Original subtitles

This restoration was carried out by Sinematek/Sinema Evi,

Downloaded from YTS.BZ

affiliated to Kadikoy Municipality,

with the support of Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi

at Atlas Post Production Studio.

The film was received by scanning from a 35 mm copy preserved

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.BZ

in the Turkish Film & TV Institute of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University.

We would like to thank Murat Film, the rights holder.

AYSEL THE GIRL FROM THE MARSH CROFT

A VILLAGE STORY

WRITTEN BY HASAN CEMIL

A FILM BY BY ERTUGRUL MUHSIN

MUSIC BY CEMAL RESIT REY

DIRECTORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY CEZMI AND REMZI

SETTING BY EDIP

SOUND ENGINEER W. MORHENN

ACTORS BEHZAT, I. GALIP

HAZIM, MAHMUT, TALÂT

FERİHA TEFİK, CAHİDE, NAFİA, NACİYE

THE MUSICAL PIECES PERFORMED BY THE CONSERVATORY ORCHESTRA

TOBIS KLANGFILM

Stop that noise, you idiot.

Goodbye Dad, I'm leaving.

Oh Ali...

Don't forget to pass by the Madenli Farm on your way to town.

Give Gulsum a glimpse of yourself.

Say hello to her father for me!

- I'll pop around if I'm in the area. - If you are in the area?

What an odd boy you are!

I am bringing you the most beautiful and wealthy girl in Madenli.

- You're playing hard to get. - Dad, I'm not playing hard to get.

I'm not sure how a gruff peasant like me

will get along with a young girl like Gulsum,

who had studied in Istanbul and was accustomed to the culture there.

She'll get along.

You haven't got the taste of money yet.

You'll get on so well.

Let's see...

- Good luck, Mr Ali! - Thank you, my man, you too!

Where are you going, rough girl?

To town, to court.

To court?

Come on, get in and I'll take you there. Come on!

- Shall I get in? - Come on! Come on!

- What's your name? - Aysel.

Aysel? Where are you from?

From the Marsh Croft

Have you ever been to town as a maid?

I went last year.

- Who were you with? - In İncirli, at Satilmiszade's.

Oh...

So you're that Aysel. The girl from the Marsh Croft.

Giddyup! Giddyup!

What are you holding my arm for? I'll get off.

Don't you like the buckboard?

I do, thank you.

But I'll still get off.

I thought you knew who I was when you asked me to get in the car.

If I did, I wouldn't have asked you, don't worry!

Gulsum!

Gulsum!

Coming. I'm here.

Is your dad home? I just came to see if he is.

No, he's gone to town.

So he left before me.

I was just on my way to give him a ride with the buckboard.

- I'm heading to the courthouse. - That's just how my dad is. Impatient.

Well, never mind, it's alright.

Whereas if he went into town in a beautiful buckboard like this...

Mum's upstairs, at least come and have a cup of coffee?

Oh, thank you, Gulsum; I have to rush to court.

The golden potato sold out quickly! For five cents!

REGIONAL COURT

Read the minutes of the last session.

"Aysel, 18-year-old daughter of Huseyin from The Marsh Croft,

"alleges that last year, the aforementioned individual

"sexually assaulted her,

"leading to her subsequent pregnancy.

"Consequently, she requests maintenance for her child from Satilmiszade.

"In the absence of eyewitnesses,

"the court resolved to call upon Satilmiszade to take an oath

"in order to ascertain the facts of the matter."

Well, you still think this girl is defaming you...

Yes!

Are you ready to swear

by your dignity, conscience, and honour?

- I'm ready! - There are no witnesses...

But you understand what perjury is, don't you?

Consider it...

and then respond wisely!

I am aware of what perjury is.

I am ready to swear I had nothing to do with this girl.

What? What did you say?

Are you ready to swear?

He cannot! He cannot swear!

On your honour and dignity,

do you swear that you have never had

intercourse with this girl?

