Original subtitles

[tense music playing]

TARIK KESKİN AND FAMILY

THE MUSEUM OF INNOCENCE

[tense music continues]

Mrs. Fatma?

[Fatma] In here, sir.

-Morning, Mrs. Fatma. -Morning.

[objects clattering]

Have you seen an earring somewhere around here?

No, I'm sorry, but I haven't seen any, Mr. Kemal.

I had it in my pocket, but now I'm not sure where it is.

[scissors snipping]

Good to see you, Mr. Basri.

Thank you, Mr. Kemal.

Kemal, listen.

The two of us should grab a meal before your engagement. Huh?

We have some things to discuss.

Sure, I'm happy to.

[Vecihe] Kemal!

Have a seat, all right?

[tense music ends]

Oh…

Your father's worrying me, Kemal.

Why's that?

Well, he hasn't been acting like himself lately.

I asked if he wanted to talk, but he won't say that much at all.

But I thought you might know.

No idea, I'm sorry.

I don't know why he's acting like this all of a sudden.

Why did this have to happen right before his son gets engaged? Ugh!

Besides, I feel so bad for her, did you know?

WATER TRUCK KILLS A WOMAN

-Such a shame. -[uneasy music playing]

Poor Belkıs deserved better, she did.

She'd been through so much.

First she had to deal with poverty, then all her problems with men.

And she was such a good woman, too.

You know, Kemal, there was a time when Dad and I went to Uludağ some years ago.

Belkıs and Demir had been dating, so she was there, too.

-The men went gambling-- -Hey, I better head out.

[Vecihe] What? Where to?

I have work to finish up.

It can't wait till tomo…

[scoffs] And he's gone.

-[traffic noises] -[police whistle blowing]

[uneasy music continues]

[knocking on door]

You're late, hon.

Well I ran into Ceyda, my friend, at the funeral.

Ceyda?

Yeah, we were both in that pageant once?

-She got third place, they robbed her too. -Ah, of course.

-She's very happy now. -Mm-hmm?

She's dating the son of the Sedircis family.

And he's serious about her.

They'll get married soon, I think.

Isn't that amazing?

Mm-hmm.

He doesn't want Ceyda to keep on modeling or acting anymore.

Huh.

Since it's summer here now, they're doing some fun commercials.

Ceyda really wants to do it, except…

even if it's a modest dress, I'm positive he'd object to her being a model, so…

Sounds like he might try to lock her up soon.

Ceyda's always dreamed of getting to be a housewife.

[sighs] She's a bit worried that the guy isn't truly serious, though.

So I told her we could talk it through.

[pages rustling]

[exhales]

Hey, if a man is serious, how do you think a girl can tell?

Hmm.

Beats me.

Hm? I'm pretty sure you know how these men think.

[chuckles]

But I don't know any rich country boys, hon.

Time for homework.

[pages turning]

[Kemal tapping on book]

-[sniffles] -[book slams on table]

I didn't do any of my homework. I've been busy.

Did you find my earring or what?

Uh…

I haven't been able to find it yet. I'm sure it's around here somewhere.

-I have to go. -Füsun.

Füsun, I'll find your earring and bring it back, wait!

I can't stop thinking about you.

-I can't stop thinking about you, Füsun… -Get out of my way.

…but I'm embarrassed to admit it. Please stay.

Stay, please.

I'm begging you.

Don't go.

Stay, please.

I'll stay, Kemal.

Just make two promises.

Anything.

First, tell me who it is you love most in the world.

Platonically, that is.

Uh, my father.

Okay.

Make a vow on his life, promise you won't lie to me again.

I swear it.

Not like that, say the whole thing.

I swear it on his life, I promise, I'm not gonna lie from now on.

That might have been too easy.

And the second thing?

[soft violin music playing]

One night…

you'll take that trike, and my earring,

and come by my parents' home for dinner.

I'd be happy to.

But let's come up with a story.

Why can't we tell my parents you ran into a relative on the street,

and she thought that you might want a home-cooked meal,

-huh? -Mm-mm.

