Original subtitles

MIJFILM presents

Marooned in Iraq

A film by Bahman Ghobadi

Sit down and be quiet. Don't pretend to be crazy...

because you're not. You've been stealing for ages now.

He's a poor man. He's crazy. He's not a thief. What people say is not true.

Who says he's crazy?

Listen, the sergeant has been tracking this man for a long time now.

Well, I say that he's crazy and that you're making a mistake.

He's not crazy.

Quiet! I'm going crazy.

Madam! Do you know where the refugees are?

- You don't know? - No.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Is this car going to Tousheh? - Yes.

- Can you take me with you? - All right, get in!

- Hello! - Get in the car, man!

Why did you put your bike in here?

I was scared. The situation is critical. There are bandits around.

But why did you put your bike in the car?

I'm afraid of the road.

But there are no thieves.

You're not scared?

Who, me? Afraid? I could fight off ten of them by myself.

I would kill them like dogs.

Here they come again.

Where are you going?

I'm going to the border. There are more refugees.

Saddam has bombed Iraqi Kurdistan. There are a lot of homeless.

You know, with a little money, I've made a good profit.

I managed to buy a lot of stuff cheap. I got a black-and-white TV.

So business has been good for you!

I saw it on TV yesterday. They have bombed the other side of the border.

That's why the refugees keep coming to our side.

God bless Saddam! Thanks to him, I make good money.

Damn Saddam!

Why do you insult him like that? Saddam has done a lot for me.

This year we had many refugees, and many have gotten sick.

On the other hand, they had lots of money. Much money.

I took a lot of money from them, and I cured them.

So you are a great doctor?

By the way, any news from your father, Mirza?

He lives with my brother. But he doesn't sing anymore. That's all I know.

- How come you don't know? - I'm on my way to see them now.

And the dinar? What's the rate of the dinar?

You want news about my father or about the dinar?

- You must have heard the rumor! - Which one?

- The one that everyone has heard. - No, what are you talking about?

It's about Hanareh. Things are going badly for her.

What she did to Mirza was bad.

That horrible woman. I could spit on her.

She came and went like the wind.

I spit on all faithless women. She was so selfish!

You're completely right.

Driver, stop, I want to get off!

Can't you see I'm taking a shower? Don't kick up the dust.

Weren't you supposed to come this morning?

Bring some water, girl! Hurry up! Pour the water!

That's enough, Audeh. Come out.

Clean up the bath and hurry up.

Where do you think you are? On the highway?

- So, how are you? - Fine, how about yourself?

Give me a cigarette. Why didn't you come this morning?

I had things to do.

This furnace seems higher.

My poor brother, you're losing it. You should change your glasses!

Where is our father, Mirza?

In fact, a few days ago some Iraqi refugees came, and they talked a lot with Mirza.

After they left, Father was really upset. He asked me to send for you.

Why is that?

I don't know, but I have a feeling a trip is ahead.

Where is he now?

I don't know anything about it, but, in any case, refuse to go with him.

He's teaching his class. Go ahead. I'll join you soon.

Hey, kid! Come here!

Tell your master somebody's here to see him.

Who are you?

I am called Barat. Barat, the son of your master, Mirza.

- Son of Mirza? - Yes.

- How are you? Are you okay? - I'm fine. Go and call him now.

Okay.

Master Mirza, Barat is here to see you.

Tell him to wait for me.

- Can you wait for him, please? - Yes. Come here.

- What's that in your hand? - It's a musical instrument.

- What is it called? - A baghlameh.

- Do you know how to play it? - Yes. Do you want me to play?

No, it's all right. Do you know how to sing too?

Yes, I sing very well.

- You know the Dastgahs? - Yes, I know them all.

Which melody can you sing?

- "Shoor." - Great, let's hear it.

Well done, my boy!

- You liked it? - Yes, I really did.

Go now! If not you're going to miss your class... Go!

Mister Barat, have you made a new song?

- Yes. - What's it called?

- "Henar, Henareh." - "Henar, Henarah"? I love your voice.

Thank you. Next time I'll bring you some of my tapes.

Go now!

Hello, dear Father.

You're late.

Why did you want to send for me in the middle of the night?

A few days ago, some Iraqi refugees came to visit me.

They told me something that made me mad.

What did they tell you?