On my honour and dignity...

Don't let him take that oath!

Do you have to win this case?

I'm withdrawing my case.

I don't want to force him to perjure himself.

What are you yelling about? Huh?

Have you lost your mind? Oh...

I'm withdrawing my case. I don't want any maintenance.

He's the father of my child.

I don't want him to perjure himself.

I'll raise my child with my own means.

It's enough for me that the father of my child doesn't lie.

Case dismissed.

- Write it down! - But Mr Chairman...

What is it, what do you want?

Are you perhaps unwilling to accept the dismissal of the case?

No!

No, no, that's fine! It's even better!

Go on, kid...

You no longer have a case to be judged by people..

Did you see her, Ali?

May God grant me one like her.

Aysel!

Come in the buckboard; we're going the same way anyway,

let me take you to your village.

Can't you hear me, Aysel?

I'm telling you!

Aysel still hasn't arrived.

I told you to go with her.

When I learned about the court case from Husmen Aga,

I forgave my daughter for all her misdeeds.

Even the chairman said, "Bless you, my girl."

Aysel!

Why are you in tears? What is wrong?

I'm scared.

Oh...

What's the matter? Today in court, you were more valiant than any man.

You weren't even scared of the chairman, who are you scared of now?

I'm scared of my parents.

I couldn't get the alimony from him.

They are now going to kick me out.

I've been here for hours and can't get in!

Don't be sad, Aysel!

You are a hardworking girl.

You will provide for both yourself and the child.

No one will take me in anymore.

There is only one place for me to go...

and that's the marsh.

The marsh...

Let's go outside.

Come on, come on. Come on, let's go.

Let's go!

Girl, come here and I'll tell you what!

Aysel! Look at me!

- Wait, girl! Where are you going? - Let me go!

Are you going to fling yourself in the water?

- Let me go! - Have you gone mad?

Who cares if I fling myself into the water?

When you discovered who I was this morning,

you didn't even want to give me a lift.

Don't talk like that.

Come and sit on that rock.

Stop sobbing now.

Your mother and father were just talking.

They heard about what you did in court from Husmen Aga,

- and they liked it very much. - Are you telling the truth?

Why would I lie?

I'm telling you not to cry!

There are people in the world worse off than you.

No one can be worse off than me.

Don't say that, Aysel!

You're still young.

Just think of my mother.

A bedridden woman suffering from aches

and pains all throughout her body.

Yet she doesn't complain.

You know, this evening I told my mother what you said in court.

Did you tell her?

Yeah...

My mother sent me to you.

If you want, she'll take you with her, and you may look after her.

But doesn't your mother, Emeti Hatun, know I...

She knows what everyone else knows.

Yet she's going to take me with her, is she?

You talk to your parents, And you'll come to us tomorrow.

Really?

She wants me?

I can go on living now.

So, there are those who want me as I am.

Don't cry, girl! I told you not to cry!

Thanks Ali... Tonight is the last...

Aysel, they're calling for you!

- Who's calling? - Emeti Hatun...

The guests from Madenli Farm have arrived.

- Is Gulsum here too? - Of course she is.

Giddyup!

Sister Aysel, they're calling for you!

I'm coming!

I even sent my daughter Gulsum to school in Istanbul.

We know.

If you ask her, she'd say she wouldn't choose the city over the village.

I was born and will die a peasant, mother.

I wouldn't trade a plane tree in Madenli for the palace gardens of Istanbul.

Look at Gulsum, she's like a pasha's daughter.

She's all puffed up like a turkey!

She'll end up with Ali, she'll be my mistress!

I wouldn't take her if I were Ali.

Come on, come on!

You wanted me, madam.

I was going to tell you to make coffee for the guests with your own hands.

Is this Aysel, the girl from the Marsh Croft?

Yes, she is.

God, Emeti Hatun, how come you let such people into your house...

Come on girl, make the coffee quickly and come, my child, come on.

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Wow, is that you Aysel?

