In The Name of God.
Believe.
[water Splash]
Help! Mom!
Help!
Mom!
I can't!
Mom! Help! [water splashing]
[Struggling to swim]
Mom!
[Neigh of a horse]
Mom!
Help!
[water splashing]
Mom!
[sobbing]
[cinematic music]
[birds chirping]
[sobbing]
[Crying]
[heavily breathing]
[sobbing]
I can't bear it anymore!
[crying]
[airplane passing]
[sobbing]
I can't.
[crying]
Shall I come?
[Whispering]
Bahman! I was very upset. Do you know why?
Because my dad says that the teacher Won't come to our village this year.
We have to go to the other villages for school.
We have to go through the river every day.
Mom, I can't! Mom! [mocking]
Bahman, honey! Come.
Swimming is not difficult, dear.
If you swim once, you can learn it forever.
Are you listening?
Your mother may become angry.
If you swim in this river and get cold.
Won't she? So be careful.
[cinematic music]
[door opening]
[door closing]
[cinematic music]
[knocking on the desk]
Bapir? Is the teacher coming?
Oh, boy! Do you want to be lazy and nip off?
[thud]
Would Miss Ahmadi come?
Yes, she's coming. In two or three days.
Bapir. For God's sake, do something!
Miss Ahmadi is coming. Now go, dear. Go.
[continues fixing the desk]
[closes the door]
Oh, yeah! My mom doesn't let me go to another school!
No lesson, no school! It's so cool!
Oh, no! I couldn't!
I'd love to be a bank worker!
But they didn't let me!
Not bank worker! You should say bank clerk.
Go away. Go away.
You don't know how to play! What are you going to do?
In fact, I don't like to study. You know my only problem...
Is that my father won't buy me new clothes if I don't go to school!
Mom, I can't. Mom, I can't! Look, he came back again.
He's so stupid! He thinks that we don't have teacher this year again!
Who says we don't have a teacher? We have! Miss Ahmadi.
She herself will come back. [dramatic music]
Says who? If she comes back...
My dad will know because he's the council of the village.
Bapir said. I was with him now.
You mean that my father is lying?!
Bapir said, I will ask them to send us the teacher.
If you are right...
What's wrong with you guys? Stop it! Why are you kicking up the row!
Because of Bapir?
[all screaming]
Do you think it's okay to say because the number of students are low, you won't send them a teacher?
The girls have to go four more villages from here.
Just think about it! The weather here is getting cold, soon.
And it is snowy. Then how can the children come back in the snow?
Woodsand and the river?
I know. It is the law.
But it's not okay. They may remain illiterate.
Yes.
Okay, thanks. Give us an opportunity.
Thank you. Goodbye.
[thud]
[opens the door]
Don't worry guys. Your teacher is coming in the next 3 or 4 days.
The class will be held on Monday.
Now go and prepare any gift or present or souvenir that you like to give your teacher.
She would come on Monday.
[all screaming happily]
Be quiet, guys! Bahman!
I won't mock you up to a week.
[rustling]
Again you couldn't?
The reason of mom's anger is this! [rustling]
Rojin! Rojin!
Come here!
What?
[dramatic music]
[thunder roaring]
As you see, in swimming, hands move from sides to the front.
The swimmer moves with his head straight and opens and closes his legs.
The swimmer must float on the water. [clanking sound]
His head and neck must be above water...
[thud]
[click on]
This helps the swimmer to swim fast.
[birds chirping]
Mom! How much is a bunch of this?
It's not a bunch, it's in kilo.
Each kilo is 10 thousand Tomans.
[rustling]
Mom, then how much is a bunch of this?
This is not gonna work! Throw it away!
[rustling]
How about this one?
Why are you asking so many questions?
What do you want to know?
Because I want to be a man, a hero!
[airplane passing]
The school is starting, mom. Our teacher is coming.
A new teacher?
No, not the new one. Miss Ahmadi herself will come.
Good then. You should appreciate her.
Our teacher is urban; you know, I want to buy her a nice gift this year.
They don't like gifts and such things as rewards.
You just study your lessons well.
Being a good student is the best gift for them.
Rojin is in the first year of the school this year, I thought if...
There is no difference between you and Rojin! She should study hard, too.
[birds singing]
Bahman!
