GALATA DOCK'S SHANTIES, THEATERS AND TAVERNS
AHMED RASİM DESCRIBES THE GALATA DOCK
IN "CITY LETTERS" HE WROTE FOR THE MALUMAT GAZETTE,
"THE DOCKS PROVIDED A NICE NEW VIEW,
BUT THE SHANTIES BUILT ALONG IT ARE VERY INAPPROPRIATE."
So, what's your plan today?
-I don't know. -Zehra. It's been a week.
You shouldn't skip school any longer. You haven't left the house.
I have to go to work. There is breakfast on the table.
Okay? Get up.
ISTANBUL ENCYCLOPEDIA
I'll ask you once again.
I'm sure.
I don't know how I could be more sure.
I don't know if I was this sure about anything before.
It's your choice.
Can I take a picture of you?
-Excuse me? -To keep it as a memory.
I'll send it to you once I print it.
Yes, I want a serious look fitting for a chief physician.
NO ENTRY
How is your dad?
He's been discharged.
I'm so glad.
Thanks.
My condolences. I'm so sorry.
Thanks.
Zehra, the assignments, notes,
all the materials of every class are here.
So, you didn't miss anything this week.
I was just very worried about you.
Istanbul Encyclopedia ends at G.
So, we have to pick a letter and a word, and do the last week's assignment.
Did you pick your letter or word?
No.
If Reşad Ekrem Koçu were alive,
how would he describe you in his encyclopedia?
Who is Harun?
When my mom was pregnant with me…
my family wasn't very well off, so they considered abortion.
They said, "Either we have the abortion, or we stop talking about it."
"We have to decide."
Mom, realizing there is no other way,
decides to have the abortion.
That night, she has a dream.
There's a circle of fire in a green field. She starts walking towards it.
She gets quite hurt because of the heat, but keeps walking, keeps going.
When she arrives, she sees a baby. In the center of the fiery circle.
She jumps in without hesitation,
grasps the baby and pulls him out of the fire.
Then she tells Dad, "I definitely won't have an abortion."
Then comes the day I was born.
They call a midwife.
I give them some difficulty.
But I come out quickly. I wasn't breathing after I came out.
My face was all blue.
I was born dead.
Just when the midwife was about to tell Mom,
I started urinating and breathing.
I came back by urinating.
I don't know.
Since my relationship with loss
started at the beginning of my life…
Maybe that's why I always lived with a feeling of loss.
So, I'm a bit impulsive and frivolous.
Feeling I can disappear at any time.
But I know that if I came into this world, it is to conquer that fear.
Because I know this isn't the result of the life we lead.
The lives we lead are just a cause of this feeling.
This is expired. You need a new ID.
I see.
-Are you still in university? -I am.
Good. Our busy time is on the weekends. We got the weekdays covered.
Come and work full-time on weekends. 550 liras a day.
-550? -You'd get a good bonus, don't worry.
If that's okay, you can start tomorrow.
-I don't have any other choice anyway. -So?
It's okay or not?
Okay. Sure.
Congratulations then.
Is it cold in here? You didn't take off your beanie.
That's my style, so…
Fine, okay.
Get a new ID. We'll be waiting.
-So, what is this for? -For an ID.
For the ID, we'll take a biometric photo.
-You're not ready yet. -I want it this way.
Are you kidding?
No, I'm serious.
You're serious?
Look…
If you're gonna pull out a camera and say this is a prank,
I'm not ready to see myself on the internet.
No. Why?
-Didn't you say it was for an ID? -Yes.
The ID is for the state. You can't be wearing a beanie.
-Why not? -Sweetie, it's the state.
Wearing a headscarf is okay. The state recognizes it now.
But you must either be covered or uncovered. Not with a beanie.
-Isn't this about my face being visible? -Just save your breath.
I'm telling you, they won't accept it. You'll get another one taken.
Won't this work?
…the air is very, very clean.
Yes.
Oh, my God. Excuse me for a kiss. A kiss.
-A tiger. -A tiger.
I want another photo.
-Something wrong? -No.
-May I look at it? -Nothing's wrong.
Tell me what's wrong.
I can edit it the way you want with Photoshop.
Sir, can I get another photo taken?
Okay. Go in there, and ring the bell when you're ready.
Here we go.
-What? -What's your deal?
What happened?
I'm asking what you're up to.
You're wearing a headscarf now?
Yes, I'm wearing it now, maybe I'll take it off in five minutes.
What's it to you?
Can you take my photo?
Tell me if it's something fishy, so I won't get in trouble.
My name is written under the photos.
