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It's all over.

Take me, Ziya.

Do you really want to?

I won't do it like last time.

I promise.

This is for the best.

Let's go.

Oh, that madam-always leaves everything to the last minute.

Anyway, at least she made it in time.

Really, am I going to wear the chador?

- Like a bogeyman. - Afife,

You've turned twelve.

You can't go outside without covering your hair.

Then I won't go out.

Everyone's waiting for you at the table.

Look-purple moiré…

I even bought you new, slim little pumps.

Lace gloves,

A silvery purse,

Silk stockings…

Mom, please.

Afife, you're upsetting your mother.

What lovely silk stockings.

Look at that purse-it's gorgeous.

Come on, let's dress you right away.

Medire Sultan still couldn't bring her.

Afife-isa dolled-up girl, dear brother.

- Her primping never ends. - True.

Even so, we're hungry.

Not for primping, Pasha Father,

She's been cranky for days, saying she won't wear a chador.

Oh, that's out of the question.

We're already late.

- Mashallah, she's grown now. - What else is she supposed to do if not wear the chador?

The girl is right; if I were her, I'd cry too.

Uncle, french ladies in Paris don't wear the chador, do they?

If they did, men would be throwing it away.

What God created beautiful-

- what's the use of hiding it from the world? - Your Excellency Pasha,

They say veiling comes from the precepts of Islam.

Oh my, just look who's coming.

Mashallah-may God protect you, my child.

- Come along, dear. - Let me kiss your hand, Father Yiğit.

A keepsake of your first day.

Your grandmother's chador pin.

May you be like her-wise and well-behaved...

...a dear, virtuous lady, right?

These are the bones.

And these are the cartilages.

I couldn't find the French for "cartilage" in the Larousse Médical.

How could that be? Impossible.

It's there-you must have missed it.

I'll check again now.

Grandfather, we're here.

Do you know what your maid said?

You can't go to Mr. Ziya with your head uncovered.

She said, "You're under the chador now.”

Nonsense.

You grew up together.

I've come to ask you a favor.

- They're going to send me to school. - Good.

But my father strongly objected to the Academy of Fine Arts.

I love painting so much.

Would you mediate on this matter?

My father never listens to my mother,

but he respects you.

Ah, Monsieur Duval,

after all, I'm nothing but a kept woman.

In our relationship with Armağan,

there is always the appearance of interest.

Do you believe that I love your son?

I loved Armağan with a love free of self-interest.

To me, he was the hope and dream of my life.

Do you believe this?

Completely.

Merci, monsieur.

When you speak to me in that fatherly manner,

it elevates me in my own eyes.

It's a sacred pride

I had never known or felt until now.

For the sake of love and repentance,

Margaret, grant me my son's happiness.

Then, monsieur,

kiss me once as you would kiss your daughter.

I swear to you that this kiss-

this one kiss, truly pure in my life-

will give strength

to my resolve.

Your son will be back with you within eight days.

Perhaps unhappy for a time,

but forever saved.

You are a woman of noble nature.

You are attempting something such that God

will reward you for it.

Now please go, monsieur.

Your son will hate me,

you can be sure of that.

Afife, you haven't stayed faithful to the model again.

- And what is our model? - An armful of wildflowers.

You've made a bouquet wrapped in ribbons and lace.

Magnificent flaming roses.

Eliza would press those roses to her chest.

When she took the stage as that camellia-

-in the role of Marguerite Gautier.

Do you think of nothing but the theatre?

Anyway-

Now paint another little handful of wildflowers.

This old dress is wonderful.

It belonged to Sofi's aunt.

It looks great on you.

Let's see if the gentlemen will like it too.

If only your sister-

- had joined us with her oud. - Don't talk as if you don't know, Behiye.

She'd be scared to death of such things.

- I can sing even without accompaniment. - Are we ready?

It's starting, sir-it's starting!

The Afife troupe is starting!

I am ablaze, friends, ablaze, I'm weary of a faithless beloved.

Now-

you shall be honored with Lady Eliza's presence.

The unrivaled sovereign of our theatre,

is a guest today with the Afife troupe.

Our chaste and blissful princess,

our pride and joy, Elisa Binemecian!

With my deepest respects,

and my most exceptional love,

it would honor me to present my feelings of admiration, sir.

You're spoiling me.

You overwhelm me with your compliments.

Ah-

I am the only daughter of the Golden Elekyans,

their rarest flower.

You remember-

-you don't remember.

When I was honored by the King of America, Roosevelt the First,

he said to me, "How are you”

on that magnificent night.

And had I said to him-

-"Yes," then and there,

I would have become the Queen of America.

Ah, mademoiselle, ah!

Only daughter of the Golden Elekyans,

pearl of dream worlds-

-not to him,

say "yes" to me.

For I cannot make you Queen of America, but-

as the queen of my heart,

you are the crown upon my head.

Oh no-the door!

Unheard of!

I won't see you doing that dancer's act again.

If I do, you'll be out of your school as well-

- just so you know. - It wasn't a dancer's act.

- It was dramatic art. - Don't be ridiculous.

And if such

impertinent words come out of your mouth again, you'll get a slap.

You're going to slap me?

Can't I?

Or will His Excellency the Pasha decide that too?

Please, Mr. Hidayet,

don't bring my father into it.

If you'd allow it, we'd like to eat our meal.

Go on-enjoy your meal.

My two stepchildren, and my own daughter who's even more insolent than they are-

No one said anything.

We love you like our real father.