Where are you going?
I want to go on the bridge.
No! Don't go from the further way; the bridge is damaged. The water has broken it!
[water flowing]
Come here.
Your father, "Ardalan" was a hero, a real man. He knew the way of manhood.
He was saying our grandee have said that we should learn swimming.
Shooting and equitation. Come.
[water splashing]
Mom, I can't. Mom! Water takes me!
Talk less! Shut your mouth! [child crying]
Shut it.
For God's sake, I can't!
[murmuring]
I can't. [screaming]
[roar of chatter]
[screaming]
[water flowing]
My father will buy me new clothes this year, I don't wear like you.
I will bring urban gift for teacher not like you that bring yoghurt!
Curd, sour milk, eggs and... [rooster crowing]
Bahman! Wait!
I don't want to mock you, but you're wet again.
No, I'm not wet. I've just sweat.
Come on. It's wet...
No, I told you it's not!
Kavan! Let him go. You promised!
Bahman! What have you brought to the teacher?
It's obvious! Why are you asking? A bunch of wild plants!
Every time he just brings that!
Bahman! Dude! But your hair is wet!
Two people are killed in the down village; their bodies are thrown under the bridge!
I don't know what to say, dear Bapir! He is so wretch!
We only have this son and there's no way! He should help his father.
Because he owes a lot.
What can I say?!
Yes, I know what you're saying but Sirvan is a good student.
Don't make him quit his education. Let him go to school to become...
A great man, hence you won't regret in the future.
He can become a clerk or a teacher. It's better than being a bearer.
And suffer like his father! In fact you're telling the truth,
But what should I do?! Sirvan tells something and his father something else!
Jalal doesn't accept anyone's idea. So you tell me what to do?!
My son himself likes to study. He always tells me about school.
And asks me to let him go and study but I can't do anything for him!
[clanking sound]
No, you promised to put money in it then go to the city...
[thud]
Don't do it anymore. Don't! Stop it!
Rojin! Rojin! Come here!
Last night, I talked to my brother "Kavan". We were playing and he said...
"If you lose, we will share your doll." He lost! So which one do you want?
None of them!
Why...?
Because I like "Sinbad".
What does "Sinbad" have that this one doesn't?
"Sinbad" has Kurdish pants!
You're an orphan! You're poor! You must always sit at the end of the class!
Got it? You're not allowed to come to that class! You flip!
[indistinct chatter] [commotion]
[dramatic music]
Brother!
Do you promise that if I open my money box and give you the money...
You would pay me back and take me to the city?
[dramatic music]
[cutting the money box]
[dramatic music]
[thud]
[coins rustling]
[dramatic music]
[opens the door]
[closes the door]
[nylon rustling]
[closes the door]
[birds chirping]
Dear Mastooreh! Are you going to Ardeshir's house? I'm going, too.
What?! Ardeshir's? He doesn't like you at all!
Okay, you're going to the top of the mountain, so let me go with you.
I'm going through the river.
So, doesn't it matter if I come with you from the river?!
Our ways are separated!
Now that we're going there, is anybody from our village there?
No, I don't think so. Hurry up and let's go. No one can see us!
Couldn't we go with Ka Samin's car?
No! He wouldn't take us.
But from the bridge, it's far. It was better to go through the river.
You can't swim and may fall in the water!
Not at all! I can swim very nicely!
-You can't! -I can!
Okay, let's go. Hurry up!
Brother? Wasn't it better if you'd wear Kurdish pants?
You like Kurdish pants?
Yes, it's beautiful.
Okay, dear. Next time I'll wear Kurdish pants.
[engine noises]
[roar of chatter]
[boss door closing]
[engine noises]
Ask Ardeshir what he's doing.
Why does he send the girls to a school in another village?
Why does he huff and groach? Tell him to stop it!
Believe me, I also like to solve this problem, but I'm telling you, please go from here!
You know how his temper is! So don't make him rise up fight and argument in my house!
In fact, I don't like to say this, but please go! Why do you Welch?
Why don't any of you stand by your word? I don't like what Ardeshir's doing, either.
[Adhan playing, murmuring]
[music playing in the store]
[roar of chatter]
Are you kidding me?! Go! Go and come back with your parents!
How rude today's' kids are!
