Thread: Bellydancers of Cairo

Does anyone have this DVD by Natasha yet? I'm thinking of buying it - saw the clip on orientaldance.tv - looks most interesting and it's only twenty bucks. Can't beat that if it's information and well done.

What's the scoop?

Originally Posted by danidance

Does anyone have this DVD by Natasha yet? I'm thinking of buying it - saw the clip on orientaldance.tv - looks most interesting and it's only twenty bucks. Can't beat that if it's information and well done.

What's the scoop?

I have it, and really like it -- especially at that price!

Originally Posted by danidance

Does anyone have this DVD by Natasha yet? I'm thinking of buying it - saw the clip on orientaldance.tv - looks most interesting and it's only twenty bucks. Can't beat that if it's information and well done.

What's the scoop?

It's excellent. Well worth it. A lot of documentary (interview, analysis, history, social comment etc), and performances in the Bonus Features section.

The performances are from Khairiya Maazin, Rabab doing shamadan, Dina, Lucy, Duaa Hagazy, Katia (the Russian dancer), Marwa (Egyptian), Soraya (Brazilian) & Diana Mahiou-Tarkan (French).

I thought it was absolutely wonderful. Lots of great information and obviously well-researched, but not dry at all.

That's all the recommendation I need - if it passed your test, all of you!
Buying now.

I guess I didn't need to post my recommendation then, lol . . . what everyone else has said. I think it is a "must" for your collection as it has so much in it. It gives us a better idea about the dance scene in Cairo and the perceptions regarding dancers.

I've had my copy for months . . . almost since it first came out. Will give it another spin soon . . . as soon as I finish up with the DVDs I got from faridadance in the UK . . . wowowowo, Dandash still to come!!!

I love it love it love it love it.

There are a ton of dances as a separate feature -- none of them rocked my boat for some reason (not even Dina's, and I'm a fan).

I also enjoyed the filmmaker's commentary/interview a lot!

I appreciate the back up rec anyway. I recall now that you had posted about this some time ago.

I know Bea is picky so if she says it's worth it - chances are I won't be disappointed!

Okay, that sounds kind of bad - but you guys know what I mean.

Originally Posted by cbarros

I guess I didn't need to post my recommendation then, lol . . . what everyone else has said. I think it is a "must" for your collection as it has so much in it. It gives us a better idea about the dance scene in Cairo and the perceptions regarding dancers.

I've had my copy for months . . . almost since it first came out. Will give it another spin soon . . . as soon as I finish up with the DVDs I got from faridadance in the UK . . . wowowowo, Dandash still to come!!!

Originally Posted by danidance

I know Bea is picky so if she says it's worth it - chances are I won't be disappointed!

..g.:

So where can I buy it? Apologies if I've missed the link somewhere.

I think I got mine on Amazon.

Originally Posted by weese17

So where can I buy it? Apologies if I've missed the link somewhere.

Our buddy Litani carries it on eBay, usually. Her trading name is bellydance-marketplace. Or you can contact her directly: cairocarolyn (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Available at Target for $14.99!!

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-7659786-2491856?asin=B000GBEPE0&afid=yahoosspplp_bmvd&lnm= B000GBEPE0|DVD_:_The_Bellydancers_of_Cairo&ref=tgt _adv_XSNG1060

Highly recommended (as if you need yet another 'go for it'!). Great footage and interviews, totally worth seeing and having.

Here is an interview with the filmmaker: http://www.gildedserpent.com/art38/B...atashaIntv.htm

It also won a Giza award: http://www.gildedserpent.com/art35/FirestoneGamal05.htm

I like it and will add my recommendation. Though for me, it's more of a "gotta have it in your library" vs. "gotta watch all the time" video.

I highly recommend it. Its interesting, fascinating and very entertaining. You will learn a lot. Its a video I think you can watch more than once, so you will get your moneys worth. If I remember, it has interviews with Dina, Lucy, Nagwa Fouad, Ashmahan, Eman Zaki, etc...