Especially you, Behiye-

you'll be married any day now.

Clapping from the place of honor in the box-

if your future husband saw you, how proud he'd be.

Shame on you.

May God grant you happiness, sister.

Thank you.

God willing, soon-

Mr. Salah's reassignment has come through.

- The news just arrived. - To Izmir? - Yes.

Madam, he is requested to be there at the start of the month.

You're all leaving one by one.

Your husband is taking you away.

We'll be left alone.

Heaven help us-at least the children still have one foot here.

Mother, don't say that.

What will she do there all alone?

Be proud-I married my daughter to the deputy governor.

My son joined the Railways.

What more do you want?

How quickly it all ended.

- I'm exhausted. - The same things will happen to you, too.

Who knows.

To do something-

-to do things,

to take something from one place and carry it to another-

- I don't know. - What is it you don't know?

Ziya, everything is changing in the country.

I never thought you'd be concerned with the country.

It's the feeling inside that makes me speak.

Please don't kill this feeling of mine.

It frightened me.

It frightened me.

Without my fear, all the hours…

You've drifted into daydreams again.

Out of boredom.

From loneliness-I miss Behiye so much.

Yet you always clashed.

Our temperaments clashed,

not our affections.

You know so much.

You're my governess; I learned from you.

Madam Sofi, who am I?

Am I only an "Afife”?

I'll marry, I'll have children-

morning coffee,

visiting neighbors,

cooking, dishes…

There's a huge emptiness in my heart.

Is that all Afife is?

You frighten me.

If I were an actress,

if I took the stage like Kınar,

like Eliza,

the earth would shake, Afife.

- People must conform to life. - No, Sofi.

- What if we're late? - Don't fret, ma'am.

We're almost there.

Doctor Neşet Ömer said he will get better till morning, Pasha.

I know, Rukiye.

I'm a doctor.

To God's decree-

not long now.

Sit.

To you-

-nor to Metiye can I leave much, Uncle Doctor.

Listen.

We borrowed money at interest.

As we sat idle, the interest grew.

The fellow pressed us hard.

Now-

all you have is this mansion.

If you sell it,

half belongs to Metiye.

Brother, we'll talk about this when you get better.

Ah.

I entrust Afife to you.

She is still a child.

Let Hidayet not mistreat her.

None of you mistreat her.

Now, suppose you're angry-

the person before you has provoked you-

you want to belittle him,

you want to humiliate him.

What are you saying, sir?

Master, why get angry?

Honestly!

Let's move on to the rehearsal piece you prepared.

I have nothing else to give you-

only myself-and, if I can, a diploma. That's all.

A diploma?

I've got a bogus one myself.

I don't want diplomas or anything.

Just love me-that's enough.

I feel I've withered from lack of feeling.

You're not yourself, Ziya.

Step out of line, just once.

Then you'll understand me.

Behire, Memduha,

Beyza, Refika, and Afife.

Afife.

For a moment I thought my heart would stop.

Will they let you perform bareheaded?

Perhaps we'll perform for women only.

I envy you, Afife.

Oh, Mrs. Eliza!

Hello, Mrs. Eliza.

- Yes, dear. - I'm one of your admirers.

I haven't missed a single performance of yours.

And I want to follow in your footsteps.

Aren't you Muslim?

Now Turkish girls will be able to take the stage too.

They've given this opportunity to five girls.

It was just announced.

Are you one of them?

No, madam.

Not "madam”-

Mrs. Eliza.

- Congratulations, little girl. - Will you help us?

Don't think the stage is easy.

Nevertheless, our elders have decreed it-

so everything else gives way.

Ma'am, what is this?

You've disgraced me before everyone.

Ms. Afife, a member of a respected family in our city,

has been examined,

and with a monthly salary of 500 kuruş,

has been admitted to the Darülbedayi staff as an actress.

Who is this Ms. Afife?

Don't you know?

I asked around and investigated.

Say you didn't know.

If I'd tried to stop her, she'd only have grown more stubborn.

You know she does whatever she sets her mind to.

What kind of mother are you, ma'am?

I merely turned a blind eye to Afife's impossible whims, that's all.

What else could it be?

First of all, you would not permit it.

Even if you happened to permit it, public opinion would not.

The authorities would block it.

I don't think you understood.

It says she's been made an actress.

Your daughter isn't asking anyone's permission-

she's branded a prostitute for becoming an actress,

and a "telli" prostitute at that-

depraved, hussy, slut.

I will be an actress, not a prostitute.

Insolent cur!

Please, Mr. Hidayet.

Vile creature!

Take back your words, Father.

This slap has become the seal on my actor's patent.

You've done a wrong.

Good evening, madam.

Where were you? Ziya waited and left.

We couldn't find a ride.

The Darülbedayi accounts office paid my salary.

I suppose they don't know why I received this money

any more than I do.

Maybe that's for the best.

Is it good if I'm not performing, mother?

It's as if the whole world has fallen into a deathly sleep.

Ten months have passed-there's a blessing in everything.

Let's wait and see.

Let's wait and see, let's wait and see.

Ziya brought the money for the mansion.

It's finally been sold.

Your aunt sent it.

Only money?

What about love?

Affection?

My mind is already a tangle.

Afife, we can't tire Sofi any further.

We must move into a rental.

Madam, this is your home too.

Afife is my daughter as well.

We're parting, Sofi.

We're parting.

My grandfather died-

my father is gone, and now we're parting from you too.

I can't believe it, Mr. Hüseyin Kemal.

