Original subtitles

Good morning.

-Good morning, miss. -Sit down.

Where's Melek?

I don't know, miss, she didn't show up.

Open your homework.

At this point, I think it's time for you, social services, to step in.

I think there might be problems at home.

I think Melek is being abused.

What in God's name gave you that idea?

I told you, her body has bruises.

Yeah, but you're blowing this out of proportion.

They are kids, they fall.

They get bruised, they get sick.

But she didn't come today.

Well, her mom called in the morning, she has the flu.

She's not complaining either.

Okay, the kid doesn't complain, but...

For example I read about it in a book.

Some abused children...

...triy to cover it up.

You read it in a book, huh?

Yeah.

I understand, Miss Sezgin.

But we can't separate a child from its mother based on a book.

We need something more concrete to get involved.

Like a hospital report or a witness situation.

Call us if you can prove your suspicions.

Then we'll just have to step in.

If you want proof, we can go to Melek's house with her teacher after school.

Right, Miss Zeynep, we'll go there.

We?

Yeah, right now, you're her teacher.

Well, if that's what you want.

You can do it if you want. I don't think anything will come out.

Anyway Mr. Faruk, let's go to my room, we can have some tea.

I'll wait to hear from you, Ms. Sezgin.

Okay.

Here you go.

Melek.

Melek, it's me, baby. Are you there?

Not home.

No sound. No one.

Who are you looking for?

Ah, hi, Auntie

We're Melek's teachers, and we're looking for Mrs. $ule.

They're not home.

Cengiz is home, but he won't answer.

Who's Mr. Cengiz? Her husband?

Imam marriage, or so they say. Her husband is dead.

I see.

There's always a fight.

Fighting day and night.

We've had enough.

Yeah.

All right, thank you.

What do we do?

Let's go.

Oh, they're coming.

Mrs. $ule.

What happened to the kid's eye?

What are you doing at my house?

We got worried when Melek didn't show up.

Is that so?

Do you go after everyone who doesn't show up?

No, but Melek's condition is special.

Icalled to tell you she was sick.

What happened to your eye?

What happened?

What's wrong, baby?

Did I hurt you?

Tell your teacher.

What happened?

Well, I got hit by a ball, miss.

In the park, right?

How long are you going to cover this up?

You said she had the flu, the kid's got a black eye and bruises all over.

It's none of your business.

Do you have children?

No.

What are you talking about then?

Huh?

It's a child.

They fall.

Is it supposed to happen all the time?

What are you talking about?

Get out of the way, for God's sake.

Go.

You live with your boyfriend. Do Melek and he get along?

It's none of your business.

My husband, my child.

Get out.

Mommy.

Come, the bagels will get cold. I'm so hungry.

Cengiz should have already prepared the table.

Go.

You see how she talks, right?

I didn't believe a word.

The poor girl is still protecting her. Not knowing she needs protection herself.

Am I wrong?

You're not, but...

What can we do?

I don't know. The CPS is fixated on the proof. How am I supposed to prove this?

I wish we'd taken a picture.

Well, we'll just have to talk with the principal.

Again with this, Miss Sezgin?

Don't get me involved with these people again, for God's sake.

Who else but us, Mr. Principal?

It's not her real dad, she's being abused. The mom doesn't care at all.

They don't deserve a child. My heart says go kidnap her.

Kidnap?

They deserve it. That mother doesn't deserve that good kid.

Don't be ridiculous, Miss Sezgin.

It's a crime.

Besides, what then?

You'll get caught in two days.

They'll get the kid and you'll go to jail.

I don't wanna hear it.

Do exactly as cPs say.

Don't go over the line.

Understood?

But Principal, this--

End of discussion.

Don't occupy me.

God dammit.

Why does no one help this kid?

Does she need to die for them to believe?

They'll see.

They'll see, I won't let this go.

They want proof?

Okay, I'll go to her door. Bring her here if need be.

Who's this?

Hello.

Hello Ms. Makbule.

I'm on my way.

I'll be there in five minutes.

Yeah, yeah, alright.

Okay, thanks. See you.

I need to go to the tailor. I have a wedding rehearsal, I forgot.

Then we'll get the wedding preparations started with Mustafa.

I don't have any time, no time at all.

And after what the principal has said, I can't go there.

Nothing to be done.

I'm out.

See you tomorrow.

See you.

Hello, Mr Ercan.

Yeah.

I'm free in two days, yeah.

Okay.

Okay, thanks. See you.

Ms Zeynep.

Mr Ercan, I was coming with.

Welcome.

Hello.

Like I said over the phone, the dean wanted to meet you.

I'll check in on him, you can wait in my room.

Okay.