Or tell them that you offered to lend her a hand

on some tricky math homework before her upcoming test?

I give you my word.

I'll come and bring whatever you want, it's just…

It might be better not to tell anybody about me helping you.

Why?

You're so gorgeous, hon.

You are.

People couldn't help suspecting our intent.

It's just…

Well, can't there be a guy and a girl

who spend time together

for any reason aside from just making love?

Oh, by all means, yes.

Except we live in Turkey.

I don't think anybody'd believe the purpose was studying, do you?

And since they know everybody already thinks that,

eventually they'll figure out they might as well do it.

Come to dinner still, please.

I swear it.

Before you're engaged.

Of course I will.

Okay.

Then you better hurry up and bring back that lost earring.

Or we'll run out of time soon, you know?

[emotional music playing]

[old Kemal] At the parties we attended in the evenings,

Sibel would tell our friends about the plans we'd made for our lives.

But as the engagement party approached,

I could feel myself being consumed by a great sorrow.

[Mümtaz] You know life passes us by so quickly, Kemal,

and such a fleeting gift from God should be enjoyed. So appreciate it.

[Turkish song playing in background]

Sibel is such a lovely girl.

You need to do your best

not to hurt a woman like her.

Sibel deserves to be prized. A real diamond of a woman.

Dad, I love Sibel. I love her a lot, I promise.

Do you remember seeing a young lady with me?

The woman in Beşiktaş that you saw with me.

-Uh, sorry, who? -It was ten years ago.

Beşiktaş? The park there?

You saw me sitting with a very beautiful woman.

I don't remember, but--

What do you mean, son? You must have. You and I met eyes.

Uh… So what did I do?

Nothing.

You probably thought I'd be upset, but no need to pretend any longer.

You know, that young lady, she…

Well, for 11 years, she became my lover.

[song continues in background]

Here.

Please, look.

We first met 17 years ago…

[somber music playing]

…when I was still setting up the company that you're the general manager of now.

She had just started working there, and we were colleagues at first,

but then it turned into something more serious.

She decided to quit,

and I got her set up in an apartment that I decided to buy in Beşiktaş,

hoping that we'd get married one day.

[somber music continues]

In all my life, I've never been more in love with someone.

A sensitive kind of soul, very smart, and also, really kind.

I seriously considered marrying her.

But what would become of your mother?

And then the two children we share?

I strung her along for many years.

I couldn't break up with her.

Because it was too hard to imagine life without my love.

Then one day, she said, "You have to make a choice."

What choice?

She said that I had to make the choice to end my marriage, or she would leave me.

-What did you do? -What could I do?

I think it broke my heart.

I couldn't decide anything.

And then, when I didn't break things off with your mother,

she told me she was done.

That she was proposed to by a different person.

Nonsense, it seemed like.

I didn't

think she'd really marry anyone else.

You see, I was her first.

She picked me to give herself up to.

[Mümtaz sighs]

So what did you do?

[Mümtaz] Well, then…

Do you remember the summer we went to the fair in Izmir together?

Of course I remember.

After we got back, I heard that she'd gotten married.

But I didn't believe it.

I thought she was just doing it to make me suffer.

I went to her place,

but she'd sold it.

She had packed everything up.

Moved with her mother, just like that.

For four years, I kept it to myself and got nothing.

And it was terrible, not being able to know how she was.

I just kept imagining her here in the city.

Each day, she'd read the same exact newspapers I did.

Or she'd watch the same programs I did, but still, I just…

I couldn't be beside her.

Then one day, I picked up the phone.

I called her. Her mother answered.

[wind blowing]

She already knew about me, but not the sound of my voice.

I asked for her daughter.

[melancholy music playing]

Her mother cried…

[inhales shakily]

…and told me she'd passed some time ago now.

[crying]

[Mümtaz continues crying quietly]

Cancer had taken her.

[pats Mümtaz's hand]

[Mümtaz sniffling]

[sobbing]

Turns out…

that she didn't want to be remembered as some invalid.

