Original subtitles

(Sombre piano music)

(Cars passing by)

(Piano music in time with fingers)

(Khosro) Mm.

Mm.

(Music continues)

(Cars passing by)

(Piano music continues on car radio)

HIT THE ROAD

Written and directed by Panah Panahi

(Radio interference)

Where are we?

We're dead.

(Radio interference)

(Radio interference)

Give it to me.

(Radio interference)

(Turns off radio)

Right now.

Give you what, dear mother?

- Give it to her, punk. - What?

- The phone. - I don't get it.

- Quiet. - The phone.

I don't get you.

— He's deaf. The phone. - Shh!

- I didn't bring the phone. — Shh!

Little piece of shit.

Didn't I order you not to bring it?

—- You ordered him? —- Sure, I did.

Search him.

Where did you hide it?

— Don't move. —- I need to know who ordered.

What do you mean by "order" anyway?

Please, tell me who ordered.

I need to know!

Open the door, kick him out. He's lying, I can't stand it.

Get out.

I'll take off your trousers.

- No, not my trousers! —- Search him.

OK, I'll give it to you.

Hurry up.

You can have it. Was it really worth it?

Throwing out your child.

Little piece of shit, is that where you hide it?

Sure, nice and warm.

What are you up to?

— Why are you taking it out? - Keep him still.

— Sit down. - Why are you taking it?

Why?

(Grunting)

She broke it!

Calm down!

It's the SIM card, not your willy.

Stop wriggling around. He's driving me mad.

- What should I do with this? - Want me to swallow it?

Maybe he should...

(Whispers)

Huh?

(Mouths silently)

Where are you taking it?

Sit down, we'll pick it up on our way back.

If anything happens to my phone...

Shut it. Just remember where she hid it.

Mum has disappeared!

(Kid grunts)

(Both shouting)

(Mum) Stay there or I'll eat you up.

(Kid) It's really expensive!

Leave me alone!

Leave me alone!

Leave me alone!

Hey!

Don't destroy the car, it's borrowed.

What's got into you?

Loser.

If I don't answer my calls, people will worry.

I have serious matters to take care of.

Who worries about you, little fart?

Everybody, hundreds of people.

People you don't know.

It's so annoying.

Who are these friends who worry about you?

Who worries about you more than your father,

your mother,

your sister,

your uncle

or even your aunt's brother-in-law,

your cousin's sister-in-law?

Who's gonna worry?

You don't know everything.

Enlighten me.

Ms Fakhrai, she's the worrying type.

She's 40. A bit old for you, no?

Not the mother, her daughter.

That chubby bear, what was her name again?

She's not a bear, she's a gazelle.

Oh.

If she's a gazelle, it's damn serious.

You bet. We worked out all the details. We're getting married.

Sure, you don't deserve better

than Little Miss Four-Eyes.

But her father's gonna kick our arse.

He wouldn't dare. You wouldn't let him.

You see my leg. And forget about your brother.

I'll take care of him myself.

If my phone is lost, I'll take care of all of you!

Wait!

You can't go there. Let's go.

- Let go of me. - Let's go.

Get in the car.

I don't want to, I'm pissed off!

- Let me go. - Don't move.

Stand still.

Will you remember the place?

Sure, I covered it with a stone.

Come closer.

If something were to happen to you,

how would we find it?

Thank you, God, for this scenery.

(Parents chatting)

- Idiot! - Idiot! Stop kissing the ground!

—- Sorry. - You have dirt all over you.

— Looks like pistachios. - My sweetie.

— Beautiful. — And there, smiley face biscuits.

And there, it looks like frogs.

A pair of frogs.

(Kid) And there, a lion's head.

And the other one is like those mythical sphinxes in movies.

(Mum) Stunning!

(Kid laughing)

—- Which one? — Over there.

- Where? — There.

(Mum) Oh!

(Laughing and grunting)

(Car passing by)

(Sombre piano music)

(Music stops abruptly)

(Kid laughing)

(Khosro) Hey! Careful!

Seat belt.

Rear mirror.

Side mirror.

Handbrake.

Clutch.

(Starts car)

Gear.

Signal.

(Mum) In the name of Allah.

Onwards!

(Kid) I'm heartbroken.

I feel sad.

If Ms Fakhrai calls and I don't answer,

she'll break up with me.

Who's gonna be accountable then?

Hey.

Are you blind?

You should have changed your glasses at the eleventh hour.

Why is nobody answering me?

What does "eleventh hour" mean, huh?

Sir, would you answer me?

Would you, dear lady?

Or you, Mr Shithead?

(Mum) Calm down, sweetheart.

These two grown-ups listened and left their phones behind,

without protesting.

(Kid humming a tune)

Dad, Jessy seems tired.

(Khosro) Look, this is the Urmia lake. Well, it used to be.

Years ago, we would swim in it.

Now, you can only have a dirt bath.

That's better, we won't get wet.

Here you are. Done.

(In English) Good. Good.

Well done.

Well done to you.

Ow!

Let me see.

(Kid) What the hell!

(Khosro) Why doesn't it come off?

Do you know how much it costs?

(Kid) Not that much. (Khosro) You and your brother are ruining me.

(Khosro) To hell with you. (Kid) Let go of me.