I like it too! Can't beat the price either...

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I think I got mine on Amazon.

Yup,mine too as soon as it arrived on the market,and have to say that i absolutely luv it.Is one of those DVD`s for keepsake,and a joy to watch over and over again.
A great and very welcome gift to any bellydancer or bellydance lover :thumbs_up:

By the way,there was a review thread i started at old Bhuz.

Originally Posted by beafarhana

..g.:

..l;, ..l;, ..l;,

What a coincidence, I was actually just trying to order this DVD on Amazon last night, but now I have to wait to find out why my gift certificate isn't working. Maybe I'd better not wait....

Thanks, guys! I just bought it too. :-) Can't wait to see it.

It's a very interesting documentary and so cheap you can't go wrong.

Another goodun is Yasmina's Journey of Desire...it has a completely different intent and I prefer it over Bellydancers of Cairo.

Originally Posted by bul_bul_ksa

Another goodun is Yasmina's Journey of Desire...it has a completely different intent and I prefer it over Bellydancers of Cairo.

Ah, thanks for the reminder about the title...someone recommended it to me and I could not remember what it was called.
Do you know where this can be purchased?
Erm, or anyone have a used copy they would like to part with?
Thanks!

Bul_bul_ksa...why do you prefer it over Bellydancers of Cairo?

Both documentaries are great for dancers, thank God we have people that want to put out more 'meat and potatos' type documentaries.

I think I prefer it because Yasmina talks about how she ended up in Cairo (which is interesting in itself) and then talks to agents that book the dancers, musicians, dress makers etc etc She touches on the role a dancer plays in society but it isn't the soul focus so it is a more overall view, I felt. She even has a segment that talks about obtaining the permission to work in Cairo if you are a foreigner. The performance pieces are kinda cheesy to me...I can't say I enjoyed every single one of them. I know you can purchase it at: http://www.faridadance.com/Journey%20of%20Desire.htm It isn't cheap.

Belly dancers of Cairo focuses more on the cultural aspect of dancers = whores and that seems to be it's whole focus. For me, I already know what was being discussed although I accept that for many people it is new information (and often even those that do know it try to reject that it is 'real'). I totally don't discount the documentary - I'm grateful the film was produced and I'm glad I own it. I think I read somewhere that Miles Copeland somehow became involved with this DVD towards the end which is how they have been able to get it widely distributed and so cheap...if that is true (as I said, I don't know if it is or isn't) then that is pretty great.

I think my favorite part, though, was when the filmmaker interviewed her own father & brother.

We are surprised by the duality we encounter in egypt (it's a lovely dance, but not for my daughter/wife/sister) until we have to recognize how familiar it is!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I think my favorite part, though, was when the filmmaker interviewed her own father & brother.

We are surprised by the duality we encounter in egypt (it's a lovely dance, but not for my daughter/wife/sister) until we have to recognize how familiar it is!

Me too! That part was amazing!

I bought mine from Amazon.com

Originally Posted by weese17

So where can I buy it? Apologies if I've missed the link somewhere.

Originally Posted by bul_bul_ksa

I think I read somewhere that Miles Copeland somehow became involved with this DVD towards the end which is how they have been able to get it widely distributed and so cheap...if that is true (as I said, I don't know if it is or isn't) then that is pretty great.

Yes, Miles is involved - the DVD was released by Ark 21, which is his label. (His old label, I think his label is now called Copeland International or something like that.)

In fact, I bought my copy at a BDSS show!

Originally Posted by phillyraqs

Yes, Miles is involved - the DVD was released by Ark 21, which is his label. (His old label, I think his label is now called Copeland International or something like that.)

In fact, I bought my copy at a BDSS show!

Copeland or not,it is a great DVD to own,r:;

I found some You Tube clips from Yasmina's Journey of Desire, and thought others involved in this thread might enjoy seeing them.

I really would like to see the whole film!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK7lU7YiTdE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BOFGA1hp14