That Hanareh had accompanied the refugees to the border.

Where's the problem? She's not your wife anymore.

- What do you mean? - You're not divorced yet?

No, she's still my wife!

You told us you got divorced 23 years ago!

We didn't get divorced.

I just made up that story to save the honor of the family.

Now you see how you blew the honor of our family.

All because of that woman!

And she chose to leave you for your friend Seyed.

That's enough now. Stop it!

She needs me, and you have to help me find her.

What do we do now?

- Did you bring your bike? - It's parked over there.

- We have to leave for Iraq today. - Today? Is Audeh coming too?

- He doesn't have any choice! - If he comes, then I'll come too.

- So get your bike ready and let's go! - All right.

Hurry up!

So you've really decided to go? Please let me stay with my family.

What's going to happen to my seven wives and eleven daughters?

Shut up!

I beg you. Go with Barat.

He has no wife, no children. He doesn't have to take care of a family.

Be a man!

What do you mean by that?

I'm only asking you how I can leave my seven wives and eleven daughters alone.

Shut up!

Look at Barat, he has no wife, no children. Go with him!

Father, what are all these instruments for?

We're going to take them with us, just in case they arrest us.

We can always say we're on tour.

I'm going to get ready. Let's meet in front of the furnace.

Woman! Get the wedding room ready.

I'm going on a trip and hopefully coming back with a new wife.

Do as you like, but don't come back with a non-Kurdish wife.

I swear I will not leave women alone until I have a son.

But I will not come back with a foreigner.

You'll be in trouble if you do!

Look at that guy! My wives are in danger. Don't force me to come with you.

Do your homework! Come on, let's go!

- Please let me stay. - But why?

There are a lot of strangers around. I'm worried.

Who is Khajeh?

She's in the Iraqi camp. She has news of Hanareh.

- What does she know about Hanareh? - She knows a lot. She was with her.

Oh, my God! Look at all these people.

- Hello. - Hello, Mirza. Welcome.

Do you know someone named Dadeh Khajeh?

- No, who is she? - She's Mostafa's wife.

I don't know her.

- What do you mean? Everybody knows her. - I don't remember.

- Is she the one who lost three sons? - Yes.

- You can find her over there. - Thank you.

Lady, this injection comes from Germany. It costs 8 dinars. Shall I inject it?

Hello, madam, can you come out, please? Which is Dadeh Khajeh's house?

It's over there, in that tent.

- Dadeh Khajeh. - Yes.

Let's welcome them.

Thank you so much. May you always be happy!

What have you told your sons?

I lied to them. I told them Hanareh ran away.

That she had an affair, and that we were not divorced yet.

You told them you were still married?

Yes. I had to lie. If I hadn't lied, they would have never accompanied me.

I had to make it a point of honor.

But that's a big lie, Mirza.

I had no choice.

If people hear about this lie, they are going to believe it.

Because you are their famous Mirza. All the Kurds know you.

Where is the letter? What did Hanareh want from me?

Dadeh Amin, Seyed's mother, has the letter.

Hanareh wants you to have this letter.

You have to go to the Iraqi side to find Hanareh and Seyed. Hanareh needs you.

Where is the letter?

Dadeh Amin has it.

- Hello, how are you, Dadeh Amin? - Hello.

- Do you feel fine? - No.

Any news from your son Seyed and Hanareh?

Mirza, why did you break up the band? Why did you disappoint everyone?

That's not the way it was.

Why did you take joy away from all these people?

It wasn't all my fault. Hanareh and Seyed were to blame too.

Since you have disbanded, there is no one to sing for the people.

Of course there are people singing.

Look at them. You see them.

- Can you give me the letter now? - I don't have it with me.

I don't know. I don't have it. Maybe I lost it.

You lost it?

I had it well hidden. Maybe I lost it on the way.

Look well. In your clothes... Maybe you can find it.

No, it's not here.

Look in your scarf. Look for it!

It must be lost.

- You haven't given it to anybody else? - No.

- Didn't Mollah Ghader give it to you? - No.

He did. He gave it to you.

I don't know. I don't understand. I have a headache.

Damned be Saddam.

For heaven's sake, search in your bags.

It's not there. It's lost.

Do you know what was written in it, at least?

- She has definitely lost it. - What are we supposed to do now?

