Original subtitles

THE MUSEUM OF INNOCENCE

Bravo!

Bravo!

That was wonderful.

You were great. You looked so good together.

We're exhausted. And what'll the wedding be like if this is the engagement?

You'll be so happy, nothing else will matter.

Happiness, what is that, Berrin?

Goodness, what a question!

Children, your family…

Good company. That's it.

Mm-hmm.

Even if you're not happy,

even during your worst moments, you live as if you were.

Hmm.

Hm.

Who is that charming girl? The one sitting next to Mehmet?

Sibel's French friend? Oh, that's Nurcihan.

- You delayed all this so she could come? - Uh-huh.

- Mmm. - Sibel deliberately put her right there.

She wants them to fall madly in love.

Ohh.

Well then…

Well, we have to admit there aren't really that many signs of love.

Actual love is Layla and Majnun.

Huh.

You're drinking quite a lot, Kemal. You must slow down.

Kemal, where are you going?

Mr. Kemal. Good evening, I'm a society reporter, Süreyya Sabir.

Also known as the White Carnation.

Congrats and best wishes, my friend.

- Who invited you? - Your mother, sir.

Thank you, "White Carnation."

- Mmm! - Mr. Tarık.

Congratulations.

Thank you. And welcome!

I wish you both happiness, Mr. Kemal.

Thank you, Aunt Nesibe.

Good to see you, Füsun.

Mr. Kemal, I know your bride.

A wise choice. My family's warm congratulations.

Thank you.

You've been so busy with work,

and yet you still gave your time to help Füsun with her studies.

God bless you, dear boy.

Her exam is soon, right?

Tomorrow.

Well, I think it would be better if she went home early.

You're right.

Look how much you care about my sweet girl.

But she did have a hard time studying with you.

She deserves to enjoy herself a little tonight.

I could tell from the look in her eyes

that she would never let me go.

Never in her life would Füsun leave me.

- Have a good evening, Mr. Tarık. - Good evening.

Good night.

I was experiencing the immoral male happiness that life grants,

after years of suffering, to men in their fifties,

but at the age of 30 and without suffering at all.

I would soon have a happy, stable home

with a well-educated, sophisticated socialite.

All the while,

I was having a secret, passionate affair with an alluring younger woman.

Darling, where were you? I've been worried.

Mm-hmm.

Berrin said you were drinking a lot. Everything all right?

I'm great.

My only problem is I feel too good.

I think we have one more. Look!

Your friend won't say one word to her.

And so…?

We're so good.

Kemal, my dear, we're happy, it's true.

I just want to see them happy too. We gotta make sure they get together.

Yes, my darling. What's the plan?

- You need… - Hm?

…to convince him to make a move, that's all, Kemal.

He's not even at the table.

Zaim took his chair, sweetheart.

I don't want her jilted by the most unworthy guy in Istanbul.

Kemal, go find Mehmet, will you? I'll get Nurcihan.

I love you dearly.

And please don't stop, come right back so we can dance.

Two white wines, please.

Of course, sir.

Mehmet, she came back from France to get married. You know that, right?

- And she really likes you. - Oh?

Here you go, two white wines.

Actually, she told Sibel just now.

She's dancing with Zaim the Soda Boy.

She wants you to be jealous.

Uh-huh.

Look. I'm sure Nurcihan is a great girl.

I'd like to talk to her, though only if she's serious.

Let's go back to your table, huh?

So that no one ends up sitting in your chair.

Deal.

Cheers.

Ah.

Hey. Kemal?

Well?

All done. I just talked to Mehmet.

Yes, but it's too late.

Nurcihan's mad about Zaim. Look at them dancing.

Why don't I pass a note to the Silver Leaves

and get them to take a break?

You have to let the guests dance, Kemal.

At their weddings, they'll say they met here.

Hm. Incoming.

Come on. I'll get you a very special drink at the bar.

Yeah. Let's go. C'mon.

All girls go crazy for you.

Every one.

- Believe me… - Two raki, please.

…I'm not doing anything special, I swear.

And I'm not happy about my reputation, take my word for it.

That's fine.

If I could find a woman like Sibel, I bet I'd want to get married too.

You're happy, I can see it in your eyes.

Those eyes aren't too happy.

Really? Why?

Enjoy.

I've been dying to talk to someone. You'll help me, right?

I'd do anything for you Kemal. You know that.

There's this girl, a relative of my mother's.

- Füsun is her name. - She was in the pageant?

She's dancing now.

Hey! How do you know about her?

Everyone knows about her.

Oof! She is so beautiful.

She works in that Nişantasi boutique, right?

When I walk by it, I have to slow down to peek inside.

She has a beauty you cannot forget.

She's my lover, Zaim.

- Uh… - It hurts to see her dancing

with someone else.

I guess I'm in love with her.

I mean, don't get me wrong, soon I'll put an end to it.

Well…

Kemal, she is stunning.

But the situation couldn't be worse. Hm?

Huh?

I'm afraid you can't keep this up for much longer.

We've gone all the way.

No one else has ever been with her.

She's dancing with my employee Kenan to make me jealous, stubborn girl.

And risking his job, poor guy.

Right now what I want most is to hold onto this girl forever, man.

I need her.

All right.

I'm gonna bring that man to my parents' table

to keep him and Füsun apart, okay?

Listen up.

You'll keep Füsun busy.

Please. I need your help getting through it tonight,

I'll break it off soon.

I'm afraid your little mistress might not pay me much mind.

And another thing.

Your Sibel is playing matchmaker with Mehmet and her friend.

She's kept her from me all night.

But you can see how much Nurcihan prefers me to that square.

All I'm asking for is a level playing field.

How can I help you?

Arrange a picnic for next Sunday.

And Nurcihan's invited.

You have my word.

You look like a princess. You are just lovely. I love your outfit.

Sibel, you're a natural.

Dad.

Dad! Hey. This is Mr. Kenan, he's working with us.

He's truly one to watch, a stellar employee.

Sir…

He's extending our reach to the countryside.

Is that so?

Oh please, don't bother standing.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kenan.

The honor's mine, sir.

Do you speak any other languages?

Pleasure.

What books are you reading? Do you have any hobbies? Are you married?

No, he's not!

He was just dancing with Nesibe's girl.

And son, I hope you won't be talking business at your own engagement party.

You're right, Mother.

Darling.

Would you do me the honor of this dance?

With pleasure.

Kemal. There!

Hey, you two!

From now on, this is your song, huh?

Oh, Kemal. I love you so much.

You're even sweet when you're drunk.

I roped you into this thing with Nurcihan and I'm very sorry.

Is that Celâl Serlik the columnist?

The one and only.

Celâl, 'scuse me.

Love is not just an article in the newspaper.

But my dear sir…

Do you know what a good newspaper article and love have in common?

Ah? Tell me.

We judge the beauty of each by how utterly unforgettable they are. True?

Sir, that's true.

- Sure. - Write that down.

Kemal…

Unstoppable Zaim is now hitting on that little cousin of yours.

Oh, beg your pardon. I'm sorry.

Good to see you.

Um…

Why don't you two dance together? Huh?

- Kemal? - Just for a minute. Come on, come on.

There…

How can I describe the peace I felt as soon as I took her in my arms?

As if the incessant noise of the crowd,

the buzzing in my head,

had simply been my uneasiness at being away from her.

You and I love each other so much, nothing and no one can come between us.

I know that our timing was very unlucky, but I'm going to make everything right.

So what are we going to do now?

At 2:00…

As usual, let's meet where we always do,

at the Merhamet building, tomorrow after your exam.

I'll explain it to you when we're all alone.

No, I'll only come if tell me now.

No one will ever come between us.

Thank you. I'll see you there tomorrow after I finish the exam.

We have to stop. They can all see you.

Now, go right home.

And during your test, think of the love that I have for you.

At that moment, everything was set.

I was going to meet Füsun in 13 hours and 45 minutes.

My friends. We'll get dinner…

A brilliant future beckoned, promising happiness.

That's good.

- You all right? - Yeah, I am.

Huh…

Truly.

Good of you to dance with Füsun, you know.

I wish Mother would finally get over herself.

She thinks she is too beautiful.

Though her dress is tight.

In six months she's turned into a woman. A real transformation.

What'd she say?

I think her university exam is tomorrow.

Sibel around?

Sibel had enough dancing,

and so Mr. Kenan brought her to the company table.

They were talking about séances.

