Original subtitles

What motivates you? Why do you want to be a childcarer?

That's unusual for a boy from your culture.

What the fuck?

Answer my question.

I want to raise boys and girls to be tolerant.

- And believe in the constitution. - Constitution? Are you kidding?

Ms Akgündüz, really.

I have what it takes.

I've been around and experienced so much,

I've got something to offer. Being a childcarer is my dream.

I'm the best candidate. I can do it, okay?

Give me a chance to be a role model.

I haven't had many chances in life

so I value the chances I get.

Okay, thank you, you did great.

So Hazal, what would you say? Would you hire him?

It's irrelevant. There aren't any Arab childcarers in Germany.

He's clearly sucking up.

Or maybe I told you the truth.

Really? Then swear it. Preferably on your constitution.

Yeah, swear, swear it man!

I swear on the constitution, on Germany, and on you Ms Göktan,

my greatest desire is to be a childcarer!

ELBOW

Based on the novel by Fatma Aydemir.

NATIVE LANGUAGE: TURKISH

NATIVE LANGUAGE: GERMAN AND TURKISH

Miss Akgündüz, why do you want to do an apprenticeship here?

Well... I really enjoy social work and I like to work with people in general

and now I would like to work with the elderly.

I see you've done a year of career orientation,

application training, internships in childcare,

housekeeping and retail.

But general education is also important to us.

I've really improved in that area.

I used to have trouble concentrating,

but now I'm really good at German and Maths.

You know what?

I can offer you an internship for three months.

We're a great intercultural team, I'm sure...

Oh shit... never mind!

Here you go.

Bye!

- Receipt? - Don't need it. Thanks!

- Hello. - A coffee please.

- Make it two. - Okay.

I'm going now.

Lock up properly.

Don't be late Hazal, okay?

It's annoying working with my mum in the bakery.

- What's it like to work here? - Really laid back.

And the guys? Are they normal or...

...kind of weird?

It doesn't matter.

I have nothing to do with them.

I'm the barmaid.

They get a drink from me and disappear upstairs with the girls.

And they pay me well.

- They think we're whores. - Who gives a fuck what they think.

Elma!

- What's so funny? - We're waiting for our taxi.

- Want to come in? - No, but...

I'll show you everything! Why not?

You'll learn something useful. No boy will fuck you around again.

- Can we go, please? - Speak up!

- Can we go, please? - Stop being a crybaby.

What?

Did anyone say you're not allowed to go?

Don't watch so much TV if you can't handle it!

Damn, they're so retarded, bro!

I have to get back to work.

Hey, bro, do you have to work this weekend?

You're joking, right?

- Saturday's your 18th birthday! - Yeah.

It's your 18th birthday on Saturday!

- Yeah, bro! - We'll party like mad!

Like this, shake that booty. A little lower.

A bit of slapping like this.

Okay.

- See you then! Bye! - Bye!

- What about your family? - What?

- Your family! - Enough, Sultan. Leave me alone.

Everyone else goes home after work.

Enough! Be quiet!

Isn't it enough

that you're away for hours in your taxi?

No, it's not enough, okay? I'm going!

- Shit! - Grab it! That's it.

Push it down.

- I told dad to buy a new one. - What a piece of shit.

- Did you sleep well? - I guess. Mum got on my nerves.

But whatever.

- Why? - I don't know. She hates her life.

You look pretty today.

No, really!

You should come across, we can hang out.

I'll show you around, we can get a drink or go party.

The waterside bars are great.

- Sorry Mehmet, I've got to hang up. - Right.

E-Mectronic Corporation, you're speaking to Daniel Berger, how can I help?

Yes.

But if you can't reach her by 10:30 you have to tell the police, okay?

Okay.

It's great you came over again, Hazal!

Hungry?

I can make us spaghetti with shrimps.

Have you signed up for your middle school certificate yet?

No. I don't have to.

I'll get it automatically when I finish my apprenticeship.

Right, you can do it that way, too.

After that...

you can catch up and graduate school then go to uni.

I can hardly believe it.

You're almost an adult, Hazal!

Really?

- It doesn't feel like it. - Sure,

not on the outside.

But inside you'll soon feel it.

Look.

That's you when you feel like no one's watching.

- Beautiful. - It looks nothing like me.

Take it.

- Come on. - Damn!

Sit down.

Okay, stand then.

