Original subtitles

November 10th, 1938 The Palace of Dolmabah�e

Sir!

Mr. Salih!

Mr. Salih!

What is it? What do you want?

Sir, you asked us to bring your son. He's here, sir.

Wait a minute.

Yes, sir!

Come in.

Come here, Muzaffer.

Sit down.

I asked for you in such a rush, but...

I'm going to tell you something important.

I'm listening, papa.

How is the school, is it going well?

Very well, papa.

Well done.

Son, I'm going to tell you a secret...

on the condition that it remains between us.

Of course, papa.

You're supposed to tell nobody, promise?

Promise!

Unfortunately, Atat�rk is in a coma, my son.

And I want you to know that...

if something happens to him...

I will also end my life.

Papa, how can you say that?

I've been thinking a lot.

After his death, a life for me is no more possible.

This is...

how should I say...

it's like living without oxygen!

Don't cry.

Don't you cry!

You know, I don't like men who cry.

Come here.

You're a big boy now.

You will be the man who takes care of our family.

Look at me.

I entrust your mother and your sisters to your care.

Take care of our family.

Go to school, and serve your country.

But papa...

Farewell, my son.

Come on now.

Come on.

Papa...

My God, give me strength.

My general...

My general...

You succeeded in everything they said impossible.

You overcame everything through your will power.

You can overcome this as well.

Come on, my general.

Make an effort.

I'm sure you're hearing me, my general.

Listen to me.

If something befalls to you...

just know that I will follow you.

The general cannot go anywhere without his aide-de-camp.

Muzaffer?

What are you doing here?

What are you doing, I said.

Why aren't you in the class?

Why are you crying, is there anything wrong?

No, sir.

Then what is this state of yours, son? Come here.

Son, you know that I'm a friend of your father.

Come on, tell me.

My son, Muzaffer...

Unfortunately, words are not enough...

to describe the pain and the pangs of conscience I lived through...

after you left.

I must have hurt you deeply...

by doing what none of the fathers in the world does to his son.

I presume you have thought that...

a man cannot do such an evil to his family even for the sake of Atat�rk.

For this reason...

Our story began in Thessaloniki, my son.

We were both six years old.

My brave son!

You will be such a student one day.

What? You didn't like it?

But they're so strange looking, maybe I should go to another school?

Sure you can, but...

your mother wants you to get enrolled to the religious school.

But papa...

My son!

Your mother wants you to be a preacher.

She wants you to be accompanied by prayers.

Let us comply with her wish.

Don't be so sorry, young man.

First, let's get you enrolled to the school your mother prefers.

Then we'll see about it.

Come on.

Let God accept your prayers.

Your mother raised you very well, my son.

Let Him accept yours, too.

Now, put on your shoes.

Mustafa used to adore his father.

That stroll on Ramadhan day with his father left a mark in his mind.

In the city of Thessaloniki of the era, Muslims, Orthodox, Jews...

all the subjects of the Ottoman empire were living in peace.

Papa, it's like daytime!

Sure my son, now we have gas in Thessaloniki.

In a few years, our houses will also be illuminated like this.

Papa?

Does God light those lamps?

No, my son, God is a great power.

He's too busy to see to our lamps. Lamps are lit by the gas!

The goose? The goose in our garden?

Such a buffoon!

Not the goose, it's the gas!

Does fire burn his mouth?

No, my son. Come!

Oh, Hacivat!

Come sit and watch a little while.

Oh dear!

It suits so well to my son!

Just like a little Hodja!

My son will memorize the Coran!

He will become a Hodja.

He will teach Coran.

Right, my love?

Do you like it?

Mustafa?

It's a pity, Z�beyde!

Why this insistence on the religious school?

We should have sent him to a modern school.

He could become an army officer.

He does not want it either.

Modern schools are not for me, Ali R�za!

We discussed it so many times.

Mustafa will be a preacher.

Come on.

Z�beyde?

My garden of Eden...

Allright.

Whatever you want.

I will send Mustafa off.

It was our first day in the school.

Right when I wanted to catch Mustafa...

I knocked over the preacher's lectern.

Here comes the preacher! Here comes the preacher!

Here comes the preacher! Here comes the preacher!

Quick! Here comes the preacher!

Who did this?

Who did this, I said!

Is it you?

Is it you?

Is it you?

Since you're not talking...

everybody will be punished by bastinado.

We begin by the first raw. Get up!

Was it you?

Yes.

How did it happen?

I was running.

Were you hustling somebody?

No.

Tell me whoever your accomplice was.

Then you'll share the beating with him.

Or else you alone will get it.

Who was with you?

I'm a preacher for forty years!

It doesn't get knocked down by itself.

This boy was obviously fighting with somebody.