They can teach us something.

Right?

Although I have to say, I don't really believe in that stuff.

- I think it's funny. - I agree.

Isn't it?

You know, It's very hard when we lose people that we love,

but I really don't think we should harass them like we do.

Instead, we could find solace in an object of theirs.

Like maybe even…

One pair of earrings could provide more comfort over the years.

As I said, I don't believe in séances either.

But, whenever I get invited to join something like that, I can't pass it up.

Oh, Füsun, dear.

It's time.

- You have your big exam tomorrow. - Mom, one second, okay?

- But your exam… - Please. Wait.

Well. Good evening.

- Good evening. - Good night.

Say that you missed a loved one, what would you do then, Sibel?

Sorry?

Gathering a group to summon your lost one's spirit,

or using a possession that allows you to remember?

Well, I-I don't know. I haven't thought about it.

Hmm.

For example, this…

It causes me to think of my embarrassment at selling a friend a fake purse.

Oh.

But… it looks very nice.

It goes great with that dress. I even got jealous when I first saw it.

I regretted sending it back.

You look gorgeous.

Thank you.

Women don't want to get a knock-off, not only 'cause it's fake,

but they're scared that others will think they were being frugal.

Like those sad individuals who are so obsessed with what others think.

Now this purse will always make me think of tonight.

Congratulations. It was such a lovely night.

Thank you, dear.

Good evening.

Take care now.

Thank you for coming. Have a nice night.

Good evening.

What do you think that was all about?

Hey. Beats me.

Kemal.

One minute?

What is it?

You should know that all the employees were joking about

what you do after work with Sibel.

Joking about what?

Kenan told Füsun, and she told me.

She seemed completely heartbroken after she found out that

you and Sibel have been making love in your office every evening.

- Unfortunately we have to go. - It's early!

She's taking the university exam tomorrow.

I couldn't sleep that night.

I was terrified of losing Füsun.

She didn't come to the Merhamet building the next day.

Or the day after that.

Or the four days that followed.

Every single day I went to the Merhamet building at our usual time…

and waited for Füsun.

When I realized that waiting only aggravated my pain,

I resolved not to arrive more than five minutes to 2:00.

The ten to 15 minutes it took me to accept that Füsun was not coming that day

were agonizing.

PHARMACY

I had begun to identify the parts of my body

in which the pain of waiting for Füsun manifested.

GOOD FOR ALL TYPES OF PAIN

The pain would start on the left side of my stomach,

and then move to the cavity under my chest,

before spreading all over my body.

This was as much of a punishment for Füsun as it was for me.

I had to put an end to it.

CHAMPS-ELYSEES BOUTIQUE

Hello, Mr. Kemal.

- Welcome. - Hi.

I'd…

I would like to see the purse in the window

with the embroidery there, please?

Excellent choice.

Whenever something beautiful comes to the store, you're the first to see it.

Paris's latest design.

It has a bejeweled clasp, a porte-monnaie, and mirror inside.

It's beautiful.

All the society ladies are going on and on about your engagement party.

I hope you and Miss Sibel are wonderfully happy together.

Thank you so much. And how much is the purse?

Since you're such a special customer, I'll say 1,000 liras for you, Mr. Kemal.

Okay.

Uh…

Could I also get this pair of cuff links?

Ah, excellent decision.

Those cuff links come with a custom box from France.

So… Where's my cousin this afternoon?

Ah, you must not have heard.

Füsun quit out of nowhere.

A guy in his own drama

A stray dog left his street, scared

I've given them a mouthful That's right

- Your turn. - My turn?

Not the last of many

Oh, there it goes!

- Zaim! Zaim! Hey! - Zaim!

Zaim, go!

Come back!

Be careful, don't get wet!

Pass it!

- Pass it to us! - Here!

Oh my God.

Kemal!

Wouldn't it have been great If we made love?

That's one

Okay…

It sure would A wild flower and a cloud

A smile about to bleed, and in secret

Sibel, sweetheart. Would you like to give it a try?

And then a quick something, wine

Love changed its meaning again It's wild

Kemal, that's great, but maybe you could push a little softer?

Love changed its meaning again It's wild

Love changed its meaning again It's wild

Love changed its meaning again It's wild

Kemal!

This is a beautiful blanket.

