Original subtitles

In 1980, the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein attacked Iran with the intention of expanding its borders.

He believed he would win the war in a short time. But this did not happen.

As the war dragged on, Saddam decided to use unconventional weapons, to force Iran into a ceasefire.

Based on true events

This is the border village of Rash-Harme

December 2016.

We arrived this morning.

The people who have gathered here know the story.

Some less, and some more.

We all want the story to end differently, but it seems hopeless.

The one we are waiting for will never arrive.

This is a true story that many people still haven’t heard.

Even those of us involved in the story,

didn’t understand Ghader as much as we should have.

Until that day in the Hague courtroom.

Ghader spoke and it was like we were learning the story for the first time.

It is never too late to hear some things.

Maybe it’s time everyone learned about this story.

A story that began next to this walnut tree.

Walnut Tree

The old, damaged, walnut tree outside the village.

Somewhere under the blue skies.

Maybe even higher up, in the middle of the sky.

June 28th 1987.

It wasn't raining or snowing that day, and this made it more dangerous.

Ghader worked 3 kilometers from Rash-Harme in the village of Marghan.

The people living around the border were used to seeing fighter jets.

But for Ghader it was a different feeling.

He knew that his son Nasser loved planes.

- Where are you going Malmal? - I finished writing half of it.

Only half? Didn't you hear what your father said?

You have to finish it.

Good boy.

Ghader hadn't talked to his other son Malmal for three days to punish him.

I was the village teacher and partially to blame for this.

I'll show you!

Get back inside!

Wait a minute!

I didn't mean it!

You said he failed.

Yes, but he is a very good boy.

He doesn't study.

Don't beat him.

I never beat my children!

Come! Let's go.

- Hurry. - Go back inside.

Do you want me to tell dad to make up with you?

No. He isn't mad at me.

If he listened to you he would buy you a doll.

Shahin Ghader’s only daughter,

was still pining after a doll with golden hair that she'd seen in town.

Let's go.

I'll get it for you. Okay?

I'll get it.

Ghader had decided to buy her the doll after work that day.

He wanted to surprise his daughter.

Shahin! Dear!

Hurry here!

It's moving.

Can you hear it?

Is it nice?

After seven years Ghader and Maryam were having another child.

Shahin believed it was a girl.

This was a secret between mother and daughter.

Maryam? What's wrong?

Do you want to go home?

It's your brother's wedding.

That's okay. Do you want to leave?

No.

Are you worried about the baby?

Of course not! I'm worried about you.

I'm fine. Don't worry.

Are you sure?

Smile.

The fighter jets were supposed to bomb the city of Sardasht.

The time, the weather, the wind direction, everything was ideal.

Sometimes your life can change in the blink of an eye.

Right when you can't imagine it.

What was that?

Thank God it didn't explode.

As directed, the pilots released the extra ammunition on their way back,

so they could land safely.

Every pilot definitely had someone waiting for him at home.

I don't know, but for whatever reason,

the last remaining bomb was released without a target.

- Why don't you eat anything darling? - I don't want anything.

Nasser!

Nasser!

Malmal don't go!

Don't go!

Malmal!

Malmal don't go!

Push!

What happened?

Where are you?

Is that Nasser?

I'm here son.

I'll go.

Dad! My eyes!

I'm here son! I'm here!

Open your eyes! Open them!

In the year that I taught at the village school he was always very quiet.

But that day he was different.

Give me some water.

Ghader couldn't understand what was happening.

He thought everything would be fine once they got to the hospital at Sardasht.

Dad, my eyes! My eyes!

For someone who'd come to Sardasht to save his family,

it wasn't easy to deal with the things he saw.

Help me! Help!

What's going on here?

The roads are closed. Get out.

The town is contaminated!

The injured should head to the hospital!

Sir!

Sir!

Doctor!

Can you walk?

- My eyes burn! - It's okay. Get up.

Ma'am! My wife is pregnant.

Take the children.

Hang this somewhere.

Go be with the children. They are alone.

What about you?

Go Ghader! Get up! Get up and go.

Doctor!

Doctor!

Call the doctor!

Go inside.

Breathe! Breathe!