Whoever was with him should get up now.

What is your name?

Mustafa.

Mustafa, I wash my hands of it.

Come here.

I'll prepare an ointment for your foot, you're going to be allright.

Okay, just tell me.

What did you do to deserve such a hard beating from the Hodja?

My poor child...

Come on, sleep a little.

I will prepare your ointment.

Cruel man!

He has tortured such a small child.

Sleep now, my baby.

Come in, Salih.

Don't exhaust Mustafa too much.

Hi.

Ouch!

Does it hurt so much?

Well, a little.

It definitely hurts very much, but you don't tell.

Were you afraid today?

Yes, but you weren't afraid at all.

I was, but pretended not to be.

Here, I picked hawthorn berries for you from the garden.

That day, he had saved me from getting beaten, but...

I had felt deep in my heart every blow on his feet.

We were spending every day together.

That day we were so happy until his uncle called him.

In the middle of Manastir...

Boys!

Quick! Come here!

Come on!

My son...

I'm leaving this world.

Take this sword.

When you grow up to be an honorable soldier...

you're going to wear this sword.

My dear son.

My brave son.

My brave Mustafa...

Death prayer is heard in Thessaloniki

Now I'm going to tell my Mustafa a tale...

so that he sleeps well.

Once upon a time, there were a mother and a son.

One day, the mother...

washed his son thoroughly in the public bath.

Then they packed their things and off they went.

Some horsemen wanted to kidnap his son.

When they saw them going...

they began to follow them.

As the mother and the son escaped...

the horsemen chased them.

As the mother and the son escaped, the horsemen chased them.

Finally, the mother got angry.

She unpacked her bundle...

took the bowl of bath...

and threw it to the horsemen.

Guess what?

A wide sea gushed out right there.

Years passed by.

Z�beyde Mum...

had acceded to the will of Ali R�za.

We were both boarding students...

in the military grammar school.

Z�beyde Mum was in great distress.

They were barely surviving, but...

as she saw Mustafa in his dark blue uniform of felt...

she was thinking that it was worth all this suffering.

And we were...

proud of our uniform.

Do you hear the voices?

Mustafa, come on, let's play!

Not me!

Come on, make no bones about it!

I said I won't play!

You're so fussy! All the children play.

It's an absurd play.

What is the sense jumping on each other?

It's so stupid!

I swear I won't ever talk to you!

Come on, let's play a little!

Can we play as well?

Allright, come on!

Come on, bow!

If you can, jump like this.

But how can I?

Mustafa! Don't be a killjoy! Look, everybody's bowing!

I told you.

I won't bow.

Let him jump like this if he can.

Bow, I say!

Look! You pissed us so much, you will have a nice beating!

Are you the son of the sultan or what?

Why won't you bow?

Are you a prince?

Was it okay when you were jumping on us?

What are you doing, Mustafa?

I can't play, because this childish play doesn't suit young men like you.

Let's try another play.

What sort of a play?

The play of war. The war becomes men.

What is the sense of us jumping on each other?

Are we donkeys or what?

So how will we do it?

We'll break down into two teams.

One team will try to take this place, and the other one will defend it.

How will we be divided into two teams?

I'm gonna take care of it.

And I'll assign you the duties, I'm the commander, allright?

Why would you be the commander?

Because it's just the way it is, I'm the commander!

Now, you go there.

Salih, I appoint you the commander of the other team.

You're so bright, Mustafa, that's what you are!

He was really bright.

He was the commander.

He managed to tip the balance in favor of us through his wit.

From that day on, I began to see Mustafa under another light.

Hand grenade!

Allright!

Shrapnel!

We're withdrawing!

What?

Follow me!

That's cheating, Mustafa.

That's not cheating, it's the play of war.

A weekend, we were on home leave.

Mustafa didn't know, that day was one of the turning points of his life.

None of us knew about it.

Welcome! You're Mustafa, right?

Master Rag�p, the dinner is ready, come please.

Mustafa...

Welcome!

You're on leave?

Well, Master Rag�p is...

now your father, my son.

Mustafa...

I wasn't capable to tell you.

It's so bad that you came to know in this way, but I didn't dare to tell you.

Look at me.

You'll understand me when you grow up.

It's hard in these times for a widow with children to survive all alone.

It's been a long time that our neighbors were pushing me.

Finally, they found a right person.

You'll like Master Rag�p.

I know, he can't replace your father.

But Master Rag�p is a nice person.

Where are you going?

I'm such an unfortunate woman!

I buried my three children!

I buried my husband! If you go as well, what am I supposed to do?

Tell me, my son!

Mustafa went to his auntie's that night...

and stayed there for months.

In the meantime, Z�beyde Mum grieved deeply.