Mother, come at once.

This excitement needs to calm down, Afife.

At last they're calling me-

they're calling me to the theatre!

Can you believe it, mother?

They're going to let me perform.

Madam Binemecian has left the role-

she's going to Paris.

You're certain nothing will happen to Afife-

-you're sure of it, sir?

She will go on as Emel in Hüseyin Suat's play "Patches.”

Our board

has nevertheless, considering all possibilities,

deemed it proper that you appear under the name Marika.

No-absolutely not.

I'm doing something good-

I wish to take the stage as a Turkish girl.

But we must find you a name.

It's customary.

Jale.

A dewdrop.

Afife Jale.

Everything is decaying-

even memories.

If only you had loved me once.

My unfortunate child.

It's over for us.

This girl is justified.

She is neither Eliza nor Kınar-

yet her rightness doesn't come from purity of diction.

She's excessively genuine.

I'm not at ease.

Such a great event won't pass all calm and smooth.

Neither her mother nor I could make her listen.

This girl's name is entering theatre history right now.

What are you saying?

Very successful, isn't she, Ms. Pınar?

You're a gem.

The first and only night I've been happy in my life.

Our stage needed a devotee of art.

And you are that devotee.

We'll never forget this.

Only-Afife, what do you think you're doing?

Going on stage bareheaded,

don't you know you can't perform theatricals?

With so many shrouds around, is it up to you

to trample your honor and dignity?

I practiced my art.

Sir, we invited the young lady.

I had authorized it.

Conduct contrary to Islamic propriety is a crime.

If a woman dares to do so, it's a crime twice over.

Don't step on the flowers!

Come on, child-I beg you, my dear.

I'm telling you the verdict public opinion

will pass on Ms. Jale.

You're not reckoning what price this carries.

I'm ready to pay the price.

Afife is a devotee.

Mr. Tahsin-

are you going to live every evening fleeing a police raid?

Yours is a madness.

It's been the same for nights.

That has its own thrill, too.

Is your mother not at home?

No, she must have gone to my father.

I have a fear inside me, Ziya.

If one day you break away from me too-

A person-say, from a hunch-

That sounded ugly.

Can one break away from one's own eye, one's own heart?

Promise you won't forget me.

Don't put me in a difficult spot.

I can't do you wrong.

It isn't wrong-

it's

a decision.

My decision.

I know my responsibility.

I'll send my mother tomorrow.

We'll marry at once.

You'll leave Darülbedayi.

Don't you love me?

This is my life, Ziya.

I've proved I love.

I will live the rest myself.

Meaning-

Darülbedayi will always be there.

It's you who are running from me.

You need to feel that.

It's not easy to explain the objections.

I can't stop it.

I can't just hover at your skirts.

You'll make a decision too, Ziya.

Sooner or later.

Was my place good?

- Teacher, what did you think? - I release you all.

My children.

If only we'd run the last act once more-

Don't tire yourselves in vain, my dear.

Don't tire yourselves in vain.

Ah-

Ah, in my childhood there was an Atamyan.

A great actor, a dramatic artist.

He didn't act; he lived it.

Will it be Othello-

Atamyan has gone off to Cyprus,

breathing the air.

So he is Romeo, then...

As if in Verona itself-living within those events of that time.

He would sacrifice his life to his role.

He died on stage.

You are like him; you forget yourself.

Even in our humble backstage room. Bless you, my girl.

Did something happen, Ziya?

Why didn't you come in?

I came to say goodbye.

This time it's different.

I'm crossing to Anatolia tonight.

A decision like yours.

It all happened at once-there's my schoolmate Hasan.

He confided in me,

and I decided suddenly.

Godspeed.

It's war-there's leaving and not returning,

coming back and not finding.

You're letting me go of your own free will, aren't you?

- Does my mother know? - No one knows.

This befits us too.

Farewell, Afife Jale.

Pakize, will you forgive me?

Don't leave my conscience in torment in this world.

To Manifest-

My captivity did not suffice with the body alone;

I lived its most grievous form, reaching into soul and heart.

I became your mistress.

For good or ill, we have a child.

Mr. Masbi is calling you in.

Pakize, go bring our child.

Where is that woman?

Where is that shameless disgrace, that black mark?

I said, where is she?

I hear you've been putting a Turkish girl on stage here.

Come on-hurry up.

This time they'll kill me.

Bite your tongue.

- The monsieur's carriage is outside. - And this time Ziya isn't here.

There are police at the pier; they're probably not waiting for us.

What if they recognize us?

Are they fortune-tellers?

You weren't supposed to go out at all.

They've sent a telegram.

If there were anything to fear, would they be calling?

Darülbedayi is afraid for itself too.

Don't come if you don't want.

- Don't stop. - Ladies, lift your veils.

We brought her, sir.

The great actress and artist-

Am I being honored with Lady Jale?

Beyond all your offenses,

you've also been needlessly occupying

the forces of the state for two days.

I'll report you to the chief of police.

Mr. Tahsin sent you a letter granting permission.

- Or did you not receive it, Mr. Sabri? - I received it.

You will go on stage

denying your religion, your nation, your honor-

and I'm supposed to bow to a private letter?

This lady has done nothing wrong.

While you put women on stage there,

it's as if I see my own wife's name flaunted in the theatre!

- Shameless, brazen men! - You can't speak to us like that.

We won't let the likes of you live in this country.

Take this woman to the directorate-let her learn her place.

Someone will hear me out.

I'll file a complaint.