Give him an injection. Quick!

What are you doing here?!

They dropped a bomb on the village.

Oh my God!

Where is Homa?

They're my children!

Don't get close to the injured. Get back.

Why?

It's contagious. It can kill you.

I'm coming son!

You have to change your clothes. Move!

He can't see!

Change your clothes. Move back.

They're crying!

I'll stay with them. Move back.

Stay by the doctor.

I'll be right back son.

Doctor my children are dying. They can’t breathe.

Wash his children's eyes.

You can't do anything. It's dangerous for you.

They are my children!

- It's a chemical attack. - But they're my children!

I'm okay. Go to the children.

Homa!

Give her some clothes.

Go! Go to the tanker.

What's wrong?!

Don't be afraid!

It's me!

Don't be afraid.

Is that better?

I'm here! I'm here! I'm sorry!

Daddy, what will I do with the exam if my eyes don't get better?

You'll get better. Don't worry.

Daddy, are you still mad at me?

Stay here.

Do you like playing in water?

I'm here son!

Don't cry. I'm right here.

The bus to Saghez is leaving.

Get them some IVs and syringes.

Prepare the patients for the bus to Tabriz.

- Why didn’t you wash these two? - I couldn't do it.

You can't take your wife.

She shouldn't move.

I should leave her alone here?!

You can't get on the bus with the injured.

I'll take them. Homa will look after them.

You have to stay here.

Get up Homa.

I said get up.

Let go of my hand.

I told you, if you leave I'll stay.

I came to this darn place for your sake.

You didn't talk to me for 6 months, but I stayed.

I came here with you, and I'll leave with you.

You came here for your own sake. For your guilty conscience.

And you will stay here now!

They need you, I don't.

I can't do anything here.

They don't even have enough water to wash!

- They're all going to die! - Be quiet!

Do you know what you're saying?!

What did you say?

Nothing. He's just upset.

I'm going alone.

Doctor!

If everyone is going to die here, let me take Maryam with me.

Don't worry. I didn't mean it.

Get them on the bus.

Ghader!

I want to see the children.

You can't darling.

Help her get up.

Please, Ghader!

They are sending them away.

Why are you still here?

I got you. Take her legs.

I'll leave if they allow me.

Malmal's eyes?

They're fine.

Go with them Ghader.

I will.

My children can't sleep without me.

Tell Shahin the bedtime story about the ladybug.

Stop worrying about the children.

Hurry up and go. I gave your name.

- Let me say goodbye. - Ghader?

Take care of Homa.

Okay.

Doctor, will Malmal's eyes get better?

God willing.

The buses are leaving. Make sure you don't stay behind.

God bless the Prophet Muhammad and his family.

What’s wrong son? It’s okay.

I love you.

It’s okay.

Stop!

Stop!

Ladies and gentlemen, please pay attention.

Sit down and remain quiet. Hi, please stay quiet.

Get down from the bus and go to the hospital.

The ladies on the second floor, and the men on the first.

If anyone asks where you're from don't say anything.

Don't talk to anyone.

Make sure they don't talk to anyone.

Yes sir.

Don't say anything if they ask about the chemical attack.

Say nothing to no one.

Get down.

Slowly, slowly.

Don't come in. Please step outside.

No one should come in now.

You're not allowed to come in right now.

Officer, do your job!

You weren't supposed to let them in!

Don't raise your voice. What's wrong?

This is a hospital. We have lots of other patients.

They have been contaminated.

They have to bathe, change their clothes,

and then they can come in.

Coordinate the buses.

Where the heck am I supposed to find a bathhouse at this time of night?!

Direct them back to the buses.

Go back.

Where?!

Go back outside.

It's late at night.

Where am I going to find a bathhouse?!

I can't do anything else.

- Why my bathhouse? - It'll be fine.

If people find out they'll never step foot here again.

No one will find out!

There are lots of other bathhouses. Go somewhere else.

Where am I supposed to go this time of night?!

Go to another bathhouse.

The hospital won't accept them

until they get washed!

It's none of my business.

I order you to let them bathe here.

I won't allow it!

It's an order!

It's my bathhouse!