[roar of chatter]
Our money is so low!
Let's go and buy something for you with the money!
Something for me? But the money's so low!
How low is it?
We should go and sit in a corner, then count it to know how low it is!
[paper rustling]
Saro?
Saro's not here. He's gone to do his job.
Oh my God! What should I do now?!
What should I do now?!
[roar of chatter]
-You work here? -No.
[car passing, roar of chatter]
Sir! I work. How much will you pay me?
I'll give you 5000 Tomans. The tools are light and...
I myself will help you, too. Good job, boy! Go!
[thud]
[street noises]
Excellent!
Thank you!
Well done.
[rustling]
Well...
Wait a minute, I'm going to make a receipt and then I come back.
[roar of chatter]
Good job, bro!
Thanks, my dear. Are you tired?
Let's go buy something to eat.
-No, we don't have any money! -Come.
No problem. I just did a job.
[music playing in store]
[spitting out]
[roar of chatter]
-Where's the van? -The van's gone. It was in hurry!
It will come back next week on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sir? Would you please take back one of the sodas?
We just drank one of them.
No, I won't. You opened it!
Please. We need the money!
-No! Go out! Go! -Please!
Is it enmity? What kind of spite is it? [suspense music]
Why don't you finish this fight and quarrel? Ardalan is an educated man.
He knows what's wrong and what's right. Maybe due to this marriage...
This fight and spite vanish. So why don't you agree?
Okay, you said your words. That's enough!
Now go! I don't want to let it happen! I don't! I know them better! Go!
Dad, please. I beg you! Let them marry. [suspense music]
I said no! Go!
Dad, please. How do you think you know them?
Go.
They both love and want each other.
Why do you disagree?
Yes, he wants it but I don't!
Dad! For God's sake! Don't disagree. Just think about it a bit!
No! Go!
I won't accept it!
I swear that I'll go somewhere and will never come back!
Go and do whatever you like. I won't agree to that!
[memories fading]
[roar of chatter]
Brother!
My dear brother...
Well, I say I've lost it!
No, dear. Wear it.
Take it.
It is 2 grams, it's worth 196000 Tomans. [clicking]
But it's not made from gold.
[cinematic music]
-Hello. -Hello.
What are you doing here on the road?
We went to the city.
City?!
Alone?!
With whom did you go?
Come here!
You went there on your own?!
We went to buy a gift for the teacher. An urban gift like in birthdays.
We went into a shop.
Bapir, my mom doesn't know we've gone there. Can we say we were with you?
With me?! Your mom hasn't come back, you want to lie?!
Come down. Go!
I don't want to see you anymore!
It was better if we hadn't told Bapir. What should we do if he tells mother?
No! Don't you know? Mom never talks to Bapir. She doesn't like him!
They don't know but one day I saw that Bapir came to our house...
But mom didn't let him in! and without any word, she shut the door!
But what's the problem with Bapir?
[door opens]
[Door closes]
-Hi. -Hi.
How are you, dear?
Give this to your mother and tell her that her drugs were nice.
And made me feel better. Hello son, how are you?
Give this to your mother and tell her that her drugs were effective.
-Thank you. -Thank you, too. Goodbye.
[door closing]
That's it! Now we can go to the city to buy a gift for the teacher!
[dog barking]
Bapir?
Now you want me to go and lie to the people of village?
Then they will make you leave the village! At least think about yourself!
Think about your wife and children. What kind of situation is this?
What are these gossips you're telling to people?
Why? For what reason? Who are you to interfere in this work?
You're a great old man in this village. We trust you and depositor our children to you!
What kind of behavior is it? You've mixed the whole village up!
Which teacher? Which school? You're just lying to the kids!
My son "Kavan" is so crazy, he thinks you're telling the truth!
That's okay, brother. Why are you so angry, my dear?
Let's drink a cup of tea and talk about it to know what the matter is.
Tea?! I don't want tea!
I want to gather all the children and reach quorum to prepare the school, you know.
I feel pity for them.
Listen, my brother. I don't want to shame winning on you in the village.
Okay, just give me some time. You'll see what I'm going to do.
Oh!
[door opening]
[slams the door]
[dramatic music]
What's wrong? Do you wanna buy a nice urban gift for the teacher?