He destroyed the car.

(Quietly) It cleans up with alcohol. We're being followed.

What did you say? Ow!

(Whispering) We're being followed.

Yeah, got it.

—- Why are you staring at me then? - I thought you were still talking.

- We're being followed! - (Kid) Cool, we're being followed!

(Khosro) Act normal. Is he alone?

— Turn around and see for yourself. — (Mimics explosion)

I'm saying let's act normal, and you tell me to turn and look?

Hi, Jessy!

Go hide, the bad guys are here!

Park next to that car.

(Kid mimics gunshots, then groans)

(Groaning) Before I die, I have to tell you my last will.

(Khosro) You got shot, die. (Kid) For my brother...

Over there, with the others.

(Khosro) Thank God, he died.

(Mum) Act casually.

Give me a tissue.

(Khosro) It's the A/C.

(Mum) Ignore him.

(Car approaching)

(Driver) It's petrol!

(Khosro) There must be a leak. It's the A/C.

I was signalling you. Your tank is leaking petrol.

(Khosro) Dead man, get up. Pass the antenna.

OK, thanks!

Thanks, go ahead.

Take Jessy for a pee.

(Music playing outside)

—- (Kid singing) - (Khosro) Get out.

(Khosro) Get out.

(Singing)

Hey, wait!

Come here.

(Mum) First, take Jessy for a pee. (Kid) Take him yourself.

(Mum) No, you have to do it. (Kid) I'm busy.

(Mum) Wait a second.

I'm telling you it's the A/C.

(Mum) Let's go for a pee.

(Kicks can)

(Mum) Take him behind the tree.

This way.

(Kid) Come, Jessy.

(Mum) He's right. There's a leak under the car.

(Chatting indistinctly)

Dad, take him.

Take him, Dad.

OK.

It's the A/C.

(Driver) Don't look there. It's petrol. (Mum) Thanks a lot.

Get off my back.

Thank you.

(Shop assistant in Azeri) We spoke before... Wait a second.

What do you want, kid?

Sir, could you come closer?

You come closer! Watch your step, don't break anything!

(in Azeri) Sorry, Rahman.

Do you have a first-class second-hand phone?

Give me a break, kiddo.

(in Azeri) Rahman, give me all your surplus in petrol.

I've got clients.

- I'll take care of it. — (Customer) How much for these?

No worries. It's not petrol, but a cooling agent from the A/C.

(Cars passing by)

(Sombre piano music)

(Music stops abruptly)

— (Horn honking) - (Mum) Get away from the road!

I told you it's the A/C.

- When? - You weren't listening.

— You didn't. - I did.

Move your crutch.

(Mum murmurs) In the name of Allah. (Khosro) Seat belt.

Little fart.

Rear mirror.

- Signal. — (Mum) He didn't signal.

(Lip-syncing to radio) > Told you, told you, yeah

♪ Told you that being angry is a sin

My eyes are on the road you took

> I'm begging you, yeah

> To stop sulking

Js With your black eyes, stop sulking

2 Life is short

♪ Like a dream

♪ This too shall pass

> Make peace

> Spring will blossom again

♪ And drown us in flowers

♪ Told you Told you being angry is a sin ♪

- Damn it! —- (Song stops)

Do you think I'm a kid?

Trying to have a last-gasp party!

Shut up in front of the kid.

I feel fine. You bring me down when you do that.

(Kid) What's he talking about?

In movies, when they say "last-gasp", something bad happens.

No, "last-gasp" is not a bad word. Don't worry, sweetheart.

Is Bro going somewhere?

He's gonna get married.

Who would marry him?

Lots of morons around.

We wanna elope.

Don't. You'll get caught.

No bad omens, kiddo.

I have a bad feeling.

He'll be back soon.

Oh, sweetie. Look, the cyclists.

Oh, yes!

Great!

- Hello, there! - Hello!

♪ Athletes are heroes, champions ♪

He fell!

What happened?

(Kid singing)

Don't stop. Go.

(Kid) Sir, are you OK?

— Of course, he's fine. — Sir, did you die?

Are you dead?

Get going.

— (Kid) He's crying. - If he's crying, he's fine.

Where are you going?

Monkey face.

(Kid) Where are you going?

See if the car is scratched.

Take this and stop crying.

I'm not crying, my leg hurts.

I was in the middle of a race.

Can you drop me at the infirmary?

Wipe your tears first.

- OK? —- You're pulling my leg.

Don't tease him, poor thing.

Is it a national competition?

Where are the soigneurs that escort you on bikes?

It's not an official competition. We're practising for the Grand National.

But we've set up a prize for the winner.

Could you move a little?

- How much is the prize? - We put in 60,000 each.

- How many are you? - 30.

— This makes for a prize of 180 million? — 18 million.

It's 1.8 million, geniuses.

Now you have to say goodbye to the world of sports?

Nonsense.

Armstrong stayed the world champion with cancer.

He's my role model in life and in sport.

His name says it all:

Arm-strong.

If only I could see him up close and kiss his hands, his legs...

Come on, he was into doping.

It caused a scandal.

They took back all his medals and kicked him out.

From where?

The Cycling Federation, I guess. How should I know?

He was dismissed as a dishonest prick.

It was on TV.

Fake news.

No, listen to me, big boy.

He confessed in front of the world media

that he cheated.

He was so ashamed he made a mea culpa

and said: "Take back my medals".

Fine, he cheated.

He was a champion for ten years, wasn't he?

He became rich, he found a wife.

One can't find a wife without medals?

I guess I was the Tour de France champion.

Listen, big boy,

don't play the devil's advocate, don't be mistaken.

One must live an honest life.

Bravo, that's my man.

Now a prayer for Father.

Allahumma salli'ala muhammadin wa aali muhammad.

Please, have a cucumber.

— Don't. He'll get sick. - Have some pistachios.

- What are you doing? - I want to give him something too.

This is not a zoo. Stop feeding him.

I should have won the competition.

An athlete has to focus on sport,

not on cheating or doping.

Sorry, the pistachios fell on the floor.

- It's OK, leave it. - Move your foot.

Oh.

Look. Your friends.

It's dirty. Leave it.

—- She's right, it's dirty, leave it. — One should not cheat.

You mean you've never cheated? Done anything illegal?

The problem is we create boundaries—-

Actually, we want our elder son--

Shut up.

We create boundaries to avoid thinking about transgression.

Whenever we do, our mind just blocks.

Why? Because we're sure we're good people.

And it's true.

We are good people,

but the problem is the boundaries we've created.

We stop thinking and we push it all into the unconscious.

So, we can't analyse. It's already too late.

I can't express myself very well in Farsi.

I'd be more comfortable in Azeri.

Leave it, it's dirty.

For the birds.

What do you want?

— Can I drink from your thermos? - What a pain.

I'm glad to see an athlete who has something between his ears.

- Thank you, ma'am. - You memorised it, right?

I have an MA in sociology.

Stop it, you idiot.

Why did you give him this?

He might be sick or something.

I swear I'm not sick, ma'am.

Here you are. I'll fill it up with Red Bull.

I'll get off here. Thanks.

- Thanks, Mr Driver. - Why are you giving him that?

You're welcome, but there is no infirmary here.

There we are.

No worries, my house is nearby.

- I don't see any house either. —- Thank you.

—- Take your bike. — Thank you, Mr Driver.

Be strong.

(Mumbling)

— Thanks. - Goodbye.

Why don't you close this?

You could have done it.

(Mum) Take Jessy for a pee.

Why don't you take him?

Your dog is really cute.

- You want him? - No, thanks.

He has a serious infection and he's dying.

His stupid dad picked him up in the street for the kid.

Our son is quite sensitive,

we're afraid he'll see him die.

You should have had the vet put him down, poor thing.

That was the plan, and he said he did it.

But this morning, the dog was at our door again.

We'll keep the kid busy, take him and leave him somewhere.

Even if I was willing to do it, which I'm not,

what would you tell your son?

That you kidnapped him.

—- Why don't you shut your mouth? - I'm off.

Thank you very much. Thank you too, Mr Driver.

Thanks, bye.

(Khosro) We hit him and he thanks us.

(Mum) He's a good man.

(Khosro) Couldn't you shut up in front of the kid?

(Farid) I slipped up.

Sorry.

Not peeing yet?

I can't look at Jessy. I feel bad for him.

I didn't say anything in front of the kid,

but didn't you say you took him to the vet and he put him down?

With this broken leg?

I had Ahmadian do it.

You said they injected him,

his shit and pee got all over the place, splashed the nurse

who then sat down, covered in shit, and started crying.

That's Ahmadian's story. Not my vocabulary.

You said you saw Jessy die with your own eyes.

What's the kid doing over there?

I'll go.

(Mum) Hurry up! Stop daydreaming!

(Khosro) Let them spend some time together.

Pee together.

We won't stop again.

(Mum) Any wild beasts around? I'm worried.

Go get them.

The only two wild beasts in this lake are these two.

No worries.

Plus, what can I do with this leg?

You piss me off with "this leg".

What can I do?

Khosro.

I think I'm losing it.

What next?

Is this guy reliable?

I told you a hundred times Houshang is a stand-up guy.

We lost our house.

And we sold my car for him to be able to leave.

All I have is you and the little one.

Do you ever think about the future?

(Khosro) This is my future. What are you talking about?

(Mum) Once he's out of the country,

I'm sure he'll work hard,

become rich, buy a house

and we'll be reunited.

Him?

Stop it! That's enough!

OK, but him?

(Sombre piano music)

(Mum) Every morning...

...I would take my camera

to immortalise your artistic pee.

I found it last night and brought it for you to take it as a souvenir.

It's quite a collection.

Abroad, this would be a huge success

in an art gallery.

No doubt about it.

And they would call it

"Series of my son Farid's pees".

Or "Which country's map is this?"

(Kid) &♪ We are two brothers

♪ Smarter than the others

> We wet our bed every night

♪ And we spray it just right

' We pee in a bottle

> We pee on Asia

♪ We pee on Africa

And if we get there we pee on Europe!

To the health of my bro and I.

(Sombre piano music)

(Piano music continues)

(Jessy barking)

(Kid) Dad!

Dad, come here.

(Khosro) Let me tie him up, you jerk.

(Kid) I can't hold it anymore.

