Tales.
They were supposed to get us visas
and work permits.
Not just for me, but for hundreds of others, too.
I had my mother take out a loan
on our house ...
...and just handed them the money.
I can go slower if this ruins your filming.
No, no, don't worry about it.
You got a light?
Take one, I insist.
Thanks.
Have one of mine.
That's okay. I'll buy a pack later.
I guess it wasn't meant to be.
Have you been away for long?
No, How come?
Well, you're filming the streets.
This is how I look at the world.
So ...
You gave them all your money and they
just took off ...
It was terrible, I lost everything I had.
I figured this is my mess, so I should clean it.
I got into dealing drugs and
screwed up the first big deal.
The whole stash got ripped off.
So I had to go into hiding
since the dealers were after me.
For years ...
...years.
If they'd found me,
they'd have cut me up into pieces.
I'm telling you.
I'm still looking over my shoulder.
That's how things are.
Yeah, It's dog-eat-dog out there.
Hello?
I'm on my way.
I'll be there soon.
Okay, I'll go pick her up!
I'm on my way now.
Bye.
My wife works three nights a week
as a nurse's aide for next to nothing.
This is our little girl
who gets shuffled from place to place.
Her name is Sarvenaz.
She's cute.
So, who takes care of her at night?
My mother.
Nice of her.
You know what really upsets me?
It's that my mother never once asked me:
"How could you do this to us, son?"
I wish she'd just slap me in the face,
...or punish me somehow.
...and after all when I got back home,
I realized that she'd been working ...
...double shifts the whole time
to pay for my sibling's schools.
All right, please let me off right there.
I'm sorry, I talked your head off.
No, it was fine.
You should've filmed me, too.
I would have, but you never asked.
Here you go.
Thanks.
- Bye.
- Bye.
A Film By
Rakhshan Banietemad.
Hello, mom.
How's my little girl?
Okay.
Do you need anything?
Okay.
Bye.
Where to?
Where do you want to go?
Wherever you go.
What does that mean?
What's your destination?
I'm sure you have a place.
Get out!
Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
Get out!
The kid won't be a problem.
Get out now, or I'll kick you out.
All right.
The kid has a fever;
At least get us down the street.
Do you have a cigarette?
Damn this shit!
What part of town are you from?
What's it to you?
Don't you have a brother man enough
to keep you from doing this?
I got no brother and no time for preaching.
Just let me out right here.
There was a girl in our neighborhood.
Stop the car!
When they first moved in she was 6 or 7;
...My sister Mahboub and her
were like Siamese twins.
They would sit on the bed ...
...and my mother would braid their hair.
Mahboub would get jealous of her,
...because Masoum had such thick hair.
Her name was Masoum!
You didn't say which neighborhood
you were from?
Stop the car!
Didn't you want some medicine for your kid?
As I was saying ...
Masoum and Mahboub ...
...went to school together.
Either Mahboub was at their place
or Masoum was at ours.
Masoum was a wonderful girl.
Unlike her asshole junkie brother.
I'll get out, stop the car.
Here, I don't have a light.
When Masoum left, Mahboub got very upset.
She looked everywhere for her.
Once she even tracked her down,
...but then she disappeared again.
She's even kept something hidden
inside her dresser.
It's a long, hacked off lock of braided hair.
It belongs to that same neighbor girl.
One night her son-of-a-bitch brother ...
...wrongfully accused her of something.
He beat her and cut off her hair.
The next day Masoum left for good.
Oh, God!
Wait!
Hello.
Hello, son. What took you so long?
I was worried to death.
I had a special fare.
Were you in an accident?
Stop fussing, Mother.
Tell Sarvenaz to come out,
I'm tired and I want to get going.
It's past midnight.
She went to bed without having dinner.
Let me get her.
Where is Mahboub?
She's staying with her sister.
Has Hamideh got in a fight
with her husband again?
Of course not!
Abbas!
Has something happened to Ali
that you're not telling me?
Is he okay?
Do you think I'd be this calm ...
...if something had happened to my brother?
Swear on your daughter's life ...
...that you're not hiding something from me!
What?
I ran into Masoum.
Really? Our own Masoum?
Zahra's daughter?!
Yes.
Where was she?
How was she doing?
I don't know what to say.
Did you ask her why she did this
to her poor mother?
She even denied being Masoum.
Couldn't you at least get an address
so her mother could see her?
It's better if she doesn't see her.
Oh, my god.
It's the end of the world.
Mothers searching for their children;
Dead or alive.
(whispering a prayer)
Here you are.
Thank you very much.
Couldn't you have at least
filled in these few lines for me?
Find someone to write it out for you.
How can I find someone?
Attention! The working hours of the Ministry
are from 8:30 to 15:30. Thank you.
Hello, sir!
Could I trouble one of you gentlemen...
...to write a letter for me?
No problem.
You go ahead.
What kind of letter?
I need a statement.
So far I've given them ten letters,
...and now they're saying
I have to write one for the...
Bureau or Ministry or Center...
...something like that, I'm not even sure.
Tell me what your problem is and...
...I will tell you who you need to write to.
My problem is that our factory
hasn't paid us in 9 months.
I keep coming and going...
...and no one accepts responsibility.
I understand.
Legal Bureau of Retirees Affairs.
I hereby respectfully state that I...
Your name?
Touba Mardani Dodangeh.
It's as long as a train.
Dodangeh.
Are you a temporary worker
or do you have a contract?
You mean we can't continue this interview?
Cause I'm ready and willing to do it.
I'll issue the permission papers myself.
As I keep telling you,
...my documentary is about the clientele
and their problems.
It has nothing to do with the administration.
