Original subtitles

CHAPTER I

Nice to meet you.

Eyüp put us in touch with Hatice.

He's a human rights lawyer.

- Take care of our guests. - OK.

Hüseyin! Take them to Alaca village.

I'd like to shoot his exit.

Good, do that.

That'll do.

- Hello. - Hello.

Where does Hatice live?

Go down this street. Her house is on the left.

Thanks.

- Hello. - Hello.

With best wishes from Eyüp. He can't be here today.

The film's about immaterial memorials.

Invisible memorials.

What I mean is:

Every Friday, Hatice prevents her son's story from being forgotten.

She initiates a collective remembering, creating a memorial to her son.

And to countless others

who disappeared and aren't remembered. They remain nameless.

She feels very honored.

Her son had two names: Baran at home and Musa in public.

- Kurdish names weren't allowed. - I know.

It happened 26 years ago,

which feels like an eternity to her.

Like another lifetime.

Sometimes, she remembers how he left.

If she had known what would happen,

she would've hugged him once more and inhaled his scent.

It was a year ago. I had just finished my TV report.

I'm interested in the change in temporal perception.

They say trauma traps people in the past.

That would mean there's no now anymore.

They're detached from the pres...

What was that?

Everything OK?

- What was it? - Must've been a stone, right?

Did you see anything?

He says it was a stone.

What scenery.

I'm going to shoot this.

Hurry up.

IN THE BLIND SPOT

Leyla, could you tell her not to block the camera.

Melek, come eat your cake.

Come on.

On Saturday, we'll take mood shots. You don't have to be there.

Sunday will be exhausting...

- Hello, Eyüp. - Hello.

We have a princess here.

Why are you dressed up so pretty?

We haven't met, have we?

My name's Eyüp. What's yours?

- Is she your daughter? - No, my neighbors'.

You have a blue car.

Did you see me coming?

You have a child with glasses.

How do you know?

He showed me.

Who?

He won't tell me his name.

Melek has a vivid imagination.

Eyüp!

Hello.

- Welcome. - Is everything OK?

- What were you talking about? - Just Melek's imaginary friend.

Tell her I had one, too. His name was Ernst.

She had an imaginary friend, too. His name was Ernst.

She asks if he's still around.

If she wants hers gone, here's what to do.

Come here.

Gone!

How?

When?

No, no, I'm coming.

I'm on my way.

I'll shoot his exit.

Hatice, what are they doing?

Making a documentary.

- About you? - About my soup.

- Are you an actress now? - God forbid!

Now count to ten, then go inside the house.

Imagine we're not here, we're ghosts.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...

Hang on, Leyla. I'll give her a sign.

You don't need to count. She'll give you a sign.

Baran was my first child.

When he was born, I was still a child myself.

He was very handsome and intelligent.

He'd be 48 years old now.

When she dreams of him, he still looks the same as back then.

He was kidnapped in broad daylight.

He was kidnapped by the famous cheese shop.

It was a cold Autumn day. The air smelled like snow

and I was preparing my soup.

Baran went to town to meet a friend.

He left and never returned.

Not knowing if he was dead or alive was killing me.

One day, I thought,

if I cook the soup on that day at that time,

my son might return and the nightmare will end.

Done!

This is Baran's soup.

Her daughter-in-law says Hatice believes he'll return.

She says, "Nothing goes, everything remains."

May God bless you.

She has been distributing this soup for 20 years now.

​​Yaskê, come!

- Thank you. - God bless you.

- Thank you. - God bless you.

Say bye-bye.

Thank you.

Sit down.

Wow, really cool.

It's too picturesque for the interview.

Let's...

keep the background neutral.

- Now you've got that post in it. - Still.

It's better. It adds political subtext.

Hello!

We wanted to say hi.

- Hello. - Have a seat.

Hey.

- It's beautiful here. - It looks even better by night.

When all the city lights are on.

Shall we shoot the sunset in time-lapse?

- What am I gonna do with that? - It was just an idea.

Melek asks if you could do your magic trick again.

- It didn't work. - Of course. Come here.

What's in there? Stinks like hell.

- What's that? - A bird.

Where did she get it?

Let's throw it away.

No!

We can't. We have to bury him.

What's she saying?

That we should bury it.

Melek!

What are you doing?

Here, put it in the hole.

Nice.

Hello?

What's up?

Yeah, quite alright.

We're still waiting for the lawyer.

Leyla, slow down.

What exactly did he say?