You can cut your name out.
Will you just take it?
Biometric.
All right.
COUNTY REGISTRY OFFICE
-157? -157.
Okay. The monitors aren't working.
The ones in there work, but the ones here don't. I check each one.
Let's start with your fingerprints. Right thumb.
They haven't replaced them in weeks.
If anyone asks, they say they reported it to headquarters and they'll do it.
They fix anything else immediately.
Four fingers.
Press your fingers firmly.
Okay, do the same with your left hand.
-With my thumb or my four fingers? -Thumb first.
-Don't move it. -Sorry.
Left four fingers.
I'm not dying for it. I just go out for a smoke.
But always… You can take off your hand.
Scan a card every time going in or out. Give me your photo.
Come on, I'm already busy.
Wow. First time I've seen you this lively.
Is that so?
Will you tell me why?
I've had to be this high to tell you.
-Because… -Because…
Because I quit my job today.
Excuse me?
Are you not happy?
I don't know. I don't get it.
I quit!
Wow.
So, you've made your decision.
You've decided.
Louis.
I already have.
I don't know. Maybe…
we would be together…
or so I thought.
Louis. You knew from the start I would leave.
That was why I was studying French.
Weren't we thinking the same thing?
I'm not thinking of anything.
I mean, if you were so sure you've never thought the same way,
why did you get so close with me? I don't get it.
Are you blaming me?
No, I'm not.
Just that…
Okay.
This is delicious.
What is your sign?
-Why? Why did you… -Will you tell me?
Scorpio. Why?
What?
I could change it.
I could change my sign.
I'm not a Scorpio. I'm a Virgo.
I'm a…
A Sagittarius, a Leo. I'm whatever you want.
-Just not a Scorpio. -Okay, enough.
I don't even have an identity.
Until I decide who I am, I don't even have an identity.
You should do as you want, Zehra.
-As you want. -Don't give me advice.
Don't lecture me!
I'm just trying to be there for you. And I will be.
We will do as you want.
-What do you want, Zehra? -I don't know.
I don't know. I wish I knew.
Everything would be so easy. I wish I knew.
Do you know what I did today?
I quit my job.
And how did I do it?
With the strength you gave me.
I realized
I was using my mom, Serdar,
Diego, Emel, everything as an excuse.
I've been amazed by how you dive headfirst into a life
that you say you don't know.
You tapped on my back.
You said, "Go."
You said, "You can go."
Really?
Really.
And I want to celebrate it with you.
Oh, I'm so hungry!
I'm so hungry! I couldn't get enough, Zehra, I couldn't.
Come here.
Oh, there is this one too.
Come here.
Yes. Here it is.
What do you think?
A wig?
Many years ago, in a war,
angered by the Carians' alliance with the Persians,
the Greek annihilated the Carian men and captured the Carian women.
They then depicted these women as
"able to bear the weight of buildings in their grand, traditional clothing,"
condemning them to a form of eternal slavery.
So, the Caryatids are actually symbolizing these women
crushed under that shame. You know that?
You know so many things.
-You're gonna be a great architect. -I hope so.
But I thought it was the French style.
There was a modernization period due to the intense French lifestyle influence,
and all the new venues being built were almost like a simulation of Paris.
Café de Luxembourg, Lebon, Markiz.
Mostly with the efforts of non-Muslims living in Pera, a place was built that,
though not the same, was similar to Paris's urban structure.
And the origin of the word "passage" is the French word "passer."
Meaning "to pass."
-How about that? -Good. You're not so bad yourself.
So, you want to go to France.
If Paris was a part of Istanbul, and you went there,
where would you really have gone?
Hey, I'm moving to Pera.
Great choice. I think it's right.
-Oh, they're coming here! -Here?
Your hands in mine
Your eyes gazing into mine
The day I saw you
You set my heart on fire
-What shall we sing for you? -What should they play?
Is "Büklüm Büklüm" fine?
-You heard her. -Sure.
Whatever you say, whatever you expect
From the Creator or your fate
You can't have it your way
Unless you fight for it
It feels like it drowns you
It feels like being reborn
It feels like dying over and over
If you haven't suffered through That pain and ordeal
Winding round and round your weary neck
Scattered through your fractured soul
With questioning eyes at your door
Your bitter memories remain
-Bravo! -Thank you.
-Great! -Thank you.
Nesrin.
-Emel. -I can't believe it!
I'm in shock!
So, we're here.
Why didn't you tell me?
It was spontaneous.
-Is that so? -Yes.
Hello, by the way.
-It looks great, by the way. -Thank you. You're very beautiful too.