[crying continues]

[sniffles, breathes shakily]

Oh…

[exhales]

[sighs]

Life is just so empty, son. You know?

It's really a terrifying thing.

What I regret more than anything is not treating her how she deserved.

Truly.

[heavy sigh]

Listen, son.

Please learn something here today, so you don't end up like this.

Treat a woman properly while you can.

[Mümtaz sniffles, clears throat]

Look.

My final present.

I never got to give them to her.

These earrings will look beautiful on Sibel.

But Sibel's not my mistress, she's my fiancée. We'll get married.

[laughs]

Just don't tell her the story behind those, my son.

When you see those, think of my story, all right?

Mom, I'm heading out now!

[Nesibe] All right, honey!

TARIK KESKİN AND FAMILY

[melancholy music playing]

[paper sliding]

[melancholy music continues]

[crying quietly]

[shuddering inhale]

WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE YOU

AT THE ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY OF OUR DAUGHTER SIBEL AND OUR SON KEMAL

ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1975 AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE HILTON HOTEL BOSPHORUS TERRACE

[city traffic noises]

[music box tinkling]

[abacus bead rattling]

[knocking on door]

Welcome, my love.

How are you?

For me?

Open it.

Are you surprised?

They're expensive pearls.

Where's mine? Please give it to me.

[emotional music playing]

What about my earring?

It disappeared. Your earring disappeared.

Gone, but then one morning,

I'd woken up, and this one was there with its pair.

I boxed them both up, since they belong to you.

That's ridiculous.

You must think I'm a child.

They're yours, I believe, in spirit.

Well, I'd like my own back now.

[box taps on table]

But it's my gift to you.

I can't wear them, I'll be asked constantly where I got those.

That's fine.

Don't put them on, but take them, okay?

You probably bought me these because the other one's been lost.

Did that really happen? Misplacing the earring?

Or is there another reason?

We'll just find it behind something one day, Füsun.

One day?

Guess it's easy for you to say, "I'm sure."

You're so immature, y'know.

How long will I wait?

Not long.

And I'll bring the tricycle the day I visit your folks, how's that sound?

[Füsun chuckles sadly]

Then I'll wait for you.

[Füsun] We got an invitation to the engagement.

[Kemal] My mom sent it.

[Füsun] My mother was really excited.

My father thinks that we should all go.

They want me to come along too.

You told them yes or no?

Thank God the university test is the next day,

'cause acting sick just to stay home is awful.

Yes, don't come, then.

I don't even want to be there.

It's Saturday in two days.

Till the party, you know.

And since your exam is the next day, we can just skip our meeting.

Good idea, yeah.

[music intensifies]

Except, I think after studying so much lately,

it might be nice to come relax before the exam.

-[phone ringing] -Excuse me, I brought the dresses.

Bekir, the crates are outside.

-You get the booze? -Yes, sir, plenty here.

-[ringing continues] -Please, the phone, someone.

Let me answer it.

[chattering in background]

Who is it?

-[chattering in background continues] -Yes, I'm him.

[old Kemal] The day of the engagement was here.

[clock ticking]

I still had so much to take care of.

[ticking continues]

But I didn't want to be late to the Merhamet Apartment.

Should Füsun arrive first and not find me there…

-[doorbell ringing] -…she might misunderstand

and leave without waiting.

[taking deep breaths]

-[footsteps approaching] -[door opening]

[Kemal] Welcome.

[exasperated sigh] It seems I can't stay focused on studying math because of you.

[laughs]

[laughing]

[laughter continues]

God, I sound just like one of those women in a movie, huh?

I'm losing it.

You'll be engaged tonight, how am I supposed to act all happy?

[emotional music playing]

[sniffles]

[Füsun exhales shakily]

[wind blowing]

Just listen, the kids that play ball in the yard are suddenly quiet.

Today of all days.

[old Kemal] There was a sorrow in the room

that no amount of joking or chatter could dispel.