She was looking for a way to see her son...

but Mustafa was insistent on his decision.

My Mustafa!

How are you?

My son.

Come back to your mommy, son.

Mustafa?

Mustafa?

Z�beyde Mum was so much worried about you...

that I felt forced to tell her that you were hiding at your auntie's.

You did not forgive me.

You were cross with me for days.

Then we made it up at Manastir High School.

Do you remember?

I betrayed you thrice in my life, my general.

This was the first one.

My second betrayal...

was my leaving Thessaloniki without taking Z�beyde Mum.

And the third one...

you don't know it yet.

When we were graduated from the high school in Manastir...

and returned to Thessaloniki, Mustafa was ready for mercy.

Hence, as soon as he came back, he first visited his mother.

Mom, an officer is here!

Brother?

We were graduated from the military school and became officers...

and we found ourselves fighting for an agonizing, collapsing empire.

I will never forget that night of farewell in Thessaloniki.

Come on!

Let's make a toast to our departure to Tripolitania.

Hopefully, we'll liberate our land from the Italians.

Let's hope so!

They assigned us this mission, but...

I would have preferred to stay in Thessaloniki.

Why?

In order to protect Thessaloniki!

We risk losing Thessaloniki as well.

God preserve, Mustafa, what are you saying?

Friends, can't you see?

Every day, they're confiscating one of our pieces.

I fear I won't see Thessaloniki again.

If anything happens to me, I entrust my mother and sister to your care.

Don't you worry for them.

I hold Z�beyde Mum superior to my own mother.

Yes, I know.

It's such a strange place!

You find it strange, but is it not a piece of our fatherland, Nuri?

Right, but is it worth to shed blood to keep this place, Fethi?

I wish I was in Thessaloniki now!

Oh, Thessaloniki!

It just reminds me of the poem of Ziya Pasha!

"I visited the land of the non-muslims, and I saw palaces and prosperity

I roamed about in the Muslim country

And I just saw ruins and misery!"

Well, it's so true, Mustafa!

That's why the future of our empire lies in the occidental civilization.

That ought to be our destination.

Everybody agrees with this, but how to do this?

A solution is definitely to be found.

There's no doubt about it, Nuri.

You will become a Sultan.

You will rule for 15 years

And you will die while you're still on the throne.

Ruling for 15 years is enough for me!

Would our powerful sultan be so kind as to eat with us?

Having fun with me?

Come on my sultan, don't say that you don't like it!

And what about the concubines?

Your harem is in Istanbul anyhow.

No, it's in Thessaloniki!

Here you are, his majesty!

While they were in Tripolitania, the empire was fighting on seven fronts.

Thessaloniki was lost.

Imperialists were dividing the Ottoman Empire.

When the Greek army entered the city...

Turks rushed to leave Thessaloniki in great masses.

Makbule! Makbule!

Get ready!

Makbule!

Mustafa?

How are you?

I'm fine. Come.

I heard that you were at the front.

Yes, I am.

But thanks God, I'm alive.

In these days, one should be content with this.

Salih...

Do you have any news about my mother?

Do you know where she is?

Oh Mustafa, I don't know.

Thousands of people set off from the Balkans.

They're coming to Istanbul by walking.

Some have already arrived.

They're running from the massacres of the bands of brigands.

I just hope that Z�beyde Mum is among the survivors who came here.

Weren't you able to take care of my mother and my sister?

Unfortunately not, Mustafa.

When Thessaloniki fell, we brought the sultan here by an urgent journey.

Such a woe, Salih!

Our beautiful Thessaloniki is already lost?

The seaside promenade...

the white tower...

So many memories!

I told you we wouldn't be able to see again our pretty city.

Don't tell me!

I see it in my dreams every night.

The way things are going, not only Thessaloniki...

but all of the empire will be lost.

Look at the state we're in!

Salih...

I have to find urgently my poor mother.

Who knows where she is, in what state she's in?

I go every day to the place where immigrants are gathered...

but to no avail!

I hope that she came to Istanbul safe and sound.

I hope so!

Were you able to bring your own family?

Yes, I was.

I'm glad, my brother.

In the court of the mosque...

it is call to prayer

Mom, it's the lament of my beloved...

not the prayer

Strangers won't mourn...

or cry for me ever

No one but my beloved and my mother...

My heart won't recover

Mother?

Mustafa!

They settled in the house of a relative in Istanbul.

Mrs. Z�beyde has left her second husband Mr. Rag�p in Thessaloniki.

But his niece Fikriye was living in that house.

Brother Mustafa, I made you coffee.

Thank you, Fikriye.

You shouldn't have bothered.

You're so tired, brother Mustafa, coffee can be a relief.

