhayr and Abu Hany
will talk to the Sheikh
on my behalf.
It's your iftar dinner.
Your presence is very important.
Their word is my word!
Can't you see? It's a win-win.
I get to meet the Ambassador
and he can raise our issues with
the clergy directly in Iraq.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammad
will be here answering to us.
- (SPEAKS ARABIC)
- Exactly where we want him.
(WOMEN LAUGH)
Uncle Samir?
(FRONT DOOR CLOSES)
Hello?
(DOOR CLOSES IN DISTANCE)
(SNORTS)
- Yeah?
- All good!
Ah, so,
did you ask your dad again?
He wants me to stay at home.
I've done enough at home.
Ugh, well, at least he's not
hassling you to get married.
Hey, what's wrong with
being married?
MANAL: 'Cause then they'll start
hassling you to have kids.
Oh, thank God
it hasn't come to that?
Uh, and what's wrong with
having kids?
Ugh! (SPEAKS ARABIC)
We are here to celebrate Hind
getting into design school!
I can't believe the first time
I have the privilege
of being at your house
since the Tribal Council
won't be in your presence.
Well, I will leave you
in the very capable hands
and company of Abu Zuhayr
and Abu Hany.
(BOTH SPEAK ARABIC)
Yusef, buddy boy,
look what I got you.
Um, Zane the Zebra plays soccer
just like you.
Om Yusuf!
Come here and bring the boy.
(ISA SPEAKS ARABIC)
(MAN ON RECORDING
RECITES HOLY QURAN)
There you go.
Abdul-Basit Abdul-Samad.
One of the best reciters
in the world, I think.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
Hi.
Uh-uh. I am the deputy cleric
of The Messenger mosque.
Sheikhna, everyone has to
go through this.
I am not everyone!
Do you really think
I'm carrying a bomb under this?
- This is the Prophet's mantle.
- Sheikhna
(DETECTOR BUZZES)
(SWIRLING PIANO MUSIC)
MAN: Thank you, sir.
(PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SHEIKH MOHAMMAD COUGHS)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
MAN: The shop is not far.
It's right down the street.
Yeah. Yeah, it's right there.
Break your fast.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
BATUL:
ABU ZUHAYR:
(HOOKAH BUBBLES)
- This is good.
- Yeah?
- Yeah, you'll like it.
- Not too strong?
Nah.
HIND: I put a lot of coals
on it, so
MANAL: Hind knows the way.
- Come on.
- Try some.
- (WOMEN TALK OVER EACH OTHER)
- (HOOKAH BUBBLES)
- Yeah, that's good.
- MANAL: Nice? Yeah.
(PHONE CHIMES)
(WOMEN LAUGH AND CHATTER)
Where are you going?
What do you mean?
- Where are you going?
- Well, you'll see.
(WOMEN LAUGH)
MANAL: Someone's at the door.
Thank you, thank you!
I can help you set these up
'cause they're a little bit
tricky and sometimes
Nah, I'm good.
All good?
No invite?
(GIGGLES)
(NADIR LAUGHS)
WOMAN: Are you kidding me?!
(WOMEN TALK EXCITEDLY)
We can have a good time!
(DELICATE PIANO MUSIC)
(SPEAKS INAUDIBLY)
(CHUCKLES)
Oh, what waste!
You invite 100 guests
and you cook for 1,000.
Ramadan is a month
to think of the needy.
The Ambassador loved hearing
your stories, but. Everyone did.
I mean, surviving an ambush
by the Ba'athis? What a story!
Oh, Isa, did not the Prophet,
peace be upon Him,
say, "When you hear
those that flatter others",
"throw sand in their faces?"
Even I can tell the truth
occasionally.
Well, you also had them charmed.
I don't know what
the Sheikh was thinking
appointing your sister
to such a role instead of you.
Sheikh, if Batul was to
step aside from being VP,
would you consider
voting for the school?
It's a hypothetical, of course.
Hypothetically, then, I might.
- Yes.
- Isa.
(MAN SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
ISA:
Huh? We're all brothers here.
(GROANS)
Fuck.
(GROANS)
Fuck!
Oh, fuck!
(MIDDLE EASTERN
ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC PLAYS)
(WOMEN CHEER AND SING)
(WOMEN SING ALONG)
Don't worry, I'm OK ♪
(WOMEN LAUGH AND CHEER)
Don't worry, I'm OK ♪
(WOMEN ULULATE)
(WOMEN CHANT)
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
(LAUGHS)
(SONG ENDS)
(WOMEN LAUGH
AND CHAT INDISTINCTLY)
That was so good. Like
JINAN: I love your hair,
by the way.
MANAL: I know.
Thanks. I got it done.
(WOMEN SPEAK INDISTINCTLY)
What song should we play next?
(OLD-FASHIONED POP MUSIC PLAYS)
Hind, this is, like,
my grandma's music.
(WOMEN LAUGH)
It was my mum's favourite.
She danced to it in the kitchen.
(SIGHS) She used to dance
all the time.
(WOMEN GIGGLE)
BATUL:
OM JAMILA:
No, no, that's OK.
(PHONE BUZZES)
(UNSETTLING MUSIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SIGHS)
(REPEATS ARABIC PHRASE)
(WATER SPLASHES)
Throw away the keys, cuz.
The whole family was invited.
The whole family should eat.
You shouldn't have. Thank you.
Thank you for getting Yusuf
that book.
Of course.
I hope my dad didn't give you
too much trouble tonight.
Not at all. We're actually
catching a movie next week.
(LAUGHS)
SHEIKH SHAAKER:
OM JAMILA:
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC)
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
(DOOR CREAKS)
(DOOR CLOSES SOFTLY)
(SOFT VOCAL MUSIC)
(KEYS JANGLE AND DROP)
(VOCAL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GASPS)
(VOCAL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SAMIR CLEARS THROAT)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
(OLD-FASHIONED
ARABIC POP MUSIC PLAYS)
(OLD-FASHIONED
ARABIC POP MUSIC CONTINUES)
(POP MUSIC FADES)
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC)