Original subtitles

Aziz, I'll just take his off..

- The undershirt. - Take his shorts off.

Let me do it.

Don't resist!

Come here.

Let me do it.

Please, my darling. Enough.

Aziz, come back!

Where are you going?

Aziz.

Hello.

Meriem, I beg you, come quickly and get your sister. Aziz.

What is it?

Aziz...

We're rehearsing!

Wait, I'll come.

- What's happened? - I have to leave.

Your father's right.

Aziz has grown and so have his problems.

He needs a man to take care of him.

Aicha, think it over again.

Really.

- Agree to put him in an institution. - Put me in with him!

We said we'd never mention that again.

I'm going back to Djerba to live with him.

We won't bother anyone.

Your dad will say: "Another of her follies!"

I want to leave here.

I'm not going on a vacation.

I can't believe it...

for years we struggled to leave the island of Djerba.

We only managed when you gave Said a son.

Now that problem-child drags us back there.

Your father has the keys.

Please, Emna, go alone. I'll wait for you here.

But you promised.

- Sit down. - I'm in a hurry. Someone's waiting.

- I need the keys to the Djerba house. - The Djerba house?

For years now it's been empty.

The water and power are cut off.

You're going on a vacation?

No, Mom wants to live there with Aziz.

But why?

Another of her follies.

Giving up her comfort...

a beautiful house, with maidservants.

Is she taking Aziz's doctors along, too?

No doctor is seeing Aziz.

My mother lost faith in them.

She's given up all hope.

And Meriem? Of course, she agrees.

I haven't seen Meriem since her marriage. You rarely come.

None of you visit me.

You don't care about me.

- I live alone, like a dog. - We know you don't live alone.

No one kicked you out.

We're where you left us.

You're the one who left.

We fight less now.

I'm always in the wrong.

That's how it is.

The first carpet your mom wove for me.

And you left her?

You're too young. You can't understand.

We're still married.

- People think you're divorced. - Don't say that.

Djerbans never divorce. It's against our traditions.

All that wore out my mother.

Aziz finished her off.

What a waste. It's God's will.

Here are the keys.

Aziz, darling, don't.

Aziz, listen to me. I beg you.

Listen to what I'm going to tell you.

This is no longer our home. We'll go to another one.

A house surrounded by palm trees.

The sun shines every day, and seagulls visit it.

Aziz...

I know you love the sea.

Djerba is surrounded by the sea.

Like a ship.

Mom has decided to live in Djerba. I'm going with her.

For how long?

Then I'll be alone?

We'll see things more clearly if we're apart a few days.

A few days? We've been married six months... and nothing.

Listen, Meriem. I'm a doctor. You have to see a specialist.

I went to see one. It was real torture.

I could barely talk to him.

- I was so ashamed. - What did he say?

That we needed more time.

You explained it all to him?

I said the problem was me, not you.

- Please, let's drop it. - The problem is in your head.

You promised you'd be patient.

My patience is running out.

Here are Aziz's toys. Now we just need his cot.

This is for expenses till I get back.

Good-bye.

Give me the candles.

First unload Aziz's cot. Hurry.

I want to go with you to Tunis.

Don't leave me here like the other women.

Where will you live in Tunis?

I sleep in the shop with the others.

Together we will manage.

I'll weave rugs and you'll sell them.

I'm the man, I'm in charge of you.

Aziz, my darling...

- Have a nice meal. - Thank you.

She's in a big hurry, neglecting her chores. What's going on?

Rugs are a gold mine. Aicha is doing very well.

I've had enough of these rugs. Where does she find those patterns?

Mom!

The season of men is near. I'll talk to Said about it.

My hands are itching. Can I help you?

Come. Come!

It's so beautiful!

Magnificent.

Where did you learn that?

Nowhere.

I improvise...

then I feel better.

- Hand me the needle. - Beside the wool.

I'll never manage it.

Yet I have to.

I have to leave Djerba.

My aunt watches me like a hawk. I can't stand it anymore.

My shoulders ache. Please, massage me.

You remember?

- Give him some halva. - He doesn't want any.

- Insist. - I know what he wants.

He likes fritters, like his father.

Right, Fai�al?

- What should we cook? - I'd like a kadid couscous.

- Here, uncle. - Thank you.

Zeineb!

The rugs aren't your business. Get hold of yourself. You're straying.

I dislike your closeness to Aicha. And you have no business weaving.

I'm bored. What can I do?

I told you before:

Since you brought your trousseau back...

lay it out in the sun. It's getting moldy.

I'm getting moldy. My husband disappeared in France.

I've waited 7 years for him.

Be patient.

Your husband may come back.