Where did you find the delights in this scarcity?

I had kept a few.

They're somewhat stale, but...

And you offer them to me?

No.

I offer them to a commander, the hero of my dreams.

Fikriye...

You go to the kitchen.

Make some coffee for me as well, my girl.

Did you get over your exhaustion, mommy?

Yes, I did.

The moment I saw you, I forgot everything.

Doctor, if you permit me, I want to ask a question.

Of course, Mr. Salih, go ahead.

- If it's about Atat�rk... - No, no.

In the war, I saw many soldiers shot in the head.

Some died, and some survived, but became blind.

Is such a thing possible?

Sure it is.

When some parts of the brain are damaged...

though not always lethal, they can cause blindness or other impairments.

Then are all the bullets penetrating heart lethal?

Yes, they are lethal.

Because at Gallipoli, a piece of shrapnel had hit Atat�rk's heart...

and thanks God, nothing had happened to him.

That's why I ask: a bullet penetrating heart from where is definitely lethal?

If it penetrates from here, it is definitely lethal.

My son, it's hard for you now to understand this, but...

We fought against the foreigners who occupied our country.

Powerful states provoked internal strikes in order to destroy us.

They made brothers kill each other.

British and ANZAC soldiers are behind the hill.

We must take the hill.

It could change our fate, Nuri.

I have a feeling that the enemy is close.

But it's very quiet.

I can't see anything.

If they landed the troops in the night, it may be an ambush.

There's only one way to understand this.

Mustafa, what are you doing?

My brave men!

God be with us!

March!

The nation is waiting worriedly to hear about Atat�rk's health.

There are thousands of people in front of the palace.

I say on the next report, let's write that he's in a coma, what do you say?

But it would trigger a great reaction!

The people can't bear this pain.

Right, but...

they will hear about this in any case.

We're losing him.

You're making a mistake, gentlemen.

A very big mistake!

I am a witness of this.

He has such a will power...

that you will see, he will be much better than he used to be.

It's allright Mr. Salih, don't get upset.

If not for this watch, that shrapnel would have ended my life, Nuri.

God spared your life.

It hurts, right?

Yes.

It's a hematoma.

Let's put some meat on it.

This will cure you.

And now we'll bandage it.

We took this hill of strategic importance...

but unfortunately, we lost a great part of the troop.

We also could have been among those martyrs.

Well, such is the war.

This was Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal's first step on the stage.

He first exposed his military genius in the combat of Gallipoli.

He had been right in all his decisions and anticipations...

so he has drawn attention of the commanders.

Today, you changed our fate in the war, Mustafa.

You're exaggerating, my brother.

It's not such a big deal.

Yes?

They're calling from the headquarters of Liman von Sanders.

Seemingly, the commander wants to congratulate you.

When he became a general, he wanted me as his aide-de-camp.

Overjoyed, I accepted his offer.

To be his aide-de-camp meant to be by his side all the time.

Don't do this, my son.

It's the same thing as killing yourself!

Mom, if somebody doesn't do it, we're all condemned to death.

Istanbul is already under occupation.

You'll run away from here as well?

The British...

the Italian...

the French did not recognize our right to live.

They already shared Anatolia!

Yesterday the Greek army entered Izmir.

Even our beautiful Izmir is lost!

Where are we supposed to live from now on?

Where are we supposed to run?

There's nowhere left to run.

That's why we're going to Anatolia.

We'll incite an insurrection!

Mustafa?

Is it not the sultan who sends you there?

Seemingly, yes...

but he also collaborates with enemies.

He left our country in their hands.

Never! How can you say that, my son?

Our great sultan, his majesty...

Forget about it, mom, I know who does what.

Mustafa...

Don't do this, my son!

Don't rebel against our sultan.

They would hang you!

Mom, don't you worry!

All your life has been spent by worrying about me.

Everything will be allright.

I just want your blessing, mommy.

Just your blessing.

You have my blessing.

You have my blessing.

We stopped again.

Could this really take us to Erzurum?

I'm sorry, my general, this junk is very old.

But while you rest, I'll tend to it immediately.

Salamun Alaykum.

Alaykum Salam.

The enemy is about to enter Samsun.

But I see that you're tilling the soil all quietly here.

What are you saying, my general?

We were three brothers.

And I had two sons.

I lost all of them at Yemen, at Caucasian front or at Gallipoli.

I am left all alone.

Now there are three widows and eight orphans at home.

They all depend...

on this plough.

They need to be taken care of.

From now on, this piece of land is my country and my home!

I won't be of any use to you unless the enemy comes right here!

The words of the peasant moved Mustafa Kemal immensely...

because he was right.

The Anatolian people were tired...

of fighting simultaneously on nine fronts for the last ten years.