You turn on your camera &
I'll show how they're connected.
Making connections is my specialty.
Oh, so that's how it is? I get it.
Well, thank you for clearing things up so soon.
I am Mohammad Javad Halimi,
...I've been waiting to see you since morning.
You need to wait, sir.
Why don't we have some tea and
I can explain everything to you.
I can't waste any more time.
I'm here to interview the clients and
apparently I'm not permitted to do so.
But all they ever do is whine!
Problems exist everywhere,
...but we know it's the people themselves...
...who have the solutions
to their problems.
So we should refer them to themselves.
I guess you could put it that way,
but it has nothing to do with my project.
Sir, could you please finish the rest of my letter?
I need two minutes inside;
I'll finish it when I come out.
Thank you.
Okay, all right...
I'll get the cake, too.
Forget about the watermelon,
I only have two hands!
What did I raise two sons for?
Have them get it.
What car? I don't have it yet.
No, not today, not tomorrow;
It might be ready by Saturday night.
I don't know.
Bye.
Sign these,
you spent the whole day with the filmmaker...
...and these are all piled up.
Excuse me, who called for you?
I was in line, I thought it was my turn.
Didn't you call me in?
What do you want?!
This is a report regarding my situation.
All of this?! I'm too busy, tell me yourself!
My name is Mohammad Javad Halimi.
Step back... to your place!
Is this distant enough?
Yes, that's good.
As I was saying,
I am Mohammad Javad Halimi.
Retired employee of the former
Budget and Planning Department.
I have 30 years and 8 months of experience
working with the government.
I retired 15 years ago.
Sir! It's my wife! Yes, what?
Is this the time to discuss eggplants?
I only have two hands, you know.
Okay, fine, I'll get them.
I'll be home at 4.
So...
...as I was saying...
...three months ago, I had a problem and...
...I went to the ER and had a surgery.
This operation is covered by my insurance policy.
Do you follow, sir?
- Use your finger!
- Okay!
But the problem is, since it was an emergency,
I was transferred to a hospital
not covered by my insurance.
The point is...
...my hospitalization coincided
with a period in-between holidays.
Therefore, the report to the
insurance company was put off till...
Caw, caw, caw!
Hello, Jafar!
What're you saying?!
Jafar, I need the car for the weekend.
I'm so busy.
I need the car by tomorrow!
Just have it ready. Good-bye.
Now what is it that you want?
I was saying,
I am insured by Social Security Services.
And due to the delicate nature of my problem...
...I wish to refrain from mentioning it out loud...
I was under treatment till
a night before a two-day holiday.
Do you follow, sir?
My situation got critical...
...warranting my transfer
by ambulance to a nearby hospital,
Which unfortunately was a private one.
So for both the operation and the
aftercare, I had to pay myself...
...and had to borrow money from my wife's family.
Then when I tried to get reimbursed,
they refused due to...
...the -inevitable- delay in declaration.
They then made an improper order of re-examination!
I hate to say this...
You know how humiliating it'd be...
...to have "that spot" re-examined.
Speak more clearly, sir!
- Take them away.
- It's the last one.
- Later. Take it away!
- Just one more.
Go away! Go! Go!
...and take him.
Hey, baby!
Where were you? I called.
At the beauty salon?
What were you doing there, babe?
Jet black?
Blonde?
The way I like it?
I'll see it soon enough... I'll see you tomorrow.
You're my life, you're everything to me.
Okay! Okay, baby!
I'm drowning in work here!
Are you leaving, sir?
Do you expect me to stick
with you the whole weekend?!
Sir, what exactly do you want? Just be brief.
All right.
I'll be as brief as possible.
I'm Halimi, retired, 30 years
and 8 months of work experience.
27 days ago... had an emergency
...operation, private hospital's huge bill,
...loan from the family,
...reimbursement requested
from the Ministry, do you follow?
Improper request by the commission
to re-examine "that spot"!
Oh, so that is "the spot" you were talking about?!
Just show them "the spot" and be done with it.
What do you mean, sir?
After over 30 years of honest work,
...should I pull down my pants in front of
anyone just to prove my word?
Pulling them down or not is up to you,
but that's the law.
Or do you expect me to... I don't get it.
Where do you think you're going?
I'm not finished talking to you!
And you expect me to listen to a
report about your "spot"?
I've been waiting since morning...
...and now that I finally get in to see you,
you're leaving?!
& that in office hours?
What a pain in the ass you are!
Hey, send in a security guard.
Who's available?
He's a little fellow, you can handle him yourself.
Just hurry up, I have work to do!
Have you no shame?
How dare you call me a "pain in the ass"?
I haven't misplaced a single Rial
in my 30 years and 8 months of service!
And now for a bill, I have to keep pulling
my pants down in front of the likes of you?
Have you no dignity? Let go of me!
He's the one you should detain!
Sir, you'll have a stroke
and that will cause us problems.
I'll file a complaint!
Sir, stop provoking people!
You think I don't know what you
do during work hours?
Instead of helping people,
you call your mistress!
Your concern is her hair being
"jet black or dark brown?"
How can you sleep at night stealing people's money?
I'm not done with you!
Stop provoking everyone!
Where are they taking him?
Stop provoking everyone!
We have the bed, camera and the duct tape...
We'll buy that on our way.
The rope must be tight enough
not to get loose.
- So what if your husband suddenly shows up?
- I'm sure he won't.
- What if he really comes?
- I'm telling you, he won't!
He hasn't been home in two months.
What if after two months he
suddenly decides to show up?
Even if he does, it has nothing to do with him.
Whatever you say.
Let's just go over our list once again.
Stop the train! I want to get off!
