Original subtitles

A film by Ömer Kavur

Director looking at the wooden house...

Kartal, Ferry boat pier... Yavuz holding a newspaper...

and

Fiction by

Can we catch the ferry?

Original Music by

Image by

Written and Directed by

How many kilometers to Ayvalik?

Ayvalik?

Ayvalik.

Aren't we going there?

I'll drink one more cup of tea.

NIGHT JOURNEY

We will need 27 filming locations.

The most important ones are the home for the woman and the pension for the child.

How do you think about the place of their secret meetings?

Have more coffee?

With milk or without milk?

Why Sevil didn't come with us?

She might have thought you and me alone would be more comfortable.

She is busy with her new home too.

Our road music.

How did you like the coffee?

Good.

Ah again my tooth.

What?

My tooth.

Chewing gum.

A decayed tooth?

I have to visit a dentist.

The pain directly goes to my brain.

You don't have a toothpick?

Give my Saide back to me.

Dark city.

Give my Saide back to me.

Saide why are you so far away now.

You are so far away now.

Dark city. Give my Saide back to me.

We couldn't find the places we are looking for.

What should we do now?

On the road again.

Right now?

Can you drive safely at nights?

Want to know, what I remember now.

What?

It was a night like this one.

We were on the road again...

There will be a screening of our film

at a labor union's night

in 1978 or 79 maybe

Ahmet also was there.

I know.

It was a cold and snowy night.

Your brother Ahmet was holding the presentation.

It was his second year as a school teacher.

Had we made it that night.

No, we had missed it

There must be a hotel around here.

Play backgammon?

OK

Do you have backgammon?

Backgammon?

No sir.

Heads.

All those trains... where do they go...

This isn't a good location for our story.

Are we going?

We have a lot of places to visit

and you are wasting our time

we won't be able to find a single location if you do so

I told you too many times to make it an Istanbul story

27 filming locations how can we find them here

You are the script writer

Yes I am the writer but Seyda wanted it like this

She insisted on to be a provincial story

She wanted it to be an oppressed provincial woman

caprices of those stars

Never mind all the places are the same

How long we will go

About two hours

Good

We will see some place before it's getting dark

It would be wonderful to teleport people from one place to another

Press a button and you are in Paris

press Rio

or Japan

Write a film script on it

It is hard to be a script writer

It is not crowded here during March

Tourists start coming in April

Why did you ask

Maybe we will be making a film here

A film? Here?

If we can find the locations

What kind of places you are looking for

Can you find a guide for us?

Who knows this place to guide us

Sure, I can find

be ready at 8 am tomorrow morning

Sure, OK are you from government TV

Oh no.

Where can we find a good restaurant?

This is the best thing about those journeys

What is your dish?

It is hot and spicy

but it is too delicious

it is better for me not to have it

How about your ulcer

sometimes good sometimes bad

The affair between the woman and the doctor

is it developing too easily what do you think

Easy? how?

Does it look real I mean

for example

should we add some social pressure on them

pressure on the woman?

The woman, the doctor

maybe you can work on the conflict some more

are there weaknesses in script what do you think?

I am not sure

You are acting as if some other one will make the film

Don't you like the story?

I am not against your story

It may turn out to be a good one

so what

it's not important

Blood pressure

Good night gentlemen

Good night

Where are you from gentlemen?

Istanbul

Oh, the origin of all kind of illness is hidden behind blood pressure

So you are from Istanbul

You are from Istanbul, the paradise

[He is telling/singing some funny dittys]

Everything is normal and under control

I can't sleep well at nights though

then go on drinking Raki

want some pills?

What pills?

Sleeping pills

I take some while travelling

when I am away from home I am not an easy sleeper

It's good, take some before going to sleep

My cousins Tuncan and Ercan

They will be your guides

The woman may live in one of those houses

You shoot them too dont you?

The doctor's secret visitings through here will be impressive isn't it

- Is it a love story? - Yes - Yes

There is another lane ahead

What kind of films do you like?