The war means grievance, my son.

It means famine, thirst, diseases, dysentery...

and madness.

It means to be pested for years...

by the smell of death penetrating your nostrils day and night.

Look at this, Nuri.

It's a human tragedy!

The death of all those young people is a tragedy.

Unless it is necessary for the defense of the country...

all war is a crime.

I don't mind.

This still does not change the fact that all war aiming attack is a crime.

God be with you.

Good luck, my general.

This is the situation that all Anatolia is in.

And we'll resist against the invader enemies.

We have no other way out.

I brought some hot tiles, my general.

Come here, Cevat.

God dammit!

God dammit!

That's all we lacked!

You have so much pain, my general?

Very much! You can't even imagine.

I know, they say that pain in kidneys is unbearable.

It makes one tear the quilt to pieces, they say.

We borrowed even this quilt, child, how can I tear it to pieces?

You need a thorough treatment, my general, what if you go to a hospital?

Don't make me laugh Cevat, for God's sake!

I'm exhausted, what hospital are you talking about?

You have to go urgently to the telegraph office, my general.

The minister of war wants to talk to you in person.

The minister of war announced to Mustafa Kemal...

the sultan's command that he returns immediately to Istanbul.

But he did not obey this command...

that he knew the British occupation forces dictated...

and he resigned from all his positions in the army...

in order to continue the national liberation fight.

He now became a rebel.

The expected decision of death penalty was issued on May 11th, 1920...

and announced to all the military troops.

I apologize if I go too far, but this means suicide, my general!

The corps will have the news...

and General Kaz�m will execute you, God forbids.

General Kaz�m is the one who invited me to this city.

He wouldn't do such a thing!

But you had the title of a general, then.

Now you have it no more, you rebelled against the sultan.

Cevat, sometimes even though you risk your life...

you have to do what you believe!

There's no way back from now on!

I am already in great pain, don't make a fuss!

Where did you find these?

I asked from the clerks, my general.

We don't have any money to buy them.

Mr. governor gave his frock.

I'm grateful to them.

Cevat...

Now listen to me.

Yes, sir.

If something happens to me in this perilous life, find immediately Salih.

He is supposed to take care of my mother and my sister.

And Fikriye as well.

Yes, sir.

The Caucasian Army Corps commander General Kaz�m is here.

Let him come.

I warn you beforehand, my friends.

You won't believe in what you will shortly hear...

but you shouldn't show anybody even one page of this notebook.

It will remain secret until the end.

We alone will know of its content.

Yes, sir!

Then put the date.

Write.

After the victory...

the form of government...

will be a republic.

This was the second point.

Thirdly...

the women won't wear chadors anymore.

Fourthly...

the fez will be prohibited.

Instead, hats will be used...

as in civilized countries.

Fifth...

Latin alphabet will be adopted.

Enough, my general!

If I write more of this, I may die out of heart failure.

My general...

Do you really believe that all this will become true?

Don't you have any doubts!

What counts...

is to familiarize people with new ideas.

I'd prefer that you had stayed as a general, sir.

That's better, Mazhar.

I don't intend to establish a military dictatorship.

The National Assembly will be above us all.

We agree with you...

but I don't believe that all this will be accomplished so quickly.

This rush of yours astonishes me.

Not at all!

You know me, I'm extremely realistic.

I don't have insubstantial dreams.

My firm belief depends on what, do you think?

I don't know, sir.

On the state of the world.

Our ideas conform to the course of the world.

Look, all the monarchies collapse one by one to be replaced by republics.

My comrades...

Timely ideas are never out of place.

Mustafa Kemal established a civilian assembly at Ankara.

The Greek army that invaded Anatolia by the support of the British...

approached so near that the sound of the cannons could be heard.

Fikriye announced that she wanted to come from Istanbul to Ankara.

She was intending to do the housekeeping chores for Mustafa Kemal.

Finally, he gave her permission.

Welcome!

Have a nice evening.

Fikriye! What did you do?

It's just a miracle!

To comfort you even a little bit is the most holy duty.

If I can ever accomplish this, it's my pleasure.

Thank you, Fikriye.

Please, my friends.

Fikriye...

I have a request from you.

Tell me, brother Mustafa.

Could you uncover your head for my sake?

But we have men who are not of the family.

Fikriye...

Here, there is nobody to misjudge your reputation.

If we are to make a revolution, we have to begin by our own house.

Please.

Thank you.

Tonight sit in our company at the table.

Allright, brother Mustafa.

Let's get to the table, friends.

Please take some.

Please.

Thanks.

To the angel who descended from heavens to our harsh and difficult life...

to Miss Fikriye!

Thank you.

