All language subtitles for Under The Sky Of Damascus (2023)_en

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- Mrs. Sabah. We made some
tea, darling. Will you come?

- What?

- We've made tea,
would you like some?

- No. Bring me a little bit.

- Coffee or tea?

- Tea, please.

- Tea? Okay.

- Just a little bit.

Sabah Al Salem's release from
prison in the spring of 2020

reminded me of a reality I had
lived in, in Damascus, my city.

The city I've been banned from
returning to for over 8 years.

This opened up old wounds.

Sabah who was once
an actress and a dreamer

has become lonely,
devastated by prison.

Her only fault is that she said
"No, I don't want to".

Her release has urged us
to start making this movie

which has become
an urgent matter.

A movie about the
place where we grew up

and that we
were denied return to.

A film about Damascus
after the long years of war.

A film about women
who were long-suffering.

Look, Nada.
I can't stand you anymore.

I won't allow you
to say another word.

I will talk.
Because I can't take it anymore!

Shut up!

- Did he really hit you?
- Yeah.

I'll start looking
for a job tomorrow.

You can't get a job.

We're working on a
play. The main theme

of the play is
sexual exploitation.

We need to get your
advice. We're afraid

of the reactions
and of the backlash.

We're afraid that the men
might restrict us somehow.

How would these men hurt you?

No, they can't.

- They hurt me because...
- But you did pay the price.

Well...

The men you're speaking of don't
have the same level of authority

as the men I'm speaking of.

I was hurt because
they were powerful men.

They had connections.
They had the power.

Were you shocked
at what happened?

It wasn't a matter of shock.

It was more that I didn't
imagine such filth existed.

Some men actually have no
conscience, or they dull it...

You must have heard about
the problems I encountered.

I've been imprisoned.

- Did anyone stand by you?
- No.

- Nobody?
- No.

Some people simply said to me,
"Sorry, Sabah."

"We can't support you because of
what might happen to us."

In short, it's the corruption

across all or some
governmental institutions.

This corruption empowers
these men to cross the line.

And nobody is able to stop them.

Even if you screamed
at the top of your voice,

no one could stop them.

We are living through
a dreadful experience.

Do you know that

if I want to extract a paper
from the court now,

I don't know if I can go
and get it done or not,

or if I will have the money
to get it done.

Any document you
want to extract from

a court or any
department is expensive,

because you must start bribing
people once you get inside.

How will I get
that money?

Should I beg people for
money for bribes?

Therefore, whoever can
speak the truth should do so.

Keep walking.
I am coming.

- Hi.
- Hello.

- Hi.
- Hello. How are you doing?

I will shake hands
with all of you later.

- Wow.
- What an incredible backyard!

- This house was
vacant for seven years.

- It feels like it.

- The rent is really low.

I will work and live
here for a short while.

The owner left a lot
of furniture and stuff

that we can use to
furnish the rooms.

Look how high the ceiling is!

- Is that a shell hole?
- Yes, it is.

Our writing workshop
will be in this room.

And we'll do our initial
rehearsals in this room.

It would be nice to
have the stage here.

- You sink into it.
- Yes.

Alright, each of us
should clean a room.

You're ready to start today?

Come on.

Why are you carrying it?
Leave it on the floor!

Most women in my city who were
abused and exposed to violence

refuse to talk about
it because they're

afraid of being
blamed by society

and being held accountable
if they speak up.

It was difficult to
get testimonies of

what has happened
and is still happening.

We are in Europe
and can't be physically

present at the
shooting location.

Shooting from
abroad was the only

possible option for
making this movie.

We coordinated with these women

to persuade and encourage
more women to speak out.

We agreed to support
their efforts to create "a play"

and have the entire experience
documented by our on-site crew.

"The play" will be
based on women's

real stories and experiences.

Mom!

Mom!

We've been asked
as a political party

why we fought
by the government's side.

From day one, we believed that
there was a foreign conspiracy

carried out by local agents.

Be patient! It always
takes sacrifices.

Whatever you do,
you will make mistakes.

- Dad, too many generations
have made sacrifices already!

You, mom, my
grandparents, my brother

and I have made sacrifices!

- I honestly don't
see a solution.

- We have evolved.
All these concepts are outdated.

There is nothing
that can't be solved.

- No, there isn't.

We have gotten
used to the current situation.

That is how we
look, talk, and think.

I'm not saying I
want to go to bars

and have fun. Or
smoke wherever I want.

I just want to
walk in the street

knowing that no
one will step over me.

- Darling, we're living in
wartime, and this is the price.