How does he know about Eyüp?

See you at the hotel.

Christian!

Let's go to the hotel.

Will do.

Yes, we'll take the camera.

What should I tell the German embassy?

Coming!

The guy from the Goethe-Institut mentioned another name, Schlüter or something.

Hey. Come in.

Have a seat.

- Want a drink? - Water, please.

- Here. - Thanks.

How long have you been working for them?

Two months.

And you never noticed anything odd?

I only tutor his daughter.

Why did you take the job? Not for the money, I guess.

Tell me exactly what he said.

He wants political asylum in Germany and wants your help.

In return, he'll speak on camera... about his

anti-terror squad.

- He'll show you pictures in the café. - How does he know Eyüp?

He said, tell your German comrades...

- "German comrades?" - Better than "German spies."

...that I know where Eyüp is.

Well...

I just got off the phone with our producer.

She says we should listen to him.

I assume he's bluffing.

There they are!

Now.

Yes?

He says here's not safe. He wants to meet at your hotel in two hours.

He says here's not safe. He wants to meet at your hotel in two hours. OK.

OK.

It's the Kent Ani Hotel. Room 315.

OK.

- He says not to leave until he's gone. - Why?

No idea.

See that black SUV?

Pan over.

- Did they see us? - I don't think so.

I need a break.

I have to go home. I'll be back in two hours.

Till then.

There she is.

"Don't wait, he won't come. See why on the phone: PIN 0631.

Leyla."

Why didn't she bring it herself?

This keeps getting weirder.

James Bond himself...

Copy it on the external drive.

- Right now? - Yes.

- My battery is empty. - Use my charger.

I don't give a shit.

We're getting on a plane tonight.

I'll record it again with my camera.

Simone, I've already made two back-ups.

- Pack and let's go to the airport! - There are no flights now.

Doesn't matter. We'll drive to Georgia.

Just pack your stuff.

I'll be right back.

Coming!

CHAPTER II

Isn't my little girl the best?

Good job!

Sibel?

Melek, honey.

Come on, honey.

Sing me a nice early-morning song.

Good job!

I'm on my way.

- I'm starved. - It takes time.

Hand it over.

For God's sake.

That's yours.

This is yours, too.

Nah.

Mustafa's is better. This is too oily.

These guys do better seasoning.

The place is full every day. Their meat's five-star.

Talk about timing...

Couldn't the lawyer hang on for a minute?

I can't finish my lunch thanks to him.

Look at the guy.

Isn't that your neighbor?

What's she doing with them?

How would I know?

You really don't know?

I told you, how would I know?

The fuck you looking at?

Mom, take these. I'll be right there.

- Hi, how are you? - Not bad.

- How's your husband? - No better.

If you need anything, I'm here.

- Thanks. - I'll give you a hand.

Why don't you take the elevator while I help your daughter?

- Hello. - Hello.

- Want a hand? - No, thanks. I'm fine.

I saw you today with a German film crew.

So you do acting, too?

No, I translate.

Are they shooting an action movie?

No, a documentary.

About the history of the city.

Sure, there's a lot of history to tell.

Yes.

So how do you know these Germans?

I'm registered at the translation agency. They found me.

So you don't know the Germans. Right?

No, I don't. Why do you ask?

No reason.

OK, have a nice day.

Today is April 22nd.

I'm recording this for self-protection.

I know shit's going down.

Even though I changed my phone number, that son of a bitch...

Fuck.

Today is April 22nd.

That stalker filmed me and my colleague, Hasan Kabataş,

while we were following the lawyer.

He sent the footage to my new phone.

How did he get my new number so fast?

And my neighbor Leyla Çorumlu, Melek's English teacher.

How does she know those shady guys?

Could it all link back to the stalker? Is Leyla an agent?

I have a good plan.

I'll pitch it to my boss tomorrow.

End of message.

Zafer.

Get up.

Get up. I'll fix breakfast.

That works.

Dad, why aren't you coming today?

Sweetheart.

My bosses wouldn't let me.

We have an urgent job.

But Mom will film you and we'll watch it together, OK?

You're going to be the best. Aren't you!?

I'm making stuffed eggplant for Saturday.

Should I roast a chicken, too?

I don't know, honey. Make what you want.

What took you so long?

Just shut up.

My back hurts.

I went to the doctor this morning. He gave me a shot.

- Check this out! - What are you doing?

Are you nuts?

- Did I say anything? - For God's sake.