Then work and pay back Daye Asieh's money to mom?
I won't buy any gift for teacher. Those wild plants are enough.
And if Kavan mocks me, I'll punch him!
Okay, that's enough! Sleep!
[light switch]
I've put your teacher's gift on the niche.
[machine noises]
-Ka Esmail? -What?
-Is this your last word? -Yes, it is!
My daughter "Kajal" is ill every day. I have to take her to the city and come back.
So this coming and going is difficult.
I can't anymore.
You said it's your last word?
Yes! I'm on my word. I've sold these lands and farm and became wretch!
So what can I do? Come on. Come and get it. Let's go.
[machine noises]
I'm sorry, Bapir.
Goodbye.
[thud]
[car door opening]
[engine starts]
[murmuring]
Let us go to school, aunt Shirin! We wanna be pilots!
Okay, son. I hope so.
But if Sirvan doesn't come to school, we won't be!
How does it relate to Sirvan?
Then, we have to go four more villages! And I can't!
Bahman, darling! How many times should I tell you? His father doesn't let him go to school.
Now go home. If Kal Jalal comes back and sees you're here, he riots the set up!
Please send him to school!
Believe me, so far, Bapir has come here a lot but his father won't allow it.
I can't do anything helpful! Go, son.
Please let Sirvan come to school!
See? He came back!
[goat noises]
Hello!
Hello! What does he want here?
He's here to take the mortar pestle.
Sirvan! [shouts]
Kal Jalal! I'm here to ask you let Sirvan come to school.
What?
What's he saying?
Kal Jalal, just sign up his name in the school...
Then don't send him!
You said he's come for the pestle! Go!
Hurry up and go home! You go, too and never come back here!
[cinematic music]
[singing]
-Hello, Bapir. -Hello.
[cinematic music]
Don't touch it. It doesn't work. I tried to fix it but couldn't.
Roll up your sleeves and help me! Are you listening?
-But Bapir... -But what? Come on.
I'll sing for you.
[singing]
[cinematic music]
Bahman! What happened?
Bahman?! Bahman?
What did you tell Bahman?
Nothing! Believe me, I said nothing!
If I find out you told something to the kids, I'll take them and leave this village.
[cinematic music]
[thud]
[clanking sound, kids playing outside]
Brother! Brother!
Come. I want to show you something.
I'm packing my school stuff! Look!
Sister, school isn't a place to take dolls! People should study there!
You mean we won't play there?
We play but in break times.
Why do we study there?
To reach our desires.
Bro? What's your desire?
What's yours?
I wish all the dolls wear Kurdish pants!
Okay! Now pack up your things, then let's go to uncle Ardeshir's house.
Bring your bag, too.
Okay.
[rooster crowing]
Bahman!
Bahman? Rojin?
[dramatic music]
Hello hero boy! Welcome!
Hi dear uncle!
What are you doing here?
Glad to see you!
Come. Come here.
Welcome, my dear daughter.
Where is your mom?
We came on our own.
Why?
We're here to see you uncle.
What's up, Bahman?
I went home and saw Rojin was packing her school things.
I couldn't tell her that we don't have school this year!
So I brought her here that you tell her!
You send your own daughters to the other village but you don't send them to our village to school.
Do you want that your own daughter become doctor and engineer...
But your brother's daughter remains illiterate?
Darling!
You go and play with the girls. I want to talk to Bahman.
Come here, son.
What are you saying?
Please send your daughters to our school.
Why should I do that?
-Because of Rojin. -Why Rojin?
- If you do it, she can go to school. - What does it have to do with me?
If you send your daughters to school, the school will be held.
You mean if I don't, the school won't be held?
-No! -I won't.
[cinematic music, murmuring]
[cinematic music]
Bahman, give this to the council of the village. He knows what to do.
Okay, dear uncle. Thank you.
Give it to council of the village.
You're welcome.
Okay, now go. Goodbye.
-Bye. -Bye.
[cinematic music]
[cinematic music, memories of wedding]
[cinematic music]
-Hi! -Hi!
You're driving me crazy! Where did you go?
-Where did you take her? -We went to uncle Ardeshir's.
I told my brother to take me there to play with our cousins.
Okay! Come on in! Hurry up!
[singing]
-Hello, how are you? -Hello, what are you doing here?