Rambo, Chuck Norris, Superman we watch them on TV, Rocky

This is a very good place.

Here we can watch them passing by.

Sea shore of the town, an old neighborhood

woman's house, public square, doctor's pension...

We almost found out all of our filming locations.

We can complete the film here in one place

We need a desolate place for their secret meetings.

Do you know an abandoned place?

What kind of a place?

A deserted house, such that nobody living around

Brother...

There is such a town

A town?

Very near from here 5 or 6 kilometers away

The town is abandoned nobody lives there

how do you mean?

It's all empty houses

there is a village nearby

our father is the school teacher of the village

Is your father in the village now

Yes he is there now

Do you all live in the village?

No, we live in Fethiye we go to the village and come back to Fethiye

A terrific place, fantastic, extraordinary

What's that?

The church

Let's go and see

We can't miss this place

Come and see, this is the ideal place

Here is their meeting place

We also shoot love making scene over there

Right? What do you think?

Did you like it?

Yes, very much

C'mon lets go back now

I will stay a while

Why? We have seen enough.

You go with the boys

I will find you

Good

We will find something to drink in the village?

They have a cafe

Hello

What is that place?

A watchtower

Welcome, I am Aziz

Thanks

What would you have?

I'd like a cup of tea

Bring us some more tea

Mr. Aziz is the father of our guides

I knew that

How did you like our town

Very much

20,000 people were living here can you imagine that

It was a Greek town

They were forced to migrate in the population exchange of 1923

Hoping that they would come back one day

They left their belongings as they are

None of them returned?

No

Our brethren have come in their place from Thessaloniki.

And then they moved to better places.

Imagine it. Like a ghost town.

Ministry of Tourism declared it as touristic site

They will restore the houses and build a teleferic up to the hill

After we finish our film they can do whatever they want

No, no all of our locations are allright

no problems at all

as I told you before we won't change the script

Everything went as planned we will return tomorrow morning

Yes he is here

Mr. Irfan asks if you are happy with everything

Yes he feels allright

He sends his greetings

How is Seyda?

Is she there with you?

She will be ready for shooting no other performances OK?

Everything is organized? Very well.

OK then good bye

We will meet when we return

It's all sorted out now

Let me call Sevil too

Sevil, how are you?

Why dont you ask them to make it ready asap.

If you dont ask them everyday forget about that furniture set.

OK, you call them first. I will deal with it when I return.

OK, let me talk to her

Oh darling

How are you?

Last night he was here at the same time

And you missed your dad?

I will be right back when I finish my things

Have I ever lied to you?

No, do you study properly

Dont cause trouble for your mother

That's my girl.

Yes of course, my dear one put your mother back on the phone

OK

Sevil... yes...

not to be able to know how you are and what to do...

your absence is like an emptiness...

yet I can feel you...

I still can hear your voice...

is it the fear that made you escape...

or not to be able to face the fear itself...

for how long can you escape...

these silent calls which I know only come from you...

just say something...

a single word, a whisper...

...just so that this terrible silence ends...

Ali

who were you talking to?

Tomorrow, we will be on the road again

Want some?

No thanks

Let's put on our road music again

Where will we be tonight?

What happened?

I can't go on

I can't shoot this movie

Is it the script?

I can change the script if there are some parts you don't like.

It has nothing to do with the script and you know it too

I do not want to make this film

You are making a serious mistake

Maybe at the moment you feel a bit depressed...

but... it is not an excuse to give up making this film

Just the opposite, you have to shoot it.

You know it, this is an important opportunity for you

I dont like to put it so explicitly but it is time to face it now

They don't want you anymore

Was it because of your failure at the box-office or...

was it your lack of communication with the people... I don't know...

There is one thing you should know

I tried so hard to make the producer and Seyda...

to work with you

Our social environment is determinent in our decisions

We have to obey some rules.

I know it

I can't go on like this.

