Hommage to Mahmoud Reda
A Life for Dancing!
Produced by NESMA
As Reviewed by Zaina Hart

This DVD was produced by NESMA in honor of Mr. Reda’s 75^th Birthday - - and what a spectacular gift this is, not only to Mr. Reda, but to the dance community as a whole.  If you have spent any time in oriental dance you should know Mahmoud Reda is a living legend.  For me personally, he is far more.  I had the opportunity to spend one on one time with him some years ago after partnering with Halima to bring him to Vancouver Washington.  A delay in his return to Egypt (due to a misunderstanding in his original itinerary which had him flying out of Vancouver BC rather than Portland OR) left us to spend the day together – yeahhhhhh for me.  So my parents and I had the wonderful gift of Moody in our homes while he was in a holding pattern waiting for the airlines and consulate to get him home.  As you can well imagine, that is and will continue to be a cherished highlight of not only my career, but my life.  Sipping tea in the living room, conversation about our dance and a personal dance critique and brief lesson, by the best of the best - - well, it was a grand day for sure.

But I digress - on to the DVD.

First and foremost, this DVD is a MUST HAVE for any dancer, but in particular for teachers.  The validation as an Egyptian stylist that I felt while watching this DVD was so overwhelming and as I watched it for the first time, I embarrassingly sat with tear filled eyes while in flight to from east coast to west coast. 

The introduction Nesma gives in which she brings Mahmoud on stage to present his award is a tear jerker for sure.  He is humble in his acceptance speech, seeming to miss the absolute awe the audience offers in their excited response.  They just don’t make em like this man any more – that mold broken years ago. 

Produced and directed by Nesma, the choreographies were performed by Al-Andalus Danza (Spain), Masrah (Finland), Nawal Benhabdallah (France), Rebecca Wildi (Switzerland) and Saad Ismael (Italy) and performed at the first Festival Raks Madrid – 2005. 

The 18 Choreographies of Mahmoud Reda presented in this fabulous DVD:

Bafta Hendi
Alfa Leila We Leila
Halawet Shamsena
Fallahin          
Harramal Nawma
El Hagalla
Ismailia
Farida
El Nouba
Eiwa Ah
Ranet Al Kholkhal
Samai Al Arian
Levet El Ayam
Granada
Sharki
El Kobkab
El Saidi

While I of course love the dance segments, the slide show is one of the highlights of the DVD.  They have cleverly placed old slide footage into places you do not expect to see them.  All the more inspiring for me is Halawet Shamsena with Moody leaping first off  the great temple Karnak, fading to a stage with dancers and Moody fading to the back of the stage, going to black and then the new stage to the forefront.  This is an exciting technique, the mixing of old and new – LOVE IT – priceless.

The DVD has a great menu of options including a biography of Mahmoud, photos of the dancers/dances performed throughout, of course the 18 separate choreographies, opening introduction in which Nesma offers Mr. Reda an award, explanation of the festival, and a section about NESMA products. 

My Favorites: 

The Fellahin piece - traditional in movement and costuming - - can’t be beat it and I have not seen another piece of film or a DVD out there that is as clear.  A wonderful choreography and so very well done.

Granada is a Spanish piece performed by Al Andalus of Spain, complete with fans and roses – full of passion, precision and grace and richly textured costuming.  These ladies are flawless in their presentation.  This one had the lady next to me on the plane wiggling in her seat.

El Kobkob – a single dancer appears in a Malaya Luff dress, without the veil but with the addition of of wooden shoes.  Additional dancers enter later, with Mayala and also wearing shoes, then the dance seems to become all about the shoes (and you know I am always about the shoes).  However, for the first time in many years I am forced to admit I don’t understand what the shoes keeping time with the rhythm are all about, nor what the playing of spoons in this piece is about.  It is darling, playful and I thoroughly enjoyed it no matter my confusion.

Sharki – beautifully done by Nawal of France.  She is lovely to watch and so very happy on stage. 

The Farida choreography is performed by Rebecca Wildi of Switzerland in a beautiful emerald green fringed dress.  This choreography is playful and upbeat, well executed and the dancer a delightful vision of excellence.

Ranet Al Kholkhal (my absolute favorite piece) with Saad Ismael and Mariause Cornuel of Italy  The first time I had seen this choreography was with Mahmoud and Farida Fahmi with the Reda Troupe from the film “Mid Year Holiday”. It was so exciting to see this tribute to Mahmoud – well done Saad and Mariause and thank you.

I am a fool for anything Saidi and this final piece did not disappoint with dancers decked out in asuite.  Delightfully performed by the full troupe of Al Andalus of Spain. 

This DVD is on the top of my list of must haves - - there is no dancer and as mentioned no TEACHER of our art that should be without it.  A great addition to the Teacher's Tool Box!

Can be purchased from Nesma site:  http://www.nesma.es