In any case, you have to go find them. Hanareh needs you.

Apparently Mollah Ghader has it.

- Are you sure he has the letter? - Yes. You have to go to Golige.

What is this place? Mirza, this is not Golige.

Hello. Anybody here?

- Are we in Golige? - Hello. Anybody here? Answer us.

- Hello. - Hello.

- What is this place? - This is Golige.

I've been to Golige before. But it wasn't in ruins then.

Damn Saddam! He ruined this entire region!

- Do you know of a Mollah Ghader? - Which Mollah Ghader?

- The matchmaker. - How come you don't know him?

- I don't know him. - Nobody's left.

Where have all the people gone?

To Gerigeh. People ran away because of the bombs.

We promised ourselves never to leave our house. Even if Saddam himself came.

Good-bye.

- Leave me alone. - I wanted to marry her, and you failed me.

- Leave me alone. Help! - Shut up! Stop making a fuss!

- Hello. - Get lost!

- I said hello. - This gentleman is saying hello.

- We want to know if we can help you. - This is none of your business. Get lost!

- What happened? - Go away!

Who are you? Let's see your face!

It's Mollah Ghader!

- I told you to get lost. - Hit him! Hit him, guys!

Help! He's beating up my sons.

Mollah Ghader, who is this guy?

What do you want me to say? I'm fed up with this guy.

His girl is being married to someone else today. He's trying everything to stop it.

He wanted me to marry them without the father's consent, and I wouldn't do it.

It's not the first time he's tried to stop the wedding.

He's mad at me for marrying the girl to somebody else.

Mirza. Hey, Mirza. Don't go. Don't leave me here.

Let's go. We have things to do.

Come on. Come over here, guys.

Ahmad! I want to marry your daughter. You have to let me.

Well, I want her, and she's mine!

Even if you try to marry her off ten times, I will stop the wedding every time.

It's my wedding. You have to sing and dance in honor of my marriage.

Come on, guys, let's play. 3... 2... 1...

- Whose wedding is this? - I don't really know.

Who cares, anyway?

I just hope somebody gets hurt like last year, so I can make some money.

Hello, Master Mirza.

Mollah Ghader needs you to help him. He's choking.

Tell him I'm busy. I can't help him.

Go and help him. He's really choking.

I don't care! All this mess is because of him.

Go away now!

- He said he couldn't come. - Tell him to come. I'm choking.

I told him. He said he didn't care.

Go and beg him. For Hanareh. Go and ask him to come. Hurry up!

- Master Mirza! - Yes.

- Mollah is choking. - Ask him to send the letter.

But he's choking!

Too bad. Before choking, tell him to send the letter.

Ask him if he has any news about Hanareh and everything he knows.

- Mollah Ghader. - What?

- I'm going crazy. - Why, what did he say?

Where is the letter? Do you have any news from Hanareh?

What? He means my life is not important.

Go and tell him to come. I will give him news from Hanareh myself.

I'm not going anymore.

You worthless... you would have never been born if I hadn't married your parents.

Hurry up now. Go!

What? What is it now?

What should we do to have a beautiful voice like yours?

Try swallowing a few insects. It's very good for the voice. Get lost now!

Miss, miss. Hello!

Hello, Mister Barat! What are you doing here?

You know me?

Is there anybody who doesn't know you and your father, Mirza?

Are you from here?

No, I'm waiting for my sisters.

- You have a beautiful voice. - Thank you.

Have you had this voice since you got married, or have you practiced?

Is marriage good for the voice?

I don't know. But some women get married to make their voices beautiful.

- No, I'm not married. - Really? That's strange.

Why? Are you interested?

Well, what can I say? I fell in love with your voice.

Thank you.

And... If you allow me, I would like to ask for your hand.

What did you say?

- Do you want to become my wife? - What?

Do you want to become my wife?

Are you joking?

No, I promise you.

- Okay, but there is one condition. - What condition? Tell me.

You have to teach me how to sing.

Sing? Well, singing is forbidden for women.

But if after our marriage you want to sing only for me, of course you have the right.

And I would teach you with pleasure. But... Miss...

Miss... Miss...

I'm really sorry. I didn't express myself properly. I beg your pardon.

Of course women can sing like men. Women have to sing!

Hey! You're messing up my daughter's wedding. You bastard!

