BEZM-I ALEM VALIDE SULTAN MOSQUE
AT THE SEASIDE BETWEEN KABATAŞ AND BEŞİKTAŞ,
OPPOSITE THE LARGE COURTYARD GATE BY THE CLOCK TOWER OF DOLMABAHÇE PALACE,
IT'S CALLED "DOLMABAHÇE MOSQUE" DUE TO ITS LOCATION.
Don't even try, honey. Gates are closed. It's the last ferry.
-Could you open it then? -Once closed, it can't be opened, miss.
The ferry is just there. I can see it. Why won't you open the gates?
So the ferry can leave on time, miss. Why don't you get it?
First time on a ferry?
I could catch it at the last minute.
Istanbul is where the impossible happens. That's why I'm here. You can't do this.
Could you open the gates?
Next station, Millet Street.
ISTANBUL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Get out, man! Don't just sit there! Protect your dumpster!
This dumpster will stay right here!
Enough already! L-58!
-Protect your dumpster! -Right on time. She made a scene.
I didn't know what to do. She's obsessed with the dumpster.
Okay, Ms. Şükran. Thank you very much. Thanks.
-You can go. I'll handle it, okay? -L-53! One, two, three dumpsters! Enough!
-Stop it, Emel, what are you doing? -L-58! Protect your dumpster already!
What are you doing? Stop yelling!
-I'm not yelling, Nesrin! Enough! -Okay. Everybody's watching! Stop yelling!
-Enough! Move. I'm protesting. -Please, don't yell.
Okay! Nesrin. I'm protesting.
-I get it. Calm down. Stop yelling. -I'm protecting my dumpster. Nesrin, move!
-Protect your dumpster! -Emel. Please.
-Protect your dumpster! -Shut up. God, it's so late. Shut up!
-Emel, listen to me, darling. -What?
Please.
-What did you say? -What did I say?
Nesrin, what did you say?
-What did I say? -Nesrin.
-What did I say? -Did you call me "darling"?
Yes, darling. I said "darling."
-To me? -Yes.
Did you call me that?
Say it again. Nesrin, say it again.
-Nesrin, say it again. Say it again! -Okay! Darling. Okay.
Darling.
"Darling." Nesrin, come.
-I can't. No. -Nesrin, come.
-Protect your dumpster! Come on, Nesrin. -I don't wanna-- Don't yell! No!
-Okay. -Nesrin, will you come?
Okay, I will.
-Nesrin! -One, two, three.
Nesrin.
Protect your dumpster.
Nesrin!
Nesrin. Did you come to save me?
Doctor Nesrin saved yet another life.
Wow.
Sevinç.
It's me, Mom. Nesrin.
Nesrin?
Your daughter. Nesrin. Sevinç is your sister.
Yeah.
-I have a daughter. -Yes. You have two daughters.
-I have two daughters? -Yes. Emel and Nesrin.
-Who is Emel? -Your daughter.
I have two daughters.
Nesrin. Emel.
LADIES ONLY, FULLY FURNISHED NICE HOME IN CITY CENTER
NESRİN INCOMING CALL
DECLINE
Hello. Good day.
Thank you.
I am a freshman.
I was wondering if I can put my suitcase here.
-No, you can't. -Please, don't send me to class like this.
-You shouldn't have brought it. -But I had to. Please.
-How do I know what's in it? -Just a bunch of clothes.
-I'll show you. -No way.
-It's forbidden. -Mister. Oh, God.
-No. I can't. -Let it stay here for a bit?
And I'll pick it up after the class?
Look, pick it up by 5:00 p.m.
Hamit will replace me then. I can't deal with him and explain this.
-Don't put me in a tough spot. -Never. I'll be here at 5:00.
-By 5:00 p.m. -I'll be here at 5:00.
I'll pick it up at 5:00.
-Why did you pick the Anatolian Fortress? -It has great historical significance.
-Which history is this? -You know, the Ottoman history.
A key site for the Conquest of Istanbul. Cannons fired from the fortress and such.