I raise my glass again to the minister

who honored our house, sir.

To your honor, truly.

Ms. Afife, once more-get well soon.

But-

I see your glass is empty.

It wasn't, sir.

I had a sip of wine left.

You didn't much care for rakı.

I don't like it-I'm not used to it at all.

Ha ha.

Merci.

A little rakı-

then, sir,

plenty of water.

Once you get used to it…

I'd always meant to ask-

Mr. Konstantin,

the man who brought the horse-drawn tram to Istanbul-

- are you related to Karapara Efendi? - He was my grandfather.

I followed him in the profession.

Thanks to his company, I became director.

Is that so? Very nice.

Ms. Elena,

once again tonight your dishes were wonderful as always.

If there's anything wonderful at this table, it's Ms. Afife.

Ha ha.

She has conquered all Istanbul with her art.

You flatter me.

Indulge my curiosity-

how is it

that a lady as charming,

as intelligent and artist-spirited as you is left alone?

Ha ha.

Nevertheless, your lady friend is an excellent chaperone.

Do forgive my boldness-

my brother is in Izmir; as for the gentleman to whom I'm engaged, a few days…

he had promised another engagement a few days earlier.

Ha ha-and he…

…left you to us.

What good fortune, what a happy stroke.

You're very kind.

So-would you like to have your coffee in the salon?

Coffees and cognacs!

Istanbul's finest cognacs are drunk in this house.

Mademoiselle-Napoléon or Courvoisier?

- Merci. - Merci, no?

- Merci, oui. - Merci, oui.

Of course-if the drinker permits,

regarding the lady's matter,

Let's take our coffee and cognac while we talk.

This won't do; an artist should know these things.

So, they've upset you greatly.

The administrative authorities-

the nightly fear: "were we raided, will we be raided?”

Especially the latest incident.

If you wish,

we are ready to free you from all of this.

How could I not wish it?

My request isn't much-what Ms. Kınar

and Ms. Eliza have been afforded.

Yes.

To be under the protection of an Interior Minister

means a great deal with the authorities.

I love artists-

how beautifully they portray an innocent, chaste woman.

Were handcuffs put on these lovely hands?

What a pity-truly a pity.

Please, sir.

Your Excellency, Minister,

we have known each other a long time.

I don't want you to be hurt.

-since you've chosen this path- -you've had too much to drink.

Let's forget this ugly scene, please.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

You're happy to live ugly scenes in the theatre-

but that is something very different.

It has nothing to do with my life.

Your life-the rest of it-belongs to your decision.

Never, Your Excellency.

Hm.

That "never" will, in the end, make you suffer-

an unceasing headache.

We shall see now, madam.

Please.

- Get well soon. - The doctor is here, my girl. - Thank you.

- Your complaint? - My head.

It's as if they're gouging it-a screwdriver boring in.

Pardon me, I'll look at your pupils.

Ms. Jale-

I should have recognized you by your voice.

No need to say it.

I've seen "Patches," "The Sweet Secret," all of them.

- What happened to you? - They upset me; they wore me out.

Turns out we were neighbors.

I've been a theatre fanatic since childhood.

We're originally Syrian.

For a Turkish girl to show such courage-

-it's impossible not to be proud.

Everything that's happened to us is because of that courage.

I'm not sorry.

Of course you shouldn't be.

Do you think there's no one defending you?

- So you've finally returned. - Ah, Istanbul, Istanbul!

It doesn't let one breathe even in Paris.

Believe me, I was seized by nostalgia.

We feel the same.

We were deeply moved by your company-

by your art, your elegance, your singular beauty.

Ha ha, you're very kind.

Our language-

how could one forget an artist who speaks it better than we do?

Please, don't say that.

But I've heard

that some Muslim ladies are now

honoring the theatre with their presence.

They wished it-

they showed that boldness.

Nevertheless, the public couldn't stomach it.

His Excellency the Grand Vizier also objected strongly.

- As you know, things are quite unsettled. - I understand.

I suppose you'll return to the place

you left vacant-one no one else can fill.

Now-

Your Excellency, Minister,

I am an actress.

The theatre runs in my blood.

Even in Paris, unable to refuse the offers,

I performed as a guest.

When I returned to Istanbul, Darülbedayi invited me as well.

I learned that, in my stead-

in my place-

for now a young lady named Afife is performing the art.

If you ask Kınar,

she says she is quite successful.

Ha ha.

She might have been-

had she not fallen into the notion that she could do all this

by ability alone.

She refused our help.

Now we wish to see you at Darülbedayi.

I'm sorry, sir-

as long as Ms. Afife remains at Darülbedayi, I cannot perform there.

Leave the matter to me, Eliza.

When have I ever gainsaid your word?

I want to applaud you as soon as possible.

Afife-addressed to the administration-

a letter has been sent from the Istanbul Municipality.

I regret to say

this letter concerns you as well.

The Municipality

orders that Muslim ladies henceforth not be put on stage,

and in particular that Ms. Jale be immediately

removed from the cast.

Our board

has debated for nine days how to implement this grave decision,

and in the end-

helplessly-resolved to obey the order, my girl.

You're expelling me.

Heaven forbid.

Heaven forbid.

Afife, you must understand-

otherwise the entire theatre might be shut down.

If you stop by accounts,

your remaining balance-

With this farewell, I have no account left at all, sir.

You've conveyed your decision-

now you're at ease.

You've rid yourself of a burden.

For the sake of this art, I've lost everything.

Who cares?

Had it been another country, the earth would have shaken.