Here you are at last, Ahmad! I'm going to take care of you.

Bastard!

Even if you try 1,000 times, each time I will mess it up.

Mirza. Run away! It's dangerous.

I'm going to kill you.

- Mirza. - What's going on?

- I'm choking. - Who was that guy? He nearly killed us.

- I can't breathe. - Be quiet! All this because of a letter.

I have a lot of things to tell you. Help me.

- How can I help? - With your instrument.

That's impossible. It'll break.

Use the end part. I beg you, Mirza.

Do you know all the way I have come just for this letter?

And so many things happened to me on the road.

- Where is this letter? - Which letter?

Dadeh Amin, Seyed's mother, gave it to you.

- No one gave me a letter. - What was in it?

Help me!

What did Hanareh and Seyed want from me?

The police are coming. Give me the letter.

- There is no letter. - What do you mean?

I don't have it!

- Don't shoot. Nobody shoot. - Mirza, don't leave me.

So that was your dear friend Mollah Ghader! What a mess he got us into.

What bad luck! We were beaten up. We had to dig. Where are we going now?

I said shut up!

Why should I shut up? I have to know where we're going.

Father, I met a wonderful girl today.

I fell in love with her voice. She had an amazing voice.

Do you understand anything about love?

Stop. Don't move.

- Where are you from? - We're musicians going to a wedding.

- Silence, get down! - Why do we have to get down?

Shut up, don't argue! Turn around!

Why are you tying us up? What have we done?

We haven't done anything.

You have stolen a motorbike.

We're not thieves.

I said silence!

Why are you beating us? We're musicians.

Why are you beating up this old man?

- We're going to file a complaint. - Shut up!

Where are you going with our stuff?

We're not smuggling clothes! So why are you taking our clothes?

Open your mouth!

Do you have any gold teeth? Let me see.

- Is it forbidden to have gold teeth? - Yes.

- I told you not to bring your bike. - Shut up! Don't argue!

- They were police, looking for smugglers. - They weren't police. They were thieves!

I asked you to leave me with my family. And now what's going to become of us?

All of this, because of Barat.

- Be careful about what you say! - That's enough, now!

Thank you very much. I don't deserve this.

I have left my family all alone in the middle of nowhere to come with you.

Would you be quiet?

I told you at least a hundred times that I didn't want to come.

Look, there's a car coming.

- Hello. - Hello, Mirza. What are you doing here?

- Is there any room for us? - No, there isn't.

Some thieves took everything from us. Try to help us.

But there's no room!

What about the back of the car?

All right, get in.

Excuse me. I'm really sorry. Where are you going?

We are school teachers going to work.

Have a nice trip!

Look at us! Like a bunch of vagabonds. I told you that I didn't want to come.

That's enough! Stop nagging.

You don't understand anything.

I don't understand anything? You want me to break your teeth?

If you did, you would have never separated me from my family.

All this because of Hanareh.

Well, well.

Now I understand why you are so tense. Because you miss your wives, isn't it?

You poor, weak man. You are both useless.

It's all your fault. That motorbike was all I ever had.

- Stop. Hello. - Hello.

I am Sergeant Rahmani. Take us to the police station.

- Some thieves took everything from us. - Shut up! It's all because of you!

- Take us to the station! - Where are your clothes?

What do you care about our clothes? I'm telling you, I am Sergeant Rahmani.

But you look more like a prisoner.

Who, me? Be careful about what you say.

I promise if you don't take me to the station, I'll arrest you and put you in prison.

Well, Chief of Police, I don't know you.

In the name of the law, I order you to take me to the station.

Well, I'm not taking you anywhere.

Hey... Hey... Stop... In the name of the law, stop.

Mirza, I know that soldier.

I'm sure the thieves robbed them too.

Driver, stop the car!

You go inside. I'm going to have a look in the bazaar.

- Hello. - Hello.

Mirza... You're most welcome.

- Isn't it Mirza, the old singer? - Yes, it's him.

- What is he doing here? - I don't know.

- What do you want to eat, Mirza? - What do you have?

We have yogurt, eggs and cheese.

- So what should we eat? - Some yogurt.

Okay, bring us two yogurts.

What brings you here?

- We got lost. We got robbed by thieves. - What did they take?

Everything. Money, bike and all. I had some money in my shoes.