(Khosro) Coming.

(Kid) What's that on your head?

Is that Mum's scarf? She'll get upset.

Explain it to me, please.

(Khosro) Drop it, I have a toothache. Let's go to the toilet.

(Kid mimicking Khosro)

Once you get there, try to smoke less.

You smoke too much.

Not much.

You smoke a lot while watching movies. Don't watch movies.

Fine, I won't.

What's the world's best fim for you?

The world's best film?

Any film.

What kind of question is that?

For once, give me a straight answer.

And don't jerk me around.

"2001: A Space Odyssey".

Is it beautiful?

Mesmerising.

You know...

...it's very zen.

It calms you down.

Takes you deep into the galaxies.

Galaxies are full of wars. How can it calm you down?

— Not at all. - I don't get you men.

There is no war in it.

Thank God, then.

There is no deity except Allah,

and His are all things in the heavens and on earth,

and in the Milky Way Galaxy!

The Milky Way Galaxy?

What happens at the end?

At the end,

the hero is alone, in a spaceship.

He goes deep into a black hole.

He goes deeper and deeper.

That's all you see for half an hour.

Crossing the limits of time and space.

Don't go.

Don't go.

Son, don't go.

(Kid) Dad! Father! Papal

Damn it. What?

(Kid) Which song?

Any damn song.

(Kid) Thank you for encouraging me to sing!

Most welcome.

Do what you have to do. It will be highly appreciated.

Sir, are you in the queue?

(Kid singing)

Hello, Houshang.

It's me, Khosro.

No, still on the road.

(Humming a tune)

(Khosro) No, he hasn't received the summons yet.

The deed for the house? Hold on. It's out of my hands.

The deed is my problem.

I'll take care of it later.

(Song starts playing on car radio)

"I'm the emperor of the Middle East and Asia".

"The Middle East".

(Singing)

Not done yet?

Haven't even begun. I was singing.

Heard him? Hasn't begun yet.

I wasn't queuing for a concert!

Talk to you later. Call me on this number.

OK? Bye, Houshang.

(Kid singing to the song on the radio)

Don't talk!

Just sing!

And take your time!

(Kid singing)

Good boy.

(Singing to the song on the radio) J? As soon as the door opens

♪ It's time for the reunion

2; All the roads on earth

♪ Lead to my heart

♪ You are my everything

> Without you, I can't breathe

> If I have you

> I have everything I need...?

Sir.

Light.

' When you're gone who can I open my heart to... ♪

(Khosro singing quietly)

> Who shall I wake the drowsy flowers for

> Who will throw seeds for the birds of love

' How can my body

♪ Be alive without you

> You're my everything

> Without you, I can't breathe

> If I have you

! I have everything I need

> Everything I need...?

Is he dead?

(Song continues on car radio)

♪ The dearest souvenir

♪ Is the dust of your shirt

> I am born again

> When I see you and smell you

> 1 don't want you for myself

♪ Or on a whim... ♪

What the hell?

— Just a lock of hair. - Why don't you leave me alone?

You lunatics, go back to your home.

Our home?

You're the lunatic, you rude boy.

Shithead.

Off we go.

- Where to? —- To hell!

(Song stops abruptly)

(Chuckles softly)

Jessy, what are you doing here?

Are you OK?

Why run like that? It's not good for you.

Are you listening?

That will make you die sooner.

What will I say to the kid?

It's all my stupid husband's fault.

He should have left you somewhere further.

I'm not even sure his leg is broken.

(Kid screaming)

Who keeps their broken leg in a cast for three months?

(Khosro) There he is.

(Kid) I want to hold Jessy.

Stay inside or I'll cut you to pieces.

I'm not in the mood.

(Khosro) She's not in the mood. (Kid) Give him to me.

You tied him to a disposable chair?

A plastic chair.

There were a pile of them.

—- Disposable... —- Plastic!

You're a pain. Take him.

(Kid) Jessy salutes you. (Khosro) Hello, Jessy, how are you?

(Mum) You OK? (Farid) You ruined my hair.

(Mum) You think you're less attractive?

(Kid) Jessy is asking how you feel. (Khosro) We're fine.

(Khosro) Seat belt. (Farid) Didn't even remove it.

(Khosro) Side mirror.

(Farid) Didn't touch it. (Khosro) Start. Don't answer.

(Bleating)

(Dog barking)

(Sheep bells jangling)

(Insects buzzing)

(Mum) Wait!

(Mum) Hello. How are you? (Shepherd) Hello.

(Mum) Where the hell are you? Come and choose one, for God's sake!

What's this shithole?

- Hello, sir, how are you? - Hello.

What's wrong?

I fell down.

From where?

From grace.

Your leg is hurt too?

What are you, a doctor? I fell in a hole.

They told us to buy a sheepskin.

If you could show us where the hell we have to go,

we'd be very grateful.

—- Do you have a traveller? - We do.

Did you choose the sheepskin?

They won't dry by then.

The last person chose for you

and you choose for the next.

It's a tradition.

It's up to you.

I choose that one.

Which one?

The white one.

White is not a good camouflage.

The next person will get into trouble.

Exactly. That's the one I want.

Are you sure?

Yes. I'm not choosing a wife.