- I don't accept it.

- Any country at
war must suffer.

- My problem is that
the whole war is

unclear! Nothing
is clear for us.

I'm just coping

and making excuses
to be able to sleep at night.

- Why don't you try
to understand the war?

- We need action! I would like
to have kids and enjoy them.

I want to teach them to love.

- If I speak about the
war in detail

it will only harm me more.

Just thinking about it.

- If I want to understand war...
- No.

The enormity of
what we experienced

is just a fraction
of the reality.

- Son, once you
understand the war,

you'll be able to tackle
its causes, right?

The war is over now. The current
situation is the aftermath.

This is a new war. It is the
outcome of the previous war.

It isn't a new war.
It's the same ongoing war.

No one will be
able to understand it.

Listen, sometimes I feel...

I feel that...

- The power is out.
- I'll turn the generator on.

What?

Sometimes I feel...

I have some complicated feelings
about you two.

It's not that I hate you.

But I feel that you
did not act responsibly.

At the same time, I feel...

Because we
brought you to life?

It's not because
I like this idea.

Why then?

- Because when you
need to have babies...

- I somehow no longer
feel proud of you.

Let's stop.
Would you like some tea?

This is where I grew up, this
is how it looks after the war.

Its people have either died
or have been displaced like me.

As for the people
from areas where

homes were spared
from destruction,

who stayed in
the country, they're

exhausted and live
below the poverty line.

The vast majority of those
who remained are women.

Although they
constitute the majority of

those who stayed,
they're still controlled

by a male minority, most of whom
are violent and diehards,

because there are
neither customs nor laws

to limit the men's power.

Here. Take this.

I'm not sure if I want
to join "the play" or not.

Souhir, a part of
me is encouraging

myself to participate
in this project

because it could
have a good impact.

The other part of me is scared.

This "play" will be
exceptional as we'll

perform it in the
country at such a time.

I want us to talk,

have discussions
and brainstorm together.

I want you to feel free.

Write anything that
comes to your mind.

Without this group work,
I won't reach a result.

The goal of your project

is to step towards
your ultimate goal.

At the moment,
I have other projects

that have higher priority
than joining this project.

I don't want to
talk about it now,

but I don't want
to waste my time or yours.

I also need to
apologize for not being

able to participate
in this project.

I can't participate
for personal reasons.

It isn't that I don't
appreciate the

project or that I'm
against the idea.

I'm not against anything,
but my mental state

makes it difficult for me
to join this project.

That was a surprise.

- Hello Ali.
- Hi Heba.

- We miss you, how are you?
- Good, are you at Sabah's?

Yes, Sabah is here.

We are filming now.

- Heba?
- Yes, Heba is on the line.

Hey, beautiful
Heba. How are you?

I miss you.

- Are you fine and happy?
- Yes, how about you?

Me? What can I say?

Homeless and moving from one
apartment to another,

and I had some
financial struggles.

I don't know, there
is no... stability.

All these regulations...

I came out of a prison of walls
into a prison of life.

Was it somebody you loved

who caused you so much hurt?

Yes.

He was not supposed
to just be... "my affair".

He was actually my man
in front of God and everyone.

Imagine!
We were together for 10 years.

And at the end...

he doesn't lift a finger
to help you!

And when a man acts like that,

he hurts you deeply.

He simply destroys your life...

and carelessly dumps you.

In your hardest moments,

he oppresses you, he hurts you,
and he makes you jobless.

Life is full of hardships.

I keep crying all the time.
Anything can make me cry.

Yet, I'm strong inside. I keep
trying to cope and resist.

- How?

- But will I be able
to keep going?

You say you want to resist
but out of nowhere,

you find yourself on the street
and homeless.

Women are more enslaved
than ever in these times.

Prisoners of a thousand stories.

The biggest exploitations
we face are of

a sexual nature.
Exploitation of bodies. n

It's important for me to discuss
real stories in this "play".

It will tackle violence, sexual
harassment, and legal issues.

We will discuss the stories
of some women.

We live in different
circumstances than these women,

and they can't speak
up for themselves.

I want to put
myself in a position

to go and listen
to their stories.

I really want to reach a point
where we can say,

"We're navigating through
an uneasy area."

We must be cautious,
because we'll be

held accountable
for everything we say.

Who's responsible
for the family's expenses?

Currently, it's me.

I give my salary to my father.
He asks how much it is.

When I answer him, he counts
it and keeps it for himself.

When my dad gets mad,
he tends to be aggressive.

He breaks things, beats us,
and wreaks havoc.