But now I know-

in this cause I am alone.

-Afife- -especially you-

we shared the same stage.

What a strange thing this is.

There, on stage, you share the very same thing-

then you're strangers to each other.

You're right to be upset,

but not this much.

Nothing can be as important as your health.

Have a bite of something.

If a person goes 24 hours without eating or drinking and keeps crying-

you need rest.

Your vegetative system is in collapse.

Can we boil it?

She doesn't want to-there are things I want to tell our patient.

Sometimes these things happen; one falls into despair.

I have a special medicine for moments like this.

I use it myself from time to time.

-If it will ease my pain- -It certainly will.

But if you wish,

you'll be living inside a dream.

Here you are.

We'll make Ms. Afife comfortable.

Everything will pass.

You will forget everything.

For now, close your eyes again.

There's nothing to worry about-don't be so upset.

Thank you, Mr. Suat.

I'll stop by again tomorrow evening.

If Darülbedayi is an institution,

Burhanettin alone is a school-an academy.

We fear no one.

You'll get your advance tomorrow, too.

A nice sleep tonight-

and no worrying about anything.

Thank you, brother Burhanettin.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

Child-

don't let me see you with a lemon-face again.

You are the crown of my theatre.

Thank you.

Afife-

do you know a talented girl at the Napoléon?

We're going to need one badly.

There's Seniye-and there was Perihan; who knows where she is now.

All right, I'll look into it, brother Burhanettin.

- Yes. - Shall we take it from the top?

Okay, you'll stop there-right here-hmm.

Got it.

Bonaparte-

you cannot leave me and go.

Life is so hard for me without you.

I cannot bear it, truly.

How did you learn I'm leaving?

The palace is in an uproar.

Bonaparte, please take me too.

You're supposed to run and fall at my feet-

but I just can't feel it.

Afife will heighten the emotion.

Yes-let's begin.

All right, what now?

You'll repeat your last lines.

From the end-go on.

Bonaparte, please take me too.

- Who's there? - Doctor Suat, sir.

You didn't call-I was worried.

Your mother said you were here.

Plainly a kind of migraine.

You have an overly excitable constitution.

I'm terrified it will strike while I'm on stage.

Will you give an injection?

No-that would be too much.

We'll apply something else now.

You'll sniff it like snuff.

Nothing to be afraid of.

Have you never taken snuff?

Well-do women take it?

My grandfather found it most vulgar.

Come now-the best headache powder.

That's all.

Did the world collapse?

One's own fate-

does one draw it oneself, Mr. Suat?

If society won't forgive our loves,

slowly, gently-

-pushed and shoved- -you're right.

One person against an entire society-

misunderstood, utterly alone-

scorned-

is it ever possible?

I was burning with fever-

even so, I had them dress me.

They took me to the vaudeville theatre.

I went to that box-

the box where I gave you our first rendezvous.

My eyes were on the seat where you used to sit.

And in that seat last night,

a coarse fellow was sitting-

laughing at the top of his lungs at everything the actors said.

My white camellia-

I left it forever.

I coughed all night.

I spat blood.

It's all over, Armağan.

Arma…

Arm…

I hear you're performing Napoleon.

God willing.

They say Afife will go on as the ingénue.

Mr. Burhanettin-

this is not my idea.

His Excellency the Grand Vizier is absolutely-

regarding Muslim ladies

appearing on stage-virtually forbidding it.

I'm telling you.

- Turn back while there's still time. - We'll be ruined!

You won't be ruined, Mr. Burhanettin.

Otherwise law enforcement will step in-

and the usual story.

As for us-

- playing with fire; still, we got off lightly. - Will this chase-and-flee…

never end?

Let's see-you're only at the start.

Even I'm at the start.

I'm very afraid of graveyards.

No dead can harm us as much as these living filths.

Tonight I'm upset not because they took the theatre from me,

but because for the first time I'm jobless and penniless.

Money is found-money's easy.

I can't live on tips and charity.

- I believe in the dignity of theatre. - And you're crying.

I told you he'd come.

Now you'll feel at ease.

Where do you get these things?

I'm a doctor.

Before long you'll learn the method.

I'll say it once more, Afife:

you are a great artist.

You'll be wasted here.

Don't be stubborn-come to Egypt with us.

We can perform anything we want there.

We'll do drama-

You and Seniye are like sisters.

You're the one who brought her to the theatre-and to me.

We're getting married, Afife.

I'll hold you to my heart like a child, like a sister.

Don't be afraid-come with us.

I can't-Egypt, I can't go.

If I'm going to do something, I want to be here.

I haven't lost all hope.

Good news is coming from Ankara.

Something will happen-good things.

I'm very stubborn, aren't I?

But I will clear the thorns from our path-

the women after me will walk those clean roads.

- Isn't it worth it? - Of course.

The family was torn apart solely because of your whim.

Shaving against the grain-against the course of pain-recklessness.

A profession devoid of modesty and decency.

A woman's most sacred duty is motherhood.

Do you hear from Ziya?

If that's why you came-there's not much news.

Look, I have some advice for you:

let go of Ziya.

Let my son come home.

He left promising to return-

a whole year has passed; he won't return,

no matter how much I beg.

You are the reason.

He went of his own will.

Ah, my girl-what business does an Istanbul lad have over there?

You're the cause-that's what I know and say.

If you'll excuse me, I'll go.

You'd do well-night's falling.

We still keep to the old propriety, ladies-

especially unmarried girls

should be home by this hour.