There's no decency here!
This is bedlam, utter bedlam.
Let me off here!
Is it him again?
Yeah.
So he's really falling for it!
So far so good.
How could he not recognize your voice?
I used "Voice Creator!"
We are holding your daughter.
You will receive a film tonight.
Have 30 million ready by tomorrow,
or else we will send you her corpse.
I'm pretty sure he won't even bat an eyelash.
This even worries me,
how could it not worry him?
I called him and said:
"Dad, I'm not feeling good."
"I'm frustrated, I'm sick of everything,
I want to get out of this dump!"
I'm sure he said: "Off you go!"
Yeah, he said: "It was your own choice
to get married, now deal with it."
I told him:
"Suppose my marriage was a huge mistake...
...but you're still my father, aren't you?"
Didn't he say we are on our own now?
He's told me that at least ten times.
You know nothing matters for him
except saving his face.
What matters is that
no one in Tehran finds out,
that a bunch of thugs
have kidnapped his daughter.
Thank God,
I haven't had to hear his crap for a year.
"Stop embarrassing me.
I have to think of my reputation."
"I can't afford to lose face."
Forget the 30 million, he'll pay 200
to keep his reputation intact.
Remember how he lost his cool in front of the guys?
He started yelling: "Get out of my house!"
"I'll break your bones!
You've made my home a disco!"
It would have been better if we
had turned out to be crackheads.
That would have shown him.
Yeah, All he cares about is
the hot women around him.
He's built a harem for himself.
First he got rid of Mom & now it's our turn.
Why don't you ever call her?
I feel sick when I go there...
...and see how she always gives in
to her husband's wishes.
But he's not a bad guy.
I've seen him a few times,
he's much better than Dad.
Poor Mom.
Have you told her about how you've screwed up?
Tell her what?
You're right. What is there to say?
You're nuts! What made you think
you could be a businessman?
No, look at me.
You can barely take care of yourself.
You go into business with a bunch of bums,
handing out checks like crazy!
And hope they don't bounce.
They already bounced two months ago!
Great! I should congratulate you then.
But if it had worked...
...a bookstore, DVD rental, internet
cafe, a small screening room...
We'd serve stew in little bowls, good music...
You're totally nuts! I'm serious.
You need to see a doctor.
People don't have money to buy bread,
they're flat broke,
And this is the time for you to start a business?
But what I told him was perfect.
We will leave the tape
in the mailbox of your neighbors.
You will then receive a call
telling you exactly where it is.
It's our stop.
Excuse me.
(Metro vendor hawking her wares.)
What we have here...
...is a charity drug rehabilitation center for women.
Fine.
So you wouldn't have any problem
with me filming here?
Providing you have permission...
Hi, Kokab, how are you?
All you need is permission
from the welfare department.
Hello, Doctor. How are you?
You had a few calls from the military hospital.
And you have a message from a Ms. Gilaneh.
Hope it's nothing serious.
Doctor Dabiri kindly volunteers
his time at our clinic.
- It's my pleasure.
-The pleasure is mine.
I hope you understand the sensitive
circumstances of these women.
If their images were to go public...
Sure,
I'm here to help and not to cause problems.
Excuse me.
Hello! Yes, yes.
I'll be in touch.
Oh, yes sure. How are you?
I was actually waiting for your call.
Oh doctor, you have healing hands.
I don't want to lose my Ismael.
He's been unconcious since yesterday.
Doctor, You have to come and see him!
The infirmary doctors don't know him.
You were there at the front with him;
You both were wounded.
These people are telling me he
won't regain consciousness!
Ohhh, my son!
My sweet darling son!
What did you do to yourself?
Doctor, are you okay?
Sara, please come in.
Am I interrupting you?
No, it's nothing.
Sometimes I wish...
...I had lost my eyes and ears
instead of my arm.
Don't let it get to you, Doctor.
Forget it. How are you doing?
I'm doing okay.
Do you have everything under control?
- Your meds? Your tests?
- Yes.
Hello.
No tea for me, I have to go.
Doctor, at least let me bring in Samira
before you leave.
Don't forget, Monday morning at 7,
be at the Burn Center Hospital.
Dr. Hosseini will see you.
Yes, sir. That's very kind of you.
Nargess, come here please.
I'm coming.
Put out your cigarette.
Doctor, Samira misses you,
could you sit with her a bit before you leave?
Have a seat.
I'm going to take the girls to the hospital.
Bye for now, sir.
What's wrong?
Samira?
Sweetie,
What's wrong?
Samira?
-Can you handle it?
- Of course I can!
Kobra!
You shouldn't with that back of yours.
I'll take care of this.
Kobra, why didn't you take the bags downstairs?
Sara, Hamed is waiting for you.
Mrs. Monshizadeh?
Yes?
I have to go to the military hospital.
I left Samira's prescription on my desk.
She has to take some Diazepam
before she goes to bed.
She's not doing well emotionally.
Okay, thanks.
- Hello, sir! I can give you a ride.
- No, thank you.
Thank you.
Let me give you your change.
No, keep the change.
We owe you a few fares as it is.
Here are the receipts.
These are the test results for
Kokab and her daughter.
I'm so nervous every time
I want to open these results.
You have every right to be.
Hamed!
Would you give me a ride...
...to Samira's father's shop on your way back?
I have to run an errand,
then I'll have a student at 6.
Can we do it tomorrow?
- Don't worry, I'll manage.
- My apologies.
Don't worry about it.
Just give me the address?
Maryam, put out your cigarette.
Straighten up your scarf.
I want you to behave when you get there.
They reek of cigarettes.
- Bye.
- Bye,
I have everything arranged over there.