He beats us really hard.

He sometimes beats
us so we're hospitalized.

He once beat me with a
belt buckle and cut my head.

I ended up in hospital.
He did this to us many times.

My mom suffered so much that she
got sick once because of him.

She stayed at the hospital
for a week because of him.

I remember one incident when
I was four or five years old.

My father used to punish us
by making us face the wall.

I remember I was facing the wall

once, and my
leg slacked a little.

He grabbed me by my leg
and threw me against the wall.

I still remember how
the blood stained the wall.

The scene is still
stuck in my head.

When we were displaced,

my husband took me to his
parents' house in a village.

He got married again.

- Did he marry a new wife?

- He got married
to two more women.

He told me that
my daughters and I

were no more than
servants to them.

My daughters were school girls
at the time.

Their dad didn't want
them to study, but

I worked hard for
them to finish school.

My story is...

- I'm here to hear your story.
Say whatever you want.

- Shall I tell my story?
- Yes, please.

He sometimes steps on the girls'
heads with his army boots.

- Why does he do that?
- He doesn't want them to study.

He doesn't want them
to leave the house.

My girls are well-disciplined.
Everyone praises their manners.

What keeps me going is my work

and my little boy running to me

and hugging me
when I return home.

It wipes away all my sorrows.

He wore rings, so he'd turn the
rings to the side and beat me.

- He'd turn the ring?

- Yes, he'd turn
it to the inside.

The back of my
ear started bleeding

because he kept beating me.

- Why would he do that?
- The reason could be anything.

He'd come to me after being
instigated by his family.

His mother and sister would

instigate him and
he'd come to me.

He wouldn't let me see daylight.

He wouldn't allow me
to go anywhere at all.

He wouldn't even let
me visit my parents.

It's as if he has
a mental issue.

- When did you get divorced?
- About a year ago.

How many times have you seen
your daughter since then?

One time. When
I filed for divorce

at the court, I
asked to see her.

But since then,
we haven't seen each other.

Please don't cry. I beg you.

Shaimaa, please don't cry.

Remember I told
you that I wanted to

discuss harassment
as a form of authority?

The sentence I
couldn't understand?

Yeah, as a form of authority.

Then I remembered the idea
that I wanted to discuss,

which is women oppressing women.

The character is
suffering under her

mother and
grandmother's authority.

She finds herself
trapped due to the

way her mother
discusses women's issues.

And her grandmother
considers women

as white dresses
or glass panels.

And if it's scratched,
the scratch

will be visible
and unrepairable.

- These are the
thoughts in her mind.

- Okay?

So, she always feels
like she's trapped.

And she can't set
her own rules or say "No".

For instance, when
she goes to a man's

house, she might
be in a situation

where she can't say "no" to him.

Since she came to his house,

it's implied she's
ready to have...

- Excuse me?

There is one thing
I didn't understand.

By "trapped" you
mean she's entangled in

the rules of all the
people in her life?

Yes, for sure.

She is trapped and stripped
of her decision-making.

Is the water running now?

Ok.

♪Let's go with the grace
of God, oh workers â♪

♪May your morning be beautiful,
oh master Ateya.♪

♪God bless this morning.
I don't know what's in store.♪

♪And our pockets
are completely empty.♪

♪But our mood is
peaceful and serene.♪

- Our mood is
completely peaceful.

- It is indeed.

Mom, read the cup carefully.
Do you see me trapped?

- No.
- Read what's in store for me.

Look here.

You will face a situation,
and it will be very disturbing.

- Oh, yeah. It
occupies half of the cup.

- No, perhaps a
quarter of the bottom.

It will be a
difficult situation.

- Did it happen or will it?
- It will happen.

- OK, it didn't take place yet.
- Not yet.

You have to be
certain you make the

right decision
in this situation.

There will be no going back.

This decision will
affect you mentally.

What is the topic today?

It's sexual abuse and rape.

I was on the bus with a friend
from the deaf center.

A man came and tried
to sexually harass us.

And I asked him nervously
to sit away from us.

I want to ask you
about what cases

you encountered
here at the center.

- What can you
tell me about them?

- We face a lot of cases.

A young woman was
once raped by three men.

When she returned home, she told
her family what had happened.

The three men knew
that she was deaf.

They lured and kidnapped her.

They took her to
an isolated farm.

And the three men raped her.

The men were prosecuted,

and they admitted that
they had sexually assaulted her.

The court ordered
the first rapist to

marry her to restore
her family's honor.

The young woman was traumatized,

and psychologically devastated.