Don't trouble yourself to come all this way again.

Take two breaths-you'll perk up.

There's no salvation now, is there?

I've been having nightmares for days.

Why did you do this to me?

You were in great anguish-

you couldn't bear the pain.

I need it.

Not every time without a price.

I wanted you to be mine.

-The first day- -morphine- -then…

- Excuse me-are you Ms. Afife? - Yes, please?

My name is Şaziye-I'm a fan of yours.

I don't know how many letters I wrote you-

then I tore them all up.

I didn't want to be impertinent.

Please, not at all.

God set you in my path-truly.

You know what?

I do theatre as well-

at Mr. İbnürrefik's new theatre.

Aren't you afraid?

I took courage from you.

Would you join us?

I know everything-that you're offended at the master.

I'm only offended at Darülbedayi.

We'll see-maybe.

I'll tell the master-he'll be pleased.

- Isn't she Mr. Hidayet's daughter, the actress Afife? - Yes, that one.

The poor man died because of her.

He'd thrown her out of the house.

They say she wasn't pretty at all.

Our husbands never got along-ever.

May the departed's soul not be tormented. - Why's that?

What can one do against fate?

- To those we've lost-cheers. - Don't be unfair. - Let it go.

Tell me what you've been through.

How much longer are you here?

War is terrible-that's all.

I should return to the front in a few days-

if I don't get caught.

You're fighting for a new life.

I'm stuck in the past.

A new world

Sometimes I think I wish we'd never lived that night-

and sometimes I say I'm glad I did.

We could start everything over too.

Impossible.

God's turned stingy, Ziya-

saying, "this much is enough for you.”

I've been someone else for a long time-don't blame me.

I'm not blaming you-I just couldn't understand you.

Maybe…

Like everyone, you've joined İbnürrefik Bey's theatre.

We're doing comedy.

I no longer have a choice.

I have to accept whatever comes my way.

Aren't you going to say anything to me?

Whatever I wanted to win-

I lost.

What do you mean, "I can't stop it”?

I'm giving the orders.

Raid the theatre-

threaten them-be done with it.

Then get the hell out of your post.

I know how to find someone who'll do it.

Madam, tonight Afife will be finished forever.

And when will I have the pleasure of hosting you?

Does it hurt you like this?

Marry me.

- So I can get rid of you. - You will.

I don't force anyone.

My grandfather used to speak of a doctors' oath-

the Hippocratic Oath.

Goodbye, doctor.

You're going too far.

Use it sparingly.

Don't mess up your clothes-

don't tousle your hair-

don't make your heart race-

I don't like brazen liberty.

May God grant you long life, sir.

- Please, sit. - May God grant you long life, sir.

Do sit down, dear.

Well then-to better days.

To better days.

Afife-

isn't it like a miracle?

In a province

of Anatolia, men and women watch a play together-

and we perform.

In Istanbul, Ms. Bedriye

is winning success upon success.

Isn't ours success, too?

Every night, a national stage in a different city.

To the Fikret Şadi company-

I have no sin.

Bican messed up everything.

Erhan-

be more sincere.

Let's not interrupt the theatre, Mr. Şadi.

Mr. Şadi, forgive me-I cut your work short.

I'm the chief of police, sir.

- A pleasure. - The honor is mine, sir.

Are you satisfied with your hotel?

Is the theatre arranged as you wished?

Excellent, sir.

Won't you come in?

I dropped by while passing to take your orders.

Please-no need.

I see

your troupe also includes distinguished ladies.

Truly, the presence of Turkish women

in your troupe is worthy of praise.

Then I congratulate you, Mr. Sabri-

but which one are you?

You're also the one who slapped us because "the Turkish woman is on stage," aren't you?

I know him-he has a heavy hand.

From those days to these-thank God we've come this far.

I await your instructions at the directorate.

Please-no need.

Don't mess up your clothes-

don't tousle your hair-

don't make your heart race-

I don't like brazen liberty.

May God grant you long life, sir.

You're frowning again, Afife.

How strange, Mr. Şadi.

All my life I wanted to play drama-

that's what I wanted.

Now I'm onstage for comedy every night.

The drama's left for my life.

Do come again, sir.

If you're ever in the area.

Hello, Afife.

Are you staying here?

I saw your posters.

We open tonight-Hisse-i Şayia.

Sadly, I have to go.

You've changed a lot.

You got married.

I did.

I'm in the thread trade.

Everything was left half-done-

medicine, school… you.

-Are you happy? -I live like everyone else.

I have a home. A shop.

A child?

I have a daughter.

I'm glad.

I shouldn't keep you any longer.

Goodbye.

Mr. Şadi-

tonight is the last.

With your permission, I won't return to Istanbul with you.

I'll go on to Kastamonu to see my mother,

at my sister's.

We'll meet when I'm back in Istanbul.

As you wish.

I wanted to thank you too, Afife.

You didn't leave us alone.

That's theatre-such a merciless grind.

It takes heart to endure it like you.

And we played comedy every night-

ha ha, Hisse-i Şayia.

Hisse-i Şayia.

Anyway, she's asleep.

Exhausted.

I know those headaches.

-They're unbearable. -All because of the theatre.

Instead of getting married nicely and having children…

You can't have more than what fate allows.

You were at fault too.

If I'd left her like everyone else-

if I'd kicked her when she was down-

what would've become of the child?

I'm saying this for Afife's own good, mother.

Weren't you asleep?

-I'll step out for a bit. -At this hour?

Here you go, ma'am.

