Dunia (2005)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Jocelyn Saab

Writer:

Jocelyn Saab (writer)

Release Date:

6 September 2006 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

After studying literature at Cairo University, Dunia, 23 years old, wants to become a professional dancer...

Plot Keywords:

Egyptian | University | Audition | Thesis | Literature

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Hanan Turk	...	Dunia
Mohamed Mounir	...	Beshir
Fathy Abdel Wahab	...	Mamdouh
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sawsan Badr	...	Arwa
Khaled El Sawi	...	Hazem
Youssef Ismail	...	Antar
Aida Riad	...	Inayate

Also Known As:

Kiss Me Not on the Eyes (International: English title)

Runtime:

Canada:112 min (Montréal Film Festival)

Country:

Egypt | Lebanon | France

Language:

Arabic

Color:

Color

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud)

Company:

Catherine Dussart Productions (CDP)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Allemaal film: Tussen kunst en kassa (#1.5)" (2007)

Dunia Kiss me Not...On the Eyes

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

That's the real title, whomever submitted it for IMDb, must have shortened it.

Anyways, Egyptian superstar Hanane Turk stars as sultry Dunia, a young woman who is sexually repressed according to society and this inhibits everything she does. One day she auditions for an oriental dance competition (think the type of Jennifer Beals audition from Flash Dance) and is stopped by the judges because of her lifeless performance. They are captured by her obvious beauty but do not buy her lifeless rendition of Arabian poetry. It is her obstinate rebellious nature that drives them to select them, when she challenges the jury to show her how she is supposed to display love when society forbids her to do so. She catches the eye of Beshir (Mohammed Mounir) who takes her under his wing, hoping to rescue her from a dark secret from the past as well as make her his muse.

The forbidden attraction between them in unmistakable and only deepens as Dunia awakens to the sensuality hidden beneath her traditional values. Turk, a trained dancer in real life is flawless in the dance sequences and she has a body to die for. Her costumes are great as well. By the way, all the magnificent songs in the film are performed by none other than "The voice of Egypt" Mohammed Mounir. Dunia is a force to reckon with as she raises awareness to the trials and tribulations associated with being a woman in Egypt. Walid Aouni plays Dunia's dance teacher, Khaled El Sawi & Youssef Ismail co -star. Controversial but also a must see!