It's an order!

No! Go somewhere else.

Be quiet!

He won't allow it.

Let's go to another bathhouse.

Where? Sir?

Where are we supposed to go?!

Come on!

Come! Everyone come!

Yes son?

What's wrong?

I'm burning!

It's not warm! It's cold.

It's cold, I swear.

See! Try it!

Look at me! It's cold!

I'm burning daddy!

Sweetheart!

Nasser, Shahin, come here.

If any of the men need clean clothes they should come here.

Mommy! Mommy!

Give me your hand.

It's cool.

Yes. It'll cool you.

I'll put some on you too.

Where's mom?

At the hospital.

Was my little sister born?

So it's a girl!

Don't tell mom.

Nasser, what's wrong?

Help!

Help me please!

Get two people over here!

Doctor!

Doctor!

Don't worry. Calm down.

Get up sir. Move.

Darling!

Darling!

Transfer them to Tehran!

They won't last here if they don't get transferred!

Take them to the airport!

Doctor! Why? Why Tehran?

Is this a chemical blister?

My son kissed me on the bus. Why did you say that?

- You're their father? - Yes.

We can't do anything here.

Your children's lungs are chemically infected.

The blisters may get bigger and block their airway.

They may suffocate.

The military will transport critical patients to Tehran.

You should go too.

You won't have to pay anything.

Take your children and go.

Take them and save their lives.

It's okay. Get them on the plane.

Shahin!

Go sir!

Someone get the doctor!

Get the doctor!

Shahin!

Someone get the doctor!

Ghader!

Ghader!

I'll go get Nasser.

Nurse! Get the defibrillator!

Hurry!

Adrenalin! Now!

Hurry!

Now!

The children?

They're fine. Don't worry.

I fell down in Tabriz.

It's nothing. It'll be fine.

Where are they now?

They went to Tehran, on a plane.

The hospitals in Tehran are better.

Nasser?

He was so excited!

Why?

What do you mean?

Don't talk to her too much. It's difficult for her.

Why... are you... here?

I came to see you. I was worried.

I'll go back to Tehran.

This baby seems to be more painful than the others.

You can't even imagine!

It's killing me.

She's such a naughty girl.

Shahin?

What about Shahin?

Nothing.

Is she okay?

I hope the pain from this childbirth doesn't change your mind about having more!

That's enough.

I can't laugh.

Don't make her laugh. It's not good for her.

What's that? I don't need it.

- Don't worry. - It's better if you keep it.

Don't worry. I have more.

What's wrong?

Will you get me a mirror?

- What? - Will you get me a mirror?

They've taken them away.

Do you miss seeing your eyes too?

Nurse, get me the file on bed number 23.

Doctor? Hi.

When did you get back?

I got back just now. I was with Maryam.

Ghader, I know the situation is bad,

but your wife is not doing well.

She has blisters inside her lungs, and there's the baby too.

An obstetrician is coming from Tehran in two days.

We have to take the baby out.

The baby won't make it because it's less than seven months.

But we have to do it for the mother's sake.

Here's the file for 23.

Do whatever you think is right.

I don't know anything.

Are the children in Tabriz?

No, the doctors said they should go to Tehran.

I left them with the teacher.

Was she okay?

Homa.

Yes.

She took care of my children like a mother.

Doctor?

- Can you come here a second? - Excuse me.

It was difficult for Ghader to leave Maryam on her own.

But he didn’t have a choice.

Ghader hadn't been able to do anything special for Maryam

when the other children were born.

He had decided to give his all for this baby.

But it didn't work out.

Not only did he have to leave Maryam alone and go to Tehran,

he also had to sell the necklace he had bought for her.

- Stop please. - There's no bus stop here.

- I know. I want to get off. - I can't stop here.

He knew he needed money to take care of Shahin and Malmal.

I told you, you have to wait half an hour.

Excuse me?

Five more minutes.

My children were in a chemical attack.

Come here!

Do you want everyone to find out?!

You'll cause a panic. Keep your voice down.

- Okay. - Fourth floor across from the ICU.

- Across from? - ICU, fourth floor.

Sir, where are you going?