Hello Hamed!
Hurry up, girls, Hamed's time is precious.
He's not anything like us.
Sara, are you making fun of me again?
Can I help you?
- Yes?
- Tell Nargess to come out.
Excuse me?
Nargess. Tell her to come out.
Which Nargess?
Safarkhani. Tell her to come here.
And you are?
I'm her husband.
Tell her to come out.
Please wait here for a second.
Don't shut the door.
I'll open it again. Just a minute, sir.
Just give me a minute!
Nargess! Is this guy really your husband?
How did he find her?
He didn't know you work here?
He's been putting her through hell.
Alright, let her speak for herself.
Sorry for not telling you that I was married.
I hid for three months
and didn't even tell my kids.
She used to sleep in the Shrine.
She told me about her troubles,
so I brought her here.
I kept begging him to go to rehab.
I've lost the respect of our neighbors.
He'd beat me in front of my son-in-law.
Please get rid of him.
He won't leave! He's sitting by the door.
He's suddenly remembered he has a wife.
Don't exaggerate! Put these in my room.
Bring in the groceries and shut the door.
Don't let anyone in or out.
You see how he is?
I've had to deal with this forever.
Alright, let's bring him into the
office and see what he has to say.
He'll ask for forgiveness
and for me to go back home.
If I refuse, he'll just beat me up.
It won't be his first time.
I didn't even know what addiction was.
The father of my child died,
I married this guy out of desperation.
He's acting up.
Go talk to him, maybe he'll calm down.
If he tries to take me by force,
I'll set myself on fire.
Oh, don't say that!
He's going to upset the neighbors.
Now you remember her? Go get lost!
What are you all looking at?
Kobra, go back inside and shut the door.
Sir, why are you making such a scene?
A scene? You ain't seen nothing yet.
Why is she here anyway?
What is this place?
Let me explain!
Don't! She left everything behind &
came here probably for another guy.
I want to hear her out.
Get out of the way!
You don't have the right to go in.
Why not? What kind of place is this?
Sir, just calm down.
Just tell her to come here
and stop messing with me!
You can file a complaint.
- I swear I'll make a complaint.
- Very good.
I'll teach you both a lesson.
You're hiding my wife.
- You're hiding my wife.
- Don't hit yourself!
Why are you hiding my wife?!
Sir, just calm down.
I'll go see what I can do for you.
Okay?
Go ahead.
I'll go convince her to come out.
Just take a seat.
Sit down right here.
Meth has messed up his head.
Stop crying.
The tears will open your sores.
I know he's going to kill me someday.
- No one ever listens to me.
- Yes we do, honey.
Don't let him take me away.
I won't let him take you away.
I 'll work here as a slave,
just don't let him take me.
What're you talking about?
What do you mean as a slave?
You are working here.
Maybe I can talk to him and
convince him to go back to rehab.
Maybe he'll come to his senses.
Come to his senses?
You have no idea what I've been through.
Don't cry, honey.
I lied.
About what?
I wasn't burned in a gas tank explosion.
He splashed boiling water in my face.
Nargess!
He promised to go into rehab if I didn't tell the police.
Get out here.
When I got out of the hospital,
...I went straight to the clinic where he was.
They told me he'd only stayed for three days.
Nargess!
Come out right now!
Oh, God! Why did you leave?
- Why did you leave me?
- Just kill me and set me free.
Why did you leave?
What're you saying?
I swear I'm gonna cut you into pieces.
- Go ahead!
- Get out of my way!
- Try me!
- Get lost!
You're a coward hiding behind a knife?
You have no mercy.
You have no conscience.
Look what you've done to her?
Hey, open your eyes and look!
Is this what she gets for not reporting you?
Oh, no!
Just because you're the husband,
You can do whatever you want?
- Oh, no!
- Let's go back inside.
I'll be right there.
Oh, Nargess...
My Nargess...
Nargess, honey.
I swear, I'm sorry, Nargess.
Nargess, I don't have anyone.
Nargess, I wasn't thinking.
God knows. I made a mistake.
I don't know what happened.
How could I do this to those eyes?
Nargess... Nargess, please come back.
For God's sake, come back to me, Nargess.
I don't have anyone but you.
Hello?
Yes, I understand.
Okay.
Surely, if that's what you want.
I'll make sure the loan goes through
by the end of the week.
You're welcome.Goodbye.
You've written here that
your husband owns a business.
Why do you need a loan then?
I need to buy stuff for my daughter's baby.
And I'll make the payments myself.
What happened to your face?
It was burned.
What?
It was burned.
A gas tank exploded.
All right,
your request will have to be reviewed.
Come see Mrs. Rasouli next week.
I have a job.
I can bring whatever guarantee you need.
And Ms. Monshizadeh will be my guarantor.
She's highly esteemed here.
Hopefully, it'll be approved.
You may go now.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
What can I do for you, ma'am?
We all have problems here.
While you were on the phone...
...that woman cut to the front & started yapping.
I've come all the way from the other side of the city...
...and I have to travel all the way back...
...together with people worse off,
...hoping to get what we are entitled to.
May God help to set things right.
Maybe you're God's agent for setting things right.
What can I do for you, ma'am?
My son has been arrested,
...and I need to pay his bail.
I have no savings,
...no property, nor any rich relatives.
What am I supposed to do?
Please dont' let me down.
What was your son's crime?
What crime? He's done nothing wrong.
He was speaking his mind
out in the streets like many others.
Ma'am, if you play with fire, you'll get burned.
You should have kept him under control.
What is that supposed to mean?
Did he stab anybody or steal anything?
I'm not the judge ma'am.
We don't do bail money here.
Next!