She couldn't look
them in the eye.

If they hadn't
been in a cell,

she probably would
have attacked them.

I'm going to discuss
the struggles of

other women who
don't look like me,

and who have
different lifestyles,

clothing styles, and everything.

So, how well can I represent
all of them

while still feeling
that I'm presenting a

general image, rather
than specific cases?

This isn't your duty alone.
It's my duty as well.

The first thing you should do
is draw boundaries.

You need to set the real Souhir
and your past aside

and bring together
stories you've heard

or experienced to
portray the characters.

I will lead the project
as the director.

- I believe you still don't know

the overall
context of the story.

- Exactly...

- In addition to the situation
I was going through,

I believe I still
need some time to

be able to understand
this character

in all settings
and circumstances.

- Don't worry. What we are
developing today won't be final.

We'll benefit from everything
we develop.

It's true we're
friends in real life,

but on the stage we'll
be more than that.

We have to do a lot of work
to prepare and rehearse

before we even
start reading the script.

I'm moving out to Farah's place
for a while.

We are preparing for "the play".

Darling, why
didn't you tell me?

I don't know.

My brother knows the house
if you want to visit me.

- I just want to understand.
- You will come to visit us.

- Yeah, that's it.
- One moment, please.

You packed your
stuff without telling us.

Are you moving out
because you're upset?

- No, not at all.
- Then what?

That's it. It's time.

- What do you mean, "It's time"?
- I mean I'm moving out.

- I'm not against you
moving out,

but I just need to
understand why.

Are you moving out for a while
to return later?

Are you moving out because
you want to become independent?

- Let me see how it goes first.

You see the situation
in the country.

I have to do something about it.

For the time being, I'll move
out to work on "the play".

- So, you're
moving out for work?

- Sure.

And when your work is over?

We'll see.

- So, are there other options?
- Well, yeah. We'll see.

- We'll see what happens.
- Okay, take a seat, please.

Take a seat and let's discuss
it. Take the bag off your back.

- I don't like it.
- This was hard on me.

So, that's it.

What do you want to say?
Don't give me that look!

- Are you alright?
- Yeah, sure.

You're taking your stuff now?

- Yeah.
- Do you know that...

The strange thing is
that you should have told me.

We would have packed together
and lived that moment together.

But you sprung it on us
that you're moving out!

- It's difficult...

Let me pass.

Why are you crying then? If that

is what you want
and you're fine?

Nana?

You can stay
and still work on "the play".

- I know,
but I have to go. It's time.

- I don't understand why.
- I'm not comfortable.

- Not comfortable here?
- Yeah, I'm not comfortable.

- Will you be comfortable there?
- I have to. That's it.

- Take it.
- You're welcome.

Welcome.
We are there already.

I broke down. My break-down
caused a heart attack.

They took me to Alrazi Hospital
in Jaramana.

After that, I told them I didn't
want to live with him anymore.

- When I came out of his clinic
I was shaking.

I opened the door,

I was fixing my hijab, trying to

convince myself
nothing had happened.

- What if she ended up
marrying a bad man?

- It's fate.

It's difficult to tell
before marriage.

- What if he turns
out to be bad?

- It's her fate, if
he is good or bad.

So she would remain married
to the bad man?

Discussions can
solve everything.

I got a divorce because he was

a stern man, and
we didn't get along.

- He wasn't kind to you?

- No. His mentality
was backward.

He was a closed-minded person.

He wasn't open-minded
like other people.

He was brought up this way,
with a closed-minded mentality.

He used to beat me
and was harsh to me.

He was jealous,
doubtful and suspicious.

He wouldn't let me go out
or do anything.

To him, everything was
disgraceful and forbidden.

- Where's your son?
- My son is with him.

- Can't you go see him?

- I can't because
of our traditions.

They don't allow
women to go for visits.

If a woman went against
the rules of her family,

they might beat her
or do something to her.

That's correct. I agree, Farah.

But you enter a new
world when you cross the road.

The road is what separates us.

I was brought up in a place

where a girl has a
thousand guardians

from the father to her brothers,
cousins and her uncles.

Everyone has the
power and pretexts

to shape our lives as they deem

we should be raised and live.

The price for deviating
from their customs

is very harsh, it
may lead to death.

I could hardly convince them to
let me enroll at the university.

From that moment on, I decided
to live with two personalities.

The first is
religious, maintaining

the traditions I
was brought up with

and my second personality
is open to a new world

with everything
about art, artists,

people and sects
that are new to me.

I say what I want
and express what I feel.