Do you know any other solution

If there are any then tell me

We will make a good film

The most important thing is to realize it

A... good... film

to whom? To benefit the producer...

or to make a star more popular?

All of our efforts are good for nothing

Can't you see that

One can't express own feelings freely

You only serve others' expectations

so the outcome becomes garbage always

the worst torment is, not to be able to test oneself

Maybe it is too late, but I realize it now

OK What do you want now?

I will stay here for a while

I want to think it over by myself

Good

I also will stay here

We are in no hurry

I should be alone

Since we set out on the road you acted as if you were alone

I know it sorry for that

It is windy here

For all these years, we always have been together

When I look back at our past...

those years at school...

cinematheque club

Everything fades away so easily

Well, it's time to go now

You tell them...

You tell them I kept the camera

I will tell them you are shooting the film

You should think it over before making your decision

OK

[... oral exam on Ottomans' official history...]

You go on...

Welcome

I wanted to ask you something

Please, go on

This may sound strange

I want to stay in the town

You mean for shooting...?

No

I myself want to stay

You want to live there...?

Yes, for a while

But thats not possible they are all in ruins

Small Church is not so bad...

besides I will try to turn it into a livable place

just for myself

Are you serious?

Yes I am

It wont cause a problem I hope

No, why?

OK, thanks a lot

Goodbye

[... oral exam continues...]

He won't come anymore

Is that for shooting?

Yes

A video camera

Want to see?

Look thru here

go on

Can you see?

Yes

Where is your house?

Can you see your house?

It is like a telescope

I recorded all that you've seen

You really did it?

Yes, all of them

My house too?

Of course

Can we shoot them too?

Will you make film here?

Yes

Using this camera?

No, using a bigger one

Players will come, technicians will come...

Will I watch them too?

Sure

Why not

OK

Bye then

Will you be living down there?

This sea...

reminds me other seas...

is it the fear that made you escape...

or not to be able to face the fear itself...

for how long can you escape...

Yusuf

You didn't come to school this morning

I know you are there

I want you in the classroom tomorrow

...president Kenan Evren told that many democratical rights...

Mr. Ali...

Do I disturb you

Please come

welcome

I wanted to know if you need anything

It's Ok as you see please sit down

These are for you...

they are from the village some fruits...

Thanks a lot

want some?

No thanks

I've forgotten this place

People don't be aware of beautiful places...

when they are so near to you

Do you know... villagers feel sorry because...

you live all alone here by yourself

But why?

They say, they could be attentive to their guest

You would be more comfortable then

I tried to explain them about the things...

you were looking for. I told them that you were...

in search of filming locations. I said them...

you'd better be alone to feel the atmosphere of your film.

I am afraid I wasnt successful to satisfy them.

I caused trouble for you

No, not at all. Do whatever you want.

Did Mr. Yavuz went back?

He had things to do in Istanbul.

Do you believe, I've never seen Istanbul.

Yet, my wife has relatives there, but...

when you get used to live in small villages...

people get lazy and it becomes hard to leave

Were you born here?

Yes... my wife also.

We couldnt be able to leave these places.

But our children will not be like us.

I wont be able to keep them here

Anyway... I took your time too much.

- Goodbye - Goodbye

...a long corridor...

echoing footsteps in a long stone corridor...

footsteps in a corridor...

Is it your brother?

Two bullets in his chest...

when he was leaving his school...

he was only 27...

as I walk along the streets aimlessly...

as I walk along those empty streets...

the turmoil we live on... was suffocating me...

like a nightmare.

[Military coup d'état days of 80s... police cars down the street...]

[pick up and arrest political opponents...]

How many woes we would be suffering...

I always remember you...

when you were a child...

your sad face...

your bitter smile...

Sometimes I was getting tired of your love for others

It was our last meeting...

or maybe the one before the last one...

You asked me about Nesrin.

You wanted to know when we would get married

Yet, I hadn't known her at all...

Nesrin

I heard the news.

Everywhere, I was looking for you...

Come in...