You're hungry, too. Right, Sakiz?

jeunesse

ature jeunesse

guide ature jeunesse

Hello.

Mr Ercan is with the dean.

It's okay, I'll wait.

How are you?

Thank you.

I looked you up a bit.

Hmm?

Why?

I loved your photos.

Strange interest for a woman to be have.

Why?

Are you sexist?

No.

Don't get me wrong. I'm saying it out of respect.

Ms Zeynep, the dean is waiting.

I'm coming.

You'll have to wait, Ali.

It's okay.

Please.

Where have you been?

You don't come back once you get out.

Bring it.

Give me.

What's this?

Trash.

Why put it here?

Where would I put it?

Melek.

We were playing hide and seek.

Look.

Cengiz, please don't make such jokes.

People are already onto us.

Chill, girl. She's fine.

Right?

Huh?

I'm going, mom.

Pick these up.

You're cold too, aren't you, Sakiz?

Wait.

Wait, I'll warm you up.

Okay, thanks Mr Ercan.

Melek.

Miss.

What are you doing here at this hour?

Does your mom know you're here?

Yeah, we're home.

Waiting for you.

Miss Sezgin will come and take you home.

If there are any problems, you can talk to her.

I'm sure she'll help.

What are you looking at?

Umm...

Sakiz is hungry...

Can I have one?

Of course you can.

Here, Sakiz.

Don't feed it too much, sugar is bad for them.

This one's not finished.

It'll be a waste.

I should eat it.

You can eat it.

Miss.

You...

are a very nice person.

And you...

cook very well.

It's eggs, everyone can do it.

My mom also cooks well.

The food I like.

Like what?

What does she make?

You shouldn't talk with your mouth full, Miss.

We're alone here.

You can tell.

Pasta.

My mom makes great pasta.

With what?

Minced meat.

Tomatoes.

And...

I'm sorry.

You don't have to tell.

And you're right. You shouldn't talk with your mouth full.

Does your mom cook well, too, Miss?

I think so.

Because girls..

take after their moms.

Is your mom pretty?

Long haired like this?

Or short haired?

Is she pretty like you?

I don't know.

I don't remember.

But...

you don't forget moms.

I haven't seen her in a long time.

Don't you miss her.

No.

Why not?

Because...

I hate her.

Thanks,Miss.

What's the bunny's name?

Sakiz.

Your mom got it?

Uh huh.

I'm not used to having guests.

I've been living alone for a while.

So I don't know how to keep you company.

Let's tell each other about our favorite things, then.

I don't like anything.

Nothing?

I know something you like.

Migrating birds don't lose their way home even if they fly for thousands of miles.

There are ways on the sky?

Yeah, but not like the ones we know.

How? Are there traffic lights? I don't get it.

No.

But birds know their way.

In summer, greenshanks and kentish ploverS...

Plovers.

So funny, such a funny name.

At this time of the year, you can see geese, mallards and swans on Manyas River.

Geese, mallards, swans.

Look, this is a crane's feather.

This one's feather?

Yeah, that one's.

Miss, where are cranes homes?

Cranes live in warm places.

When it gets cold, the go to warm places.

They fly with this feather?

Yeah, they fly with that.

I wonder how they fly. I want to see it.

Really?

We can go tomorrow if you want, huh?

Really?

Yes.

You can stay here since we'll head out early.

Huh?

It's cold mornings, I'll get us something and prepare something to eat.

But my mom will worry about me.

You're right.

Your mom will worry.

I'm sorry.

No need.

I was just saying anyway.

Miss Sezgin is here. You should get ready.

Get your coat.

Miss Zeynep.

Come, kid.

Come.

Come, let me put it on for you.

Here you go.

Well done, pretty.

Well done.

Come, wear your shoes.

Huh.

Come, yeah.

Good job.

Good job.

Don't wait up, Miss Zeynep.

I'll let you know once I drop her don't worry.

Come on, kid. Well done.

Melek.

Don't worry.

I'll talk to your mom, she won't get mad, okay?

Come on, let's go.

Mommy, I'm home.

Look, my teacher brought me.

We found her on the street at night.

God watched over her.

I'm glad we were the ones who found her.

Get in.

I was aware she was out.

Didn't you worry that she was late?

What's it to you?

Why don't you let my kid go?

Why are you always onto us?

You are too relaxed.

You popped her out and let her run.

I think she's unwell, that's why.

Look at me.

I'm that kid's mother, understand?

I'm the one who protects her.

Don't get involved.

Come on.

Ugh, God.

Protect her.

Who will protect her from you?

MrErcan.

Good morning, Ms Zeynep.

Our project is approved.

We're preparing for the journey.

Really?

I'm glad.

-I'll give you the required info ASAP. -Okay-

Okay, thank you.