Are you happy with your new place, huh?

Believe me it's much more comfortable than your place.

See how the bitch talks.

I wasn't a bitch before I came to you.

- I became one at your place! - Aysel!

Aysel!

Brother Ali, Aysel was at the fountain.

Where have you been, Aysel?

I was talking to the old master.

Go on, go home!

I'm going.

You can have your brave Aysel.

You'd better not wander around our village.

What would happen if I did?

It wouldn't be good for you.

Yeah, sure! Bring it on.

Watch your language, or we'll fight!

So what...

What if we fought?

Ali, don't keep up with him! He's a nasty man.

I'll see you later.

Let's meet wherever you want, lad.

Come on, boy!

Well, Father!

We've finished hoeing.

If we water tonight...

Open the drains on the right side!

There's no water coming this way!

- Ali, go look over there! - You stay here!

I've told you many times that we should do this in broad daylight.

But you're going to Gulsum's tomorrow.

- Who told you that? - I heard it from your mother.

You know, when I think that Gulsum will be my mistress...

I feel so happy.

- Why? - I don't know, that's just the way it is.

I'm happy to serve you both.

But I don't know, would she want me?

Why wouldn't she? You're the daughter of this house now.

Come on guys, hurry up!

Wait Dad, I'm coming! One more hoe to go.

Come on, kids, let's go.

- Hello, Father! - Hello, Son!

Oh...

Looks like they've lambed a lot this year!

A lot! This is Madenli Farm.

- When's the wedding? - Soon, soon.

- Where's Gulsum? - She was just in the poultry house.

Let me see her.

Chook, chook, chook.

Chook, chook, chook.

Chook, chook, my girl. Chook, chook, chook.

Chook, my little girl, chook.

Chook, chook, chook.

Chook, chook, chook.

Chook, my girl, chook.

- What are you doing, Gulsum? - Nothing!

Ali, I've got something to talk to you about. Let's go inside.

Come on, let's go.

Have a seat.

You're very angry today, Gulsum.

Look here Ali...

I can't live under the same roof with Aysel, the girl from the Marsh Croft.

I beg your pardon? Well, Gulsum...

No ifs and buts!

This misfortune happened to her when she was still a young girl.

What's she gonna do if we throw her back out on the street?

What do I care! What she's doing before?

Don't say that, Gulsum.

She's treated my mother as her own for the past year.

You don't know how grumpy my mother is.

Even she loves Aysel as if she were her own daughter.

Your mum can do whatever she wants.

But I won't set foot in that house while she's there.

My dear, Gulsum...

Don't dismiss her if you don't want to.

I'm not going to force you. It's up to you.

Well...

Whatever you want.

I'll tell my mother, she'll dismiss her.

Don't cry, my child, don't cry. You have my blessing.

May God bless you too. Goodbye, my child.

Come on, my girl, the car is ready.

Don't cry, my child, the Marsh is close, you will come and see me.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye, my child.

Goodbye, Ali.

Go safely...

We won't forget the kindnesses you've done us so far.

Thank you.

Ali!

She's gone.

Who's gone?

Nothing!

We dismissed Aysel.

Look Ali...

I'm not your father-in-law yet,

but it wouldn't be proper for that girl to stay here any longer.

- You're right. - Where's your father?

I don't know... He's gone. He'll be back soon.

Why don't you go in.

Come on, you go inside.

I'll pull the horse into the barn and come back.

You got that, Ali?

My father will give us two big fields on the hillside.

I also asked for about five hundred cattle

and the cows herded by Hasan Agha.

- Didn't I do well? - Yes, yes.

The hillside fields are almost fifteen hundred acres.

We'll take the cattle to the lower pasture.

And let's change that shepherd Hasan Agha, what do you think?

Whatever you want.

You're depressed, Ali?

No, why should I be depressed?

What did you do with your crested chicken, your dusky girl?

I got angry and had it slaughtered, isn't that good?