Relax, your secret's safe with me.

But way to go!

Who's the lucky woman?

You should see her.

She's hot!

And that ass, if you could only see it!

What's wrong, Melek?

What's wrong, honey? What's wrong?

Why'd you toss a half-smoked cigarette?

What's going on?

Get off me!

Get off me!

Lower it.

More.

OK, that'll do.

Get me some water.

Where are you going?

- Left something in the car. - Now, of all times?

Hey, brother!

There was a car right here. Did you see it?

No, I didn't.

Come sit down.

You look washed out. What's up?

I've been exercising a lot.

Exercise is good. Your dad loved it, too.

God rest his soul.

Oh, hello.

We'll have today's special. And two colas with lemon.

Did you get a chance to check out my phone?

Our guys had a look.

They didn't find anything. Anyway, how's it going?

Have you settled in?

We couldn't visit you yet.

But we will this weekend. I'm dying to meet your daughter.

- What was her name? - Melek.

Your dad changed after she arrived.

That hard edge was gone. He became a big softy, you know?

He was hard as nails.

Remember him dragging you out on operations?

I told your dad to stop bringing you. You were too young.

Your dad said, "No. Bend the twig to shape the tree."

Maybe he was worried you'd grow up a coward.

Who knows?

But he always wanted the best for you.

And look at you. You're worthy of your dad's respect.

What did you want to talk about?

Boss, I want your advice on something.

- Sure. - My daughter's kind of struggling at school.

She's really bright, just a bit shy.

So I hired my neighbor's daughter to help with her classes.

I discovered yesterday that she's working with some German journalists.

She also knows that terrorist lawyer.

I was gonna fire her, but thought it better

to listen in, get some intel, and finish her off later if necessary.

Stop!

Watch your mouth.

Zafer.

You're like a son to me, so listen to what I have to say.

Your colleagues are talking about you.

They say you're filming them on your phone while at work.

Do you know what that means?

It means Zafer is cracking up.

So I said,

"Zafer isn't stupid enough to screw us over."

But...

watch what you do and say.

Fire the girl right away.

And don't punch above your weight.

Here. Bon appétit.

Zafer,

your dad's watching up there.

Let him be proud of you.

Right.

Let's eat.

Hello?

Where's our cola?

Enjoy.

Get the order right, will you?

You bring this, forget that.

Film me, honey.

Cover your ears, honey.

Thursday, April 23rd.

I talked to my boss.

Honey, what are you doing here?

Did you have a bad dream?

Come here.

Come on, come here.

Tell Daddy about your dream.

You killed me and dumped me in the forest.

Would I ever do a thing like that, honey?

Then tons of birds flew out of my mouth and eyes.

Oh, what a horrible dream you had, my precious.

Don't be afraid.

Daddy's here, OK?

Where do people go when they die?

Good people go to Heaven, honey.

Is Grandpa there, too?

Definitely.

What about me?

Sure you will!

Because you're an angel just like your name!

Stay here.

Come with me.

Come out, motherfucker!

Man up and come out! Don't run off!

Come out, motherfucker!

Man up and come out! Don't run off!

You nearly killed the guy. Go easy on him.

It's so hot in here.

We urgently need a fan.

What's going on?

He stopped breathing.

What's up with him?

Dead.

I guess he had a weak heart. How were we to know?

Didn't he tell you that?

Sure, he did...

But they all play that card.

Diabetes, blood pressure, heart problems...

How was I to know?

You goddamn amateurs.

- Hasan was out of control. - What, asshole? It was your doing!

- Asshole! - Enough!

- Fucking bastard. - Stop!

Stop!

Shut up!

Finish the job and get back to me.

Give me the keys.

Hurry up, man.

Fuck.

Where did they come from?

Good evening. May I see your papers?

Here you go, officer.

Where are you headed?

Home.

Thanks. Good night.

Good night, officer. Have a good shift.

Fucking idiot. Asking, "Where are you headed?"

What does he think? To hell in a handbasket!

He checked the database.

Like he didn't know who we are!

Before we start dinner,

let's get a picture.

Smile.

We're leaving this place, Dad.

Forgive me.

Let's go, honey.

CHAPTER III

Where have you been?

We went for cake.

The woman there said...

What did she say?

Lift your arm.

Put up your arms and take your dress off.

Young lady! Come on!

She knew the dance back to front.

We rehearsed for weeks. I don't know what happened.

She won't talk to me.