It was Zaim's grandmother's.

Where's Nurcihan?

She went to go pick berries with Zaim, I think.

Look at me.

- No, look right there. - As you wish.

Would you mind getting a few of the cans open, darling?

Of course.

Here's another one for you.

Want some tea?

Sure.

We're out in the sun Never forget, that's two

What a distant voice we had, legendary

A glass of tea brought with a T

Here you are.

Kemal!

Are you okay?

Eyes that were needless to mention Deep

Eyes that were needless to mention Deep

Who knows how long we made love And what time it is

Kemal!

All newspapers on full alert

Kemal! You'll fall, don't lean!

Love changed its meaning again It's wild

Zaim, heads up!

Are you doing all right?

Still bleeding.

I'm gonna head into Nişantaşı to get my finger stitched at the hospital.

- Pass it back! - Why don't you wait until this evening?

Okay. We can go, I'll start packing.

Zaim!

Sibel.

Sibel.

But please, we can't ruin this nice day you planned for everyone.

It would be very rude if the two of us leave.

That'll be rude?

- They'll take you back later tonight. - Kemal!

- Hold your hands like this. - What's wrong?

- Yeah! - Nothing.

Ah, no, no, no!

Sibel!

Where is Kemal going?

It took me 47 minutes to get to the Merhamet building.

I waited for Füsun for 45 minutes.

She didn't come.

In an attempt to ease my agony, I sought consolation in objects.

You know the cleaning lady at the Merhamet building?

Mrs. Hanife?

Yes. She thinks I go to see the dentist upstairs.

Mrs. Hanife?

I had been staring at Füsun's cigarette butt all week.

I breathed in its musty, smoky scent.

I was about to light it,

and maybe for a moment…

…imagine she was here.

But I changed my mind, because then it would be gone.

Do you wish we'd met again before you met Sibel?

Mr. Kemal?

Yes?

Oh, I was just in the neighborhood.

When I was in the store, they told me Füsun quit.

I'd been wondering, because she never called.

How did she do on her exam?

Oh, dear boy.

Let's discuss it inside.

Come in. Come in.

I found every item beautiful.

- Because each had helped create… - Please.

…the wondrous miracle that was Füsun.

Take a seat, Mr. Kemal. Right there.

Sit down. I'll make you some coffee. You look pale.

Is Füsun around?

No, she's not.

Her exam actually went terribly, Mr. Kemal.

She wasn't well.

She left in tears halfway through.

Is that true?

We don't need to know the results.

She was in an awful state.

The girl won't go to university.

She couldn't work, so she left the store.

Those mathematics lessons with you…

They upset her.

And you upset her too.

She was so sad the night of the engagement. Yes.

It's not just your fault, of course.

But she's just a young girl.

Where is she, Nesibe?

Her father took her away days ago.

Far, far away.

Aunt Nesibe, tell me where they are.

No, Mr. Kemal.

You will forget her soon.

She'll forget you as well.

Have I made myself clear?

What's going on, Kemal?

Nothing.

You're starting to really worry me.

Please. I want to know. I can help you with it.

Ever since the engagement, you've been distant.

It has nothing to do with our engagement or us.

Then what is it?

I've been having some problems at work with my brother,

and it's just starting to wear me out.

It's like you're another person, Kemal.

Is it really that big of a problem for you?

Yes.

But I'm still going to try to fix it. Don't take it personally.

Our engagement makes me very happy, my love.

Welcome, Mr. Turgay. Please, sir. Come in.

ringing]

Hello?

Hello? Who is this?

Who is this? Who're you calling for?

Hello?

The sparkle of my life was gone.

Now just walking through Nişantaşı gave me a heartache.

The streets reminded me of Füsun.

I realized that if I didn't try to forget her,

I wouldn't be able to resume my normal life.

From then on, I would never walk those streets again.

Hello?

Hello?

Who is this?

For God's sake, would you please say something? Speak!

What do you want? Hello?

And so, somehow it had become mid-July,

with no sign of Füsun.

In his office?

Yes, Mr. Osman.

Brother?

Why wasn't Turgay invited to the party?

Uh…

I don't remember. What're you…

You don't remember, hmm?

I know you crossed his name off the damn guest list. Mom watched you.

- Yeah, so what? - So what?