-Thanks. -By the way, I know you.
Yes. I went to a bar with my friends, you were singing. It was really nice.
Nesrin, look, I'm very popular.
She never came to listen to me.
Tell her about it. How was I?
Great. Listening to her was incredible. She has a beautiful voice.
-I'm sure. -Yeah. It was.
-Did you hear that, Nesrin? -I did.
-Great. -Yeah, great.
How do you know each other?
My sister.
Emel.
Can't you tell?
-You're the same. I'm shocked. Yes. -We're the same.
-We're the same in every way. -Is that so?
Yes. You? What's your name?
I'm Zehra.
Yes. Nice to meet you.
Aylin's Zehra.
Oh…
The famous Zehra.
-I see. She's so cute. -Thank you.
How wonderful.
You're very lucky, you know.
-Yes. -Why?
My sister really cares about you.
And I about her.
Look, she brought you to a tavern.
She won't move a muscle for me.
So, enjoy it.
-Oh, Zehra, we had such a good laugh! -We laughed so much!
That's nice.
Sis, give me some money.
-Isn't that enough? -Sis, give me money.
She has lots of money. She's stingy with me.
She actually gave some just now to the singers.
Did you ask for it?
-No. -See, she doesn't give me any.
Sis, can you give me money?
She's stingy with me.
She won't give me any. But she'll give it to you.
-What do you study? -Architecture.
-Is that so? -Yes.
She gave me. I worked for it.
Zehra.
I'll be back, Nesrin.
She gave me.
Sorry for interrupting, excuse me.
Do you have "Boş Vermişim"?
-Can you sing it? -Sure.
Thanks.
Attention. Sorry for interrupting, but it will only take one minute.
You see this beautiful woman? Here, can everyone see? She's here.
She's my big sister and a doctor.
She's such a good doctor. I'd like to gift her a song, if I may.
And… But this is for everyone. Applause, please!
For Nesrin. But I say,
just let it go for a bit! Nesrin!
Everybody sing!
July, August, September
Smile through every season
Believe me, life is too short
Maybe we won't make it till summer
Believe me, life is too short
Maybe we won't make it till summer
I let it go
I let the world go
If you don't want to cry
Just let the world go
If you don't want to cry…
-Do you know it, Zehra? Sing along! -A little.
Ahmet, Mehmet, Süreyya
Good for nothing, just a mirage
Life will end one day You'll realize it was a dream
I let it go
I let the world go
If you don't want to cry
Just let the world go
If you don't want to cry
Just let the world…
-I let it go -Get down, Emel!
-Bravo! -She created a mess!
-Let it go for a little! -Emel, get down!
-Bravo, you were great! -Will you get down? Get down!
-Where did you find her? -It was great!
-Get down! -She trashed the place!
-Get down, Emel. Down! -Okay, damn it!
-Calm down. -Calm down!
-Get down! -Just let it go!
Emel!
Where did this crazy woman come from?
-Zehra. -Emel.
-Zehra, just let it go. -Please.
-What's it to you? -Calm down.
Please, okay, Emel. Hey, shut up!
-Okay, ma'am, take it easy. -Will you please stay calm?
Letter G.
"Galata Dock's shanties and taverns."
This is actually the city's factory of shanties.
Fish guts celebrate the night, smelling rotten.
Hear them.
Their blood mixes with raging waters of the sea, right there.
This is actually a holy reunion.
You seem to not know that stinky journey on the sidewalks. Unbelievable.
Attention, attention.
The sidewalks of Galata are crooked.
You know those cunning, bitter and fierce young men
who have a way about them even in their stance.
These sidewalks have a relationship with them.
The hearts of those criminal boys are like a velvet. Pure silk, just feel it.
That's why, even when in shambles, women don't fall down there.
But they may get wet. No one made promises.
These rocks hide all the waters of the city
which are mixed with the fish blood,
drunken vomit, boozer's piss, bully's spit, poor children's snot.
And when they find a bit of rainwater…
Row, row, row your boat Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily
These sidewalks are sometimes a dirty thrill.
But on these sidewalks, we experienced the most innocent sorrows.
For example, today, I was left without anyone…
Sorry. Without myself… I can't find the word. What was it?
Ah, yes.
I was without an identity, right?
Somehow, I was too crowded today.
Somehow, I was arm in arm, hand in hand.
Somehow, I was someone, or even, I was too many.
Because this city is also a bit like shanties leaning on each other,
friends collapsing onto one another,
those without identity, arm in arm, and seeking, hand in hand.
Subtitle translation by: M. Levent Yılmazoğlu