Whenever she speaks, it's weird stuff.

Has she mentioned him to you?

No.

She has to stop talking to him.

Please tell her to stop talking to him.

For God's sake.

Whatever's happening to her is because of him.

He ruined my daughter.

He's no imaginary friend.

OK, but you just moved here. Everything's new.

It'll pass.

These things happen.

It's me!

Why did you break the phone?

Come here. Take that off.

Come.

Now... Arms up.

There we go.

Good job.

I'll get it.

So, what else does he tell you?

You knew Eyüp had a kid and a blue car.

Was it him who showed you?

Was it him who showed you?

Yes.

Of course, it's here.

What are you doing, Melek?

- Are you out of your mind? - Don't!

It's the second phone she's broken!

- She needs time. - Don't let her off the hook.

We've talked about this.

Teach her English instead.

- I'll pay the rest after I've been to the bank. - No, keep it.

Absolutely not.

Here, take it.

- No, really. - No way I'm keeping it.

Sorry, I kind of lost it in there.

You don't watch horror movies with Melek, do you?

Of course not.

You don't speak Kurdish with her either?

No, why?

The other day...

she said a few words in Kurdish.

It was humiliating.

Leyla?

Don't get me wrong. I don't have a problem with Kurds.

But other people do.

Right there, Melek. Keep going.

Keep going, Melek.

Keep going, Melek.

- Put these in the toaster. - OK.

Sweetie?

During your dance today,

did you see anyone looking at you or filming you?

Can you remember?

Listen, honey. Just tell me...

Who are you looking at?

Sweetie, it's super-important, OK?

Look carefully. Did you see anyone? Do you remember?

He has green eyes. That's what he says.

Green eyes. What else?

I haven't seen him. No one can.

Honey, don't be silly.

Sweetie, I'm giving you this phone.

When someone's watching you,

film them, OK?

And when you do classes with Leyla, film her secretly, OK?

Here's what you do.

Tap here.

Film me now.

Go on.

Are you filming?

- Yes. - Let me see.

Good job. You got it?

- Yes. - Very good. Give Daddy a kiss.

Thursday, April 23rd.

I talked to my boss today.

Honey, what are you doing here?

Did you have a bad dream?

Come here.

Come on, come here.

You're not allowed to call me.

Otherwise, Mom gets mad.

OK, but if you tell me your name.

Why?

Stop.

Stop!

Did you ask his name, Melek?

He won't say his name.

Make him.

When you say their name, they go away.

You want him to go, don't you?

Louder.

Surprise!

I brought you my food processor!

You really didn't have to.

You have to cook for ten. You think I'll leave you in the lurch?

Look at this beauty.

It can do anything. Anything!

- Coffee? - Sure.

Does that Kurdish girl teach her English?

Actually, we fired her.

No matter how educated those people are, they're still peasants.

Of course they are.

If not, never mind.

The bird's escaped! Catch it!

Mom, look, it's there!

Not again!

Melek?

Sibel. Wake up.

You stink of bonfire smoke.

What were you doing? Sitting by a fire?

Are you hungry? Can I get you something?

Strip down. I'll throw it all in the machine.

Don't bother if the stain won't come out.

No, I'll get it out.

Fatso Didem brought that over.

Without even asking.

Stupid snob.

I'll get you one.

Wasn't the point of moving here to have more money coming in?

Nothing's changed, though.

Everything'll be OK.

Don't worry.

Was it you?

No.

You weren't in your room when the power went off.

Where were you?

Stop interrogating the girl!

Go to your room!

The girl's possessed.

By Satan.

Let's go back to Ankara.

Let's get out of here before anything worse happens.

What's that supposed to mean?

You know something.

Tell me what you know.

- I don't know anything. - You know something, tell me.

I don't know anything.

I didn't do anything.

Don't look at me like that, please!

What are you doing with that?

Going to Leyla's.

How many times have I told you no?

Go to your room.

OK, fine. Go. I'll call her.

But don't tell your dad. And stay in your room tonight.

OK?

Go on then.

- Welcome. - Zafer, how are you?

- Don't you look pretty? - Thanks.

That red dress is over-the-top.

Where's Melek?

- In her room with an upset stomach. - Poor thing.

- You need to be careful. - Are you hungry?

- Yes. - Take a seat.

- How's that building going? - The owner went bust, so nothing's moving.

And what now?

- It'll stay like that? How depressing. - We've gotten used to it, Hasan.

We're used to it.