Naturally, it also impacted Byzantine history.
So, what is its impact on your history?
Guys, these projects are not about picking a few photos
and compiling some facts from the internet.
I want you to create your own Istanbul history.
Rediscover Istanbul using your curiosity and enthusiasm.
Pay attention to that next week when you examine the letter B.
Okay. Before we finish, I'd like to hear a personal story related to the letter A.
Isn't there anything that has touched you or affected you throughout the week?
ISTANBUL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Anybody has a good story? Would anybody care to share?
ALÇAKDAM SLOPE
A STEEP, UNREGULATED STREET, THE SITE OF A LARGE FIRE…
-Wanna grab a bite before rehearsal? -No, I'm not hungry.
How about a barbecue chicken pizza?
Okay. But I need to do something first.
-Okay. Shall I wait? -Yeah. No, it's fine. Thanks.
What's the rush?
-Sorry? -You should pray nicely and calmly.
Okay, dear?
May Allah accept your prayers.
Salam aleikum.
You're in our school, right? I saw you on campus.
-Alaikum salam. -How nice, I'm so glad. I'm Fatıma.
-I'm in a hurry. Thank you. -What is your name?
-Zeynep. -Nice to meet you.
You too.
I told you not to come, Serdar.
Especially to the hospital. Don't push me.
-Don't worry, I have no expectations. -Why are you here then?
I just wanted to tell you that we made the right decision.
You have the right to know, and I have the right to say it, right?
What did I expect from a selfish woman like you
who doesn't care about her sister and is about to abandon her sick mother?
Now you're using my family against me?
You think meeting them a few times gives you the right to judge?
"Meeting a few times?"
It was fine when I bailed your addicted sister out of custody,
when I took your sick mom to the hospital when you were busy. And now this?
That's exactly why. I want to run away so you don't keep dumping these on me.
I want to start a brand-new life. To escape from this tangled mess.
Nesrin, what if you're the one who created this mess?
Check these out.
-Why? -Check them out.
-I won't. -I didn't beat cancer, Nesrin.
I didn't want to upset you anymore, that's why I said I was clear last night.
-Don't stoop so low, Serdar. -You'll see if you look at it.
-No. -Because you are avoiding confronting it.
Don't, Serdar.
Because you know you're responsible for this.
-Responsible for what? -Didn't you ruin my life?
What did I do to you?
-I got cancer after you cheated on me. -I didn't cheat on you!
I only went to a dinner behind your back, and I apologized hundreds of times for it.
Unbelievable.
Man, even I can accept it, but she still can't.
What if that was the case? Just tell me. What does it have to do with your cancer?
-This is how you're avoiding it. -I'm responsible for it?
Why did you wait if you didn't want it?
Could it be because I still loved you? To support you?
No, because of your conscience.
Deep down, you knew you were guilty and wanted to suppress it.
Serdar, I did everything I could for you. Simple as that.
You didn't even believe I had cancer.
Yes, I didn't believe it at first. Because I know you very well.
I just know you, your character and how manipulative you are.
I only lied to you once. Just once. And that was last night.
And it was not to burden you anymore. Because I was thinking of you.
Serdar, I wish you had lied to me more.
With you, I don't know what's truth and what's lie anymore.
I forgot.
My trust is broken.
Even when I ask you the time,
I wonder if you're telling me the truth or what I want to hear.
I have always told you down to the second.
It doesn't matter now that I feel this anxious.
Why?
Because everything about you is potentially suspicious.
Because you are a coward
who could even use your illness for your interests.
Are you gonna slit your wrist?
Fucking do it! What are you waiting for? Do it!
Isn't that why you came to the hospital? "I'll be in the ER with a doctor,
I'll be fine."
Do it! Don't wait!
Sorry, am I interrupting?
Not at all. Welcome. Just close the door, it gets breezy.
It's Zehra, right?
-Zehra. -Welcome, Zehra.
-Thank you. -You can sit anywhere.
I was just explaining to your friends
how pretending is far from being convincing and real.