Please, Miss, help my boy.
Is a poor old woman like me,
...who has no shit in her own country...
...supposed to watch her child rot in jail?
Hello. Yes?
I had checked the dates.
Ms. Rasouli, bring her some water.
Yes, I wish you'd called earlier.
Hello.
Is everyone here?
No, everyone who's coming is already here.
Let's get going then.
A prayer for our driver!
Blessings upon Muhammad and all his descendants!
Driver, wait!
Wait, it's Mrs. Touba!
Mrs. Touba!
Mrs. Touba!
Come on, Mrs. Touba!
Alright, don't rush her.
We don't want her to get run over.
Excuse me, please move back just a little bit.
Hello, Mrs.Touba.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Why the camera?
Why were you late?
Hopefully, we will not return empty-handed.
A louder prayer!
Blessings upon Muhammad
and all his descendants!
Hey, driver! If you take the beltway,
we won't hit all the red lights.
It makes no difference.
Give me some water, please.
Here you go, Mrs. Touba.
Okay, everybody!
When we get there...
...we get out of the van
nd stand quietly in a corner.
If anyone asks you anything,
no one says a word.
We wait for our elder to speak - Mrs. Touba.
Ali speaks well, too.
He reads the papers.
And Taghi here really knows how to cry.
Now, Mehdi, don't go losing your temper.
You'll get us all into trouble.
I haven't done anything.
No, I'm just saying, God forbid...
...don't give them any excuse to say...
...we're provoking anyone or things like that.
We made our demands clear,
but nothing came of it.
I'm just asking, do letters pay our bills?
It's my debts... My debts...
Hey, it's okay, go on.
I'm... ummm... saying that...
Why do you stay on the same channel?
I got all tongue tied in front of the camera!
I just wanted to say...
...that I hide in my room like a criminal.
I'm afraid if I step outside,
I'll get caught.
You know what?
They sold the factory three months ago...
...and didn't tell anyone!
And the guy who bought it...
...wants to tear it down
and build a housing project.
What are we supposed to do?
It's been sold three times...
...and each time a group of workers get laid off.
If we complain, our employer says:
"They're bringing in goods from China,
...cheaper than what we can produce."
What do I care? Close the borders.
Why should the worker suffer the consequences?
We've done this before
and it didn't do any good...
They haven't paid us in 9 months,
...but we have to act legally.
It's not like we're doing anything illegal.
Some water, Mr. Cameraman?
Is this going to be shown on TV?
Look,
I must be the breadwinner of my family.
But right now,
my wife's the one supporting me.
I ask you, is that right?
Then what's all this talk of protecting the poor?
I'm four months behind on my rent now.
Who am I supposed to blame?
What if the landlord decides to get rid of me?
Look, these are the hands of a worker.
I've worked them hard all my life
to provide for my family.
Now my kids have nothing to eat.
Listen, we've written to the Governor,
to the Ministry of Labour...
Who's going to answer? When? Where?
For 17 years, we've lived in dust
and where has it gotten us?
You're better at talking, Mrs. Touba.
Come on, what's she supposed to say?
Haven't they already made
a hundred of these films?
She's right.
Please, just say what you have to say.
Okay, I will.
Honorable officials & authorities,
...ladies & gentlemen...
Whoever you are, wherever you are,
whatever you believe in...
...please come and see
for yourselves our miserable life.
Things were hard enough
when we were employed.
Now with the factory shut down...
Each one of us supports a big family.
They support their children,
in-laws & grandkids.
That young man there is a newlywed.
He was so full of hope...
...when he was first hired at the factory.
The high prices are breaking us.
Don't say anything
that might get you in trouble.
They'll show this somewhere!
Thank you for the monthly
40,000 toman subsidies!
But at the same time...
...the prices have gone up 40 times.
Water & electricity bills!
500 Tomans for a loaf of bread!
So you see,
...if we were to speak of our pain inside...
...and tell it to a rock, it would break into pieces.
That's why I'm telling you not to say anything.
Hey, let her speak.
It's a year since they arrested my boy.
I have no house or land.
Please, don't say this stuff on camera.
Is he breaking into somebody's house?
I'll say what I have to say, and I'll say it right.
I slaved away, so he could go to college.
He hasn't found a job in 4 years.
He'll take any decent job.
To get any kind of job,
...you need the right connections...
Ma'am, please, no politics!
Is it political to talk about our youth?
Talking about my son's problems is political?
You should always be close
to this or that group...
...or a member of such and such parties.
Thank God he's not become a heroin junkie!
Come to our neighborhood to see...
...how many kids are using drugs now.
They are pushing heroin
in junior high schools now!
And you always hear them say:
"Things will get better."
But how?
Who is going to feed our families?
To raise our kids properly...
That's why I'm running all day
to get my son out.
That's all I do.
Sir, who do you show these films to?
And let's say they do see them,
...So what?
Hello? Where are you guys?
Why are you going back?
What are they blocking the street for?
We're on our way anyway.
What are they saying?
He says they are turning buses around.
Well, let us turn back as well then.
What do you mean, turn back?
You shouldn't have come with us
in the first place!
Sir, should I turn back?
What difference does it make to you?
Just take your money, brother!
The poor guy's right, you know.
What do you mean he's right?
Are you going to be scared off that easily?
They've messed with us so bad,
we can't even speak out anymore.
You are all free to go back.
I'm gonna go stand there ...
...until someone comes and
asks me what the hell I want.
Calm down...
...before they accuse us of provoking others.
For God's sake, don't get us in trouble.
Here they come!
Nobody says a word, okay? I'll do the talking.
Van, move along!
Yes, sir.
We're leaving, just give us a minute.