What's this? [paper rustling]
It's my memento for you.
-Thank you, son! -You're welcome!
You became the teacher of the village and that's the best gift for me. Thank God!
Let me help you. Take this bag. Thank you!
Let me help you. Keep this memento and remember me when I wasn't with you.
[cinematic music]
[sinking in water]
Help!
Help! [shouting]
[suspense music]
[water flowing]
[Birds whistling]
[suspense music]
Help!
[water splashing]
Help!
[water splash, groaning]
Help!
[Shouting]
Help!
One, two...
[swimming]
One, two...
I'm swimming!
My money!
My money! [crying]
[Water Splash]
Ardeshir has sent this letter, he said to give this to Bapir and tell him
To nip off from here and go! If you go, the school will establish again.
Anyhow, it's up to you!
[kids playing]
Bahman! Let's play.
Tomorrow, the teacher will come back.
As I'm looking at you, I see your hair is wet again!
Bahman! Why do you ignore us?
Bahman! I said let's play.
Bahman!
He doesn't pay any attention!
Yes, you're right, he doesn't. Let him go.
[cinematic music]
Where were you?
Why are you wet?
Did you fall in the water?
[cinematic music]
What's wrong?
Why don't you answer?
I went into the water.
I swam!
[cinematic music]
[thunder roaring]
[door opening]
[door closing]
[thunder roaring]
[water flowing]
[jumps into water]
[cinematic music]
Has your brother hidden?
Her brother's hiding!
He's afraid of coming out because he doesn't have a gift for the teacher.
[cinematic music]
Oh.
Ouch.
[murmuring]
[running footsteps]
[cinematic music, singing]
-It's my memento for you. -What is this?
-Thank you, son! -You're welcome!
Let me help you. Take this bag. Thank you! [cinematic music]
You became the teacher of the village and that's the best gift for me. Thank God!
[singing]
[cinematic music]
Kal Barat! [shouting]
Kal Barat!
[car door opens]
[car door closes]
Hi man!
What are you doing here, Bahman?
[rapid breathing]
Where's your mom?
I hope it's well.
Did your mother send you?
Yes, no... yes!
[opens the back of the car]
[clanking sound]
Tell her I said hi and tell her we will account next time.
Okay?
I'll give you the money next time.
No, Kal Barat. I want the money right now.
Alright!
How much will it cost? How much would you give me?
Let me see...
[paper rustling]
This is 3300 Tomans.
And this 15000 Tomans is for your mother.
Understand?
Kal Barat, give that to my mom. It's separated from this one.
Great! Now you've become a man!
Goodbye Kal Barat!
[cinematic music]
Teacher is coming!
[cinematic music]
Welcome, teacher! [roar of chatter]
[cinematic music]
[singing]
Where were you, Bahman?!
Where were you?! [hitting, crying]
[crying, dramatic music]
Where have you been until now?
[crying, dramatic music]
[rooster crowing]
[birds chirping]
[door closes]
Bapir!
Kavan, where's Bapir?
What's this you've brought?
It's none of your business!
It's obviously for the teacher.
What have you brought for the teacher?
Open it and let us see!
If he wanted to open it, he wouldn't have wrapped it!
Brother? Did you finally buy urban gift for the teacher?
[thud]
What has he brought?
I don't know!
Hello Miss Ahmadi! Hi teacher! Welcome! [all in loud voices]
Hello, hi everyone!
In the name of God, this is our school's opening.
Welcome, here you go, Miss Ahmadi.
I'm so glad that the school's open and I can see you once more.
Although our school's starting a little later than others, I'm sure you'll study well.
And will do your best to compensate this delay.
Who's the new student this year?
Teacher! This is my sister and these are my cousins.
Thank you, dear Bahman.
Excuse me, where's Bapir?
I don't know. I haven't seen him yet.
Excuse me, ma'am.
Yes?
Nothing.
Dear all! I'd love for you all to continue your education and be graduated.
And when you grow up, you can be the teacher of village and teach instead of me.
[playing music]
[door opening]
[door closing]
Kal Saleh!
Have you seen Bapir?
Bapir's gone!
He's gone!
Do you know where he's gone, Kal Saleh?
Are you seeking for your grandfather?