I have two children here. They were in a chemical attack.

Why are you whispering?

The guard told me not to mention the chemical attack.

- What's their names? - Shahin and Malmal Molanpour.

We don't have them listed here.

- What does he want? - He's looking for his kids.

What's their names?

Nurse, ask the doctor to take a look at patient 16.

I will.

Teacher?

Hi!

Is that him?

God rest his soul.

What was his name?

Malmal.

Malmal Molanpour.

What about her?

What's her name?

Shahin.

Sit down.

Sit down.

I know it's hard.

You have to sign and fingerprint to take them.

Why did it take you so long?

I couldn't come sooner.

Do you have any other children?

Stay the night and rest. You can leave tomorrow.

Have you had anything to eat?

Here, have some. You have to stay strong.

What should I tell my wife?

Ghader never found out what the children went through in their final moments.

I didn’t know either.

When I came to again, they weren't in my arms.

Shahin?

Malmal?

Malmal!

Shahin!

Shahin!

What are you doing?

Nurse!

Shahin! Malmal!

Stay calm!

Stay calm! It's okay.

couldn't have done anything even if I'd been conscious.

But I still felt guilty.

Just like Ahmad who couldn't look straight into my eyes after Mina died.

They will fly you to Orumieh tomorrow.

You should come to Tehran even if I don't get released.

My father is expecting you.

I can't.

I can't bear it here. I have to go see Maryam.

Come back after she has the baby.

Move to Tehran, you can't stay there anymore.

I want to bury them there. I can't leave them behind.

I wasn't a good guardian.

I swear I did everything that I could.

But it didn't matter.

Ahmad swore that he did everything he could when my daughter Mina had a seizure.

But I didn't believe him.

He was right.

Don't worry. She's fine.

Didn't the obstetrician show up?

She did, but we decided to keep the baby.

Come with me.

Homa told me.

I'm very sorry.

I know how you feel.

If we wait a few more days the fetus will be seven-months old

and the chance of its survival will increase.

What about her? Isn't it dangerous for her?

Hopefully not.

I have already suffered the loss of a child, but I can't lose her.

Don't worry.

Go to Orumieh and come back. Then we'll all go to Tehran.

Okay.

It's not good for her if she hears anything about the children here.

- Ghader? - Yes?

Don't take Maryam back to that house.

Okay.

We should drain your blister.

We have to go upstairs.

Mr. Molanpour?

This is the form.

Go rest a bit until the ambulance arrives.

How much longer will it be?

It had a mechanical problem that they're fixing now.

It may take until this afternoon.

I have to take my children back sooner.

Wait downstairs. I'll see what I can do.

Wait here. I'll go talk to him.

Issa!

Will you go to Sardasht?

The ambulance is broken.

Couldn't you let me sleep for an hour?

It's not fair!

It's just a question. The ambulance is broken.

I don't care! Why do I have to cover his ass?!

Fine! I'm sorry for disturbing you!

I'm sorry but he won't accept. You need to wait.

- Sir, excuse me! - What?

I know you're tired. But listen to me.

I have lost three of my children. I buried one myself.

I've been carrying the other two bodies for two days.

Be a brother! I'm begging you.

Help me bury them today.

There's nothing else I can do for them.

Please brother!

- How long is it to Sardasht? - Four or five hours.

Sir!

Please!

I'm begging you!

You have to talk to me the entire way so I don't fall asleep.

Thank you. I will.

- If you fall asleep I will too. - Okay. Sure.

Be careful. Do you need help?

Take care of the baby. I’m okay.

- You fell asleep. - I'm sorry! Where are we?

Close.

Want one?

Why did we stop?

The area is contaminated.

They say we can't go any further.

I can't stop here! I have to bury my children!

Didn't you want to bury them in Sardasht?

This is Sardasht.

- I have to take them to my village! - Listen to me Ghader.

Take this. Take it.

Sir!

Look! I have two children myself.

The younger one is only two.

My wife has Asthma. Sometimes she can't breathe.

I swear they don't have anyone but me.

Please! Don't be mad at me.

Take the car.

I can't drive.

Thanks.

They say it's dangerous here.

All the villagers have left.