Damn them.

Believe me, Mirza, these things never happened around here before.

It was our bad luck.

They're not from around here.

They come with the refugees, so nobody knows where they're from.

- Barat! - Doctor... Is it you?

- Yes. - Hello.

- Welcome. - Thank you. What are you doing here?

- I'm trying to sell some stuff. - This stuff?

- How much for this radio? - 14,000 tomans. It's Japanese.

- I'll take it for 10,000. - No, I can't do it for less.

What are you doing here, Barat?

The thieves took everything. They took my motorbike.

- When? - Not long ago.

- How much is this? - It's 12,000 tomans.

The same motorbike you saw the other day.

No, it's German.

It's medication against AIDS. You know AIDS, the illness that mules get.

Poor Hameh, his two mules are dead because of this disease.

I brought back this drug that performs miracles on purpose. And it's only for us.

Come on, don't hesitate to buy this medicine.

Save your mules. This disease comes from abroad.

They want to erase our race of mules.

- What are these rumors? - You too, you've heard them?

- These rumors are always around! - Mirza, do you have any news of Hanareh?

I've heard she's with the homeless. She sings for them! She even dances!

Shut up. Aren't you ashamed? That's enough.

I've heard that even Saddam has fallen under her charm!

So what? What's it to you?

He's crazy. Since he lost his two sons, he has lost his mind.

Don't upset yourself.

I can't help it. They really get on my nerves.

Shut up. You should be ashamed.

Since you have disbanded, no one can stop the rumors.

You don't have any news of Hanareh and Seyed?

I saw them a couple of months ago, but I can't remember where.

Here? Or the previous teahouse, or maybe another one?

- We were in Choman. - Yes, he's right.

How many teahouses do you have?

We are like gypsies.

As soon as the bombs start falling, we change locations.

We are moving all the time.

- Was Hanareh alone? - No, she was with her husband, Seyed.

Even if you go to Raman, I don't think you'll find her.

- Where did this bike come from? - I bought it.

- Who did you buy it from? - I bought it from two guys.

- Which guys? - I didn't know them.

I'll get you arrested, you thief!

Don't let them fight. What's going on?

Help! Audeh, come and help. Audeh!

Father, I hear Barat's voice. Come on, let's go.

- What's going on? - They're beating up Barat!

Why are you fighting? 1... 2... 3... Stop fighting!

- That bike is my honor! - Calm down! Stop fighting!

What are you saying now? It's all your fault.

They took my bike, my gold teeth. They tied us up and stole everything.

- It's all your fault. - Calm down!

- This bike is ours! - No, we bought it!

Who did you buy it from?

I didn't know them, but I paid 350,000 tomans for it.

He's not lying. He really bought it for 350,000.

I paid one million tomans for this bike. You're telling me you bought it for 350,000?

It was in good condition. Why is it in pieces if it wasn't stolen?

All our troubles are because of this motorbike.

Thank you, Mirza, for all this trouble. You and Hanareh!

- You'll have to pay me back. - Calm down.

Apart from the bike, weren't there any instruments or clothes?

We don't know.

How come you don't know? We're freezing without our clothes.

We have a few second-hand coats we could give you.

We're freezing now. What should we do in this cold?

We didn't get anything else. We just bought the bike.

- Nothing else? - No, only a Dayereh and a Sorna.

That's all you found? All right, give them to us.

They're down here.

Hello, I'm Sergeant Rahmani. Give me a hacksaw...

so I can take off these handcuffs.

Why doesn't anyone know me? Give me some pliers.

Mirza. Mirza.

Where are you going now? My family is alone, and they have stolen our bike.

- I won't follow up! - Shut up!

Saddam is no joke, here in Iraq. He's going to kill us all.

Mirza, for heaven's sake, let's go home!

The further we go, the more dangerous it gets!

They are bombing everywhere. Please, let's go home.

In the end, you will get all of us killed!

I have to go on. Leave if you want.

I promise, you will not find her. You can be sure of that.

Who are these people here?

I have no idea.

Come, Barat, let's go and ask them the way.

- Are you on the right page? - Yes, teacher.

- Hello. - Hello.

When you're finished with your class, I'd like a few minutes of your time.

Wait, it won't take long.

Tell me, what are all these kids doing here?