I mean, think about it.
I'm so tired of people pretending in life, and in art.
Don't worry. I won't expect anyone to really stab themselves on stage.
But we can stop playing dead like I just did, and face our problems.
You know the famous saying, "Theater heals."
Maybe we can heal, starting with ourselves. What do you say?
Maybe you are four months late, but you're just in time, Zehra.
Because we will start working on a new play.
No prior experience needed. Don't feel intimidated.
You will tell your own story.
Each week, one of you will share a dreadful memory,
or maybe a moment you try to forget, or a trauma.
In short, you'll share a story that burdens your heart.
Maybe we can remove the burden together.
We'll base the script on that, but we might add some fictional elements.
Maybe your friends could play the characters in it.
But all I know is you'll create the script based on your stories.
All right? You'll tell a story every week.
And I need a volunteer for next week. I want them to be well-prepared.
-I can do it, Professor. -Okay, great.
So, I'll start this week. To give you an example.
If you're ready, I'll tell you my biggest worry.
Perfect! As you can see, no matter what I do, she looks great.
She's pretty as a swan. I did a star girl makeup.
-I'm about to erupt volcanoes. Be ready. -Fire! You're on fire!
Don't forget to like, save, and comment, everyone.
Bye!
-It was awesome! -Finally.
Pelin, put makeup on Zehra too.
I can't be bothered.
I'll just give her a cheap nightclub look. Forget it.
But I'm tired. I've been here an hour!
-I… -Okay, I'll do it. You'll be reborn.
-I don't want to. Thank you. -You'll look so nice.
-Just come on! Come. -You know what?
-You look so nice, no need to do me. -Hey, shut it! I hate a buzzkill.
Maybe you're killing the buzz.
Besides, I like people around me to take care of themselves.
So, you have to, darling.
-Is that so, honey? -Yes, honey.
All right. Nothing you can do. We'll force makeup on you.
-That's your destiny. Let's go. -No. I really don't…
Show me those hands! Give me your hands.
No way! What is this? A carpenter's hands?
-Stop it. -Nail polish, right now. I'm gonna faint.
-Let her smile. Don't upset her. Smile. -I don't…
-Come on, smile. You'll be great. -She said smile!
-I'm smiling. I'm sparkling. -"I'm smiling."
-You're not smiling! -I really don't want it.
Maybe he was going to cut himself if I hadn't stopped him.
I guess you'll never know.
That's the worst of it.
I wish you hadn't come on such a ridiculous day.
It felt so good.
Your class is like therapy to me.
I'm glad you're feeling better. It means I'm not too bad a teacher.
Yes, thank you.
Sometimes I feel like I have enough energy for everything.
I think I can do everything I can imagine and everything I plan.
In fact, it seems so easy that even I am surprised.
And sometimes you feel powerless to take even the smallest action.
-Bizarre, right? -Yes, it's bizarre.
It's like it's hard to breathe in. Or to breathe out.
In fact,
the day I leave all my life behind and move to France,
I feel as if my life will be reset.
As if I will start all over again.
I guess there is no other way out for me.
That's not how it works.
How does it work?
Do you want to continue this at home?
I'd like to. But I thought I'd pay my mom a visit.
Right.
-You have to take care of that too. -Yes.
-I'll go then. -Louis.
I’m glad you're here.
Me too.
-Hello. -Hello.
I'm Nesrin Caner. Doctor Nesrin Caner.
I am looking for one of your students. Her name is Zehra Demirci.
Where is the architecture department?
-Right this way. Can I see your ID? -Sure, of course.
-Thank you very much. -Thank you. This way?
-Yes. -Okay.
We know there's a problem but Dad's acting like there is nothing wrong with him.
But the doctors…
How are you, Zehra?
-Fine, and you? -I'm fine too.
Why are you here?
Come on now. We were supposed to meet after school.
I called but couldn't reach you. That's why I'm here.
I wasn't available.
-And I have plans with friends later. -Oh. Is that so?
Okay then. Have fun.