All the living come back some day.

Whoever put a curse on me must be happy.

That's enough.

You abandoned your mother-in-law. I've been blamed for it.

I'll only go back there if he returns...

and takes me with him.

I won't be my mother-in-law's housemaid.

Zeineb, don't stay outside.

The sun is strong and your skin is delicate. Come inside.

Leave me alone.

O bird, with henna-tinted feet

O bird, with henna-tinted feet

Go seek out my beloved

And sing him my message

"I found him and spoke to him as a friend"

O bird,climb on the wall and carry him my message

Tears run down my cheeks

O bird,carry him my message

Stop it, darling. Don't. You'll get dirty.

Let him do it.

Come beside me.

Come.

Aicha, look who's here. It's Mahbouba.

I heard you were back. I wept with joy.

I took all I have with me. I want to stay with you.

- Don't send me away. - We'll keep you.

Mahbouba!

- You saw my daughters? - May luck be with them.

You're grown women! And I saw you being born.

Be patient.

Congratulations.

It's a girl.

- What's wrong, Meriem? - My head's going to explode.

You took your pills?

- What's wrong with her? - A migraine. She's had enough.

Her birth was a drama, so was mine and yours.

For some time I've had the same dream.

I see myself in a big house...

it's magnificent and empty.

Then an old man hands me a child and says:

"This is from Said".

Aicha...

you're still young and Said longs for a son.

Give him that pleasure. Give him a son.

Said's coming soon.

You'll have a month.

Press hard.

That feels good...

Harder.

Mom, I want to massage you, too.

Come, darling, watch out for the steps.

Hello, little sweetheart.

My little darling.

My little kitten, my baby Amouna...

- Don't call me that! - All right.

- Are you a butterfly or a fish? - I'll tell Dad.

In two months.

That's not true. I'm counting the days.

Next week he'll be here. Tomorrow we start preparing for it.

- Am I old enough to wear henna? - I'll mix it for you, my daughter.

Meriem, you want henna, too?

Aicha, God bless you. Fatma is sick, replace her.

Get dressed, it's time for school.

Meriem?

Fatma is sick because her husband postponed his return.

- She's lucky to have a husband. - She's young, you have to understand.

Morning, Fatima.

Get up and drink your coffee.

I'm not even hungry.

Where does it hurt?

My whole body hurts.

Have you forgotten about your baby?

Force yourself to eat. You've got to breastfeed it.

Get up, you hear?

You hear?

Get up.

Fresh fish! Fresh fish!

It's still wriggling!

Fresh fish!

My fish...

Zeineb, come in. Let Zohra do it.

- What's wrong with her? - Why? Don't you fancy me?

- Let's see what you've got. - Very fresh fish.

Still wriggling.

Thanks to God!

- It's only two dinars? - You deserve better.

What much more do you want?

- You decide. - I decide?

I'm not like your husband who went to Tunis to get rich.

- He's crazy. - Stop right there.

You miss him?

Soon it's the season of men. He has all the luck!

And you have none.

All right, girls, stop.

The odor of men is already here. Come. You'll have skin like silk.

Let's go to my home. I'm ashamed in front of my aunt.

Zohra, I want a face mask. My skin is dry.

All right.

Come, Zeineb, come with me.

Come, get up.

My darling,return

I'm young and my hunger for you is killing me

My beloved,come back

- Gently! - It's nothing. We've hardly started.

Zohra, aren't you ashamed?

Not an inch of your skin will be spared.

The old hag won't let us, or I'd remove my body hair even in winter.

I do it whenever I want.

- As for me... - Be quiet!

Look.

Very seductive. The man who gets your favors is lucky.

Our husbands don't know what they're missing.

That's not my problem. In a month, mine is taking me with him to Tunis.

That's what you think.

Come, Zeineb, it's your turn.

Give me your leg.

Zeineb...

soon it's the season of men, one never knows...

Zohra, please.

I can't stand it any longer.

If she hears us...

If she notices...

That smells good!

Leave it and go play.

- But smell how good it is. - I did, be gone!

- Aunt, will you put henna on me? - Sure.

- Married women first, we come after. - Emna, come, I'll put henna on you.

It's so cold!

- Your henna came out well. - Really?

- What about me? - Yours, too.

- But it took best on Zeineb. - It's always taken best in Zeineb!

They went away to sea

I've been waiting for three days

They went away to sea to fish

But instead of catching fish they came back with three mermaids

Aicha,Aicha

Salha

Salwa's coming!

- I'm coming! - Salwa!

How are you, Zeineb?

It's been so long...

We missed you!

- What kept you away? - A bit of this and that.

