Original subtitles

Send Midhat once he's arrived

They've sent an ultimatum, Majesty

How long do we have?

Two days

Why not open the gates to the people?

Address the people

Denounce the leaders of Ittihat

Everyone will be behind you

You're so young, Izzet

I will never let it be said that I led my people to civil war

Midhat Aga

What's happened? Tell me

With your permission

May I withdraw, Madame?

I'd lost hope, Nadir

I'm almost done

The Sultan dismissed Izzet Pasha

He must decide before dawn

I have two pages to finish

Did you hear what I said?

This is probably the last night

What ending does he want?

Voiletta survives...

So why are you worried?

The Sultan likes happy endings

Let me just finish this

It's time to lock the doors

He must have it tonight

He won't read it tonight

You decide for His Majesty now?

I don't feel up to it tonight

Let someone take my place

Gulfidan, come tell us a story

What can I tell?

I don't know

How can I, since you're here?

I've never done this before

I won't be able to

Water and fire

Shadow and light

day and night are like youth and old age

They seem so different but in fact, they're not

Youth is the past of old age

Old age is the future of youth

A new girl arrived in the Harem

The Agas asked her to wait and left her alone in a room

She was tired. She was frightened

So looked around

She knew nothing of this world which she had entered

perhaps for ever

She looked around

She glanced at a divan more beautiful than the others

She decided to sit down

But once she had

she heard an order Away from there

For the divan belonged to an old favorite

whose last day it was in the Harem

She was waiting for the boat

that was to bring her to the Palace of Tears

Both women were waiting

But for different voyages

One was arriving, the other departing

Suddenly, the door opened

A cold wind invade the room

Good night

There they were, sitting

unable to ignore each other

I don't know who spoke first

They exchanged some polite words

The older woman said

I have no advice to give you

but remember this

Within these walls

three things are essential

love

power and fear

Nervous, the younger woman asked

Love for His Majesty?

The favorite said no

What we feel for him is adoration

The same adoration we owe Allah in this world and the next

It's not the love you speak of

that fire which consumes the heart and banishes sleep

One cannot love His Majesty like that

Unawares, the woman began

to talk about her life in the Harem

The only life she had every known

Fire! The Sultan's atelier is burning

Fire! Fire!

Hurry, we must save the novices

What demon took hold of you?

My love for you, my Lord

Take her away

Let no one look at her as she leaves

Who are you?

Her name is Safiye

Was she your friend?

No, Majesty

As of today it is forbidden to leave the Palace

forbidden, evenings on the Boshporus

Forbidden, carriage rides

Forbidden, strolls in the gardens

Our enemies are more numerous and closer than we think

than we think

We can trust no one

Have you seen Selma's jewels?

And her dress?

Marvelous. A French tailor made it

The one in the Palace?

It's a beautiful color

You are very pale, Safiye

Didn't you sleep well?

What's it to you? She slept fine

Don't listen to her

It's dangerous to call attention to yourself

Dangerous to call attention to yourself

You're jealous

His Majesty never even notices you

His Majesty won't notices you either

I'm not from Hungary

I was brought up for him

Why hasn't he summoned you?

His atelier has burned He has time for you

Maybe he wants you old, like him

Watch your tongue! He isn't old

Don't insult him

I'm insulting you!

Stop!

The fire wasn't enough?

Shall I turn you in?

Safiye, go to the baths

I'm eating

Eat later

Welcome

You bring us joy

Enter

Don't be shy

Come. Have a seat

You don't want to sit?

You're not going to eat standing?

I'll sit when my host has arrived

It that case, you may sit

Do you also think I did it on purpose?

If I wanted to be noticed

it wasn't be the Sultan

It was done spontaneously

She was one of us

Do you know why she did it?

Everyone knows

Gulfidan, please

I don't like your expression

I don't either

But my face has a will of its own

The Sultan loves us all

He shares his love with all

Ayse made a mistake

She fell in love with him

She wanted him all to herself

When he stopped seeing her

she burnt what was dearest to him

Is she banished?

The Sultan will let her marry a guard

What cruel punishment

She'll never see him again

It's stupid to disobey the rules

Everyone here should know that

The first rule is to master one's feelings

If they go against his desires

I haven't disobeyed

I never even spoke with Ayse

Was I speaking of you?

Am I here to be scolded?

No

I wanted to know you better

Would you wanted to

if I hadn't helped her?

But you did

She's Italian

Her parents sold her when she was 8

We don't know her birth date

A French ship brought her to Cairo where she was bought

Abdul Pasha offered her to your son the Sultan

She can read and write three languages

The moon

Has the eclipse already taken place

Midhat?