Rosewater, cotton.

I was going to get Erol Cemal.

-Of course, Ms. Afife. -Do we know each other?

It's a small place.

Who doesn't know Ms. Afife?

I was hoping you could help me.

Well… I get these headaches.

I left the prescription in Istanbul.

May we step inside?

I need morphine.

Not possible without a prescription.

If you wanted…

…you could arrange it, kid. -The pharmacist will notice.

I was terribly upset today.

About Afife.

You must have known.

About what?

Pharmacist Salih came to the governor's office.

He asked to speak in private.

He'd discovered morphine had been stolen lately,

caught the assistant red-handed,

pressed him-threats,

"I'll call the police," and so on-

and it turns out Ms. Afife was the one using the morphine.

The governor's sister-in-law.

Good heavens.

The assistant pushed me hard,

begged-said she paid a lot.

If anyone heard that the governor's sister-in-law is a morphine addict,

that she

used my name and position to bring that curse into my home-

if anyone heard…

Mother, mother-

that's how it is, too.

Where is your daughter?

She was in her room, reading.

Ms. Afife, Pharmacist Salih came to see me today.

Brother-in-law, please don't tell.

Mr. Fuat, I beg you.

Afife is dying all over again today.

I don't want to be humiliated.

Let me go-I'll leave, I'll disappear.

Madam, for a while Afife will live under my supervision.

In this room, without leaving.

Do you understand?

No one will hear of it; if she obeys me, her captivity will be brief.

-What is it, mother? -It's Afife.

She's run away.

-Good evening. -The queen has arrived early.

-It's warmer than home here. -For now.

We're a bit better than kept men.

By our bearing, we're artists;

by our poverty, we're dung beetles. Ha!

Zembul, why didn't you become another Eliza?

Well, she's a Parisian lady.

Not like us.

Her life is theatre.

She up and left for Paris, set up her comforts.

And what are we?

Don't sell yourself short-nonsense.

We're living life artistically.

How many have an artist's courage?

If only this "artist's life" would end.

Hmph.

Come in.

Are you ready?

The audience is overflowing.

Do you remember Mr. Selahattin-

from his compositions?

-Ah, wine for me. -I'm out of rakı.

Merci.

Ms. Afife-an old admirer of yours,

a loyal member of your audience.

Afife is full of loyalty, too.

I've never seen you, but I've heard so much.

You surprise me.

Let's drink to it-to this timeless bond.

Please, I don't drink much.

Ah, then good day.

The good days are ahead.

Good days?

Where are they?

Are there any?

What is this girl saying?

Selahattin-

they're shutting down the National Stage.

It was our last night.

We came to bury the corpse.

What's Darülbedayi for, then?

I was expelled from Darülbedayi.

But back then, it was because of the ban on women.

Darülbedayi bowed to the ban,

without any defense.

Now there are other women artists.

I was kicked out for being a woman.

Here it is.

Sorry to trouble you.

May I see you again?

At the theatre? I doubt it.

-I'm jobless again, jobless. -At your home?

If you like-come in, if you're not sleepy.

This doesn't feel like a home.

A bleak set.

Like me.

It's nearly morning.

I make a lovely tea.

I'll make the tea.

If I knew you wouldn't be upset-

part of me is glad the theatre closed.

What a beautiful smile you have.

One day all this will be a memory.

Is it worth remembering?

Of course-you'll take shelter in those memories.

You're the best, Mr. Selahattin-

I love your carefree mood today.

Selahattin doesn't play for free.

He'll play the tambur first.

Haven't you had enough, Zembul?

I've never had comforting memories.

Everything I've lived

shattered like broken glass.

That's my whole story.

You asked.

I told you without hiding a thing.

Morphine addict, cocaine addict,

a failed actress,

a wretched woman.

I listened.

If one day you graciously visit me,

I don't even have a single potted flower.

This figurine-

this pitcher-

cast-offs from my mother's house.

All of it.

Everything we have.

Why are we like this?

Why didn't we turn out like others?

Why couldn't we be like everyone else-have you wondered?

I have. We're two who were rejected.

That's what matters.

Our hearts have always lived a step or two ahead.

We've shouldered life-its good and its evil.

Maybe we can help each other-

lighten the load.

Or maybe we'll sink a little deeper in the mud.

What's there to fear?

I'll say something-

straight out of the blue.

Would you marry a man

like me-little money, few means,

a warm heart,

a colorful temperament-bit of a rogue?

I couldn't do you wrong.

What would you do, marrying me?

We two, the rejected ones…

Welcome.

It's impossible not to envy you.

I asked the color of her eyes.

They said, "black love.”

Come on, Selahattin-

you've never composed for me.

This must be the black of "black love.”

Sofi-my eyes can't believe it, my dear Sofi!

I thought I'd never find you.

If I look for the little girl feeding the fish, it's impossible not to.

You haven't changed much-the same innocence.

Perhaps your heart… Ah, Sofi, I'm glad you came.

It's been three months.

I've looked everywhere for you.

Back from where?

I'd been in Athens for years.

My people are there.

I came back-

to die in my homeland.

Life is over.

As if I never lived.

You married Mr. Selahattin.

Everyone's talking about you.

That his family disowned us?

What can we do?

We have to live.

Those long days,

those stifling evenings never ended, Sofi.

The objections didn't end-

- The pain didn't end. - One night I dreamed of you; I was crying.

No, I'm fine.

Selahattin and I are fine.

The theatre has changed.

So they told me.

They say I can't keep up with the tempo.