To Miss Fikriye!

To Miss Fikriye!

I'm really curious about that Greek commander-in-chief.

I wonder whether he is a soldier of worth...

whether he can anticipate our plans.

I don't think that he can anticipate your plans.

Poor man! He invaded almost half of Anatolia...

but he is unaware that you're his opponent.

Come on, my general! You embarrass me.

The general also is a soldier of your rank.

If he says so, there must be a reason.

Allright, come on.

Let's make a toast to the greatest commander of the world, Mustafa Kemal!

Sergeant Bekir?

Yes, sir.

Play a nice record on the gramophone.

This record is scratched, it's no good.

To your health!

To your health!

Fikriye...

You made me so proud tonight, I thank you very much.

The cause of my life is to make you happy, brother Mustafa.

I will ask you something.

Why did you remove that record?

That was a folksong from Thessaloniki.

We, the people of Thessaloniki, bear a wound.

I was afraid that you would become over sensitive.

Well thought.

It wouldn't be right beside my friends.

But now we, two people from Thessaloniki, are alone.

Come on, play that record.

What if I myself play it to you instead, brother Mustafa?

A storm took us...

in the sea we are swept away

We'll be reunited, my love...

only on the Judgment Day

After that day, Fikriye never said "brother" to Mustafa Kemal.

She always addressed him as "my pasha".

Was having all the victories.

The enemy is encircled.

Let the attack begin!

The war is a disaster, my son.

It forces innocent people to leave their home, their country.

Similar to the Turks who ran away from Thessaloniki ten years ago...

this time the Greeks were running away from Izmir.

It means leaving the tombs of your ancestors, your memories...

the streets of your childhood, your first loves.

You are left only with folksongs that make you cry.

Long live, Mustafa Kemal Pasha!

By honoring Izmir, you made all the Turkish nation happy.

And by honoring my house, you made me happy.

Welcome, my pasha.

Thank you, ma'am.

Your house is truly beautiful.

Please, sir.

The Greek army was scattered and the government had collapsed

Thesalloniki, with his glorious army

But the Pasha was realistic. The war was over. From now on

and to the development of his country.

If you permit, my pasha...

Come in, Miss Latife.

Please do sit down.

Thank you.

My pasha, I've been educated in Europe, I know three languages.

If you wish, I can be your translator.

Can you write an ultimatum in English?

Of course, my pasha.

Please do write.

To the concern of the consulate...

of the empire of Great Britain at Izmir...

We find most appropriate...

that you withdraw in 24 hours...

your war vessels...

presently anchored at the port of Izmir.

While entering Izmir...

I said that I would burn in regret if we damage this beautiful city.

But now I see...

that Izmir...

is burning before our very eyes...

though we have reconquered it.

It's a pity that some burning houses belong to your family, don't they?

Let all our asset burn, my pasha.

All of Izmir can burn.

Just so you are allright...

just so nothing happens to you.

We can create a new Izmir just by your command!

So you trust me that much?

Who am I to trust you, my pasha?

I've been for many nights on this terrace...

crying while looking at the foreign ships at the port.

I used to say: "Come, Mustafa Pasha.

Come, Mustafa Kemal Pasha."

Don't, child.

Please, don't.

Don't cry anymore.

Come on, wipe the tears from your eyes.

In the middle of Manastir

There is a pool, a nice pool

The girls of this land are all cool

We just play and dance

The girls of this land are all cool

We just play and dance

Thank you very much, Latife.

You reminded me of my childhood.

This hospitality, this music...

translations from foreign newspapers in the mornings...

I really got used to it.

I don't know what to do back in Ankara!

That's easy, my pasha.

You can take me to Ankara with you, that's just it!

Right.

During our stay of three weeks there...

Latife organized excellent feasts...

she played for the guests European style pieces on piano...

she translated Mustafa Kemal's writings.

Now in his eyes...

she became the female figure representing

the modern Turkey he wanted to create.

Everything was turning out to be to poor Fikriye's disadvantage.

Fikriye was representing the Orient...

while Latife...

was the Occident.

Fikriye was the past...

Latife the future.

It's such a beautiful creature, isn't it, Fikriye?

Yes, my pasha.

It's such a pretty dog.

When I despaired about everything...

I dreamed of settling in a farm...

living with dogs and horses.

I wish that had been true, my pasha.

Then I would be your eternal servant.

You're here by my side in any case.

Yes, but my pasha...

I just don't know.

What are you afraid of, Fikriye?

They say that you met a girl at Izmir.

Apparently, she is much superior than me.

Educated...

speaking many languages.

Fikriye...

Don't mind all this.

You're irreplaceable.

I can't live without you, my pasha.

I just can't live.

Fikriye?

