French TV channel TF1’s 2011 Documentary on the Cairo Belly Dance Scene
A few months ago, I had the privilege of being filmed for a French documentary on belly dancing in Cairo. Three French journalists from French TF1 channel spent an entire day shadowing me from the minute I woke up (literally), to the minute I finished my last performance on the Nile Memphis. Their goal was to document a typical day in the life of a Cairo belly dancer. They also shadowed Brazilian dancer Sorayya Zayed; an unknown Egyptian cabaret dancer; and famous costume designer Sahar Okasha.
Being shadowed was nothing but fun and laughs from start to finish. I am grateful to French belly dancer Maya Sarsa of Cairo for recommending me for this project. http://www.youtube.com/user/mayasarsa
The first thing the journalists quickly discovered was that my life as a Cairo belly dancer is simultaneously exciting, funny, and frustrating. Watching their reactions as I narrated how I was kicked out of my apartment when the landlord found out I was a belly dancer, how I was kicked out of the Semiramis Hotel for not sleeping with manager, and how I was almost deported for dancing illegally was priceless. And it was exactly the kind of stuff they wanted to hear.
After interviewing me about my experiences in Cairo, the journalists filmed me in my apartment putting together a choreography. Then they captured me primping for my performance, after which they accompanied me on the Nile Memphis to videotape my show. The journalists were particularly amused by the way I wrapped my sequined Saidi stick in a black garbage bag in order to hide it from people on my way to and from work.
The second part of this documentary deals with the everyday hardships typical Egyptian cabaret dancers face. Similar to what they did with me, the journalists shadowed an Egyptian belly dancer. They followed her into her home, the beauty salon where she would do her hair and makeup, and to her performances. They successfully conveyed the difficulties this dancer encounters hiding her belly dancing from family members, neighbors, and peers.
Last but not least, the journalists spent a day with famous Brazilian Cairo dancer Sorayya Zayed and costume designer Sahar Okasha, who perfectly explained the strict regulations governing belly dance costuming. There documentary also features an interview with a member of the Muslim Brotherhood about his views on belly dancing—views that are typical of Islamists everywhere.
The result of this interesting experiment is this amazing documentary called Les danseuses du Caire, or The Dancers of Cairo. Kudos to the journalists for doing such a spectacular job and for taking a genuine interest in the Cairo belly dance scene.