- Thanks to the season of men! - We meet once a year.

In 8 days, my husband is here.

Mine comes when the crescent rises. Aicha's in 5 days.

- Like Fatma's fingers. - You're superstitious!

It's our only celebration.

I feel like a young bride. I'm terrified.

A month that kills us!

- Fatma, when does your crescent rise? - Neither crescent, nor moon.

He's taking me with him.

That's what you always say.

Jealousy drives you mad!

They're away in Tunis for so long...

Eleven months.

How can we bear it?

We wilt.

They're wed to their grocery store.

I miss his shouting...

his strong odor, too.

I miss his snoring.

If they came back in winter, at least they'd warm us up...

- Stop it, we'll cry. - Sow it all in one month...

and hope for a good harvest.

Isn't that Salha?

Yes, it's her! In a swimsuit, like a tourist!

Hey, girls!

- My God, it's Salha! - Look at her skin, look at it.

- Zohra! - Salha!

How are you?

Your skin is whiter, France is good for you.

My heart is white, God rewarded me.

The French whitened your skin, you bad girl!

Come, let's have a party.

Hello, how are you?

All our best wishes.

Thank you. For your children, too.

The old hag will be waiting for us with a stick.

Hello, Ommi.

- You let me all alone! - Alone?

Fatma... help me get up.

You smell so good. Stay with me a while.

- Dad's coming! - Dad's here!

Welcome back!

The year was endless.

My suitcase has been ready for a month. I counted the days.

You brought me luck.

The tourists can't get enough of your carpets.

And I can't get enough of you.

We agreed on four carpets. You only made two.

I only have two hands.

Your mother is opposed to my work. She's a real watchdog.

I work myself to the bone.

Your mother opposes everything.

She won't let me open the workshop.

She can't stand Zeineb helping me.

I can't wait for you to take me away.

You refuse to understand. You know how I live in Tunis?

Tunis is for the Tunisians.

I've no time to make the most of it.

I work from morning to night. I indulge in nothing...

to save money.

I save it...

penny by penny.

Tell me...

have you forgotten our agreement?

First, make me a son.

I'm not the Holy Virgin.

How can I get pregnant when you're away?

Get my things...

and come rub my back.

You burnt me.

Mother, Aicha is a bit tired, free her from household tasks.

And your sister-in-law? That would be favoritism.

- You'll convince her. - The carpet weaving wasn't foreseen.

Thanks to the carpets, I'll start a business.

That's not in our traditions.

Aicha is stubborn, she disobeys me.

She's your niece.

You chose her for me.

Now she's your wife.

Tell her that as long as I'm alive, I give the orders.

Emna, are you done?

Come.

Mom...

Mom...

where does Dad live in Tunis?

He has another family there?

Is Tunis far? I'm afraid for my Dad.

Don't be afraid.

Come, go to bed.

Good night.

Good night.

Meriem upsets me with her questions.

How can one believe men?

I can't stand this house.

Every day I make a vow.

Each night I swear...

I'll leave this island and join Said.

Don't abandon me.

Wherever you go, I'll go.

At least you see your husband.

I've never seen mine's face.

On our wedding night, I lowered my eyes.

I dared not look at him.

I was so ashamed.

And the next day...

he was gone, I never saw him again.

And to compound the curse...

I didn't have time to beget a child.

There's no life in my belly, Just skin and fat.

And the rumbling of my gut.

I should disembowel myself.

I'm sick of this.

This house is stifling me.

Come, let's go out.

- You don't want to. I'm going. - Where, at this hour?

Good evening.

I want to call Tunis.

Please, write down the number.

Thanks. You can go into the cabin.

- Are you back? - I'm calling you from Djerba.

We said two days.

- Forgotten the concert? - No, I haven't.

You missed rehearsals.

You have to come back.

You haven't said you missed me.

I'm not alone.

I miss you.

Come to Djerba, and I'll go back with you.

It's a bit hard...

Maybe Sunday,at 4 p. m.?

I beg you...

come.

Where shall we meet?

I'll be at the Ulysses.

Look at your brother. He's calmer.

He's lucky, the Djerba air is doing him good.

You're still up?

- I thought I heard a car. - Emna went out.

Alone, at night?

You know her, she has a mind of her own.

Here she is.

Where were you, so late?

Djerba's asleep. It's dead here at night.

Zeineb!

Meriem, get me orange-blossom water. Hurry!

Are you OK? Wake up, don't be afraid.

You hear me?

- What's wrong? - She fainted.

Drink...

Drink some more.

You'll be all right.

Aunt...

I want to go see my mother. I miss her.

I'll bring back Meriem's dress.