You never told me about your disease?

That's not a disease, my pasha.

I just have a tooth bleeding.

I should have known better.

Your elder sister had also died from tuberculosis.

We go immediately to the mansion, we'll call the doctors.

My pasha...

My pasha, please!

I can't do without you!

Please!

Fikriye, off to the mansion immediately!

My pasha, please!

Even though I'm destined to die...

I'd like to die by your side.

Don't even mention death, Fikriye.

You'll get over this illness...

and you'll come back.

I will wait for you here.

Come on, get in the car.

Farewell.

The doctors found that the tuberculosis of Fikriye was very progressed.

Her illness was a peril to both herself and the pasha.

So they decided that she goes to a sanatorium at Munich.

I just can't stand the idea that this magnificent palace will be his tomb.

Every time I think that he will die, it's as if my head explodes.

I don't believe that any of us can feel this as deeply as you do, Mr. Salih.

You spent all your life together, right?

Yes.

Since we were six years old...

we studied in the same schools.

Forgive me if I take too much liberty, Mr. Salih...

but I want to ask you something.

Go ahead.

Haven't you ever get jealous of your friend?

Do you ever wonder why he has risen up so higher than you?

After all, we're all human beings.

You asked me an interesting question, Doctor.

Let me figure it out.

Have I ever get jealous of him?

I don't know.

Maybe at the beginning, I have thought why I couldn't be as eminent as him.

But later on, I assure you that I never had such a feeling.

This is...

how should I say...

this is something like...

you know...

Could you get jealous of the Mount Ararat?

Or of a cloud passing by in the sky?

Or of the Mediterranean Sea?

So getting jealous of Mustafa Kemal...

is such an irrational thing for me.

I see, Mr. Salih, I understand you very well.

Welcome.

Thank you, my child.

Thanks.

Here she is, mommy.

This girlie is Latife.

Come here.

Salih, she's such a beauty!

Her ladyship spoils me!

You really are Mustafa Kemal Pasha's mother!

Yes, I am...

but he doesn't resemble me, I do resemble him.

Come.

Come.

Miss Latife welcomed Z�beyde Mum in her mansion for ten days.

She revered her in every way, but Z�beyde Mum's health was deteriorated.

In the meantime, her ideas about Miss Latife had changed dramatically.

This is my will to you.

He shouldn't marry that girl.

Allright.

My son shouldn't be unhappy.

Take this to my Mustafa.

His father gave it to me.

She wanted so much to come to Ankara to warn you...

but suddenly she got worse.

Since I believed that you would be happy with Latife...

I never told you about her wish.

So all this is because of me.

Your marriage...

all those terrible events...

your heart attacks...

Z�beyde Mum was right.

She had seen the reality...

but I concealed it from you.

Only now I confess it, my general.

I'll never forgive myself.

Sergeant, why did we stop?

My general, there is an urgent telegraph for you!

I know, my mother died.

Yesterday night I had a dream.

I was strolling in the meadows together with mom, then came a flood...

and took my mom away.

Now I'm left with my people.

My condolences to you, my general.

Let us continue, sergeant.

Yes, sir!

Mom...

Good morning.

Good morning.

The Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Pasha married two weeks ago

Cemal, are the roses ready?

And remove this mess in the middle of the room, I don't want to see it.

Don't forget that the orchestra comes for the evening.

Look at this!

I hope you'll do some dusting here!

I want you to remove this cloth.

Don't forget that all the waiters will wear gloves.

Gloves!

Good morning, my dear.

Good morning.

Latife...

They're not waiters, but soldiers.

They don't wear gloves!

What are you up to, Latife?

I'm just trying to embellish this outmoded house.

I'm trying to introduce some civilization here.

I told you, they're to go downstairs, not upstairs!

Enough, Latife!

Allright.

Look, let us make a deal.

Do whatever you want with the rest of the house, just don't touch my study.

Allright?

Allright.

For the moment, let's do so.

Following long debates at the assembly,

everybody cried "Long live the Republic!"

The Ottoman empire of 600 years became history officially.

This would be followed by the abolishment of the caliphate...

the revolution in clothing...

and the adoption of the Latin alphabet.

All of these were coming like thunder, successively.

But in the meantime, there came another person.

An unexpected guest.

I came to see the Pasha.

Yes ma'am, may I help you?

I came to see the Pasha.

Did you have an appointment?

No, but he knows me well.

Oh, welcome Miss Fikriye!

Welcome!

Thank you, Cemal.

You don't know me...

but in fact I'm the mistress of this mansion.

I beg your pardon, I don't recognize you.

Please sit and wait, while I go and see whether the Pasha is already awake.

Everything's been changed, Cemal.

Oh ma'am, don't ask me!