- In the middle of bombs and mountains? - Alone?

Calm down, kids! Here come the planes. Look at them!

What's a plane?

A plane is something that flies. Like a bird.

Humans have invented something that flies like a bird in the sky.

A plane has two purposes:

First, it transports goods between cities.

But there is also a negative side. And what is it? It's the bombing.

What is bombing?

That is what destroys our houses. Listen carefully.

That's the sound of bombs.

At this moment, somebody's house is being destroyed.

Our house and our school were destroyed by bombs.

You said each wing was the size of 2 houses.

Silence. We came up here to see the planes from close up. Look!

- Why is it so long? - It's not that long. That's the smoke.

Why is it so far?

Because if it flies lower, it could crash against mountains or even people.

Have you ever been in a plane?

Not me, but my brother has a friend whose nephew has been in a plane.

Take a good look before it disappears! There it goes!

It's gone now. It was a passenger plane.

When can we see it from close up?

Soon, I hope. Inshallah. If we study well, slowly...

we can make it to the top, and we will touch it.

And one day we will all get on it.

Hurrah.

- Have you brought them with you? - Yes.

Clap for our success today. Hurrah.

Ready? 1... 2... 3...

Kids, be careful where you walk. Follow my steps!

There are a lot of mines here.

- Mirza, stay tonight at the camp with us. - Thank you.

- Are you going to Raman? - How did you know?

Everybody knows you're looking for Hanareh.

So you know too.

Who doesn't know?

If Hanareh left you for Seyed, it was because she wanted to sing.

Not only couldn't she sing in Iraq, but she got into a lot of trouble.

God damn you and your entire family!

- Doctor? - Hello, Mirza.

What happened to you, Doctor?

The thieves took everything from me. I have nothing left.

My clothes, all my stuff. My money, my glasses.

Where were they from?

Only God knows where they came from.

In any case, they were not Kurds. I didn't understand anything.

Saddam be damned. May he burn in hell!

All of this is because of him. He sends us all these thieves.

How come you praised him before?

I was wrong. I regret it.

Don't stay here. Come with us to the camp. You're going to freeze here.

Somebody promised to bring me a mule. I'll wait for him. Maybe he'll come.

You said you could fight against ten of them.

This is the only thing I have left to wear. Oh, my God! It's so cold!

My God! Look at all these kids.

They are all orphans.

Children who have lost their parents during the war.

They don't have anybody. They are all alone.

Some are from Iraqi Kurdistan and some are Iranian Kurds.

There are four camps like this in the region. I teach the Iranians.

There are two more teachers for the Iraqis.

Come with me, please.

Children, all of you come here. I'm going to play some music for you.

- Do you know me? - No.

I'm Audeh, Mirza's son. How about Mirza? Do you know him?

No.

- Mirza, the singer? - Yes, that's right.

- Do you know them? - No, not really.

- It's Mirza. Master Mirza the singer. - Really! Welcome.

- This is his son Barat. - Nice to meet you.

And this is his other son Audeh.

Can you give one of the tents to them? You could also make some tea.

All right.

It's very dangerous in Iraq. As soon as they arrest somebody...

they take him prisoner and use him as a soldier.

You should go the rest of the road alone.

Don't take your sons with you. You have to go to Raman alone.

The villages at the bottom of the mountain have all been destroyed. Everybody's dead.

You might find one or two people who have news of Hanareh.

Why, do you have any news of Hanareh?

Not really. But I've heard that she's ill. Nobody has seen her for a while.

Where is she?

I have no idea. You'll probably find more clues if you go to Raman.

- Mister Audeh. - Yes?

- Can you sing the song "Hanareh" for us? - Sorry?

- Come on, sing "Hanareh" for us. - All right.

- Hello. - Hello, Audeh.

How do you know me?

I don't know you personally.

Mister Mohamad told me you were Master Mirza's son.

Are you Mohamad's wives?

No, we only work together.

My name is Rojane.

- Rojane, are you married? - No.

And your friend, is she married?

Why do you ask? No. We only take care of the children.

How about you? Are you married?

Yes. I have seven wives and eleven daughters.

Oh, my God!

Why did you make so many women unhappy?

It was just to have a son! The first one couldn't give me one.

Neither could the second one, same for the third one...

and same again until my seventh wife.