Let's leave together.

At least don't spend the night out here.

It's not right. Go home.

I know it's very hard.

Maryam!

Excuse me, what happened to the lady who was here?

I don't know.

Excuse me, where is Maryam?

Ask the doctor.

Where is Dr. Yazdanbakhsh?

Over there.

Doctor! Hi!

Where is Maryam? She isn't in the room.

Congratulations. You have a daughter.

Thank God!

A daughter!

How is Maryam?

Sit down and I'll tell you.

Sit down.

How is Maryam?

Why won't you talk?

Why have you gone mute?!

Talk!

- She didn't make it! - What do you mean?!

Where is she?!

Let me go!

Doctor, I told you to save Maryam!

Didn't I tell you?!

Let me go! I want to see my wife!

I told you to keep Maryam for me!

I want to see my wife!

Let go!

I want to die too!

Maryam!

Maryam!

Maryam my spirit is broken!

I am burning!

I am burning!

My God! I can’t go on!

Some decisions you make will never let you go.

Whenever Ahmad talks about that night he gets upset.

But I understand him because he only did what a mother asked him to do.

When my daughter died in my arms, I didn't know how to tell Homa.

It was my fault.

Homa said we shouldn't go.

When I returned from the hunt I walked into the forest cabin.

They weren't there.

I realized something must have happened to our child.

I walked to the road and found the car.

Mina had had a seizure and Homa had passed out.

I carried Mina in my arms and ran all the way to the hospital in Amol.

But it was too late.

I didn't know how to tell Homa. But she already knew.

That's how mothers are.

They know everything about their children.

She knew.

She knew none of her children were alive.

That's why she wanted to keep the baby.

Why did you agree?

She would have probably died even if I hadn't done it.

Maybe you'll never forgive me.

But she made me promise to save the baby.

She said you'd be left without a family.

You have to go back to living your life.

That innocent baby needs you.

She took Maryam from me.

You're mistaken.

Maryam gave you the baby as a gift.

She picked out a name for her too.

She told me to tell you...

She told me to tell you to name her Jhina.

What does Jhina mean?

It means life.

We have to go to Tabriz.

Jhina was born premature and had to be transferred to Tabriz.

It seemed the story wasn’t going to have a simple ending.

They were here until two weeks ago.

But they got better and we sent them to Tehran.

Why Tehran?

Orphans are usually sent to Tehran.

That's where they make decisions about them.

What sort of decision?

It's up to Social Services.

Is that where they sent them?

I think so.

Don't worry.

You'll find her.

It may take a while.

When can we go to Tehran?

I have to go back to Sardasht.

It's not that easy in Tehran.

I'll make a few calls and see if I can find anything.

We'll go together if it's necessary.

I'm going to Tehran.

There were many orphaned newborns in Tehran,

and Jhina could be among them.

But Ghader didn't know his daughter.

The clothes of the newborns from Sardasht had been changed,

because of chemical contamination.

That's why they were without any names or signs.

Now in Tehran it wasn't that easy to find Jhina among,

so many orphaned newborns.

There was even a possibility that she wasn't in Tehran.

Many of the orphans had been transferred from Tehran to other cities.

There was only one thing that gave Ghader some hope.

That the orphans who'd been brought to Tehran from Tabriz were all healthy and alive.

Maybe Jhina, wrapped in a hospital blanket,

was sleeping in an ambulance headed to Shiraz or Mashhad.

Or maybe she was awake.

Not aware that with every passing moment

she was getting further and further away from her father.

In 2005 a court session was convened in The Hague

for people accused of war crimes and ethnic cleansing.

Ghader was one of the witnesses.

Hello.

Ghader told his story in that courtroom in the Hague.

Every single detail.

I hadn't known about some of the details he described.

He spoke clearly and slowly and everyone listened to what he had to say.

Ghader had come to the Hague so others could hear his voice.

He was no longer the quiet man from before.

Please continue sir.

This is all I have now, some photos of my wife and children.

Look.

Look at their innocent faces.

But I am not here to tell you only of my pain.

No.

I know many people who suffered more than me.

A lot.

The Sardasht massacre has been forgotten.