I am Nadir

Tiem as passed

and your eyes have mellowed, Midhat

I am not Midhat

Tell me when the eclipse begins

One monent

Enter, Safiye

From what I've heard your tutor did not teach you well

Espeically when you eat with your fingers

Fingers are the source of all refinement

Next time be more careful, Nadir Aga

Don't waste my time with well brought up girls

Our Safiye is as perfect as the Sultan's mother can desire

I see a long road

then a wide gate

Beware the evil eye

Gulbahar, it's my turn

Wait, Nimet. Safiye first

Not now

I warn you

I will not undergo one more test

You don't trust me?

You lie too well

You pretended you had no table manners

We're even

You don't understand me

You're perfect only when it suits you

Careful

Why pretend to be my friend

then test me?

I'm not pretending

I must be sure

That I'm worthy of your attention?

Not of mine

A century ago

Sultana Esma adored English furniture and comfort

Anything old or Oriental was sent up here

She'd take this boat in search of boys to quench her desire

Everyone knew her boat with its cargo of splendid boys

She dominated them all

on her throne, or standing

like a bird in flight in search of prey

When she'd chosen one

she brought him back to her palace

after one night of love

she had his throat cut

She was not a favorite nor an odalisque

She was the sister of Mahmud II

No woman of the harem ever had such power

unless she became the mother of the next Sultan

thus becoming herself the Valide

But that road was long and fraught with peril

You need a protector as companion

a man of trust

I'm not the favorite

He's already asked about you

Unselfish friendship doesn't exist here

I wanted someone with whom I'd feel myself

Different from others

I can offer you much more

Close your eyes

I can offer you this

Look

Fear not, no one can see us

I cannot

Please, close that door

Be my companion

and I'll be your true friend

You'll become his favorite

mother of his children

The Sultan approached the closet with the lovers inside

and brusquely opened the door

But the closet was empty

The dagger slipped from his hands

He fell to his knees before such a miracle

Allah has sent three apples

One for the teller of the tale

another for the listener

and the last one for me

Do whatever you like here

To change the furniture, just say so

No one must know I've given you this

An opera

Translate it for the Sultan

It's difficult, but you can

Listen to the music. You'll see

We must stand fast now

The woman told her how His Majesty fell in love with her

He called for her not only at night but also by day

Together they listened to the music they loved

Whenever music echoed through the Palace

everyone knew she was with the Sultan

A shadow follows you

A woman's shadow

Another, still larger, follows It is the shadow of a mob

But little by little

I see the shadows give way

In the end, you will have peace

Very good

Only two mistakes

You're making progress

Delicious, Gulfidan

I didn't bring them

Did you, Karanergiz?

You must be vigilant

There are two of you

Nadir

Nadir

Can you wake up?

I'm worried about Sumbul He's disappeared

Halit is over there

Halit

You're looking for me?

What's wrong?

Have you seen Sumbul?

Why would he be here?

People said he was

Maybe they think he's about to join the army?

He shouldn't go out at night

I swear he's not here

All right, Halit. Forgive me

Come back, Sumbul

No one find out

Why did Midhat involve you in this?

This has nothing to do with Midhat

This is between Halit and me

What!

You don't have to please him because you're not a man

I'm doing it only for myself

Don't talk nonsense!

We're the same

No, we are not the same

I'm in love

Gulfidan found them under my bed

The third time

I'll have them burned

How do they get into my suite?

It drives me mad

I'm afraid to be alone even in the hammam

You're never alone there

Even for my mud bath I send for Gulfidan

It's not very wise to meet here

All eyes are on you

Did this belong to Sultana Esma too?

I don't know

If it was her wedding gown it brought bad luck

The eunuchs lived outside the Harem

In fact those who survived sastration

came to the Palace to be educated

They said that even Cairo's black markets

had forbidden the sale of emasculated African boys

I am happy that you came

Before you go to Egypt

stop in Istanbul, for my sake

Think of me

I don't know if I will

Anyway, what do I care where I go?

As long as I travel...

What are you running from, Anita?

We weren't talking about me

Don't change the subject

I'm jealous of certain memories

If I put them into words

they may escape and never return

I don't want them to abandon me too

You have nothing to say?

Yes, but n an unknown language

that has no dictionary

She too is Italian

And she also knows music

She sings very well

and she plays three instruments

Much time was spent in teaching her the art of love

She was brought up in secrecy

Perfect

Just as planned

We can still give up

We mustn't run any risks

Leave me alone with her

We have to finish preparing her

Withdraw

As you wish, Madam

Stay

Don't be afraid

I won't harm you

You're Italian?