I need your ID and I want to look inside your bag.

You know how it goes.

If you don't cooperate I'll call the police.

Here.

Hazal... Ügündüs.

We've met.

- Definitely not! - I guess it was your sister.

- Alright, give me your bag now. - No. Why? There's nothing in there!

Fine, we'll wait. I have time.

- That's mine! It's mine! - As if you could afford this.

I've got 100 euros on me but I can't afford 8 euros?

Give me the 100 euros, it's the breach of contract penalty.

I didn't sign a contract so I'm not paying a penalty.

The moment you entered the shop, you signed a contract, got it?

Alright.

Let's call your parents.

- What? - Number?

You don't have to call my parents. I'll be 18 in three days.

- Will you give me the number now? - Come on, please!

If they think I'm a thief they'll beat me half to death.

You can't play the victim with me, understand?

There are rules here in Germany. If you plan on staying,

I'd learn them fast if I were you.

Now give me the number.

I just need a tissue. Come on!

- The number! - I just want a tissue!

You'll get a letter from the police, then you can make a statement.

You're banned from all our shops for a year. Understand?

- Can I go now? - Can I have the 100 euros now?

Did you fight with your mum?

No, bro! An asshole at the drugstore ripped 100 euros off me.

- Shit, you were stealing? - No, bro!

How could you give him the 100 euros?

Now we don't have any money to party.

I got my legs waxed especially.

- Can you lend me some? - No, I've got nothing.

Whatever, who gives a fuck?

- Why don't you ask your brother? - Are you crazy? I can't ask him.

Bro, fuck it. I don't have a dress anyway. Whatever.

Why were you stealing? They hide cameras behind the mirrors!

As if I'd steal from that fucking place!

You didn't see that psycho! I didn't choose to get screwed over!

Did Defne get some?

Is there any coffee?

- It's being made now. - There is tea!

The cake is good. You should have some, Hazal.

Sultan, don't you know Hazal doesn't like marzipan?

Everyone likes marzipan. She'd love it if she'd taste it.

- For you. - You're the only one who wraps presents!

I hope you like it.

It's lovely.

- Shall I put it on you? - Yes.

Thank you.

Let me see.

What is this symbol?

Now it's time to party!

A little treat for us, sister.

- I know! - But if she does this apprenticeship...

Did she tell you that?

Let's end the subject.

Where are you going?

- I'm going to Elma's. - What about the guests?

- They came just for you! - Let her be with her friends, it's okay.

You're not going to Elma's. No sane person lets their kid stay there!

- Sis, what? - The mother's boyfriend touched Elma!

So? She defended her daughter, then she almost got stabbed!

- She risked her life for Elma! - And that makes her a good mum?

I'll show you what a good mother does.

- Move! - Mum, what are you going to do?

We're going see to Pelin. She has a job for you.

- Who's Pelin? - She's not qualified to train me!

Pelin's not qualified either

but she can cut hair and earn!

You want me to wash our neighbours' greasy hair?

Damn, Pelin will pay me minimal wage and work me like a dog!

Don't shout.

- If you can't do anything else, do this. - That's not the point, sis.

Why didn't she work harder?

You worked hard and you managed to do it all!

You work from Monday. End of story.

You talked to her already?

Gül, I can see you, don't play with your boobs.

Why not?

You have to love your body, especially your vulva.

- That looks so bad! - It's good for the skin.

What's this?

Take a look!

Expensive stuff!

It must be good, it's expensive.

- Pass it over. - It's good because it's expensive?

Not so rough.

Bro, are you for real?

No way!

Shit, bro. Thank you!

You're ready for the coolest club in Berlin.

Have fun.

- Three vodka-energy please. - I've got vodka, no energy.

- Okay. - Three vodka.

Cheers!

I'll just be a career wife so I can do what I want.

Or I'll give blowjobs. Good money and independence.

Don't talk crap, Gül.

Okay, I'll be a cop.

I'd suit the uniform, yeah?

You're talking so much shit, Gül, bro. Cops really are the worst.

You're the best of us, okay? Don't forget that.

Why are they all wearing sneakers?

Come on, try to act like you've been clubbing before.

Give me my ID.

Chill, chill. Stay cool.

Regulars only today.

We are regulars!

You don't look like it.

You know Nuri, right? I waitress for him.

- So let us in. - No discussions.

