Boreal

REMEMBERING UZZA

Screen Quest

Your mother, your mother, your mother v. Uzza 

Email from S. B. (partial)

This morning the Washington Post had an article I thought might interest you. You will recognize where the title "Your mother, your mother, your mother" comes from...

It made me think immediately of your project and I wonder if the timing is now right for your idea. Also wondering if it might be possible to frame a script based on Love,  Sex and Islam by going outside the lines a little.

Response (partial)

“Your mother…” comes across as a contrived thriller that does little to inform about Islam. The author makes that clear: “this is not Islam 101.” Remembering Uzza is a totally different genre. An animated cerebral discussion meant to inform, not unlike that found in Who is Afraid of Virginia Wolf, but without the animosity.

For suspense, it was initially only whether Uzza would go through with her arranged marriage to her cousin Abdul, her reason for spending time in a bar, to think it over. Margaret Kopola, who read an early draft, said that that was not enough.

Based on her observation, I rewrote many sections as the cerebral made additional room for the carnal as Gerry and Uzza formed a connection, and the question is also now whether her and Gerry will end up having sex in the bar’s washroom before the evening is over.

Some of the dialogue:

Gerry: Sorry, Uzza, it doesn’t feel right and this is certainly not the place.

Uzza: Are you saying you have never had sex in a public washroom?

 Gerry: That is not the point.

Uzza: It is because you are nice man, and I know that, and that is why I am attracted to you.

Bob: I thought women liked the bad boys?

Uzza: A bad boy is what I can expect on my wedding night, but right now I want to do it with a nice man who will hold me in his arms, passionately kiss and caress me everywhere, tell me I am beautiful and that everything will be all right.

Archie: You expect a lot from sex in my washroom.

Gerry: Uzza, do you really want your first time to be in a public restroom, even if Archie would let us?

Archie: Just don’t ask, and if you do decide to do it, use the men’s can.

Bob: Why the men’s can?

Archie: Men entering a washroom where a couple is having sex are less likely to make a scene.

Uzza: So, Gerry, what will it be?

I appreciate your suggestions, but Uzza is already a six-hour drama that I believe, at this juncture, must stand on its own as the original that it is.

Sincerely

Bernard