I become a free woman.

Two visibly different
personalities but

each of them was
afraid of the scandal

that the other personality
might reveal.

A great state of anxiety and
fear over the slightest details.

I lived this way for many years

until I was under
too much pressure.

And I was exposed.

I was threatened
and blackmailed.

Until the day I
closed the door to

my room and was
afraid to leave it.

I kept silent for many months.

And all those who
knew me began to

say "Oh poor Heba,
she went crazy".

My story is complicated.
They deprived me

of seeing the sunset
and brought me here.

My problem is
really complicated.

- Please tell me.

- I can't. I'm very tired.

I can't wait to go back to
the prison. I hate it here.

- Is the prison
better than here?

- Yes!

- I tried to commit suicide,

and I spent a night in
the recovery room.

- How did you try
to commit suicide?

- I took a lot of
anti-depressant pills.

- Why do you want to die?

- Because I can't
find a treatment for

my illness. I lost my
husband and kids.

- Where is your family?
- They're dead.

- You don't have siblings?
- No

But I feel that my sisters from

the orphanage
are my real sisters.

- Do you talk to them?

- Yes. But it breaks their
hearts when I call them.

I talk to them, but it breaks
their hearts. They cry.

- Bring me an
eyeliner, and blush.

- Okay.

- Lipstick, cigarettes,
and a lighter.

That's it. They banned lighters
for me, so I won't burn myself.

If someone teases me,
I get mad and burn myself.

The nurse told me
lighters are dangerous,

and they aren't
allowed in prison.

- Yes, they're banned.

Alright, I will light your
cigarette. Agreed?

- And a lipstick.
- And a lipstick.

Prices are getting
higher. Things suck.

Everyday prices
rocket even more.

I'm speaking for
the poor oppressed people.

Half of them are gone.

People are suffering.

I came here in July.

They diagnosed me with
schizophrenia and depression.

- Do you feel you
have these illnesses?

- Yes, I have depression.

But I don't know if I
have schizophrenia.

- Why did you get sick?

- When I was five years old,
they circumcised me.

My family has
tortured me a lot.

My deceased younger
brother used to beat me.

My father used to
torture me a lot, too.

Ramy! Handsome man!
Ramy!

Handsome man!

- Honey!
- What's wrong, Aya?

- She's upset because
they promised they'd come,

but they didn't.

- You're supposed
to be discharged?

- Yes, today.

- Well, there's still time.

- I want to continue my studies.
I don't want to stay here.

- You'll hopefully be discharged
safe and sound.

- Perhaps because
you're a bit sick?

- I want to leave,
I'm not happy.

- Lina, who brought you here?

- My father and my uncle.

- Your father and uncle?
- Tell her to release me.

I want my kids to visit me.
I haven't seen them for a year!

Take one pill only!

Don't believe her.
Take her outside.

Outside. Jesus!

When I saw my husband,
I was spell-bound.

My husband is
really good-looking.

His eyes are as blue as the sky.

He's a good person, but I
don't know why he did that,

nor why he did this to me.

My husband told
me to leave Germany.

"Go to Syria, and I'll
follow you with the kids.

I will follow with the kids."

I said okay.

When I got here, I asked my
husband when he was coming.

But he changed
towards me.

His overall manner and tone
changed completely.

He said, "Who told
you I want to return?

You left this country,
your children, me.

I don't need you anymore.
Forget you ever had a husband.

And never ever think about your
kids or husband from now on."

I want to cry because
I miss my kids,

but my medications won't let
me cry.

It stops your emotions.

A bomb exploded,
so I fell to the ground.

I can't see you well now.

The car exploded just here.
The terrorist tried to escape,

but we neutralized him.

All forms of
reconciliations are rejected.

People are hoping the
implementation of

the military solution will stop
their daily sufferings

at the hands of these gangs.

I've changed in a way...

that I couldn't
have imagined.

I thought I was stronger,

but I don't feel that anymore.

I thought I'd decided
I wouldn't cry.

I want to shed light
on a frequent situation.

Life tests you.

You make a decision
to handle that test.

But after that, you
can never go back

to how you were before,
nor go forward like you wanted.

This is the very idea.

You no longer have the power
to decide anything.

Can you hear it now?

Hello, Farah.
How are you?

I'm very sorry for what
I'm about to say now.

I apologize to
all of you.

You're my friends, and
more than friends.

I've had a very big problem,

and my boyfriend made me choose

either to quit "the play"
or break up with him.

I don't want to
cause any problems.

I don't want to cause
all these troubles.