I promised myself never to leave women alone until I had a son.

Why?

Because they need a head of the family who will take care of them.

He will become a singer like me. A great artist!

Why not teach your daughters?

So they can be like Hanareh? No, thank you, one was enough.

She dishonored our family.

I forbid you to talk about her this way.

Mirza's love for Hanareh destroyed our lives.

He ruined the life of my mother and all his wives because of her.

In any case, did you say your friend was married?

Why do you want to know? No, she's not married.

Listen, I just asked you a question, that's all!

I would like a wife that can give me a son.

What? You mean you're ready to make another woman unhappy, to have a son?

We have a lot of boys here. That makes it very hard for us.

- I only dream of having one. - Many families adopt these orphans.

If you really want a son...

go to the main office and get an adoption form. Then we'll give you one or two sons.

- Where? - At the main office.

You're telling me if I get this paper, you will give me a son.

Yes, of course. The poor little ones don't have any parents.

Is this a joke, or what?

No. You're a joke, getting married to seven wives.

You are really joking, aren't you?

No, not at all. I have to leave.

- Hello, and courage to you! - Courage to you too!

Is the little one ready?

Yes, he's been up for an hour. He's waiting for you.

Yesterday, I asked Mirza to let Audeh stay.

Avat, please bring some tea for Master Mirza and Barat.

I'm going to take the little one to Panjavine with Barat and Mirza.

From there, I'll show them the way.

What are you doing today?

I'm taking Audeh to the main office.

That's a good idea. Try to help him. All right?

I promise to find Hanareh for you. You can count on me.

Last night, I got upset with Audeh.

The same way he was during the whole trip, he didn't stop talking.

Finally I asked him to leave me alone. I told him to adopt.

It must be the will of God if we find ourselves in this place...

so that he can become the father of two sons at the same time.

Of course, he has to be up to it.

- Hello. - Good morning. How are you?

- I love you. I really do. - Don't start again.

Last night I was so happy. Couldn't sleep.

Stop the flattery.

Don't be in a bad mood. I'm not exaggerating.

I only managed to sleep five minutes, but thanks to God...

I dreamt that God was giving me two sons.

Be strong when you get back home. Don't let your sons be weak like you.

Don't start again. I hope I won't make anybody jealous!

Thank God, two sons! Two at the same time, and no wife.

- Hello. - Hello. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Why are you looking at her like that?

The girl with the voice. Why don't you find her...

and marry her, like a man! It's your destiny.

But I'm asking you not to leave Father alone.

Mister Audeh, please come here for a minute.

I don't know if this scoundrel is so happy because he found two sons or this woman!

Are you sure these are the same ones that were singing?

Yes, I'm sure. It's them.

Mirza, Barat, come on. It's late. We have to go.

My God, my God. What are all these corpses?

That's what we call a mass grave. People found it not so long ago.

Saddam ordered their massacre.

This is the fifth or sixth mass grave found.

When did they discover it?

Today. They also found one in Garmian. At least 15,000 corpses.

Where are you going?

Mirza, with your permission, I have to leave for Pinjouine. This child is sick.

Do you know the way to Raman?

It's this way. But I'm telling you again...

it's best if you go alone. Don't take Barat!

They force young people to become soldiers there.

I repeat, don't let Barat come with you. Good-bye.

- Hello. - Hello, Barat.

Is it really you?

Yes, it's me. What are you doing here?

I'm here to look for my brother's body.

They said he was killed around here.

May his soul rest in peace.

They said we could find his corpse around here, but we haven't.

Oh, my poor brother!

I'm really sorry. If there's anything I can do, I'd love to help.

Thank you so much. We have to look somewhere else.

Where?

I don't know, anywhere we can find a trace of him.

In any case, miss, if there's anything I can do...

You can count on me. Be patient. If you want, I can accompany you.

I thank you.

In any case, I hope you haven't forgotten my proposition.

I hope to get an answer soon, and I would love to see you again.

With your permission, I am leaving now. Good-bye.

Father, Father. Wait for me.

- What do you want? - Stop. Where are you going?

- I'm going. - Where?

- I'm going to Raman. - I'm coming with you.

No. If they arrest you, I'll never see you again.

It doesn't matter. I'm coming anyway.

What happened? You took your glasses off?

Yes, it was time to take them off.

