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