- The salad's great. Can I get some more? - Sure. Help yourself.

Bon appétit.

How about a toast?

To our hostess and the wonderful food she's made.

- It's all delicious. Thank you. - Enjoy.

Thank you.

Here you go. This is yours.

You were a good girl today. I'm proud of you.

He wants me to leave the room.

Don't listen, honey. He's lying.

Please, Mom.

Eat your food, honey.

One of our boys heads into the mountains.

And he mixes with the terrorists.

He's young and naive.

They soon notice and catch him.

They ask if he works for the Turkish state.

The guy answers fearlessly, "Yes."

They're about to kill him.

But their cell leader is watching from a distance.

The guy's sly as a devil.

"I'll win him over to our side," he says.

"I can make him a snitch," he says, "a smart and fearless guy like this."

Anyway, they brainwash him for the next three months.

Then they haul the young guy in front of the cell leader.

And the leader asks him,

"Any regrets?"

Silence, but our guy knows damn well,

that if he says no, they'll kill him on the spot.

Silence.

He asks again,

"Any regrets?"

You know what our guy says?

"No," he says.

"I have no regrets."

Of course, they go ahead and kill our guy.

However,

his love of the motherland

is so seared in their memories, they'll never forget him.

Wow.

Great story.

Melek has a stomach ache. You couldn't meet her.

Melek has a stomach ache. You couldn't meet her. Yes.

She's asleep. I couldn't introduce her to you today.

Such a sweet girl.

Let me get some ice.

Get a lot.

Ah, young lady! Did we wake you up? Come over here.

Can you tell me his name?

Whose name?

The young guy with the green eyes.

You kidnapped him with my grandpa.

You killed and buried him.

That man's name.

Then you took his mom to his grave.

You made her dig the grave with her hands.

You forced her onto her knees.

As she looked into her son's dead eyes,

you pulled off her skirt...

Shut up!

The girl's had too much to drink.

What else could she do, poor kid?

Can you tell me his name?

If you say his name, he'll go away.

Zafer!

Take this freak away.

What do you expect? Like father, like daughter.

Go to your room, honey.

No, let her stay. We're leaving. Come on, let's go.

Boss, we were having a nice time.

Enough!

Hasan, what happened?

Stop talking. Go.

I don't get it.

Zafer, what happened?

I've told you for weeks that something's got into the girl. But did you listen?

Instead of shaking your ass at my workmates, take care of your daughter.

What can she do? She has your fucked-up genes!

Come here.

What were you trying to say last night?

Nothing.

Tell me what you were trying to say.

I wanted to know his name.

Whose name?

- His. - Who's "he?"

Who is he, honey?

Melek, I'm talking to you. Who is he?

Honey, who is he?

OK.

It's OK, honey. It's OK. Stop.

Stop, honey!

I'm telling you to stop. OK, Melek?

Stop!

Go to your room.

Hello.

It's Melek's dad. Hope I'm not disturbing you.

I need to see you urgently.

What's up?

Nothing.

My mom's sick in bed.

My dad went out. He'll be back.

OK.

Come with me.

Why are you filming me?

Dad told me to.

Come with me.

Let's talk in the kitchen.

Close the door, honey.

I've known all along who you are.

You gave yourself away,

working for those Germans.

And it's your comrades sending their secret videos of me.

I know that.

What comrades?

Forget it, it doesn't matter anymore.

I...

I have to protect my wife and daughter.

We need to flee the country.

So I need help from those Germans, OK?

In return,

I'll reveal what my team's done.

On camera.

Got it?

I don't understand what you mean.

You've known what I do all along!

Don't play games with me!

Don't play games with me.

It's all your fault.

It's your fault my teammates suspect me.

It's your fault they're planning to get rid of me.

You understand?

You get the picture?

I have nothing to do with it. You have the wrong person.

Have I?

So how do you know those Germans and the lawyer?

How? Another coincidence?

Yes.

OK, then.

Let's meet at the café in two hours.

By "coincidence."

At Gülbahçe. I'll go first.

And I'll let you know if it's safe.

I'll bring a few photos.

Now go tell the Germans my offer.

And by the way...

Tell the Germans

I know where the lawyer is.

Sibel?

I'm going out with Melek. You want anything?

I'll get you that strawberry cake you love.

Everything will be OK, don't worry.

Zafer!

This way.

Wait here.

It's for Simone. Room 315.

Subtitles: Way Film Translation, Matthew Way