C'mon boys get ready we will be late

OK mum, just a minute

You've been working on it for hours long. Forget it. It is useless

Be patient. It will work.

Your aunt is waiting for us.

Dad, tonight on TV they will be showing a film by Mr. Ali

"Forgotten Memories"...

Good, we will be watching it.

"About a well-known actress who is suffering from a terminal illness...

and a doctor who was in love with her many years ago."

Hello

Are you one of them?

Are you from the Ministery... an engineer or something?

No

Good. You know, soon they will fuck up this place

I thought, you were one of them because of that thing you carry

I thought you were measuring around

That one was Aleko's house

He was a medicinal man

He used to help everyone

Turk or Greek without discriminating

Yorgiadis' house...

They were three brothers Socrates, Yannis, Podromos...

we used to call him Podos.

One of them had a grocer's shop the other one was a carpenter

Podos was a bum but he was good at everything

Do you think, The Ministery will know all these memories

How many memories we have here

They say they will build a teleferic up to the hill

They will restore all of the houses

to make them touristic residences

Oh tourists... how will they know how many things...

have been lived here

Then there was Stella...

She was living in the house far away on the hillside

Brown-haired, green eyes... she was like an angel.

We were all in love with her.

At nights, looking at her candle we would wonder and dream

who the one lucky enough to spend the night with her could be...

Then the light of her candle would fade... Stella

Anyway... I have to go back.

What is your profession?

I am a filmmaker.

Making carpets?

No film, filmmaker.

I've seen you before...

Where?

At the grove, walking around in the cemetary.

Right, possible.

[Old man talking in Greek]

Stella

Her name was Stella

She had brown hair and green eyes...

She was like an angel...

How was your house?

Did you have pictures on your walls?

What would you see when you looked thru your window?

Look! They are new.

Are they beautiful?

It's cold outside.

Yusuf

They called you from Istanbul

From Istanbul?

Yes. They said it was very important.

What is she saying?

When he left... my loneliness... was so deep... I could drown in it.

Shall I try to make the same look?

Yes indeed... it fits to your style.

Doesn't it? She acts... always so shaky... and worried...

Hello! Ali?

Hey... where the hell are you?

We are starting the production

You have to come at once.

Everything is ready.

The script also passed the board of censors

OK? Now I put Seyda on the phone

Talk to him...

Ali? My dearest one. You can't imagine how much I missed you

The script is wonderful. I swear.

Worked out in every little detail.

I cancelled my other performances.

My night club arrangements

I feel so relaxed now

When will you come back?

I don't know...

Hasn't Yavuz talked about it...

not much... Look, Yavuz is here too. He also wants to talk to you...

kiss you darling...

Hey mate! How are you?

Haven't you got bored yet at those places?

Ask him about the film theater

Ah! Ali, we added a part to script to shoot at a picture theatre

Could you look for a cinema theater in the town.

You will call us about it won't you?

You... you feel allright?

Ali... call us back...

hung up

What does he say?

We will find another director.

I guess there is a film theatre around here, do you know...

It is here...

The boss is inside please, come on in

He is asking about the cinema...

You are in it. Why did you ask?

Where you are standing now used to be the saloon, 200 seats.

Up there, the balcony.

Here, the stage.

And this, the screen.

What happened then?

Whatever happened to all of the other cinema theatres

The law of supply and demand...

Were you the owner of it?

Once upon a time.

What will you do with a cinema theatre

Everywhere is full of video players.

You can watch any video cassette whenever you want

It is for shooting a film...

We were going to shoot a film in a cinema theatre

Really? Are you serious?

Do they still shoot with celluloid films?

Isn't that a thing of ancient times?

What are you shooting?

No, you'd better not tell me about it

It is always the same old story

Do you know what this is?

An exposure meter.

A French made...

Etoile

Were you in the business?

I was the cameraman.

Here, you could go up to the balcony

It could hold 150 people.

For 20 years long I've run this theatre

Too many exciting memories...