Therefore, I want to apologize
to you and to the whole team.

I love you very
much and good luck.

- Did he make her
choose between quitting

work in general
or just leaving us?

- This is not acceptable.

- This is illogical, and it's
uncharacteristic of her.

She can't do it now
when we're meeting to work.

We're working hard. Each of us
has loads of issues in our life.

- But she said
she has a situation.

- What situation is that?

She's in a play about women.

What is this situation?
Did someone ask her to quit?

- You don't know the reason.

You can't put
yourself in her shoes.

- This is our society, and
you know it. Eliana...

She shouldn't work
on a play about

women if she doesn't
know her rights!

Who doesn't know
her rights, Souhir?

- Does she sound like someone
who knows her rights, Inana?

- Life is bigger
than us, Souhir.

You may screw us later.

- I never thought she would
quit. Excuse me, Inana?

- You don't know.
Life is bigger than all of us.

- If I ever quit, I will
be hurting myself.

I won't be hurting you.

- These are empty words.

- Why empty words?
She said we're

a team, right?
Where is the team?

- What I care about is Eliana.
What happened to her?

She clearly spoke
about a big problem.

- Hi, Farah.
- Hello, darling. How are you?

I'm fine. How are you doing?

You're on speaker.
The others are here.

- Yeah, hi girls.
- Hi, love.

- How are you?
- I'm fine.

- To begin with,
are you all right?

- I'm fine.

- Is there a compelling
reason why you

don't come and speak
your mind in person?

- Yes. But I don't
want to talk to anyone

about the matter right now.

- Are you alone?
- Yes. I'm on my own.

Why can't you speak then?
Why are you being an asshole?

I'm not alone. My mom
and my brother are around here.

Go to a place where
you can be alone.

I'm sorry for what I told you.

I'm sorry for everything.
This isn't how I usually behave.

The point is I've
been pressured a lot.

My boyfriend has
nothing to do with it.

- How come?
You said he made you choose!

He isn't involved.

Is our work causing
him any trouble?

No, it's not like that.

So, "the play", its theme,
and our work are not involved?

No, neither "the play"
nor our work are involved.

Then what kind of problems?

It has to do with
my personal life.

Just one question. What stopped
you from coming here today?

Let her go to Tartous City.

When she returns here, she
knows where the house is.

Let her go to Tartous.
Let her sort out

her life to be able
to come and tell us.

She'll come for sure.

- You know where we are?

For sure I know.

Okay, bye dear.

She is under a lot of pressure.

Eliana's quitting has raised
a lot of questions.

I reached out to her
and was able to find

out the real reason
behind her quitting

which was not her fear of
"the play" and the movie.

We knew that there was
a hidden hand behind her action.

A hand that has used every tool
to blackmail and abuse women.

The person we had an agreement
with from the beginning.

Who would help us
make this movie

in the country
we are banned from entering.

We booked the women's tickets to
Beirut to get their testimonies

about what happened during
the past months of filming.

Do you know why
the line producer

Adel was kicked
out off the project?

No.

You know nothing about it?

No, nothing at all.

Please let me know
if you know anything.

I honestly don't
know anything.

Last time I filmed was
when we heard Eliana would quit.

I don't know
anything beyond that.

We fired the line producer.

We discovered he sexually
exploited women from "the play".

Ah, okay.

We used to sit together
after shooting.

We sometimes would go
out for lunch together.

Farah used to tell me,
"Never lose that person."

"Adel is always by your side."

Yes, yes, yes. Film us.
Film this crime.

I am making a video of you.

I noticed that he was trying to
make me drink a lot of alcohol.

For a second,
I was suspicious.

Adel tried to impose
an atmosphere

that was not work-related.

One time he texted me at night.

He asked me,
"Can I see you tomorrow?"

I replied,
"Sure, but do you want to

see me alone or do
we have a meeting?"

He replied, "No, all of us will

meet, then we'll
go out for dinner."

- He said there was a meeting?
- Yes.

He asked me,
"Have you had sushi before?"

I answered, "No, I
never tried it before."

He asked, "Would you like to?"

I answered, "Sure, I don't
mind eating raw food."

He said, "Great. I'll treat
you to sushi." I said, "Great."

We then went to Al Sham Hotel.

After we sat down,
I tried to reach for

my phone to ask
Farah where they were.

He took the phone from
my hand, and told me,

"Don't call anyone."

I replied, "Why? Isn't it
supposed to be a group dinner?"

He replied, "No, this
invitation is just for you."

I asked, "What do
you want from me?"

He looked at me and said,
"I want you."