What's your name?

Aliye

Aliye...

Let me spend the night with him and they're yours

I don't need them

I'll have the same tomorrow

These are not the gifts of one night

Do you think it will last?

I can't

Look at me

All these jewels for one night

And so it was

The girl drank up the old woman's words

just like all o fyou right now

The young woman was curious to know

whether Safiye made it to His Majesty's side

Just as you'd like to know. She did

When his Majesty saw her, he said

I didn't call for you, he told me

I know, I said but this night is mine. I bought it

He looked at me, stunned

with a certain pleasure and said, from whom?

I murmured

From the girl you were expecting

Excuse me

your train will be 20 minutes late

Thank you

I'm tired of talking

Tell me about yourself

No, please

We have so little time left

Go on, please

With your permission

Aliye is dead

Poor thing

Poor creature

What happened?

We've heard

she drowned in the Bosphorus

His Majesty couldn't have ordered that

Of course not

It wasn't His Majesty

Everyone thinks you had her murdered

Help me, Gulfidan

Give me my clothes

Are you feeling unwell, Safiye?

No. I'm fine

Thank you for your kindness

We weren't expecting you

They said you were tired

that you hadn't slept

Some halva in honor of the deceased?

Safiye

Magnificent necklace

I received it today

Say he's ugly to ward off the evil eye

Safiye, come here

Come sit next to me

Let me see your face

You have beautiful hands

You smoke?

Young women shouldn't ruin their hands

Why are you so silent?

I wanted to think you

for letting Osman stay with me

You're sentimental

That's why you were chosen as my son's music advisor

You like opera?

I hate it

I hate theater

What purpose does it serve?

To dream

Other peole's lives?

I dream my own life and that's boring enough

Do you like stars?

Have you ever seen an eclipse?

That's when the moon masks the sun

Night takes its revenge on day

It's our revenge the revenge of women

Is my son handsome?

Of course

Describe him

Can't you see him?

When I close my eyes

I can't remember his face

Open them and come play

You want me?

We demand you

There's your mama

Going to Bursa?

It's unbelievable

It's an important mission

Amber used to go

I'm happy for you

We'll all miss you

It's just three days

Osman...

Osman

I'm here. Gulfidan

What happened?

Don't worry

What happened to my baby?

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help me!

Children...

just speaking of them can bring joy

as it can bring sorrow

Sorrow feeds on silence

The old woman fell silence

The young woman dared not speak

You know you can't see him

They're good doctors

He needs me

He'll get better

His heart problem isn't serious

Stop torturing yourself

Every sorrow has its remedy

Every poison, its antidote

What do you mean?

Who poisoned him?

Who'd poison the Sultan's son?

No one, clam down

I didn't mean that

Who'd dare?

Who poisoned him?

How malicious

Stop, Madam

Call Midhat immediately

How dare you come in here?

It's alright

I was coming to see you

Don't torture yourself Allah willed it

I beg you. Have pity on me for your own children's sake

I can do nothing to end your suffering

Give me the antidote

I'll forgive you

Please, get up

Antidote? What do you mean?

Make him live

I beseech you

Tell me what to do You know the truth

Safiye has disappeared

You must find her

Safiye...

I wanted you to see him

Forgive me, Safiye

Don't weep, Safiye

Death does not exist

Death does not exist...

From then on

there was an unspoken pact between me, the Sultan and the Harem

The very walls seemed to respect my sorrow

I had been granted a sort of immunity

the price of my grief and my tears

In the name of what should I spare you?

In the name of this document

I bring for your signature, Majesty

Sign this constitution and all will remain as before

By dawn

the Sultan had signed the constitution

For eight months all went on as before

But in fact it was the beginning of the end

Are they taking us very far?

Not that far

It's very beautiful

Don't you want to go on holiday?

Midhat says we're going there forever

Midhat always loves to joke around

Why isn't he coming too?

He's staying to watch the house

Aren't you, Midhat?

A word from you would suffice

To whom, Midhat?

If only I knew to whom

He's taking me with him to Thessaloniki

What a great honor for you

You deserve it

I can't leave you

Have you the choice?

Sumbul will tend to you

I'll be back. I promise

The Sultan's desire is our command

It outweighs even your promises

I could feel you were suffering

I'm sorry

I'll never forgive myself

You will

You're the one who's alone She's staying with him

Between them, there will always linger a trace of this suffering

Time heals all wounds

You'll be able to start a new life

when the pain of parting is no more than a memory

How did you manage to be so strong?

Who says I was strong?