I'm a pupil of Silve.

Look what they've done to us.

You're fit as a fiddle, Brother Burhanettin.

I perform Abdülhak Hamit for students-for a fee.

Hamit is forgotten.

Tragedy is forgotten.

Forgotten-begging school principals with hat in hand.

Under these conditions, how can I ask you to work with us, Afife?

You'd enter from here-

a bunch of students who don't understand you,

silence instead of applause,

a few coins pressed into your hand afterward…

You can't share this fate, Afife.

Afife-

why aren't you joining us?

I've a bit of a headache.

Mr. Selim wants cacık.

If it's no trouble.

Of course.

I'll make it.

There's nothing else to do anyway.

You're bored.

Why would I be?

You've only been practicing for four hours.

Please, Afife.

All right, I'm quiet.

Should the cacık have garlic?

Why did we live like this-

destroying the best things inside us?

I told you-

I said you wouldn't stand it.

What now, my love?

All day long,

he sings songs: "I've become the talk of the town because of you.”

And I listen.

I just decided in the kitchen,

while chopping onions:

I won't listen to those songs anymore.

I have no strength left.

I won't sing.

I'll be silent.

I won't sing by your side.

No, my dear-

you won't be by my side anymore.

Everyone's been against us for so long.

Even my mother's lamenting, "If only they'd at least gotten married.”

Who am I?

Who am I that everyone talks like this?

Who cares what people chatter about?

I'm not a woman worth upsetting your parents over.

You'll get used to it, Sela-

Afife.

You can't manage without me anymore.

Not with you-

nor without you.

I can manage even without the theatre.

It was my only support.

It's the only thing that never left me.

I wanted to break free.

But it wouldn't let me.

It wrapped itself around my very bones.

What can you do-alone?

Isn't life a beginning?

- I'm an actress who died before I began, right? - Forget it.

If that's what you want, Afife-

I have no money for morphine or rakı.

I have nothing.

Take everything I have-

just don't go.

Sela…

I have to go.

That's final.

I must do this-

so I don't drag you any further into the mud.

Forgive me, my love.

We-

the two rejected ones-

it didn't work.

We failed.

Is this Mr. Ziya's house?

Yes-I'm his wife.

May I see him? I'm his cousin.

Please tell him it's Afife.

Sorry to trouble you, Ziya.

Welcome.

They gave me your address at the shop.

Sometimes one misses things-

thinks the past can return.

-May I take your coat? -No need.

I just dropped by, that's all.

Won't you stay for dinner?

I should get home.

At least see my daughter.

I've kept you from your work.

Not at all-Ziya always talks about you.

Sadly, I never saw you on stage.

It's no great loss, madam-

an old actress who couldn't persevere.

What's your name, dear? -Afife.

You want to kill yourself.

Come on-get up, I'll make tea.

-Come. -Leave me-go.

Girl, am I a monster that you tell me to go?

Don't bother-there's no helping here.

A tiny little girl-

I couldn't protect her,

couldn't care for her.

The bird was shot-

they shot the bird.

Do you have some money?

I do-what do you need?

Take this.

My grandfather gave it to me.

A pearl belongs to its owner.

I have money.

And I have your money with me.

My tears are flooding the floor as it is.

- Still keeping things separate? - I need it; I'm going mad.

Good grief, girl-yours is an illness.

Kidney colic or this-it's all the same.

Why did I wait until it got this bad?

I went mad when I got your letter.

Couldn't you have told me sooner?

How is Darülbedayi?

We're preparing The Cherry Orchard.

Whoever catches this cursed illness called theatre-

never recovers, that's that.

I wonder about Cahide.

They say she's soaring.

If I had the strength-how I'd wish…

There's a strange, girlish aura about her-

veiled in a haze.

A beautiful woman.

Does she act like me?

They say Cahide resembles you.

Maybe.

She'll rise.

I can feel it.

I love her without seeing her.

We've thought of something, Afife.

You-

I say we admit you to a hospital.

To a hospital?

A mental hospital?

Only if you want.

We spoke with Dr. Mazhar Osman.

You'll truly receive care-

better than living like this.

Will they beat me there?

Of course not-don't be absurd.

Memduha, Refika…

Afife.

They've forgotten me, Şaziye.

- I came as soon as I heard. - And the others?

Where are they?

My first night on stage, who encouraged me-

Those great men who kissed my forehead

my admirers, the audience-

where are my friends?

They all forgot.

Fine-quickly.

Hasn't it always been like this?

Alone.

With no one.

Haven't I always been alone?

I'm suffocating here.

I don't want to die in a madhouse corner.

There's no harm in discharging her.

But where will she go?

Who will care for her-and with what?

Theatre-

is a torch that sets souls alight.

Until I die, springing from that torch,

I swear I'll live by the fire

of the spark that set my soul ablaze.

Did you make this vow, too?

You'll find her greatly deteriorated.

The illness progresses like this-

ever more agitating-

ever more lethal. -Is treatment impossible?

More or less.

Her will has collapsed, but she isn't insane.

I'll take her in with me now.

Why didn't my mother come?

Does she not want me?

Come with me, Afife-your sister-in-law will care for you.

Has she left me?

Afife, please.

Everyone has left me.

We lost mother this autumn.

I couldn't call-because you didn't want me to.

You go back, brother.

I won't show this filth to a woman I don't even know.

I won't.

Did you need something? I already looked.

It's a beautiful dress.

A "La Dame aux Camélias" costume.

Don't come back.