Intense, strong…

Unbearable.

[sniffles] I'm gonna go home, Kemal.

I just want to go home.

Okay, anything you want, sweetie.

Oh, but just one more minute.

[footsteps receding]

[glass clinking]

You see, these glasses once belonged to a relative of ours.

He was a grandfather to me, a step great-grandfather to you.

[choking back tears]

I'll go after a toast.

[glasses clink]

[bittersweet music playing]

[glasses clink]

[old Kemal] We realized that the only way to escape it,

this sorrow that clung to us, was by making love.

[breathing heavily]

We heard a ship's horn sound as we were making love that day…

[ship's horn sounding]

…there at the Merhamet building,

not knowing it would be our last time.

[seabirds calling]

[city traffic noises]

[bittersweet music continues]

[ship horn sounding]

I just dreamed about a field of sunflowers again.

And they all swayed so strangely in the breeze that it was scary,

I don't really understand it now.

I kept on screaming, but nobody heard.

Don't be afraid, I'm here.

[emotional music playing]

[Kemal] Stay calm during the exam, okay?

Start with the questions you know the answers to.

[Füsun] Okay.

Don't forget your exam entry card.

[Füsun] Mm-hmm.

I won't.

It'll go great, honey.

It's a sure thing.

[laughs]

[both laughing]

And then once you're done, I'll be right here waiting.

Sounds good.

[Kemal chuckles]

["Seni Bana Katsam" by Neco playing]

[singing in Turkish]

[song continues]

[car motor rumbling]

[old Kemal] Mr. Çetin dropped us off early

under the porte cochère that looked like a flying carpet.

Welcome, sir, welcome.

The Istanbul Hilton Hotel welcomes you, sir.

And you as well, ma'am.

[soft music playing in background]

We're half an hour early.

So, time to kill.

Let's grab a couple drinks somewhere around here, then. Huh?

Mm-hmm.

Let's sit there.

[waiter] Hello, welcome.

Sit here, please.

We'll have two single shots of raki, please.

-Yes, of course. -Did you want anything?

[Vecihe] No, thanks.

[waiter] Enjoy your drink, sir.

[Vecihe] Goodness, look.

I think that miniskirts should be illegal,

if you don't have the legs to pull it off, anyway.

[laughs]

Looks like Mr. Hicabi came.

I really don't like him one bit, you know?

He dropped his sweet wife for that shabby woman. Look at her.

[old Kemal] The rich and Westernized families of İstanbul

were actually a very small circle.

Everyone knew each other, and, of course, each other's gossip.

The magnate who used to be a loan shark,

the son of the former prime minister caught up in corruption…

The factory owner who got married to his own stepdaughter

after his second wife died.

Everyone knew them.

I hope you seated the Pamuk family at a good table, honey.

Well, I think Sibel's family seated them all the way in the back, such a shame.

-[Mümtaz] Oh, excuse me. -Yes, sir, how can I assist?

-Can you bring us two more? Thank you. -Of course, sir.

[Vecihe] Ugh.

What's going on? Really, I mean, aren't you over it?

All that sad, gloomy business? What's wrong now?

There's nothing gloomy going on here.

It's our son's special day, right?

Let me enjoy myself a bit. Huh?

-[Vecihe scoffs] -[Mümtaz laughs]

Oh, look at Sibel, darling, oh my!

Oh!

Isn't she gorgeous? So beautiful!

-[Mümtaz] Very pretty. -[Vecihe] Oh, just look at her!

She's absolutely stunning.

Let's go.

Oh, look, you can see all of those pearls in the trim!

It's all perfect, I'm just blown away.

Oh, oh!

And you're so lucky, you know that? You really are a lucky boy. [laughs]

Well, any sane person can see all of life's beauty around us,

the purpose of which is to make us happy. Seems right.

-Darling! -Sibel! You look beautiful!

-She's so beautiful, wow! -The dress is gorgeous!

Hey, girls, welcome!

-Welcome, glad you could make it. -How are you guys?