He's extremely offended because he wasn't invited.

He wants to back out of the huge bedsheet export deal

- our companies secured together! - Osman, calm down.

I'll make it right with Turgay, okay?

How, Kemal? He won't let me make it up to him and I'm his friend!

Enlighten me on what you plan on doing.

Calm down, brother, I'll fix it.

Why did you do it?

Osman.

I got this.

I'll be waiting.

When is the latest we can deliver the orders?

The latest… I'd say about one month, sir.

Okay. All right, that'll be good.

Why would you go through the trouble

of coming all the way from Istanbul, Mr. Kemal?

I owe you a sincere apology, sir.

It was just an oversight, I'm sure.

Let's move on.

These machines are the latest models, we bought them recently.

They arrived just last year, made entirely in Germany.

Fifteen hundred employees.

Separate them by color.

We have the capacity to handle

all the requirements of the contract on our own.

But to take on this project together,

it will reduce the risks, but also ensure both parties to grow.

At that moment I realized I hadn't come all this way

to settle our differences,

but to learn how Turgay had been able to get over Füsun,

and return to his old life as if nothing had happened.

Shall we discuss all of the details over dinner, Mr. Turgay?

Sure. But I have a condition for you, all right?

I will pick the restaurant, and I'll pick up the check.

The sea bass is legendary this time of year.

- We'll have a couple drinks too, right? - Mm-hmm.

Now, if you're not into seafood and you'd rather have meat,

there is a great steakhouse right next door.

Here it is.

Here. Let's take my car, all right?

You there!

- Ice. - Yes, sir.

So in my opinion, this visit has solved the bedsheet contract problem.

There should not be any issue between us anymore.

I believe our businesses will thrive from now on.

The companies don't matter.

But being a good human being, that's what matters.

Mr. Kemal.

I have a great regard for you and your family.

We are blessed to be rich in this beautiful but very poor country,

a fortune God bestows on his most esteemed servants.

We need to give thanks without pride.

Mr. Turgay, I didn't realize how religious you've become.

My dear Mr. Kemal, how have I wronged you, my friend?

You have mistreated a relative of mine.

You would've broken her heart. In fact…

in fact, you even tried to use your cash to buy her.

Dear Turgay.

The girl at the boutique in town, Füsun.

She's a close relative on my mother's side.

I'm sorry I didn't know about that, Kemal.

I am very ashamed here.

I'm sure you couldn't bear to be in my company,

and that's why your family didn't want me to attend the engagement party.

Are your father and brother as offended as you are?

Can we move forward with the business plan?

Not anymore.

Now the one ending the contract is you.

Mm-hmm.

Mr. Kenan, my office now.

Yes, sir?

Turgay essentially forced me to back out of the deal.

He was very rude for some personal reason.

Sir, is there any way we can still move forward?

Losing the deal would be a huge blow to us and to your other companies as well.

The New York courts will hit us with fines and penalties

without the agreement.

So be it. There's no turning back.

We'll continue the work without Mr. Turgay from now on.

Is Mr. Osman also aware of this?

Mr. Kemal, it would be best if you called him right away.

Excuse me. You work for me, and not for my brother.

Or is there something you're not telling me?

Mr. Kemal, of course I work for you.

Sir, please. Look.

He and I only met through you.

It was at your party, don't you remember?

But we keep in touch, and if you don't tell him about this, he'll be furious.

Osman knows you… haven't had the easiest time recently.

Your brother's just trying to help you, sir, like all of us.

Get out.

Get out!

I could feel that part of me had been deadened by jealousy.

Only Füsun could pull me out of the dark pit I was in.

Who's there?

Uh, I'm here for number three.

Oh. They just moved out, but they didn't say where they were going.

Who are you?

I'm interested in renting.

If I like the look of this one, I'll take it.

The old tenants, why did they move out after all these years?

They had been arguing with the landlord over the rent for a long time now.

As if they could find lower rent anywhere else.

Where were they going?

We don't know. They left on bad terms with us and the landlord.

After 20 years too, you know.

Uh-huh.

The French poet Gérard de Nerval,

who hung himself because of a broken heart,

said that when he realized he'd lost the love of his life forever,

the only things he had left in this world were vulgar distractions.

These items helped make Füsun who she was,

and I leave them here as a source of consolation.