It's up to you.

(Shepherd in Azeri) Where the hell are you?

We've been waiting for ages!

Give him the signal!

Wasting our time! Where are you?

Why is he taking so long?

Make a signal so he sees youl!

Whirl it around!

Let him see you!

Yes, that's the way!

Faster!

Hurry up!

You're making them sweat!

You're asking me? Do it with your red panties!

Let's see if this works!

— (Mum) Sir? - I'm not seeing him!

(Mum) Sir?

I told him, he's coming.

(Motorbike approaching)

(Panting) They're here.

- (Kid) Good God. - Hello.

- (Kid) Who's this? - Who's the traveller?

— Sheepskin? - (Shepherd in Azeri) Why are you so late?

(in Azeri) Quit having a go at me! I almost fell!

You old fart, go sell your sheepskin!

What's it to you?

- No mobile, right? —- Not at all.

Take this road and come straight to the Hassan Ali Kandi junction.

We'll be waiting for you in the village.

(Shepherd in Azeri) Why don't you show some respect?

—- (Smuggler) Go to hell! - Sir! The junction...?

(Shepherd in Azeri) Get lost!

(Motorbike engine rumbling)

(Kid) Daddy.

Daddy.

- Dad. — (Khosro) Hm?

(Kid) What did he want?

Wasn't he Batman's enemy, the Scarecrow?

Remember in the movie,

he arrives in a cloud of fear gas

and people see spiders everywhere.

(Khosro) Won't you shut up?

(Motorbike continues to rumble)

(Khosro) I don't get it. Why should they

charge the full price of a sheep for the skin?

Hasn't he already milked us enough?

Plus paying for a whole sheep.

(Mum) Mind the bend. (Khosro) They're pushing it.

I know these kinds of mobs.

- Is it here? —- To the right.

When he was giving directions,

couldn't you ask for more details?

The exact address?

Why didn't you?

You didn't need a leg to do that, just an open mouth.

I wasn't close enough, he wouldn't hear me.

Yes, right there.

—- Just admit you didn't think of it. —- What is Bro up to? I'm bored.

Bizarre.

He must have suspected that we were planning to eat him.

Are we really going to eat him?

Yes. It was decided last night.

Was I sleeping?

Probably.

But I think his meat is bitter.

His neck is delicious.

In this neck of the woods, we'd grill him.

His meat is sweet and yummy.

Sure, the cockroach thinks its baby is a beauty.

Don't let him fool you.

He's just teasing you.

Mum, I wasn't fooled.

Right.

I was fooled.

Dad, are we cockroaches?

We are now.

(Indistinct chatter outside)

Here, right?

(Mum) Was it that way? (Farid) No.

(Mum) Give me a hug. We're going to eat you tonight!

(Farid) I'm not a kid anymore.

(Khosro) That's great.

Call your monkey brother.

(Kid) Bro!

Come over here right now!

(Khosro) Where were you, Monkey the First?

Where were you?

(Farid) I went to the right side,

but it's a dead end.

(Khosro) Are you sure? (Farid) Yes.

(Khosro) What is this?

(Farid) It's Hassan Ali Kandi's sign.

(Khosro) Why did you take it? (Farid) It was already on the ground.

I was looking for directions.

(Khosro) Did you find the way? (Farid) No.

- (Khosro) Why are you happy, then? - Wait, sir!

(Farid) Do I look happy?

Stop!

Wait.

Thanks.

- Hello, how are you? - Hello.

Do you know where Kandi village is?

You won't find it on your own, follow me.

We don't want to bother you.

- He says we can follow him. - (Kid screaming)

Where are you going?

I'm staying!

Sorry.

No problem, let him be. Follow me.

It's on my way.

Thanks a lot.

- (Khosro) Sure, good riddance. - Sorry, he is trouble.

Sorry, ma'am.

(Khosro) Just warn them he's a nutter.

(Kid shouting)

(Car starts)

(Bus horn honking)

(Bus horn honking)

(Bus horn honking)

(Bus horn honking)

It's so calm.

Now I can sleep.

Blissful.

Good God.

What are we doing?

I was suffocating in front of the kid.

We should have told him.

What an education we're giving him. All lies.

Nothing but lies.

(Bus horn honking)

If that loud mouth had known, he would have given the game away.

(Mum) The poor people on the bus, he must be driving them crazy.

So, what are you going to tell him?

Nothing. We won't tell him anything.

We'll say you got married and you had to leave,

to run away.

And you'll be back soon.

Anyway, he's a kid.

He won't be sad for long.

How about you guys? Will you be sad for long?

Of course not. It's going to be fine.

It's going to be fine.

One day, we'll laugh at all this.

Seriously?

What is there to laugh about?

I begged you, during this trip,

not to talk about separation

and not to cry.

It breaks my heart to see you like this, Mum.

Let me go reassured, knowing that you'll be fine.

I cried because of a sad memory.

Nothing to do with you leaving.

Why would I mess up your mood?

Nonsense.

Don't tailgate the minibus. It's suffocating us.

Your husband told me to tailgate him, not to lose him.

(Khosro) Now her husband tells you not to tailgate the damn minibus.

You're such an arse.

(Bus horn honking)

(Bus horn honking)

That little devil is so cute.