At that moment, I was struck!

I wasn't just shocked,
I was thunderstruck.

I looked at him and said,
"What do you mean you want me?"

He said, "Listen, Eliana,
since your first day at work,

I've liked you. My love for you
is driving me crazy every day,

and every meeting,
and every shooting session.

All the sessions
I'm setting up and

everything I'm doing
is just to see you."

So, I replied, "Adel, you
are stressing me out a lot!"

I was really stressed out,
and I was shaking then.

I told him, "This is stressful.
I can't breathe. That's enough!"

He said, "I am not
asking you to do anything.

Take your time, think about it."

I said, "Okay, fine."

And he paid the bill.

We entered the elevator.

He approached me and
hugged me in the elevator.

And he kissed me.

- He kissed you on your lips?
- Yes.

- What was your reaction?
- I don't know.

You can't remember it?

I was just
shaking all the time.

All the time I was telling him,
"What are you doing? Stop it."

He said to me when we went out,
"I will drive you home."

I replied, "No, I
know the way home."

He said, "I won't
leave you like this."

I was looking awful.

When I left the place,
I looked completely

different from how I
looked when I came.

I can't describe how I looked.

Then he kissed me.

I was very lonely.

I wasn't looking for a man then.

At that time, I was focusing on
what projects to do.

Whether to travel abroad or

whether to start
my project here.

I have been thinking
about these ideas for two years.

He looked at me and said,
"Would you come up with me?"

I said, "It's difficult."

I told him, "I am
tired and exhausted.

I can't be in a relationship."
I told him that.

He said, "Listen to me,
Eliana. I never lose."

I responded, "I
never lose, either.

And I never lose, either.
Are you threatening me now?

What do you mean
you never lose?"

He said, "Remember this:

The moment you tell
the director anything,

consider that you,
the other women,

and the project are
gone and finished.

Who do you think
will believe you?

And would believe
that this happened?

Remember you went out with me.
Remember you met me,

and remember you
agreed to do this."

He sent my thoughts spiraling.

I said, "Okay, I agree.
I will be silent."

So, he was manipulating me
and Eliana all the time.

- What happened
after you arrived?

When he asked you to come up?

Continue please
from this point on.

If you don't mind, of course.

This is dangerous, Heba.

He said, "One more thing."
"What is it?," I replied.

He said, "You have to record a
voice message telling the truth

about what happened to you. I
said, "Sure, I will record it."

He said, "No, not the
truth we both know."

"Which truth then?," I replied.

He said, "Your boyfriend
prevented you from shooting."

I said, "And if I don't?"

He replied, "I'm telling
you, Eliana. I never lose."

I feel bad that we
can't say everything.

I wish I could say
everything in detail.

But I don't have faith
that people will understand.

I can't tell you the details,

because I have
no faith in people.

Other people don't even have to
understand the circumstances.

We rush to issuing
judgments and punishments.

I really wish I could speak.

I really wish I could tell
everybody everything.

But there would be
huge consequences.

And they won't only affect me.

Some consequences
will affect my family.

I will never allow
that to happen.

I've been shaking since
I arrived in Lebanon!

I don't usually shake.

I never shiver!
We were all under pressure.

It's enough that
we stood up for ourselves.

That she and I were able to
speak. We were raised in fear!

The mentality in Syria is shit.

I live in Syria
like all of them.

I can't afford living
or doing anything.

I can't do anything.
I can't make the money I want.

But I can't let people
within Syria know about that

especially men.

Don't tell me,
"We are an open-minded people."

Or "We support you, dear."
I don't buy that.

Everything in
Syria is built on lies.

No one in Syria is
able to work unless

they are liars, mafia,
and motherfuckers

with deep connections
to the government,

and they can ruin
your life in a second.

I was hurt by what the women
had said on and off camera.

I was raging because of
what Adel had done.

I had believed him.

That he felt our pain
and our forgotten war

and that he
believed in revealing

the suffering of women

and in everything
we are documenting.

The women returned to Syria.

We returned to Berlin,

disappointed and
with a heartache

A decision to stop filming.

We changed the decision
after a while

due to the women's
renewed desire

to film what is
happening with them.

When we started with "the play",
we were five women.

Some women quit
early on. This didn't

significantly
affect the project.

The last time we met,
the five of us were there.

We were going
to perform "the play".

When I asked Farah about the
script, she replied arrogantly,

"I'm in charge of
writing the script.

And you take orders from me."

But a man is now writing
the script. This is a disaster.