Good day, sir.
Why are you standing there?
Move on.
Please let us get out so the driver can leave.
Congregating is against the law.
But we are not congregating,
we just want to talk.
Then your representative
can make an appointment.
Nobody gets off the bus!
Who are you kidding, sir?
Who is going to answer to the representative?
Sit down, ma'am.
You, as the elder here,
...should be telling the rest to be on their way.
When you answer to their wives' and children's
empty stomachs, I'll get them out of here.
Let go of the door, ma'am.
Come on, sir, sit back down.
Get out of here!
I just want to sit here &
see what they are saying.
Let the driver back in his seat!
- Don't cause trouble!
- What trouble?
Where's your faith in God?
We're just workers, here to get our money.
Let me arrest you for provoking workers,
you might learn a lesson.
Did I provoke you, guys?
Let Mrs. Touba speak!
Stay back! Stay back!
Hey, what do you want with him?
What's it to you?
Where are you taking him?
Open this door!
Wherever you're taking him,
you have to take me, too.
We're all saying the same thing.
Quiet down, ma'am.
You're really asking for trouble, too.
I said open up!
For the sake of my son,
let me out of this van!
Where are you taking him?
There's a camera!
Get the cameraman down here!
Dad, there's a man here looking for Mom.
Who? It's not the landlord, is it?
No, he's dressed up.
Hello.
Hello.
I'm looking for Mrs. Nobar Kordani.
I have a letter for her.
What is it about?
The letter is from Mr. Rasoul Rahmani.
I'm her husband.
What is this letter about?
I'm Mr. Rasoul Rahmani's lawyer.
This letter is for your wife.
Do you understand?
I'm her husband.
Don't I need to know what this letter is about?
All I said was that I have to
deliver this letter to Mrs. Nobar herself.
First of all Nobar's not home...
...and that man has
no business writing to a married woman.
Do not get angry, sir.
I just had to be sure
the letter would reach Nobar Kordani.
You are the husband,
...here you go, you can deliver it to her yourself.
Here is my card.
Good riddance!
Here, it's yours.
What?
Didn't I tell you never to touch my cigarettes?
Sorry.
Get back to your homework.
Why did you leave the door open?
Hi.
Mom, come here!
Dad's not feeling well.
Okay, sweetheart, go do your homework.
Reza, honey?
What's wrong?
Send the kid to Senobar's place.
What for?
Farhad, go over to your aunt's.
There's no need, let him do his homework.
What happened?
This is how you repay me?
What are you talking about?
Have I been a bad husband to you?
No!
How long have you two beenexchanging letters?
Who are you talking about?
What letter?
Was it wrong to suffer 8 years of
heartache before asking you to marry me?
Reza, we have enough problems
without you bringing up the past.
Just tell me honestly,
what happened my dear?
You've been disloyal to me
from the very beginning,
...but I was too dumb to see it.
Why? Did I make or break any promises?
Did I break off an engagement with you?
Everyone at home laughed at me and said:
"You idiot, she's gonna choose a factory
owner over a simple worker like you."
The hell with them!
Did any of them step forward
to help me out in my time of need?
You fool! He took advantage of you.
Isn't it enough that for 10 years
you've been humiliating me,
...for having a
previous marriage?
Well, haven't you?
Was I the one who came after you?
Did I do a bad thing?
It's not like you were waiting around.
It was God who decided
to take your poor wife away early.
That's enough from you,
...you temporary wife of Haj Rasoul.
Yes, I was his temporary wife, but now...
...I'm your wife and mother of your children.
And you have no right to talk to me like this.
Oh, but it's fine to be my wife
and mother of my 2 children,
...and write letters to your ex-husband?
I swear on their lives, I don't
even know if that old man is dead or alive.
Then what's this?
How should I know?
How should you know?
I married you because I felt sorry for you.
Everyone was saying how that man
had enjoyed you for a few years,
Then, his children jumped
at the chance to get rid of the village girl...
...and send their father abroad.
Read it to me.
How should I know what it says?
Do what you want.
What are you doing, Reza?
Stop!
God will never forgive you for this.
If God cared about me,
...he would never let you feed me.
Why do these things happen to me?
You've lost it!
That's right, I've gone crazy.
Read it.
Leave out a single word
and I swear you'll be sorry.
Read it!
"Dear Nobar."
Oh God, he even calls you "Dear Nobar!"
How miserable I am to listen
to my wife's love letter from another man?
Go on.
I hope you are well.
I know that, thank God...
...you've married a hardworking man...
...and lead a peaceful life.
So you've told him every detail of our lives?
I swear, I haven't.
Not a word. Just read.
I also know about
your mother's passing in prison.
God tests his most precious servants,
...and you were his most precious angel.
"Angel",
the old man must think really highly of you!
Read!
My daughters wanted to take care of me,
out of love,
...but they never understood that...
...happiness can't be seen from the outside.
Happiness is inside a person's heart.
No one understood this...
...except for you."
Let me go.
I don't want the kids to hear me cry.
If you cared about the kids,
...you would never have done this to us.
You talk as if I wrote the letter.
He probably thought to himrself,
"He's just a poor working man
with nothing going on for him."
If you had any heart at all,
...you'd know for sure
that I've had nothing to do with him.
Did your teacher like your handicrafts?
Are you okay?
Yes, my love, my beautiful daughter, I'm fine.
Shirin, sweetie?
Daddy's girl?
Shirin is upset.
Okay, then you come here for a minute.
Will you read the rest of this for me, son?
Not from the beginning, from the middle.
- The handwriting's hard to read.
- That's okay.
"Happiness is in a person's heart."
Not there, further down.