Inside

there were rare silks from India

There were also robes embroidered with precious stones

and table topped with a thousand and one delicacies

Wealth abounded

The Sultan said to the young woman

All this is yours

Tell me. What else do you want?

Don't worry. Stay calm

In the name of the law the Harem is now closed

You may rejoin your families

You had to break in here to tell us that?

We bring you freedom

Freedom? What freedom?

To die of hunger and cold?

No one takes care of us anymore

In order to send you to your families

we need your names and those of your relatives

If was have no family?

We'll work it out

You're no longer prisoners

While we're here, no one may enter

It's the law

The law can wait outside

They'll tell you what you what

We have the right not to be offended by your eyes

Everyone out

Get us the necessary information

We'll do what the law requires

Come Gulbahar We can't leave without you

Your relatives are coming

They'll find

a place for everyone

They promised

We'll all have a home. They promised

Promises, promises...

Allah help us

Do you want something, dear?

Durisehvar!

Durisehvar

What do they want?

Nothing

Then why do they want you?

They're offering room and board

Only for the young

Nevres is leaving

Nevres

Nevres

Nevres

I didn't want this to happen

I didn't want...

We must write

We'll meet again

We'll meet again

Durisehvar

Durisehvar

Durisehvar...

Allah help us

Eat, Madam Munive...

This will warm you

Karanergiz

Bring this to Madam Guya

Laikseza, you're very pale

Karanergiz. Take my place

Eat, before it gets cold

You couldn't have done a thing if I'd woken you

You should have

Fine, but now eat something

even if you're mad at me

To each his fate. Such was hers

Don't torture yourself like this

You look frozen, Nadir

Come closer to the fire

How is His Majesty?

Who's taking care of him?

How Sama?

Everybody leaves!

So many men have been sacrificed

Who are these people

To you

You never went out while living with the countess?

Sometimes, rarely... afternoons

I dared not look around

I felt all Istanbul staring at me

Careful, Safiye

Nadir?

Why are you here?

Don't you know it's forbidden to be out?

We're hunting for dogs It's dangerous to be out?

The lady is with me

I was showing her home

We got lost in the fog

You're from the Palace

Hurry home Tonight the streets won't be safe

This way

It may have been the last stray dog in the city

All the others had been captured

They took them to a deserted island

Day after day

the wind brought from aftar their echoing barks

Then, suddenly, the city was enveloped in an ominous silence

Someone wnet out to the island

The dogs had devoured each other

Not one had wanted to survive its race

Following her triumphs

in Paris, London and Berlin

we present you the loveliest flower of the Sultan's Palace

Only a short time ago, she lived enclosed with in forbidding walls

guarded by fearsome black eunuchs

A slave amongst the slaves! A master of almost godlike power

I promised you a "Night in the Harem"

You'll get much more

She's going to dance for you

She'll sing for you

She will reveal the secrets

the mysteries of her life and of her forbidden loves

Introducing the Pearl of the Orient

The Last Favorite

Sublime Safiye

Italy, October 29, 1923

Did you work long in music hall?

You never found your family?

What have you done since?

I have just grown old

Your train is coming

Thank you

I have to check my baggage

I'll be back to say goodbye

Look what's arrived. Maybe...

No, it's from Karanergiz

Dear Madam and invaluable benefactress

light of my eyes

Unfortunately, I bring sad tidings

With the harem Agas who remained

we struggled against our misfortune

For some time, our dear Nadir Aga

had been growing somber

One day he disappeared

We sought him everywhere

We learned he was victim of an accident at Kiziltoprak

Our Nadir had breathed his last, crushed under a train

Oh light of my eyes

I tried to sort his things He'd left them all in order

The amulet he wore around his neck was in a box on his bed

My God

I'd rather be struck blind than bear such news

Madam I would give my life to console you

I kiss your beautiful hands

I kiss your eyes, my benefactress

And Nadir?

Nadir...

You've said no more about Nadir

I never saw him again But I've heard form him

I letter from time to time

He's happy now

His dream has come true

He married a widow with two sons

He's founded a family

You never tried to see him again?

You're still waiting for him?

You have beautiful hands, Anita

Young women shouldn't ruin them

Here

Don't refuse

It's a souvenir...

Only a souvenir

Two ships in the night they were about to part forever

The young woman asked

Instead of advice why tell me the story of your life?

The old woman smiled Then she answered

Always remember this...

and these were her final words

What's important is not how you live your life

but how you tell it

To yourself and others

In that way alone will you make sense of errors

of suffering and death

Allah sent three apples from on high

One for the teller

One for the listener

and the last for the heroes of our tale