How is it acceptable
that 5-6 women do

their best, but their
work is rejected

because a man has a take
on women's lives?

This could have
been the first time

ever to present
an all-women play.

It could have
been the first time

to speak about our problems!

To speak about sexual harassment

and to speak about
women's rights.

To speak about the problems
that we know very well.

Until now, we didn't
have the courage

to talk about our experiences.

If they ever ask me...

If they ask me
why a man wrote the script?

Go ahead, answer it.

Because... because...

Women don't understand
themselves well

enough to write
about the subject.

I can't find female
graduates from The

Dramatic Arts
Institute. Or actresses.

No women were able to summarize

the experiences
they went through

in the form of an artistic work.

Our play is based

on the psychological
consequences of the war,

and the impacts
on people's lives

and what's imprinted
in their minds.

- Amir is the only person.
- He captured it, yeah.

He really knows the impact
of these experiences on women.

It could be because
he is a writer,

or a sensitive, talented person,

who is gifted, or because
he's an avid reader.

I don't know for sure.

I definitely decided
to let Amir rescue me,

because I knew
what he would write.

When I read his
work, I felt happy.

His writings took
me to another level.

Amir will present me
as a better director

because he wrote
exactly what I wanted.

I made the decision
without any hesitation.

And you are also by my side
as an actress, as a friend.

I believe in this
because of you, Amir,

the script, and the
financial backing.

It will become a reality.
I thought it never would.

- Wow, Amir.
- Bravo, bravo.

- Thank you, Inana.
- Cheers, Amir.

Amir.
Cheers, Amir.

Shall we start?

I will give the
cue. Take your time.

Are you sad, my daughter?

Don't be. This is your destiny.

Sometimes you have to go to her
and lean towards her like that.

Remember Malik Maktabi,
the TV presenter?

- I want to see it again.
- Sure.

Sometimes he comes too close
to the guest.

He comes close
to exert pressure.

Especially when
asking a question like

"What did you do with him?"
To put her under pressure.

The issue ended with an apology.

She apologized to me.
She apologized.

What annoys me the most are
the empty words they used.

I was thrilled
when I found Farah.

It is similar to the
situation with Adel,

who kept telling us
what we wanted to hear.

I feel...

I feel she took advantage of our

hunger, because
we are in great need

of mutual support and of
having each other's backs.

We aren't living
in a healthy environment.

We don't have a sound life.

You keep trying to fight the
monster that might come out.

Has her monster come out?

It did come,
and it was fierce.

It came out disguised
as a meek lamb.

We need to clap our hands.

I love you so much.

My loves, you are
going to burn the stage.

- Let's have a moment.
- Sure, love.

I love you, women.

- Love you so much.
- I will follow you.

Keep quiet for 20-30 minutes

to be able to focus
before we start.

I warn you,
I will be upset!

Come over. Don't be afraid.
Let me tell you something.

Stay away, stay away from me.

How dare you say that?
Come over here.

Stop!
Stop, stop.

- What happened?
- Why did you stop "the play"?

- What's wrong with her?
- I don't know.

- But I can't
continue like that.

- Why?

I don't know, but we are
fully blaming only one side!

Without knowing the man's wishes
or even his intentions.

Is presenting the man as
a monster all we care about?

Furthermore, he
can be the victim

and the victimizer
at the same time.

- Are you done talking?
- No.

- Let's continue "the play".
- No, the discussion is over.

Come on! Let's finish
"the play" peacefully.

So, What's next?

- Hello.

- Hello, welcome.
Come in, please.

- How are you?
- Welcome, come on in.

- You've decided to file a case?
- Yes.

We need to proceed
legally and file a case

against Adel. What
are the procedures?

The procedures start with
going to the court

and filing a
complaint against him.

Then we take the case to court.

From what I understood,
there are further facts.

Yes, there are two more
witnesses. Go ahead...

Can we make Adel
sign a pledge to

not harass or
approach us in any way?

Sure, we'll ask that
before the judge.

We need a pledge that he can't

approach us
directly or indirectly.

The big problem
is the indirect way.

Sure. We'll request
that from the judge.

It will be something like a
pledge to not harass you.

But we shouldn't
be too idealistic.

In some cases you
can't get protection.

Alright, give me
a moment, please.

No problem. Take your time.

Excuse me.
Two files, please.

Thank you very
much. Now we'll go to

the complaints
office. It's over there.

When I was young,
I learned how to

live and cope with
my nightmares.

Today I learned how to draw
a picture from these nightmares.

I have good dreams
and good dreams

for other women
of my generation.

One day they will come true.