We want to celebrate her 18th.

- Have a nice evening. - Seriously?

Fuck you!

Where are we going? Say something!

This is our night! Fuck what just happened. Hazal!

We wanted to party, let's just go somewhere else. Wait up!

What do you want to celebrate, Gül? That we're fucking losers?

Give me my shoes.

We shouldn't have gone to that shitty club!

Would you rather rot at home as usual?

So go then, bro!

Go, Hazal!

Hey! Hello lovely lady!

Did you just come from a Turkish wedding?

- Dance with me, foreign girl! - Hey, bro!

Hey! Leave her alone, boy!

- Elma, come on. - What is it?

- Do you want to dance with me? - Don't touch her, got it?

Is a threesome what you're after, sweetie?

Are you nuts?

- You hit me! - Let her go, asshole!

- You hit me! - Let her go!

- Fucking slut! - Let her go!

Piss off!

Are you all nuts?

What the fuck?

Can you chill? What the fuck?

- What the... - Shut up!

- Watch out! - Dirty whore!

I'll smash your face in. Think you can hit me?

- Put your phone away! - Let her go!

Put the fucking thing away!

Stay down, slut!

That's enough! Okay? Enough!

Fuck. We have to go.

Here.

I was in the neighbourhood. I thought I'd drop by.

- Can I put my bag here? - Sure!

Throw it down.

How long are you staying in Istanbul?

A few days.

Where are you staying?

I'm not sure.

You're welcome to stay here, if you like.

Thanks.

You have a nice view.

It's the best thing about this flat.

That and my room.

Just close your eyes and relax.

Is this your first time?

Have you had many girlfriends?

You're cute when you're insecure.

See you later, okay?

For you...

only 35.

Lira?

Okay.

Let's make it 25

- and one of these peaches. - No, sorry.

Hello!

Hello!

I'm Hazal.

Mehmet's friend.

One of those who committed a crime in Germany and got deported?

It was a joke.

I'm Halil. Good luck!

Do you ever miss your old life?

The universe made a mistake having me be born in Germany.

What did you do there?

- In Germany? - Yes.

The things you do when you've nothing to do.

And in prison?

What could happen there?

I just waited to be deported.

That's a beautiful dress, are you going out?

Mehmet and I are going out.

Want some coffee? Try it, my parents sent it from Mardin.

It's very bitter.

True. They drink it strong there.

Is it nice in Mardin?

Beautiful?

I think you have no idea what goes on there.

Every day another house is blown up. How can it be beautiful?

Where are your parents from?

My mum is from Kars, my dad is from Rize.

Is your mum Kurdish?

Maybe. We never talked about those kind of things.

In the end we're all Turkish.

I found what you said absurd.

You "German-Turks" can be naive sometimes.

Mehmet was the same. He knew nothing at first.

Not knowing about Mardin doesn't make me naive.

You don't know everything, either.

You're right.

Let the contest begin!

They sing best in the mornings. You have to close your eyes.

I see. Okay.

SEARCH: INJURED STUDENT BERLIN-WEDDING

SEARCH: WEDDING STUDENT DEATH

GRUESOME DEATH IN THE UNDERGROUND

WHO IS THE CULPRIT HAZAL A.?

Hey, wait!

You haven't paid!

Have you been crying?

No.

Is it because of Mehmet?

What are you writing?

Want to read it?

Isn't it dangerous to write about such things?

Sometimes.

Aren't you afraid?

Of course.

When I was a child, I was also afraid.

I used to dream about a giant snail

chasing and eating me.

Being dead wasn't actually so bad.

I saw everything from above.

My parents, my school, my friends.

I was the only thing missing.

But it was a good feeling for me.

The silence.

So sometimes I thought

I could just stop running and let the snail eat me.

Did you ever stop?

No.

I never stopped.

Hazal, can you take a photo of us?

Thank you.

I really like Germany.

Do you know the Kreuzberg cafe "No Understand"?

I met a bunch of expats from all over the world there.

I'll never forget their stories.

You know that cafe, right?

I live in Wedding.

Wedding! Wedding is a very interesting area, too.

Thank you!

- Cheers! - Cheers!

- How do you say cheers in German? - "Prost".

Prost!

By the way, Wedding is interesting, too.

It's traditionally working class,

politically left-wing.

Sadly, I've never been. Next time can you show me around?

Yes.