You found the girl you fell in love with?

- Yes. - What is she doing here?

Her brother was killed, and she's looking for the body.

Go and help her. It's the ideal time.

I'll find her later.

But right now, for me, the most important thing is to help you.

If I'm asking you to leave, I must have a good reason.

Go and help her. Don't worry about me.

- But, Father... - I told you to leave.

- Let me come with you. - No.

Is anybody there?

- Hello. - Hello.

- Is this Raman? - Yes.

Why is it so empty?

Saddam attacked this village and killed all the men!

Everybody was killed? And the women, what happened to them?

There is nobody left. The men are dead, and the women ran away.

Where have they gone, and why? What have these poor people done?

- Do you know Hanareh? - Yes, I do.

Was she with the other women?

I have no idea, I don't know.

- Do you know where the women are? - Taken to a camp.

- Thank you. Good-bye. - Good-bye.

It's behind the mountain over there. Go straight.

Is there anybody here?

Kobra, come and see. Master Mirza has arrived.

Hello.

- Hello, and welcome. - Is Hanareh here?

Where were you? Why have you come so late?

I went to Raman. They told me you were transferred here.

What are all these women doing here?

They hit us with chemical weapons.

They massacred all our sons and all our men.

I hope one day Saddam will pay for all he has done to us.

- Where is Hanareh? - She's not here.

Why? She asked me to come. She wanted to see me. Where is she?

She waited for you for a long time. But you arrived too late.

How is it possible? I've come all this way for her.

And you're telling me she's not here anymore?

I'm sorry, I have something to tell you. She's been affected by the chemicals.

What? Affected by chemicals?

Don't worry. She'll be fine. She's lost her voice.

And she is a little disfigured. But the latest news really got to her.

- What news? - The death of her husband.

- Seyed is dead? - Yes, Seyed is dead.

When did he die?

- He died a month ago. - Where is he buried?

They haven't buried him yet.

They've kept him in the snow. You must bury him.

Where is his body?

- His sister Mastooreh is with him. - Can you show me?

Somebody show the way to Mirza.

Mirza, Hanareh really wanted to see you.

Sometimes she hoped after all these years you would come back to Kurdistan...

and sing with her for these people again.

Mirza, don't talk to Mastooreh too much.

She's also been affected by the chemicals. She's over there.

- Hello. - Hello, Mirza.

- Why have you come so late? - Where is Hanareh?

She waited for you for a long time, and then she left.

What happened to you?

- Nothing. It's not important. - Look at me. I want to see you.

I can't.

Tell me what happened.

Don't ask me to look at you.

Why?

Mirza, Seyed wanted so much to see you again.

He wanted to sing with you just one last time.

His last wish was to be buried by you, and only you.

Do you have any news of Hanareh's children?

Her sons were all killed. Only his daughter is left.

Where is she?

They have her here.

I'm going to get the women, so they can bring a coffin. Wait for me here.

Mastooreh...

- Hello, Mirza. - Hello. Where is Mastooreh?

She's sick. She cannot come. She sent some bread for you.

- Was it really Mastooreh yesterday? - I don't know.

- Do you think Hanareh will come back? - No, I don't think so.

Why?

Because, like the other women, she has been put in quarantine.

And the women's milk has dried up. Soon they will take these women away too.

Hanareh waited to give you something. It's why you came.

- What is it? - It's Seyed and Hanareh's daughter.

- Is the girl here? - Yes, she is.

She wanted you to take her with you.

What's your name, my dear? Tell me.

My name is Sanooreh.

Sanooreh? What is your mother's name?

Hanareh.

She really looks like Hanareh.

- Is she the daughter of Seyed? - Yes.

- My father is gone. - Don't cry, my dear. Don't cry.

Hanareh, why didn't you show yourself? How could you?

Mirza came all this way just to see you.

You wanted him to see me in this state? You wanted him to hear this voice?

- Do you think I'll see my daughter again? - Yes, I'm sure you will.

Producer: Bahman Ghobadi

Photography: Amir Asadi, Saed Nikzat

Editor: Hayedeh Safiyari

Music: Arsalan Kamkar

Starring:

Shahab Ebrahimi, Alah-morad Rashtian, Faegh Mohammadi

Translation: Amin Mahdavi

English subtitles by: SOFTITLER