Take Zeineb with you. It'll do her good to go out.

You heard what she said?

You heard?

- Work well. - Thank you.

- May you prosper! - Thank you.

My sister is right.

Only a son will bring you respect.

Later you'll be a ferocious mother-in-law.

God forbid!

I never want to be like her.

How would you be different?

Your mother-in-law had to put up with her mother-in-law.

Lalla Khedija, God rest her soul.

She was ferocious.

She used a stick to run things...

and my sister obeyed in silence.

Your sister can't stand me.

She forgets she is my aunt.

I'm sick of this clamoring for a son!

Meriem and Emna are enough for me.

Emna is already ten. How does one avoid a pregnancy?

Stop it, Mom!

You're here, Younes?

Can you take us back, little brother?

- Good-bye, mother. - Good-bye.

- Good-bye. - Good-bye.

Younes, I'm fed up with the house.

Can you take us for a drive?

Zeineb needs to get out, too. I'd like to go to the tip of Djerba...

and melt into the sea.

There's sea all around the tip of Djerba.

I'd like to see the ferry again, I only went there once.

When I see Djerba in the distance...

I feel uprooted.

All the men your age have left. What keeps you here?

They want to make it big.

Djerba is too small for them.

It's big enough for me.

Wherever I go...

I'm facing the sea.

The endless sea surrounding it on all sides.

I have to get back for rehearsals.

For rehearsals or for Nabil?

Tell me.

Don't worry.

I love Nabil and he loves me.

Are you jealous?

I fear Nabil won't keep his promise.

- He's talked of divorce for a year. - It's not easy to divorce.

Why? He has no children. That's what he told you.

He has some.

- Then he lied to you. - No, he didn't.

I lied to you.

You forced me to.

- Then you got cheated. - Is this some kind of trial?

That's all I needed.

I'm sick of this.

Let's race. You go this way, I'll go that way.

Emna!

Emna! Where are you?

Emna, it's late.

Let her go!

Come here, you bad girls. Come here.

Where were you?

What happened?

Come in. Just you wait and see.

Who tore your smock? I'm talking to you!

It's all your mother's fault! Look at that!

Meriem!

Mahbouba!

Come here.

Come.

And you, get out!

- Good evening, aunt. - Good evening.

Come see how your daughters came home.

What did you do?

Meriem, what happened to you cheek?

Who hit you? I'm talking to you!

Who hit her?

Grandpa Ali slapped her.

And Ommi hurt her.

Zeineb...

are you deaf?

Where were you? What were you doing?

She led you into bad ways.

Now you secretly wash and put on make-up.

You're at the disposal of your man, don't forget it.

I haven't forgotten it.

- I wish I could... - Soon it's the season of men.

Your trousseau's moldy!

It's a bad omen.

No, let go of me.

Sleep, sleep.

Don't be afraid. I'm here.

Mom!

Mom!

What is it?

I dreamt of when we were little, Before Aziz was born.

Stop thinking of the past. Forget all that.

Have you called Sami?

Emna worries me a lot, too.

Only Dad escaped from all this.

I can't take any more. He's woken us up 4 times!

- Said, Aziz is afraid of thunder. - Thunder, car horns, dogs, trains.

- The list is endless. - Only I can calm him down.

I can't take it. This isn't a life, it's hell.

It's your fault. You didn't want him, poor kid.

I'm putting him in a home.

Over my dead body!

Stop going on about your father.

Meriem...

where does it hurt?

My whole body hurts.

Go wash and get dressed. It's time for school.

You, too.

- Hello. - Hello.

Meriem, take off your smock. You're not going back to school.

Don't let your anger get the better of you.

- Be patient, Aicha. - No one keeps my child out of school.

You're right but while our husbands are away, she gives the orders.

Do it for me.

Where is your teacher?

- Hello. - I want to talk to you about Meriem.

Please.

Recently, Meriem...

She has to study at home.

I can help her.

Please do.

Two hours a week. Monday and Thursday, after class.

At my home.

You did it your way. Aren't you ashamed?

Come, my boy.

You see the teacher in white? Call him over.

Hello.

May I come with you?

- All right. I'll go get my suitcase. - No!

Not in front of the school. We'll go on ahead and you'll catch up.

Very well. Turn right, then straight ahead.

You can wait there.

- I'll go with Meriem. - No, you'll disturb them.

- The teacher doesn't want it. - It's fine.

- The lesson is over? - It's over. I'll see you out.

My girls call you "Teacher". I don't know your name.

Ghali.

And yours?

Aicha.

Where should I put them?

You shouldn't have.

Next time, I'll wash them.

Next time, Dad will be here.