Can you say some more things in Turkish? I want to check something.

- What? - You have a very cute accent, you see.

It's just as if you're searching for words, it's cute.

What bullshit.

Pardon?

Bro! Can you give me one? Give me the small one.

- How much? - 20 Lira. - Thanks!

- Why did you buy that? - What? Don't you like it?

He's being annoying.

Kurds in Turkey are like Turks in Germany.

All talk, no action.

Are you really comparing 200 years of resistance with your lazy little life?

They always do this, don't worry.

Here, darling.

My gift to you.

I'm gonna go now. I'll be back soon.

- Where are you going? - I'll be back soon.

- Where is the toilet? - Let me come with you.

Do you want some?

Okay.

- Can you open your lips a little? - What?

Like that.

You have beautiful eyebrows, you don't even need to pluck them.

Thanks.

I hope Mehmet gets his shit somewhere, he's unbearable like this.

You're not in Istanbul for that junkie, are you?

Police, open up!

Open the door!

Boss, there's someone in here.

Go out.

Move!

Take a look at yourself in the mirror.

What's your name?

I asked your name!

Fatma. Fatma Öztürk.

Turn around Fatma Öztürk.

Where is your ID?

I lost it.

Look at me! Are you fucking kidding me? Are you fucking kidding me?

Over there!

Wake up! Hello!

Chief, this man is high and passed out. What's this junkie's name?

Didn't you hear what he asked? What is the name of that asshole?

Mehmet Üzer.

Do you know the other piece of shit we're looking for?

You know him too, don't you?

Don't lie to me, okay?

Don't touch me, bro. Don't touch me!

Look at me! Talk to me in Turkish. Get up! Talk to me in Turkish!

What's the name of that asshole?

What do you want from him? Leave him alone!

Sit down!

I'm fucking tired of dealing with fuckers like you.

Get him out of that bed! Get up!

Get up! Get up!

Fuck off.

- Put this on. - Thanks.

We can go to the emergency room later, you need stitches.

She's nervous, she's getting upset.

What happened?

Did Halil get arrested?

We have to do something, call a lawyer!

How am I supposed to pay one?

I don't have money, same as you. This is my parents' house.

Halil has many friends and comrades.

They will take care of him.

I should go to school now.

What? You're going to school now?

You have to do something!

Why? So I can get arrested too?

You have no clue what's going on, do you?

But he's your boyfriend, he loves you.

Have you ever loved someone, Hazal?

Have you ever fought for something?

It's better if you go back home.

No, they know that we're together.

Thank you. Yes, I know I don't have to get through it alone.

Hang on.

Hazal? What are you doing?

What are you going to do with that? You don't look like me.

- Give my ID back! - What if I don't?

Give it back!

Your breath smells like shit, go see a dentist!

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Hi there! Are you hiring?

- Sorry, no. - Salespeople, anything?

We're not short on staff right now.

Cleaning staff or something?

We don't need anyone right now.

Hi there! You're hiring.

- Are you foreign? - I also speak Turkish.

- No foreigners, sorry. - But you need staff!

It's hard to get the work permit.

LOCK HER UP. THROW HER OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

PUT HER IN THE MENTAL HOSPITAL. SHAME THERE'S NO DEATH SENTENCE.

BLOODY FOREIGNER. POWER-GIRLLZ.

ONE LESS ASSHOLE I BET HE DESERVED IT.

MURDERER

LOL...

You can't sleep here.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Elma and Gül have been released from custody.

They're charged with grievous bodily harm.

You're charged with manslaughter.

Thorsten.

His name was Thorsten.

He was only a little bit older than you.

He was studying mechanical engineering.

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you were little?

You wanted to be a doctor.

Your mum always wanted you to be a nurse, but you wanted to be a doctor.

I didn't want to be a doctor.

When I was little I wanted to be a pop star.

You still can be anything you want to be.

You might even be able to graduate high school in prison.

I won't go back like a loser and tell them I'm sorry.

I won't say sorry. I'm not sorry!

What happened to you?

- How can you be so cold? - Damn, nobody wanted to kill him.

We only wanted him to leave us alone!

Or to say that he was sorry!

Or just stay down and shut his fucking mouth!

But he had to get up again, guys like that won't stay in the dirt!

Hazal?

Hazal!

Cora Chalmers-Owen BABELFISCH TRANSLATIONS