Mona Al Said

[Lauren_]

I know we've had Mona-lovin' threads before, but it's time to enjoy some footage again!

She's the Princess of Sharki, the softest, sweetest, sexiest dancer ever. (and pre-dated Dina as the queen of outrageous costuming).

This is one of my favorite performances, her facial expressions just do me in. If anyone can find a clip online of the taxim she did just after this, in this dress PLEASE direct me to it!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wItrIoCCdVM]YouTube - Mona Al Saeed[/ame]

And of course the infamous 'Gold Bikini Drum Solo' -- cuz Mona wasn't afraid of fusion!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzM7U68LPws]YouTube - Mona al Said **Zara's Favourite! 4 Drum dance full vers.[/ame]

Anyone called 'Al Said' has to do some Assaya, right? Watch her just. stand. there. and take her hat off so sloooooowlyyyyyy..... *sigh*

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LaxBM_Do_0]YouTube - Mona Said Asaya[/ame]

Her technique here is amazing --
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1dqyznoX2A]YouTube - Mona Said Kariat Al Fingan PT1[/ame]

[Linnyg]

Thank you for posting these! Very lovely.

[Michelle75]

These were just posted yesterday but she just doesn't look like herself to me. Am I crazy? Is Mona acting in these clips and NOT the dancer?
[ame=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mj-F5yZUbhE]YouTube - Bellydance in the Egyptian film - Mona Said منى السعيد[/ame]

Here she comes in around 2:36. Again, not sure about her.
[ame=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8pKR_qA7MQ]YouTube - Unbelievable Mona Said - منى السعيد[/ame]

Here, around 2:40
[ame=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wWGECU-7C9M]YouTube - Bellydance in the Egyptian film - Mona Said منى السعيد[/ame]

[Lauren_]

Ooooh, exciting!

OK, the first clip is definitely Mona's smile and dancing, but her hair's completely different and she's a little heavier (so probably older?)

[Lauren_]

Just watched the other two clips -- I do think that's Mona, but I might not have recognized her if she hadn't been named. The smile, the dance technique are hers -- but the persona is completely different, especially in the last clip!

She's a good actress, I guess?

[Michelle75]

I watched that last clip and thought about Dina, than I read through the comments and someone stated that Dina probably watched this clip alot when she was younger. LOL!! I think they spoke the truth!

[Lauren_]

LOL --- no kidding!

I've always thought there was a lot of Mona's technique in early Dina... Not to say Dina hasn't created a style all her own, but if I had to guess, based on the dancers I'm familiar with, I'd have said she was influenced by Mona and Tahiya Carioca.

[Michelle75]

She is suppose to be at AWS this December and in July next year. Are you going to make it to either?

[Lauren_]

Nope. No dance travel for me for a while, I'm a single mom now. *sob*

But she's on my shortlist of people I'd drive almost anywhere in the US for!

[Michelle75]

Here's how I'm envisioning it for you. When you take your son on this trek across the world, stop in on AWS and let him live the bedouin life while you pick up some dance skills from Mona.

You both win!!!! ;)

[Lauren_]

LOL! I had visions, actually, of him sitting in Raqia's sitting room with an Algebra book while I take privates all day...

But I'm currently aiming for Mexico/Peru and Washington State/British Columbia (2 separate trips) at the moment.

Dang it! Why oh why can't parenting be all about ME?!?!?

[EzmaSiddiqah]

I love the super long fringe on many of her costumes in these clips. I have a bedlah that was Mona's, it's pink and grey and silver. What a great dancer!!

[leylalanty]

Looks like Mona on all the clips. The first one is about 25-30 years ago. Love her dancing at any age in any environment! The reason her persona seems different in some of the clips is probably either just natural development of one's dance persona or she may have been directed to look and act in a certain way by the film directors.

[dunyah]

Ooh, thanks for starting this thread, Lauren. Great clips. Now I want a mesh and fringe dress like the first clip. Naughty but nice!

[habibiyaeini]

Ohh thanks for posting!! Ive always loved that first clip, have watched it many times and not been sick of it. The last three have never seen so thanks!! And yes...Dina!!!