It's Mrs. Latife, right?

Excuse me.

A guest at this hour? So strange!

Who is it?

Miss Fikriye.

Fikriye?

Fikriye? Send her away! Send her away immediately!

Ma'am, please don't get upset.

Mr. aide-de-camp, send her away, that's an order!

Listen, that woman is a peril to the Pasha.

She came here without his permission, you'll be responsible of what happens.

Shouldn't we consult the Pasha?

He is sleeping, you can't disturb him. Off you go to do your duty now!

Yes, ma'am.

Now!

Ma'am, the Pasha is sleeping.

I'm not entitled to disturb him.

Wake him up!

Say that Fikriye is here!

Ma'am, I can't disturb him.

You better go now, and come back at a more appropriate time.

I won't go anywhere!

Ma'am!

I beseech you, be reasonable.

You can't stay here.

Sir...

You say I can't stay here, but this is my own house!

Ma'am, I must definitely say that...

you have to leave here immediately.

She should leave!

Ma'am, please.

What is this gun?

Give it to me.

Ma'am, give it to me.

This pistol is the present of Mustafa Kemal Pasha to me, sir.

Will you take it by force?

If that is the case, put it in your purse.

Ma'am, listen to me.

Now it's a security matter.

So I request you leave here immediately.

Right now.

Sir...

The place you want me to leave is my house.

If you don't believe me, ask the servants.

Will you cast me out from my own house?

Ma'am, please.

Please.

My pasha!

Ma'am!

My pasha!

Ma'am, please!

My pasha!

My pasha!

Fikriye?

My pasha!

Send that woman away!

My pasha!

Go ahead!

This unexpected tragedy ruined all. He was unable to recover for months.

My son, how can you keep this as a secret?

But my father made me swear.

How can you swear for this, Muzaffer?

Maybe your mother will convince Mr. Salih.

My God, I hope we're not late.

Good morning.

Good morning.

You're an early riser today.

Yes, you looked tired, I didn't want to wake you up.

Thanks.

Look, Kemal.

You're on the cover of even Time magazine.

They praise you for creating a modern state from an ancient feudal society.

But everybody praises you.

Even your former enemies.

I was surprised most by the former British prime minister.

The man who once said "The Turks should be exiled to Central Asia"...

says now that...

"A genius comes to world every few centuries.

This chance is now granted unfortunately to Turks."

Leave all this aside.

What really concerns me is your attitude.

You torment me.

What's wrong?

What more?

You embarrass me in the crowd. Bad temper, disputes...

I don't want to hurt you...

I bear it...

I show patience...

but you are way out of line.

Kemal, I'm tired of sitting around the same table every night with those men!

They are my comrades.

Well, it's not how an marriage works!

Yes, but these are not ordinary times!

We're building a civilization here!

Please, try to understand, Fikriye.

Fikriye?

Latife!

Soldiers!

Were you wrestling in the village, child?

Yes, I used to, my commander.

Were you a good wrestler?

Nobody can knock me down, my commander.

I was also a good wrestler.

Can you beat me?

All the world wasn't able to beat you...

how can I?

Well done, boy.

Now you're done chatting with friends, and it's turn of the soldiers, Kemal?

That day we all were so scared.

When he pulled himself together...

he told me to send Latife immediately to Izmir...

and to start with the procedure of divorce.

He had been too patient...

but it was his final decision.

Then he never saw Mrs. Latife again.

He didn't answer her begging letters either.

My general...

Do you hear me, my general?

Do you hear me?

What if you just get up and run away from this palace?

Tell me, my general.

As you like...

as you always do...

without anybody noticing...

What do you say, my general?

Please.

In the last years of his life...

he took pleasure in...

secretly running away from the palace and getting in the crowd.

He wanted to observe closely...

the modernization of the Turkish society.

That day, he was so merry, and wanted for the last time to dance Zeybek.

But his state of health did not let him.

At that moment, to my pain, I saw in his eyes the death.

My general...

My son...

I don't have much time left.

I trust you for the care of your mother and sisters.

Farewell.

I feel really fine, mom.

Mommy?

You never told me the end of the tale.

Was the mother able to save her child?

But mom...

Salih Bozok, seriously wounded, was taken to hospital.

He died on April 21st, 1941.

The tombs of Atat�rk, Salih Bozok...

Nuri Conker and Miss Fikriye are in Ankara Mrs. Z�beyde's tomb is in Izmir.

None of them was able to see Thessaloniki again.

Mrs. Latife died in 1975 at Istanbul.

Venizelos, the Greek prime minister, nominated...

Atat�rk for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1934.

The republic, founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk...

and his friends, celebrated its 87th anniversary.

OCR corrected by jcdr