By the way, your dad should see me. We'll examine him and run some tests.
No need to make an appointment. You can call me anytime.
-Thank you so much. I'll convince him. -You're welcome.
So, then…
I'll see you at home tonight.
See you. Let's go.
-Have a nice day. -Have a nice day.
I don't believe anyone has done anything to deserve a mansion here.
I don't know the owners but I hate all of them.
All of you! I hate you, and you, and you.
What should we do with the mansions?
Make them accessible to everyone. Make them public.
-What about the owners? -Give them houses far from the sea.
And tell them, "You've seen enough blue."
Are you an anarchist?
I wanna walk on the beach. Okay? Why are these buildings in the way?
-Because it's their property. -Their property? Ugh.
Who said so? Who gave them?
So, you just came to Istanbul and noticed something no one ever had?
Exactly.
You Istanbulites have normalized everything.
You can't even see the obvious.
I think you're talking as a mansion flat but with a class anger.
There is no such thing as a mansion flat.
That's some nonsense the capitalist system made up
to sell more houses. Do your research.
No, there is such a thing as a mansion flat. It's built as a block.
-An insult to architectural terminology. -It's not an insult to any terminology.
Nesrin's house is like a mansion flat too. Start the ban with her.
Mommy, I'm home!
Mommy, are you still sleeping?
Mom?
Mom!
Mom.
Where were you, sweetie?
Went out for a walk?
With these cookie-cutter buildings,
anyone would get confused, right?
Everyone is lost already.
You are lost.
Zehra is lost.
I'm already lost.
Who is Zehra?
Aylin's daughter, Zehra.
Look.
You and me.
Come on, Zehra!
-Bring down the mansions! -Go on, don't give up.
-Okay. -I hope she does it.
It's going. It's gone.
-Nice! -Not bad.
-I'll do it next time. -Great! Good job!
-Nice! -I wanna swap teammates.
-You can't do that. -Oh, come on!
-Leave my teammate alone! -Go away.
-Can you move? I'm trying to bowl here. -Okay, I'm going.
-Here we go! -He's doing it! What did I do?
He won't score anyway.
My dear teammate!
Good job!
-They destroyed us! -Here comes the strike!
-Knock them all down. -I'll save us.
-We can still catch up. -You have to hit them all.
-I will. Promise. -Here it comes.
My teammate is bowling. She did it!
Is it a hit?
She did it!
What's the deal with our team?
-You know what, it was great. -That's my teammate!
Did you hide your ball?
-What, did you bless it? -Go on, show them.
-For our stolen youth. -Okay.
That's it! Go get them!
Go on, baby.
What happened to our stolen youth?
-Not so bad. -It counts.
You still have suffering to endure.
-Don't say it. -I'll save my team.
-If you strike, we win. -Okay. I'll try with all my luck.
Let's go.
-Should I pick this one? -Look at the score.
Take this one.
-I'll eat you up. -What is it?
I need to go to the restroom. Could you take my turn?
-Okay. -Okay.
-Something wrong? -No, all good.
I have to use the restroom. Harun will take my turn.
No. Swapping players during a game is what I hate the most.
I don't accept it.
There must be a limit to saying "What I hate the most is…"
What can I do, honey?
My hate spectrum is so wide.
Have fun.
Pelin.
-What? -"What?"
I couldn't ask in front of Zehra. How do you throw it?
You roll straight for a score.
NO ENTRY
I couldn't bear your absence, so I ran after you.
What were you doing in there?
It says "No entry." So I thought I should go in.
-That's so you. -Yes. Thanks.
You removed your makeup.
-Did you cry because of Pelin? -No. I didn't cry. I just…
I just didn't like it and wiped it off.
-Can I say something? -Sure.
We won.
I knocked them all down after you left.
I feel like if this happens, everything will be left unfinished.
Everything is left unfinished in this world.
Who are you to
Get involved in things like this?
Are you the lazy one asking me that?
This is not aging You are getting old
It's a downfall
You are a hollow body With a resentful soul
Guys, the doctor is here! I can't believe it!