I may not be alive when this letter reaches you.
I humbly ask you, Nobar, to forgive me.
I'm the only one who knows...
...that your magnanimous nature...
Dad, what does "magnanimous" mean?
Just read the rest.
Knowing you what saved me...
...from becoming completely ma... ter... ialistic.
But in order for me to die peace... fully,
...you must allow me my last wish.
Please, accept a little house as a gift.
I hope you will grant me this last request.
I wish you a full &...
...won... der... ful life
with your husband and children.
Rasoul Rahmani.
Spring 2011 .
Some... where in a corner of the world,
far from home.
We get a couple of cases like this every week.
Why would such a pretty girl slit her wrists?
Where's Sara?
She's on her way.
You'll be a bride one day, then a mother.
Go on in, sweetie.
Give her lots of water.
You'll feel dizzy for a few days.
Thank you so much, ma'am.
You're welcome.
Thanks a lot.
Put that away.
Take good care of your friend.
My mother had the same condition
and it killed her.
Take care of yourself.
God rest her soul.
Ready to go?
Sorry to keep you waiting!
Did I say something?
You didn't need to, I can see it on your face!
Mrs. Arshad called and said...
Mrs. Arshad is on vacation.
I meant Mrs. Monshizadeh.
I already spoke to her.
Do you want to lie down?
No!
I'm good.
Should I just keep my mouth shut?
- You're tired and...
-I'm not tired at all.
You're both tired and upset.
I'm neither tired nor upset.
If you have something to say, say it.
Just don't mock me.
What do you mean mock you?
I was merely trying to express...
Exactly, "Merely trying to express."
It sounds like you're reading from a book.
It's just that you're nit-picking.
There you go! Now you're talking.
You make me forget what I'm trying to say.
I mean, you don't have a PhD in literature.
You were to become an engineer
& even that didn't work out.
Now who's mocking who?
Aren't you making fun of me?
You never graduated, did you?
No, you're right.
I'm just... a part-time taxi driver.
Are you in pain?
I'm just so tired.
My head hurts real bad.
Is there any water in the car?
Didn't I just offer you some water?
Water! Hamed, I said water.
- I'll pull over in a second and get some.
- Just forget it.
There should be a bottle under this seat.
I'm sorry.
See if there's any left.
Listen...
...we're just two people trying
to have a conversation.
There's no need for big statements.
So if we're two people talking,
at least give me time to speak.
Sure, go ahead.
What I wanted to say was that you,
like an angel...
Oh, my God!
You say let's talk,
and you start by mocking me.
You call me an angel,
and before that "Mother Teresa."
I swear I didn't say that...
Maybe "angel" wasn't the right word,
...but I was saying that you go across town...
What's wrong with that?
Nothing, it's even commendable.
Thank you for your kind words!
See, I said you were upset.
Just look at your face!
You know what the problem is?
Well done to you for what you did,
...and stood by your beliefs.
Doing what?
You were at the country's
best university and got expelled for...
...making a stand & defending it.
Have I ever even mentioned these things?
You're not one to boast,
but everyone at the Center knows.
All right, please just stop with the jabs.
I'm sorry.
What I want to say is that...
...you shouldn't think that you are...
...the only person capable of great deeds.
This is not a contest for me to be able
to think of it that way!
With all the energy you put into your work,
...you could be doing something much bigger.
You could keep 100 Samiras off the streets.
- Will you stop your preaching?
- You just are.
What do you mean 'preaching'?
Why do you make my words sound worthless?
They're not worthless,
...you just sound like a dreamer.
And what's wrong with having a dream?
Nothing. But if you really have a solution,
tell me and I'll let everyone know.
I don't even get you.
It's very simple,
I see helping others in a different light.
I'm suggesting you should think of a situation...
...where we can figure out how
to keep 100 girls off the streets.
How many of these kids overdose...
...or commit suicide everyday?
Does anyone even notice?
Okay, so since we can't save them all,
...I shouldn't help this one either?
When did I say that?
- That's exactly what you're saying.
- I said no such thing.
Hamed, even if we save one out of
a thousand, that's something.
- Now who is the dreamer?
- I am.
- That's right, you are.
- So you can go on doing important things.
I do these things for myself, because I need to.
- That's great!
-It's good for me.
Okay, let me to ask you a question.
Are you happy doing what you do?
Yes.
- Does it really satisfy you?
- Yes.
- So do it!
- Okay.
That's all I was saying.
Just don't forget about yourself.
That's all. I'm not criticizing you.
Not at all, it's just your expression.
You can't even see my expression
from back there.
No, the way you express yourself!
I want a smoke.
Can I use your lighter?
Aren't you smoking too much?
We are two.
We smoked one earlier and another now.
Sorry about the smoke... the blood
on your seats!
The smoke and blood don't matter!
...Just take it easy on me.
Can't you find a job in your own field?
Why drive a taxi?
Wow!
That's a very thoughtful suggestion.
How come I did not think of it myself?
You talk as if you don't live in this country.
- I mean...
-There is no job!
You studied for three years,
do something with that.
Why would you think that I just decided to
put my education aside...
...tutor people's kids
and chauffeur them around...
...and then work for your center...
...on the side in order to support my family?
But don't tell me you don't enjoy this role...
...of the expelled university student / taxi driver?
How could you say something like that?
What a thing to say!
I hate to say this,
...but you have always had things your way.
While everyone else,
...including me, have had no say in our lives.
The life in which you think...
...I've always had my way hasn't been so easy.
I got screwed over and
I have to pay for it the rest of my life.
I'm not saying it's been easy.
That's why I'm saying it doesn't suit you.
What doesn't suit me?