[women laughing]

-Okay, stand up tall, my son. Do you see? -[Mümtaz scoffs]

Everyone here is watching you now.

Go on, go.

Hurry, hurry.

Hurry and go to Sibel already.

Go and stand with your fiancée.

-[woman] He's coming over here! -[woman 2] Oh, he looks so dapper.

You're gorgeous.

You're one of a kind.

So handsome, just look at you.

But darling, will you stand up straight, please?

[band playing lively music]

[applause]

[woman] Oh, look, they're here!

[Sibel] You're here! Thank you for coming.

[Sibel laughing]

Oh, sweetie!

Thank you very much, thanks.

Thank you very much, thanks.

-Ah! -Hi, nice to see you!

Nice to see you.

Mr. Kemal, Miss Sibel, a quick photo?

Perfect, look this way.

And smile. Beautiful.

You both look amazing.

Let's get one more. Perfect. Perfect!

[laughs]

Kemal, follow me.

-[woman] Sibel, honey! -Oh, darling! Oh!

-Oh, so gorgeous! -Oh, thank you!

-Honey, you look so beautiful! -So sweet, thank you!

Kemal, darling, let me introduce you.

Darling!

-Sibel, you look beautiful, wow! -I missed you!

Congrats.

Great to see you! Oh, you came!

[woman] You're so beautiful!

-[Sibel] How are you? -I'm great!

Sibel!

-Oh, darling! -Nice to meet you.

[old Kemal] What gave Sibel this genuine joy

was the fact that her life was going exactly as planned.

In the same way as the custom dress she was wearing

perfectly hugged every curve of her beautiful figure.

So she greeted every moment

and every person who hugged and kissed her that night with joy.

How are you?

Seeing her like this, I realized I was very happy, too.

-Ah. Isn't Sibel refined and elegant? -Uh…

You're right, Mr. Minister.

-Welcome, Mr. Minister. -Ah, Kemal.

Hello.

Wasn't he the Foreign Affairs minister before?

He was.

And he's doing their rings and ribbon.

I can't stand the pig of a man, myself.

But are you convinced?

You'll marry this girl and it'll be happily ever after for you, I suppose, hm?

Yeah, we'll be happy.

No turning back anymore.

Becoming engaged will tie her name to yours, you see.

You thought it through?

I have, sir.

Well, great! [laughs]

Then let's speed up all this engagement stuff here, I'm hungry for supper.

[all laughing]

Come on, get over here.

Sibel, come here, my dear.

[microphone feedback squealing]

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, how are we all doing tonight?

[applause, cheering, whistling]

But our little helper here needs some applause first, huh?

Oh, she's so sweet!

[minister] Isn't she beautiful?

-Thank you, thank you. -Ah, how wonderful, you came!

[minister] We are all gathered here to witness

the happiness of this beautiful couple tonight.

For tonight, with their loved ones here,

marks their first step towards a beautiful, life-long journey together.

So let's not waste any more time.

Wish them both joy and laughter, all the rest of their days, huh?

Sibel! It's the wrong hand, Sibel, other one!

The other hand, hon!

I guess that Sibel and Kemal here are hoping to skip to marriage right away.

[all laughing]

I wish you love for a lifetime.

[all cheering and applauding]

["Seni Bana Katsam" by Neco playing]

[old Kemal] And suddenly, there was a burst of applause all around us,

like a flock of pigeons taking flight.

[Sibel giggles]

The sight of all the people I'd ever known,

joyfully applauding for us, made me feel giddy as a child.

But that wasn't what made my heart race, not really.

At the exact moment I saw her,

an electric joy flashed through my whole body.

And I realized I couldn't hide my excitement,

either from Sibel, or from the crowd around us.

[singing in Turkish]

Now here, in my museum,

I display the sneakers and the white socks you wore on the day we last made love

in the Merhamet building, my darling.

[singing in Turkish continues]

[intriguing instrumental music playing]

[dramatic music playing]

[bittersweet music playing]

[music ends]