This my exposure meter.

And this is the spot light we were using in those days... Kramer

A huge one. Three of us could hardly carry it.

Mostly we were using it at night shootings

When the lights were turned on nobody could look at them

The camera itself, a Devry, is heavy as hell

Some scenes would be hard for us to prepare, but we shot some really good scenes

We were good at toning the colors

You would use this to look at the lights for balancing exposure

When I think about the past... Those stars, vamps, and all that...

But I always tried to be good at what I did.

To do my job well, without getting involved in all that...

I resisted, when I realized I could no longer do what I wanted.

Was it because of the cinema industry... or lack of material... whatever.

When I understood there was no point in resisting anymore, I quit, in '65.

I am from here actually my father used to run this cinema

Then I took over.

When one runs a cinema theater, he becomes more aware of these things...

all the dead ends... impossibilities...

When you look at the audiences...

They always have one thing in common, no matter what:

Emotion.

If you can catch that... But you have to be sincere...

I still shoot here, in this place you see before yourself...

I line up all those stools and couches

I fix the lights, prepare the mise-en-scene

give names to the couches

That couch over there, that one is Greta Garbo

Sometimes I sit on her lap

Let's drink to cinema

What a loudmouth I am...

So, is that thing shooting me right now?

I'll be damned...

Have you ever solved anything by running away from it

Couldn't you ever resist for a while

Always living in anxiety...

during demonstrations last night thousands of people clashed with...

the police forces. More than 80 were injured...

Have I got drunk...

You are not alone

Now you now it

Now it is time for you to face the reality

No

Not yet

You have to feel and seize every moment

All of your feelings... your memories...

and you know that.

I wish I could overcome the fear that surrounds me

You can only settle down if you come face to face with yourself

I know

You are tired

Close your eyes

Don't think of anything anymore

Are you allright?

I got worried when I saw your car

the battery has run out

last night I got drunk

quite normal

come with us we are going down to the village

There will be a wedding feast tomorrow

They are going to the bride's house to arrange it

It is a custom around here

It starts at the groom's house first

next day they it continues at the bride's house

How long does it last?

As long as they can

You already know the bride's brother

Who?

Little herdsmen at the hill

Yusuf?

His elder sister is getting married

Is Yusuf one of your students?

Of course

He is very smart

He writes beautiful essays

He is very good at portraying things

I didn't know that he was attending the school

I always see him at the meadow

His father had passed away

His family lives in poverty

He has to take care of the herd

So we manage somehow at school...

I see

I'll be late. Thanks for the tea.

You're welcome

"Good" said the snake, "why are you here"...

"I have a trouble with a flower"

"Oh" said the snake and then there was a silence.

...Little Prince continued

"Where are all those people"...

"I feel a bit lonly in this desert"...

One can feel lonely among people as well

Have you also read it?

Yes. When I was about your age.

But... You haven't forgot it

If something deeply impresses you, you can't forget it...

despite the passing years

I heard that you were good at writing essays

Mr. Aziz said that?

Yes... He spoke highly of you.

He always brings me books to read.

Periodicals too. He gave me this book "Little Prince" also.

What subjects do you write about?

In my compositions?

Yes

My home, my village, here this grassy area

You mean the things you know well

How can I describe the things I don't know at all.

I want to be a teacher when I grow up

I will visit foreign countries I will travel all around the world

You will miss this places then

I will be a grown up then

Shall we read together..

Little Prince looked at the snake for a while "You are a strange animal" he said

"you are thick as a finger"...

You can also feel the loneliness when you are with the people

I am leaving now...

how come we have become like this...

I don't understand why it happened like this...

one way or another... now we are at it..

The most painful thing is to know that our love hasn't died yet...

you don't share anything with me anymore

You didn't give me the chance... to understand... to know...

just a look, a glance, to know that you care...

a humanly warmth would be enough for me.

You are always looking at the walls

Is it so hard for you to communicate with me?