Come in.

Please, Ms Zeynep.

MrPrincipal.

I'm accepted into the research team I mentioned.

I have to quit.

Ms Handan is out for 30 more days.

Who am I gonna find?

Can't you postpone it?

I'm afraid not.

We're going tomorrow.

I made it very clear when I took the job.

Yes, you did.

Well...

Just trying my luck.

Well, okay then.

Good luck. Have a safe trip.

Thank you.

We thank you.

Careful.

You made noise at night too.

What's up?

Nothing.

The girl came.

Must've heard her.

I heard some other woman.

I'm talking to you.

It's nothing.

Melek's teacher found her on the street, she brought her back.

She was being annoying.

We argued.

Wow.

Bringing people here, huh?

Your girl is becoming a nuisance.

Gotta teach her a good lesson.

Miss.

Miss.

Hey, Miss.

You don't say "hey" to teachers.

Alright.

You promised to take me to see the birds.

I'm gonna ask for per-

I didn't.

I asked if we should go but we don't always get what we want, right?

I see, Miss.

Melek.

If you want to talk.

If you need anything..

Go to Miss Sezgin.

Deal?

Sakiz.

Sakiz.

Sakiz.

Sakiz.

Sakiz, where are you?

Mom, where's Sakiz?

In heaven.

Dead. Saved.

It's the ones who stay here who get hurt.

And it's not my fault.

Cengiz heard you come back with your teacher last night.

He was very upset.

Come on.

gotta go.

I'm sorry, mom.

Sakiz is in heaven, right?

I think it's very fun there.

Don't worry, I'll be fine.

Things I like.

Making bubbles out of soap.

Melek.

Hey, come here, girl.

Where have you been.

Come on, make me some food and tea right now.

The ball rolling down the hill.

Melted ice cream.

Spinning on the chair.

Rain in the summer.

What did you do, girl?

Huh?

What the hell?

You're good for nothing, girl.

Clean it up.

I said clean it up.

What the hell are you looking at?

Come.

Come, look closer.

Clean it up.

Having a ponytail on both sides.

The smell of flowers when the floor is wiped.

Bringing tea.

Look at this mess.

Get the bread.

I'm sick of you. You're driving me crazy.

Pick them up.

Pick them all up.

You and your mom. You see what your mom did?

Huh?

Look at her lipstick and all. Pick them up.

Do you put it on like your mom?

Let's see if you can do it.

Crayons.

The mom from the shampoo commercial.

I talked with Suat, I'm not going tonight.

I won't entertain them everyday.

I'll have fun tonight.

We won't come back.

We'll stay at a hotel.

You sure?

You"ll drink all night. We can't return anyway.

I'm not talking about that.

What then, just, okay!

Just drive.

I have everything with me. Tickets too.

I'm bringing the photos. I'll have my laptop.

Okay.

Okay.

Mr Ercan.

Can I come in two hours?

Okay.

Okay, thanks.

Melek.

Melek.

Melek.

Melek.

Do you want anything?

Water?

Do you want water?

Are you hungry?

Should I make you something?

I'll make pasta.

What should I do?

Should we go out?

Would you like that?

Should we go to the park?

Mo-mosque.

Mosque.

Mosque.

Take me to the mosque's yard.

The mosque's yard?

What will you do there?

From the mosque's yard to a warm home.

Is that why you went there?

They'l...

They'll take me too.

Right, Miss?

Or...

do they...

only take babies from the mosque?

What do you think?

Your favorite things.

Mines?

Making bubbles out of soap.

Rain in the summer.

Making paper-planes.

Having a ponytail on both sides.

Melted icecream.

The mom from the shampoo commercial.

Migratory birds.

Migratory birds.

Birds, birds, please take me with you.

Birds, take me with you.

Please.

Birds, take me with you.

Birds.

Take me with you.

Where's your camera?

You missed the birds.

Melek, listen to me.

I'll kidnap you.

Maybe it's not what's best for you.…

...but still, Il be...

will be...

...your mother.

We'll live together now, if you want.

You and I.

Miss.

Would you like that?

Do you know what tomorrow is?

It's lying day.

Anyone can lie and fool each other.

We'll lie too.

We'll go somewhere where no one knows us.

I'll be your...

...mom and you'll be my daughter.

We'll lead a new life there.

We'll keep the truth from everyone.

Can you do that?

Until the end of your life...

...can you keep it up?

Melek.

Can you...

...call me mom?

Mom.

Mom.

Mom, mommy.

Mommy.

Hush.

Don't cry.

It'll be fine.

You're not abandoned.

You're abandoning them.

Mom.

Merve Girgin Aytekin

Faruk Bayhan Fatih Aksoy