What exactly do you think would suit me?
Nothing in particular.
No, you think precisely that
people have to be a certain way.
You see this as a strange situation
and think of yourself so far from it.
But I've been there and you
could be there one day, too.
Well, fortunately I've never experienced this.
And you're really proud of that?!
Do you expect me to be upset?
I'm not supposed to be happy?
You have no idea
what it's like to kick an addiction.
But I can still understand it.
What do you think you can understand?
How? I'm not saying
it's a huge thing just because I did it!
No,
these guys are doing something much bigger.
Listen,
everybody understands how important this is!
Yes, it requires great will power.
Not everyone can do it.
That's right,
and a lot of people want to get out of drugs...
...but they can't because they
don't have the right circumstances.
Exactly, that's what I'm saying.
Let me talk for a second...
People's living conditions
need to change so that...
When I was using, I slit my wrists...
...but I was lucky to have my poor mother there.
She took me from clinic
to rehab and got me clean.
I apologize for having had this opportunity,
but does this mean that I shouldn't
help people who aren't as fortunate?
Nobody said you shouldn't help,
...or questioned the value of your work...
"Value, value!" What value?!
Why do you have to place
a value on everything?
If I have any value,
it's because I'm clean.
Let me speak...
You haven't even let me speak!
And we're almost back at the center again.
All this: "I'm clean, I'm clean!"
Well, didn't you stop using
so you could get on with your life?
Well, then why are you always talking about it?
And you accuse me of preaching!
You've built a wall around yourself...
...and you won't even take a look beyond it!
I don't think you
have quit yet.
You have still some way to go.
How can anyone be so unaware of themselves?
Hamed, why don't you just say it?
I'm saying it.
We're almost there, get to the point.
I am getting to the point!
What I want to say is...
Are you attracted to me?
Excuse me? What did you say?
Are you attracted to me?
What kind of question is that?
It's not an unusual question. Yes or no?
Do you like me or not?
- Don't be afraid. Answer.
-What would I be afraid of?
Maybe of whether or not
it's possible to like someone in my situation.
You ask the questions,
then answer them yourself.
You're right.
Go on, then.
- Say it!
- Okay, just give me a minute.
This isn't an interrogation, is it?
Look, I don't know, maybe... I was thinking...
Liking someone or not isn't
something you need to think about.
Did I tell you I...?
Excuse me, ma'am, did you hear
me tell this lady I liked her?
You didn't say you didn't, either.
No.
You didn't say you didn't, either.
No, I didn't say anything.
Of course not, you don't say anything!
I'm the one who brought
the conversation this far.
There comes a time
when you need certain answers...
...in order to be clear about things in your life...
...have you ever experienced this?
Things have become pretty clear for me.
Then think of it like there are things
that I need to know...
...in order to make up my mind.
If you want answers,
you have to ask questions.
I'll ask.
Ask.
Well, what about you?
What about me?
Well, you said to ask.
"What about you?" isn't a question.
Well, I am asking.
What about you?
Do you have... feelings for me?
No.
So, you've never thought about
how you feel about me?
No.
So...
...you have no feelings for me?
No.
Is that all?
I don't know.
Is that all?
It is.
Look, we just can't...
Hamed...
...I brought the conversation to this point...
...because I needed you to hear this from me...
...so that you could get on with your life.
Well, I'd like to sincerely thank you...
...for clearing everything up for me.
However, I do have a few questions...
- No, I'm done talking.
- You can't do that.
I don't want to.
No, please answer this question for me.
You said, "No".
But am I the problem, or is it you?
- What difference does it make?
- It makes a difference!
No, why does it matter?
Could you please answer my question?
If I'm the problem,
I won't say another word.
Let's just say that I am the problem.
If you are the problem...
...then it's settled.
- What's settled?
- It's settled!
-What's settled?
Do you think that
I haven't thought this through?
That I haven't sifted through the facts to see...
...whether or not our being together is possible?
Can I do this?
Is this even feasible?
Because, after all,
...I know!
What do you know?
Sara,
do I need to know anything more than the fact...
...that you can...
...change the bandages on Samira's open sores...
...despite her being HIV positive-...
...without wearing gloves?
Sara...
Is it settled now?
Okay, okay.
For the moment it's taken care of.
They gave my camera back.
No, don't worry.
I'm used to it now.
Of course I'll keep working,
what are you talking about?
Listen to me.
No film ever stays inside a drawer...
...some day, it will be seen,
...whether we are still around or not.
Screenplay Rakhshan
Banietemad Farid Mostafavi.
Production Designer
Amir Esbati.
Director of Photography
Koohyar Kalari.
Sound Recordist
Yadollah Najafi.
Sound Mix
Amirhossein Ghasemi.
Editor
Sepideh Abdoulvahab.
Music
Siamak Kalantari.
Make-Up Designer
Mehrdad Mirkiani.
Production Manager
Nava Rohani.
Executive Producer Iran
Novin Film Maryam Shafiee.
Cast
Golab Adineh.
Saber Abar.
Farhad Aslant.
Fouzhan Arefpour.
Bahareh Daneshgar.
Mohamad Reza Foroutan.
Shahrokh Foroutanian.
Babak Hamidian.
Mehdi Hashemi.
Negar Javaherian.
Baran Kosari.
Fatemeh Motamedaria.
Peyman Moaadi.
Hasan Majooni.
Rima Raminfar.
Habib Rezaei.
Atefeh Razavi.
Mehraveh Sharifinia.
Khosrow Shahraz.
Director & Producer
Rakhshan Banietemad.
Subtitle
Bahman Nooraei.
World Sales Noori Pictures
www.nooripictures.com