— (Bus horn honks) - (Kid shouting)

(Horse neighing)

(Kid grunting)

(Kid) Hello, villagers!

Can't you shut up?

Why are you hitting me?

- I didn't. - What did I do?

(Mum) It was a joke.

(Kid) I don't appreciate your jokes.

— (in Azeri) Hello, you have a traveller? — (Mum) Yes.

(in Azeri) Please...

- (Mum) What? - Please go behind the coffee shop.

Remember who you're looking for, Hassan-Ali The Third.

Hassan-Ali The Third.

Well! What are you waiting for? Get lost, sweetie!

Get going.

Get going.

Where is Bro going? I'm going with him.

Look at this calf. He looks exactly like you.

What a beauty.

—- Do you want to make friends? - Yes.

(Music playing in the village)

Don't we look suspicious?

Suspicious of what? Stop worrying.

I am so worried.

—- What could happen to him? —- Left! Left!

(Khosro) We did our research. Houshang is a stand-up guy.

Why did you let him go alone? Go with him.

At his age, I started a family.

Now you worry because he's on his own.

OK, I'll go.

(Calf mooing)

— You're ridiculous. - (Kid shouting)

— (Calf mooing) — No fingers in his eyes!

(Distant chatter)

(Indistinct conversation)

Halt!

— I'll kick your arse! - Why are you here?

They all saw you.

So what?

Your lovely mother ordered me to join you.

He asked us to wait here.

— The hell with him. - What?

I don't like the guy.

Didn't they tell you where to go?

What?

Were you always like this?

Like what, exactly?

I asked if you knew where to go.

- OK. —- Goddamn it.

He said we had to go another two kilometres

and then wait at the end of the road.

After an hour, they'll come to pick us up.

- Where are you going? - Come.

Didn't they say when you'll hit the road?

They said...

First, we're put in quarantine.

Then, when the time comes,

they'll send me to where you'll be told to wait.

Then, we say goodbye and we leave.

It might take a couple of days. I think you should go back home.

Shut up.

Leave you here? Don't you know your mother?

She won't let go until you get to the border.

If they don't see me, they'll leave without me.

They wouldn't dare.

Didn't they say in an hour?

Come, sit here.

Relax.

I'm stressed.

Stressed...

Stressed...

(Sombre piano music)

(Birds chirping)

Bring me that apple.

The other one too.

(Piano music continues)

Wash them.

Whenever you Kill a cockroach,

don't throw him back in the toilet.

Remember his parents sent him out in the world

with lots of hope.

I won't.

And stop whining in front of your mum. You break her heart.

I know. I'm careful.

Were you careful, numbskull? How many times did I catch you?

OK, I'll be more careful.

(Piano music stops)

A man doesn't cry in front of his mother.

In front of his father...

You expect me to cry in front of you?

No.

But if you really want to, I give you permission.

Kind of you. Thanks.

If you want to know your friend, give him an apple

and ask him to share it with you.

Then see if he gives you the bigger or the smaller half.

Numbskull, let me finish.

(Bird screeching)

There.

What? Don't you see?

You took the bigger half.

Are you blind?

Give it to me.

OK, forget it.

Which half should I take for our friendship to last?

Too late.

Forget it.

It tastes like eggs.

We have to go, Dad.

OK. Let's eat it first.

You'll be less stressed.

Don't be afraid. Of anything.

Those who leave on boats that sink should be afraid.

Not you, who have Houshang waiting on the other side.

Zero risk.

Don't be scared. Ever.

I'm worried about the house that you put up for my bail.

What about me?

Your crazy brother, your mum?

- Don't we matter? —- Sure, I...

Don't talk with your mouth full.

Two decades of repeating this to youl!

OK. OK.

(Donkey braying in distance)

What was I saying?

— That you worry about the house. - Right.

I'm worried about it.

- So? - So...

Why are you repeating?

I asked you what about us.

Me, your crazy brother, your mum.

And what did I answer?

Are you serious or are you pulling my leg?

Me, pulling your leg?

Why would you think that about me?

OK, I'm reassured.

Ow.

Mum is not here, drop the act.

You don't believe that my tooth hurts?

Let me see.

Which one?

— It really is in bad shape. - I told you.

Can I beg you, once you're in Tehran,

to go to the dentist

and stop venting to poor Mum?

OK.

Good boy.

(Birds screaming)

It's been a long time since we last talked like this.

I appreciate your support.

Shut up.

(Khosro) Done deal.

Great, tied to a tree,

time for a yummy barbecue

out of Monkey the Second.

(Kid) What does he want? (Smuggler) Who's the traveller?

(Khosro) Nothing. He's asking for directions.

He's lost.

(Kid) Cool, you'll barbecue me.

(Khosro) First, I have to shoot you.

(Mum) Good day, sir.

We don't have a mobile phone and we've been discreet on the road.

(Smuggler) I asked you to be discrete.

I insisted that he come alone.

(Mum) His dad was worried. He kept his distance.

No bad intentions.

Besides, your directions sucked.

You didn't say which side to take at the junction.

And then, we had a hard time buying a whole sheep.

(Smuggler) OK, let's go. (Farid) OK. Right now?

(Mum) Khosro!