She's a great doctor.
Just line up if you have a condition. She knows best.
-Ms. Doctor! You have a song request? -Wow. You look beautiful.
Come. What would you like to drink?
-What do you want? -I'm not drinking.
-I'm here to talk to you. -We have no hot drinks.
But there's this great beer. I want you to taste it.
-Please, come here. Come. -Please.
Okay!
Can't I treat my big sister? My sister's visiting me at work for the first time!
-Welcome. -Come on.
Emel.
Look.
Let's talk. Tell me what's troubling you.
Let's not go on like this.
What happened to you? Are you Gandhi now? Are you gonna bring peace?
Emel, I don't think you realize how serious it is, but Mom is not well.
-I came here from home. -Is that so?
She went out.
She couldn't find her way back.
I found her lost on the street, and took her home.
I'm glad you're with Mom. What would we do without you?
-Emel, I'm serious. -I'm serious too.
-I'm glad we have you. -Emel, I'm serious.
I'm moving to France very soon.
-Wow! Did you hear that? -Look, all my documents are ready.
It's very soon. I'm leaving once I pass the language exam, Emel.
Good for you! You'll pass the language exam, no doubt.
-Good for you. -I don't want to worry about here.
I want you to be able to take care of yourself and Mom. I'm begging you.
So, you'll fucking leave this fucking country like Dad did!
But you want a clear conscience, right?
-Could you really sell Dad's car? -What does it have to do with Dad?
You will go and I will stay!
I have to be well to take care of Mom. You don't even care about me. You don't.
-That's what you mean, right? -No.
-That's what you're saying. -I'm saying, I will do everything I can.
-But I won't be here physically… -What are you gonna do?
-Financial support!
-Financial? -I'll pay the bills!
-You solve everything with money. -Whatever it takes! Whatever I can do!
-I can hire a full-time caregiver! -Tell me!
-Did you ask Mom if she wants a caregiver? -Have you ever taken care of Mom?
Did you even care?
You were broke and came back home! That's it! What's with this devoted act?
Nesrin! If you wanna go, just fucking go!
I was just thinking, maybe we should stay up all night? Wouldn't it be great?
And now you've come up with a stay-up-all-night project, Zehra?
Well, I'm exhausted, man.
What if we hang out together? I can come if you want.
I don't feel like going home.
I would invite you, but we're in a complicated situation.
Man, take me out of this home too. This is an asylum.
By the way, is our library open 24 hours a day?
No. I wish. It's ridiculous. Millions of us are studying in cafés.
What is it? Why do you ask?
No reason.
Maybe I'll do a project on places open 24 hours a day.
Wow! That's a nice subject.
Okay then. Kisses. Good night.
Kisses. Good night.
I'm off too. Kisses.
The letter B.
Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque.
Located at the seaside, between Kabataş and Beşiktaş,
opposite the large courtyard gate by the clock tower of Dolmabahçe Palace,
it's called "Dolmabahçe Mosque" due to its location.
They call this place your home, dear Allah.
Is that true? Can you fit inside a home?
I can't either, don't worry.
I couldn't fit in anywhere again, and took shelter in this Muslim temple
built by the Armenian Balyan family.
But I feel like I fit in this city. I tucked myself in.
Because in this city, some people yell, "Move back, there's plenty of room."
Even though some people steal my chance to grasp life for the sake of punctuality,
I think I'm holding onto the hopes of those metrobus drivers.
I squeezed myself into the hope that there's always some space back there.
I'm a little hungry. And this place smells like feet.
Or am I in a giant bag of chips that smell like feet?
I wish I had something crunchy to eat.
But if I go out, I can't come back in here.
How come Allah's home has limited visiting hours?
I'm glad you were home when I came, Allah.
What? Yes. "Nonsense, guys! I'm always home," you say?
Or am I going insane?
I told you I was hungry, dear Allah.
Anyway.
What's left until the morning?
Subtitle translation by: M. Levent Yılmazoğlu