Dad's here!

Dad's here!

Welcome!

Where is my mother?

- You're well, I hope. - I am.

Slimane, I want to speak to your brother alone.

I'm no longer respected in the house. Your wife does what she wants.

What has she done?

She avoids me. She doesn't even greet me.

She's not teaching your daughters our traditions.

Even they don't respect me. You must restore me to my place.

We each must have our place.

Since the day Meriem was born...

you never had a dispute.

- What happened? - You don't believe me.

You're siding with your wife.

I can't oppose my mother.

If you don't make peace, I'm leaving immediately.

Take me with you.

Kiss her.

Ask to be forgiven.

Then we'll see.

Set the table. The men must be hungry.

Fatma, make the salad.

- Aunt Zeineb is sick. - Stay with your mother.

Zeineb is still with us?

Zeineb, where does it hurt?

My whole body hurts.

We're getting a doctor.

We'll go get a doctor.

May God help her. She's unhappier than the others.

But she has nothing to fear.

Be here or away, she has a husband...

before God and men.

Breathe through your mouth.

Again.

Let me see.

Lie down.

Raise your blouse.

Does it hurt there?

And here?

You haven't eaten?

Good.

It's stuffy in here.

You have to leave your bed.

Go out, get some air.

I'll give you some medication, but you must eat.

You sleep in a nightdress?

Why?

Women in Tunis don't wear any?

Very clever.

I know why you brought your son here.

Thought you could fool me? You sent him to spy on me?

You know I don't like that.

And you think you can fool me?

What's better about your woman in Tunis?

There's no other woman. There's only you.

- And the dancer? - The dancer? Where did you see her?

We saw her.

It's so humiliating!

It's been a very long year. I miss my bed.

I missed you too, Zohra.

You mustn't sulk.

I just got here.

I miss my bed.

There's a way you'll never miss it.

Be patient a bit longer.

I gave up my studies for you.

What did I get out of this marriage?

You got a man.

Gently. Not so hard.

Said...

Cuddle me.

Caress me...

What?

Who taught you that?

I'm all dried up...

as if dead.

Shut up!

Pack up all four. The last one that's on the loom is already sold, too.

- Like the other ones. - And another, and another...

I'm a human being.

I'll only weave more if I'm in Tunis.

- Aren't you ashamed? Stop it or... - Keep swearing!

- What will you do? - You won't see me again.

This time I'll go to Tunis, like the others.

I don't care what they do. Each does as he wishes.

All right. But you've buried me alive.

Meriem, what are you doing here?

Go to the workshop.

Leave her alone.

Nothing will happen tonight.

Since yesterday, I've aged a year.

- Marriage? - You don't have to marry me.

I hate marriage.

It disgusts me.

Your marriage is awful.

So is my mother's.

My sister's, too.

I want to be with you.

I don't want you to go back to your wife.

She's my wife on paper, but we live our own lives.

We avoid each other.

She won't leave.

She has nowhere to go.

My problem is the children.

Let them have the house. We'll rent a place.

You can visit them.

If she found out, it would be disastrous: a trial and then prison.

You don't deserve that.

I love you.

I'm afraid for you.

And you're so young.

This isn't right for a man my age.

Men don't age.

Only women have that privilege.

Men always come out ahead.

I love you.

But I can't do a thing.

You're different here in Djerba.

- Your family influences you so much? - Leave my family out of it.

Don't touch me. I'm not a slut.

Leave it alone.

Don't, I said.

- Where's your sister? - She said she needed some air.

Meriem, look at Aziz.

He's learnt to weave. It's in his blood.

Emna!

Get in, I'll take you.

Stop! You can't leave your mother in that state.

Men are liars. You lost your virginity, he lost nothing.

That's a high price.

- I reject a man who wants me whole. - Don't forget: you're a woman.

Woman? You want to teach me to be a woman?

First be a woman for your husband. The poor man suffers because of you.

You stuff your body with pills. Your body's mourning. It's dead.

Here in Djerba, my anxiety has come back.

- My shoulders feel heavy. - You're carrying a burden, too.

I've given up.

Worrying wears you down. Troubles drain you.

Stop it.

- Think only of yourself. - Of me?

Emna worries me.

She's so stubborn.

I want her to be happy.

Don't worry about Emna. She has her vion.

And you...

you have Sami.

He's nice to let you leave.

- I didn't ask him. - You were wrong.

Your husband is a good man.

Don't leave him all alone.

Meriem...

it's time to have a baby.

I'm out rlght now. Please,leave a message.

Sami...

I miss you.

Meriem, Meriem...

Don't be afraid, Meriem...

It's a boy. God bless him.