Khosro!

Khosro!

(Smuggler) I'll take him to quarantine.

You can say goodbye in two days.

(Mum) You should've said that earlier. Wait.

(Kid) Dad, untie me.

(Khosro) I'm coming.

Let me see if I can hunt you from afar.

(Mum) Here's the sheepskin and his bag.

(Smuggler) This bag is too big, it's going to expose us.

(Mum) I'll change it. (Smuggler) Don't make a fuss.

(Mum) OK, I'll change it.

They're going to take him to quarantine,

and bring him back in a few days, to say goodbye.

(Kid) Mum!

(Mum) Shut up.

(Kid) Come and free me!

Mum, come and untie me!

Mum!

(Mum panting)

(Kid) Mum!

Untie me!

Mum, untie me!

Mum!

Mum!

Help!

(Khosro) Why can't he shut up?

He's such a pain.

(Mum) Tell him to keep quiet.

Come on, take this money.

And give me a clear address of where we have to stay. Here you are.

(Smuggler) I'll tell you where to camp.

(Mum) Let me see.

- Wait! I forgot something! Wait. - (Khosro) What's up?

(Mum) I bought him a hat and a shawl so he doesn't catch a cold.

(Khosro) Listen, don't worry.

You'll be back.

You'll come back and we can say goodbye.

OK?

(Smuggler) Hurry up, we're late.

(Kid shouting)

(Mum) Stop shouting!

(Khosro) Don't worry,

Houshang is a stand-up guy.

A genuine one.

When are you coming back?

(Mum) I'm OK.

(Kid) Bro!

(Khosro) I'll keep him busy.

(Kid) Where is Bro going?

(Mum) Wait! Stop!

Wait a second!

The kid is going to catch a cold.

Take care of yourself.

OK, my boy?

Wait.

Wrap it around you.

Where are you taking my child?

(Kid shouting)

(Mum, out of breath) Wait...

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

(Kid shouting)

(Melancholic piano music)

(Kid screaming)

(Indistinct shouting)

(Khosro) Take him, I can't anymore.

— Son, hold the door. —- (Kid grunting)

(Mum) Come on, good dog.

Are you holding it?

(Woman) Hello.

(All) Hello.

Hi, how are you?

(Mum) What a beautiful girl. What's your name?

- Mobina. — (Mum) Nice.

(Kid) She's got beautiful hair. (Mum) Yes, very.

(Mobina's mum) You'll get tired like this.

Press this and it gets blocked.

(Mum) Interesting.

You have the same car?

(Mobina's mum) No, but I think they all have this.

— Thank you so much. - You're welcome.

—- Can I help you? - No, thanks.

Mobina, can you show the kid around?

(Mobina) Yes, sure. (Mum) That's nice.

(Mobina) Can we take the dog too? (Mum) No, he's sick.

(Mobina's mum) Go ahead, my girl.

(Mum) My husband has one broken leg and two broken hands.

(Khosro) What's wrong with him? (Man) He's weak. Don't you see?

(Khosro) He was already like that when I found him.

(Kid) So beautiful. (Khosro) But he's a nice dog.

(Mum) Yes, it's beautiful. (Khosro) Is it the Ursa Major?

(Kid) God Almighty, what a great job you did.

(Mum) Such a starry night.

(Mum) Not again. Stop doing this.

I'll smash your head if you kiss the ground.

(Kid) I really regret it. (Mum) OK, let's go.

(Mum) It's sleeping time.

Our dog was like family.

How many are you?

Five, including the one who's leaving.

Don't lie on the ground.

- Dad. - It's cold.

- Dad? - Yes?

Where is Farid?

Farid...

Farid disappeared.

(Mumbles)

He went off-roading.

He comes back tomorrow, right?

- Let's hope. - You're dazzling me.

What is this?

Ask him.

—- Sir, what is this? - A headlamp, dear.

When is Bro coming? Be specific.

Not tonight.

Maybe tomorrow.

Or maybe the day after tomorrow.

Sir, is it an original?

There are no originals anymore.

How much?

Expensive.

Maybe the day after tomorrow.

What time?

Sir, you see my situation.

Can you give the dog to my wife when you go?

Sure.

What time?

Goodbye then.

9:30.

Goodnight.

10:30.

11:30, maybe.

Where would he go after off-roading?

12:30.

After off-roading?

After off-roading? Oh, dear.

Look over there.

Look at the sky.

Where is Bro?

I forgot to tell you.

He went to marry a beautiful woman.

When he returns, I asked him to bring you an original Batman mask

which is impossible to find here.

You mean he'll meet Batman?

Sure.

If he's smart enough,

he'll get an appointment.

And if he's even smarter, he'll do it on a Sunday.

Because Sunday is a holiday.

But Superman, no matter if Sunday or Monday,

he doesn't save people, he's too lazy.

He's a bum.

He's not even a superhero.

He's an arse.

(Tinkling)

I have a question, though.

Would Batman give him his car for a ride?

Are you joking?

Give that expensive car to your blind brother?

To crash it?

Not in his life.

Batman's not crazy.

(Tinkling)

That car doesn't get destroyed, not even with a rocket.

Cool wheels.

It even has a fridge, a PlayStation

and a fantastic sound system.