I've always been asking to myself...

was it me who was so far away from his world...

my job as a civil servant being so far from your job...

yet I tried so hard with all my heart to understand you...

why you shut yourself away from me...

or else, are you ashamed of me...

anyway it is too late now...

the funny thing is... I even don't know...

if you want me to leave or not.

...imaginary pictures...

I hear voices...

I don't remember their faces... their names...

For how long, have I been here...

I don't know for certain

When I think about it...

I feel the emptiness growing bigger and bigger

Mr. Ali!

This is for you

Thanks

They want you to join the wedding feast

I don't have a proper suit for the wedding

Wouldn't it be impolite if I came like this.

No, why.

How beautiful, it plays...

Do you like music?

Do you always listen to it?

Yes I do. It keeps me company.

Like books.

Do you want to eat with me?

I have to go

I've already eaten

Won't you come to wedding?

You won't feel hurt if I don't come... will you?

No I won't.

Then give them my thanks and best wishes

Not yet...

Is it possible to live at the edge of the life?

This journey how long it will go on?

How long you've been waiting over there?

For a long time...

waiting as required.

Your earring, it is so beautiful.

I've been wearing it all the time.

You start forgetting.

Are you finishing it?

I don't know.

I think you are near the end.

It is too silent tonight.

It hung heavy on my hands.

No music?

It is hard to find, at this late hour.

Certainly... there must be some...

It plays tango.

Your hands are warm.

You can not go back any more.

You know that, don't you...

Don't go yet.

Sleep now.

Don't go yet.

It is tango.

Ali... Ali...

What are you doing over there, you little jester.

Look, your brother woke up c'mon, come to home.

Hurry, come home...

For how long have I been here...

as if everything has been suspended...

You are walking too slowly...

adjust your footsteps with Ms. Seyda, synchronize with her.

I agree, I am late.

The bitch is doing it on purpose to make a fool of him.

Please Ms. Seyda lets try again.

Come

Now watch me carefully.

Come

One more step... you see?

Allright.

C'mon. To the starting point. We are shooting now.

Camera..., rolling...

I hurried when I heard about your return.

Welcome back.

I am glad to see you.

- We can go now. - Yes of course.

Stop.

No... you still walk too slowly.

I've never been here.

You must have missed it before.

We left everything as they are.

It seems so.

You say, he hasn't been around for a long time.

We don't know exactly...

The last time we saw him, we were having our wedding feast.

I'll pick up his things. Maybe we will find something.

I hear voices...

I don't remember their faces... their names.

For how long, have I been here...

I don't know for certain

When I think about it...

I feel the emptiness growing bigger and bigger...

as if time has stopped... it covers my existence...

and I get used to it...

Are you allright?

Is it about Ali?

Yes.

No news about him, right?

None.

It had nothing to do with you so stop blaming yourself about it.

He made his own choice.

You couldn't help it.

I know.

What I think about is...

my own choice.

It doesn't matter... it shouldn't be a problem

Concentrate on our job.

You are a good script-writer Yavuz. This must be your aim from now on.

For us it is not important anymore, to make choices...

It is all hopeless for us... you mean.

Not at all... if you want to be successful...

you have to play the game by the rules.

I'd better go now, or else...

they will think we are having an affair.

...at nights even when all sins are stalking around...

aren't you ashamed of showing your dreadful face...

and in daytime, where can you find...

a deep and dark cave to hide your brutal face

O betrayal! hide yourself behind smiling faces and sweet words

otherwise even the deepest pit of hell couldn't hide yourself from your own eyes...

Hello.

You are the friend of Mr. Ali, aren't you?

Yes.

We've came here together

He gave it to me.

Where did he walk around, do you know?

He used to go towards the sea.

Sometimes he used to read books with me...

most of all, he was spending his time on his writings

Was he writing something?

I was hearing the clicks of his typewriter.

Clicks of the typewriter?

The Nigh Journey

Night yourney.

Techncal Director

Assistant Director

Production Director

Image Team

Light