From the Ashes: The Pit

THIS FILM IS INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS, BUT THE STORY, CHARACTERS,

AND DRAMATIC CONTEXT ARE ENTIRELY FICTIONAL,

AND ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS OR ENTITIES IS NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY.

In today's weather forecast for Jeddah,

we expect extended thunderstorm activity

with moderate to heavy showers.

JEDDAH 2013

This may cause some flooding in low-lying areas.

We urge everyone to be cautious and to stay away from areas

that may be prone to flooding.

As we said, girls, accepted hadith has two types.

Authentic or good.

An example of authentic hadith from the Prophet, peace be upon him, is,

"Three traits. Have them, and you'll find the sweet taste of faith."

"To love Allah and his messenger above all else."

"To love others only to please Allah."

"And to hate being a disbeliever after being saved by Allah

as much as hating being thrown into hell."

Okay, girls? Now make sure to study hard.

Don't forget that. And God willing, you'll do well on your exams.

Mona, do my homework.

What grade did you get on the exam?

Oh wow! I don't believe it!

SEEKING KNOWLEDGE

You're joking?

THE PIT

OUR LORD, DO NOT IMPOSE BLAME UPON US IF WE HAVE FORGOTTEN OR ERRED

You see, my daughter, don't let anything distract you at all from your studies.

- What is all this? - Why are you shouting?

Where did the bag go? Where is my stuff?

- What are you doing? - We were carrying it together!

- It's in the bag. - Quickly, go look for it!

Oh my God!

You still haven't washed the dishes.

I did. Those are the neighbors' dishes.

Don't forget to study for your final exam so that you can finally graduate.

And you, one more life, and that's it.

I don't know what else you're trying to bring upon yourself,

more than what's already happened to you.

You don't study.

You don't pray like you should. You don't even help around the house.

Twenty-four hours watching TV.

Twenty-four hours on your phone.

I mean, I don't understand. What's your purpose in life?

What do you bring me except trouble and heartache?

You're such a disappointment.

Girl!

- Oh my God, Mom. You scared me. - Come here. What have you done now?

I haven't done anything.

How did your appointment with the doctor go today?

It was all right. Pointless.

"Pointless"? You should be grateful.

If it wasn't for Ms. Siham,

who's taking care of everything and paying for your therapy…

May God reward her. You know what people would say

if they knew you were taking psychiatric medications?

What will they say, Mom? "She's strong for getting treated."

Tell me something. Come here, come here. Is the doctor married?

You want to find a wife for the doctor too, Mom?

He's married, and he wears a ring.

What's so embarrassing about my job?

Isn't being a matchmaker… better than being a janitor?

Right, girl?

Who's in there?

Your friend Mona's mother.

- Mona? - Yes.

Mona is not my friend anymore. What does she want?

- Your father... - I'm home. Make way.

- Your father is here. Go help your father. - Give me. Let me help you.

Quick, go inside. Go inside, go inside.

Welcome, welcome, welcome.

Did I make you wait long? My husband is back home.

No, it's no problem. Shall I come back another time?

- No, stay. - No, seriously.

Tell me. What else are you looking for?

I'm not really looking for much, just financially ready.

Go on. Tall, short, fat, skinny…

I don't care about those traits, as long as he's financially ready.

Not like last time.

- Just make sure... - I know. Not dark-skinned.

I hope I'm not offending you.

Why would I be offended? I'm not the one marrying him. Really.

Okay, thank you.

Also, I want it to be as soon as possible, please, huh?

I have a guy in mind. How about we set a date tomorrow?

- Are you serious? - Yes, I am. Tomorrow.

But I haven't even told Mona!

Honey, the sooner, the better.

I have a man who's a real catch. He's loaded.

Okay, I'll check with her, and let's hope for the best.

- Let me know. I'll be waiting. - God willing.

I'm telling you, you don't wanna miss out on him.

So, as you like. Check with her, and let me know by tonight.

God willing.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to our show,

as we explore with you the latest news…

What's that smell?

…as well as some detailed news in the world of finance and business…

Daddy.

Are the results out?

Daddy, tomorrow is the first day of the final exams.

Like, how could you forget?

Didn't you say you would help me with calculus?

Mm.

Boy, give me the phone.

- Hello? - Hello, sir.

- Hey, Abu Uday. - …Little late.

No, no, no, no.

Start right away.

No, that wasn't our agreement.

Mimi, charger.

- What? - Charger, charger.

…very quickly. We start in a couple of days.

- No way. - But there is something else.

Not my problem.

Mimi! Mimi!

Be right back.

Hurry up, guys! Come on, faster!

We don't have all day! Come on!

Hey. Penny for your thoughts.

Do you think this rain will get heavier? I fear they'll get distracted.

Even so, it's just two exams. Don't worry.

I think it would be better to send the girls home

and reschedule those exams for tomorrow.

Good idea.

Keep them from their studies.

Just shut down the school so we can be unemployed. That's it.

- You think it's good time for joking? - Ease up.

Mariam's timing for maternal leave couldn't be worse.

Honestly, she gave birth quickly. Maybe from running after those girls.

Siham, you're the only one who's fit for this job.

You've been here for one semester,

and things are getting much better than we ever expected.

So why worry about the advisor now?

Paint that entire column. I don't want to see a single letter.

Don't worry. I'm with you, okay?

Come on.

Girls, I'm so scared.

I don't feel like I've studied well enough.

Honestly, I'm not scared at all.

My dad stayed up all night with me to study.

Lucky you.

If my dad helped me study, I wouldn't have a care in the world.

Samia, weren't you going to get braces?

None of your business.

Hey, Mona.

Now, I want you to tell the girls

how you were able to study at your old school after the fire.

She told us.

Let her speak. Go on.

Well, girls, honestly, it was very scary.

- Really? - I swear to God.

It was so scary that the tables and chairs were moving.

Even the girls, as they ran, they kept falling on top of each other.

- Honest to God. - Honestly, you're a hero.

If I were in her shoes,

I wouldn't be able to spend one day with my hair all burnt like that.

Honestly.

Thank you.

And… and later on, as well, I was wrongly accused.

I swear to God.

You reminded me of our old principal.

Seriously. She blamed me for no reason.

Oh my God. You always say the same thing.

Can you finish the story without the riddles?

Forget it, girls. Let's just study.

Mona.

I need to talk to you urgently.

If you're looking for the janitor's room, it's right over there.

Want me to scrub the floors with your face? Show some respect!

Girls, Mrs. Puff is here.

So are you just gonna sit there, fight, and waste your time?

And in the exams, you're gonna beg each other for the answers?

Miss, honestly, your shirt is amazing.

Where did you get it?

And you, Masha'el? Do you miss being in trouble?

We weren't fighting. Just reviewing for the exam.

You! Give me that.

Give me that book on your lap.

- What's that? - What, miss? Aren't we allowed to read?

Is that a novel? Didn't we say romance novels were banned?

No, miss.

This novel is about a guy… possessed by a demon.

May God protect us from evil. Oh dear God.

So that's why your eyeliner looks so demonic.

Wipe it off! Wipe it now!

Ms. Siham is spoiling you. Come on!

Wait! Come here, come here. Show me that.

What do you have here?

Look at that! You think you're in a banquet?

Go to the exam room right away!

Mom says the most important thing in a girl…

What? Her morals?

The two lashes at the end of her eyes.

Girl! Where are you going?

Back in line!

- Your pockets. - I don't have pockets.

I swear, I don't.

I don't have pockets.

Open your pencil case.