And a sixth gear. It flies, basically.

— Really? — Sure.

So, that banger must be quite expensive.

You can't find it on the market

but I did some maths,

and I found out the car's price.

Well done. How much?

(Tinkling)

I don't know it in our currency.

I don't have my notebook. But I can tell you in dollars.

How much?

600 million dollars.

Oh.

600 million dollars?

That's a lot.

If his expensive car gets scratched by your bro,

this poor orphan Batman

will snap.

He will sit in the middle of the road

and shout:

"Oh, God!"

You mean he'll be devastated?

Yes, he'd start crying.

People will ask him what has happened.

He'll show them the scratch.

And then,

they'll start crying too.

He'll cry his heart out.

And a blind man will pass by and ask:

"I hear lamenting, weeping and moaning. What is it all about?"

He'll ask him to come closer

and touch the car.

He'll touch the scratch and say...

- What is it you always say? - What?

- Auu? - Wow.

Wow.

Then he'll start crying and weeping too.

Batman, like a mad man,

will walk in the middle and shout:

"Oh, my car is scratched".

(Laughing)

(Kid) Poor Batman.

(Khosro) "My car is scratched, so scratched, so scratched".

"Oh! n

(Both laughing)

(Khosro) "My car is scratched".

"Now it's only worth 500 million dollars".

(Both laughing)

(Khosro, laughing) 500 million dollars.

(Indistinct chatter)

(Motorbike approaching)

Here they are.

(All speaking indistinctly)

(Chatter gets louder)

We were supposed to see them before!

We couldn't say goodbye!

(Mum) Khosro!

Khosro!

Khosro!

Khosro!

(Screaming and crying)

(Mum crying)

Khosro.

My baby's gone.

(Distant) Bye. Goodbye.

(Grunts)

It's so beautiful.

Here we go again.

You naughty ones are early risers now?

Well, yes.

(Mimics gunshots)

How's it going?

See that cute lady?

Yep.

What was it that you said? Tres, tres...?

Tres jolie.

Yes. Go tell her.

Take a piece of bread.

It's a beautiful spot too.

Sure, go.

Both the lady and the spot are beautiful.

(Mum chuckles)

— Tres jolie. - My sweetie.

- My love... - Yes?

This new girlfriend of yours is much prettier than Ms Fakhrai.

- So what? - Go play with her.

Go, she's over there.

(Making animal sounds)

(Kid) Hello!

(Indistinct chatter)

(People laughing in distance)

(Car door closes)

(Car starts)

(Crying)

Aaahhh!

Bliss!

(Music starts)

> I saw my love leaving me

♪ And the colour on my cheeks fading

I'm caught in the stormy sea of love

> My love is leaving me on Noah's Ark

> What a mood I am in

> I'm homesick

? In this foreign land

♪ God is all I have

> What a mood I am in

> I'm homesick

? In this foreign land

♪ God is all I have

> Who can hear the pain of my broken heart

♪ What can I sing with my tired voice...!

Woo!

(Song continues)

Woo!

> What a mood I am in

> I'm homesick

? In this foreign land

Sweetheart!

You are my love!

(In English) I love youl!

Jessy, come here.

Jessy!

Dad! Check Jessy out!

Jessy's not feeling well!

—- (Song stops) - Mum, Dad! Jessy's not feeling well!

Jessy! Jessy!

(Music starts)

(Lip—syncing) ♪ My dear kin

I My tribesman

♪ You are riding the horse of exile

♪ So proudly

> On this land

>; You, the noble man

> Were the last one standing But you broke too

> Although thirsty and believing in thirst

> We were proud of the name of our land

> What you gave away to the yearning wind

> Was our only treasure

> Which autumn with its magic voice

! Called you, you lovesick

> For you to leave so bravely

> In search of the poppy

> Stay beside us and while distraught

> We are waiting for spring

> Stay beside us so that together

> We make the sun rise again

♪ Thousands of birds

> In love much like you

> Crossed the night in hope of daylight

> They left for good

> Honest and innocent

> Not to return till this day

> God be with you

♪ You tired of darkness

> But leaving is not

> The cure for this pain

> The road you took

> Leads to sunset

> Not to sunrise

> The night is falling, come back

; Which autumn with its magic voice... /

Pantea Panahiha

Hassan Madjooni

Rayan Sarlak

Amin Simiar

In a movie by

Panah Panahi

(Song continues)

HIT THE ROAD

Director of photography: Amin Jafari

Script consultant: Nader Saivar With thanks to Kasra Forouhi

Music: Peyman Yazdanian Based on Schubert's theme

Editing: Ashkan Mehri, Amir Etminan

Mix: Zohreh Ali Akbari Sound: Abdolreza Heydari

Makeup artist: Iman Omidvari, Maryam Saligheh

Set design: Babak Djadjar Tabrizi

Costumes: Mahsa and Sara Khamisi

Colour correction: Kamran Saharkhiz

Special effects: Mohammad Sanifar

First assistant director: Negar Joneydi

Second assistant director: Saman Iran Nejad

Stage manager: Nader Saivar Production manager: Milad Mahdizadeh

Producer: Mastaneh Mohajer

Written and directed by Panah Panahi

(Song continues)

The End