He's not my grandfather but he's been as good to me as a real grandfather.
Oh! What a pity!
Come here. I want to cut your hair.
Do you know when Bapir will come back? Where's he?
Don't you remember your uncle Ardeshir's letter that you took to the council yourself?
Uncle Ardeshir? What had he written in the letter? Kal Saleh, please...
[groaning]
-For God's sake! -Sit down.
Please! For your daughter, Maedeh's sake, tell me what had he written, Kal Saleh?
Kal Saleh!
What had he written?
Kal Saleh!
Ask your mom.
[suspense music]
Mother?
[door opens]
Where's mom?
What did you give the teacher?
Do you know that mother gave her dress to the teacher as a gift?
No!
Did Bapir come to merry teacher when she came?
No. Before teacher came, Bapir came at the door and mother criticized him. So Bapir left.
Why did she criticize him?
I don't know.
Where's mom?
When I came home, mom was crying.
Then she said, "I'm going after Bapir through the river."
The river?!
[door closing]
[cinematic music]
[eagle screeching]
[cinematic music]
[Crying]
[dramatic music]
Mother! Why are you crying?! [crying]
[sobbing]
Where's Bapir?
I don't know!
Kal Saleh told me to ask your mom.
I don't know where he is. I just know he's gone.
But why has he gone?
[crying]
Please, tell me... Why does he never talk to you?
[sobbing]
Oh, Bahman!
We were in a clan that your grandfather didn't like us at all.
They were always fighting together!
They would call me a witch!
[crying]
[sobbing]
When your father came to marry me, none of them was with him but Uncle Ardeshir.
None of them were satisfied!
They accepted me to go...
And live in their house when you were born.
They told me to go back to the village.
[door opening]
[cinematic music]
[thud]
What kind of a son is he? You should disinherit a son who doesn't listen to his father!
When I went there, no one came to welcome me!
They didn't like me and my clan didn't accept me anymore.
I had neither of them!
I was alone but I beared them because of your father!
[crying]
I beared them all!
When they realized we were expecting another baby, they started to fight.
They wanted me to leave. [suspense music]
Father! Wait a minute! Don't say that! [woman speaking]
Wait a minute! Put this bag down! [woman speaking]
Why are you doing this? Where are you going?!
I'm not satisfied with you! I don't like that you married her without my permission!
Okay, father. We'll go.
We'll go from this village. Please, stop it!
I'm not satisfied! I wasn't satisfied in the first place!
You took her here! I don't want her! You're doyen!
Please calm down! Easy!
Okay, we'll go. Lower your voice, please. Easy! Father, stop it!
Shut up!
She took my money. She destroyed my house! I don't want her! Let her go!
I want a daughter in law that I choose!
She's pregnant! Don't! [man shouting]
Father, please! For God's sake! [shouting]
My reputation has been ruined!
[sub-duration]
People know me here, father! Calm down! [man shouting]
For the sake of the infant in her belly, please. Mastooreh is my wife!
- You're wrong! There's no hatred in love! - You said I was wrong?!
Why are you doing this? She has a baby. She's pregnant! For God's sake!
[rapid breathing]
[door opening]
Go to hell! Go! I don't want to see you anymore!
I don't want her here anymore!
[suspense music]
[baby crying]
[breathing heavily]
[Screaming]
[suspense music]
Mastooreh!
[dogs barking]
Mastooreh!
My baby! [screaming]
Mastooreh!
[suspense music]
[water flowing]
Help!
[water splashes]
[jumps in water]
Help!
[tense music]
[groaning]
[memories sound]
Your father didn't drown. He had a heart attack and died.
When he died, your grandfather was regretful and he changed!
But I could never forget it and forgive him!
[breathing heavily]
He wanted to but I can never forgive him!
Ardalan!
[dramatic music]
He wanted to make it up.
People of the village were all regretful.
[dramatic music]
One day, I wanted to go from here, I couldn't bear it anymore...
But the people gathered and told me not to go because of Ardalan.
They swore that they will never offend me again!
[crying]
They said they'll forget what happened but now your grandfather has gone!
[crying]
I can't.
But...
I'll forgive him and forget...
You know...
Whether you forgive him or not.
[dramatic music]
[paper rustling]
[dramatic music]
[calling out]
[dramatic music continues]