Don't move, you blessed animal!

Goodbye, uncle!

Good luck Aysel! Say hello to your dad for me.

See, I poured you fresh milk.

Thanks!

Look, look! She's bringing milk for her bastard.

They still haven't found a man.

Stop it! Come on, get back to work!

How are you? Are you alright, Aysel?

Fine.

You got something to tell me, Ali?

No, what would I have to say to you?

- Then go your own way. - Why is that?

Look, there's Gulsum's car coming the other way.

Go on, Ali, drink up!

You hit the jackpot, lad...

Instead of chasing after bitches like Aysel, you're getting rich.

Come on, have a drink for me!

- Who the hell is this? - Never mind, Ali, let it go...

I came late last night to watch out for the boars,

the animals had raided half the field.

Boars are smart.

When the tinkling stops for a while, they sweep in.

I wonder if Ali's back from town.

If he was back, he'd stop by.

Have a nice day Ali,

Where are you coming from at this early hour?

I'm coming back from town, Uncle.

You look drunk!

That's a shame!

You were tempted just before the wedding!

Bear with me, Uncle Hajji.

Brother Ali is coming.

Where have you been, Brother Ali?

What are you shouting about, you idiot? What's it to you? What's it to you?

How many times have I told you?

Why are you meddling? Why are you meddling?

Why are you meddling in what's none of your business, huh?

Bastard! You animal!

Ali!

Have you gone mad?

You animal!

Have you gone mad?

Open the door!

On the blessed wedding day!

Stop it! Stop!

Hasn't Ali woken up yet?

He'd come if he woke up.

But it's afternoon.

He can't sober up easily.

He didn't know what he was doing in the morning.

- He was like a madman. - Oh, boys will be boys...

Yeah...

If only we could get through these few days.

Tomorrow is the henna night at the girl's house

And tonight, the lads are having fun at our place.

Ali should get up and hurry and bring his guests.

Holy shit...

How are you, mummy?

Thank God, son.

Go on, make yourself a cup of coffee.

- Do you want some, father? - I've had one.

Mother!

They recommended a medicine for your illness.

I spoke to the pharmacist in town, he'll prepare it.

Dad can pick it up when he's there.

POLICE NEWS

A TERRIBLE MURDER DUE TO INTOXICATION

THEY SHOT SATILMISZADE FROM THE NOTABLES.

"LAST NIGHT, SATILMISZADE WAS AMONG THOSE HAVING FUN AT THE UCYOL TAVERN.

A QUARREL BETWEEN A GROUP THERE AND SATILMISZADE TURNED INTO A FIGHT.

DURING THIS FIGHT SATILMISZADE WAS KILLED WITH A SWITCHBLADE AND DIED INSTANTLY.

ALTHOUGH THE KILLER HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED YET,

IT IS CERTAIN THAT HE WILL BE CAUGHT."

What's in the paper, father?

Nothing...

Only last night there was a fight in the town tavern.

- There was a fight? - Yes.

The lads got into it.

One bloke collapsed.

The municipal doctor examined him

and found the tip of a switchblade in his skull.

- Is he dead? - Dead.

Last night outside the tavern, huh?

Yeah.

Did they catch the killer?

No, they haven't.

It says they'll catch him soon.

I'll get some air.

You...

You forgot to clean the car.

You'll bring your guests in this dirty car?

Everyone has enough on their plate already.

Who cares about the cleanliness of the car now?

Mashallah, Ali's in a good mood tonight.

He is.

One night later, he enters the nuptial chamber.

Well, I myself, thirty-five years ago...

What about the murder in town last night?

They haven't caught the killer yet.

They'll catch him alright. The biter gets bit.

Goodbye, now.

Go safely.

Lucky for you, you'll see your son's marriage in your lifetime.

Yes...

Don't linger anywhere, son. Come back soon.

- Who is it? - It's me, Son.

Is that you?

- What is it? What do you want, Father? - Nothing. Nothing at all.

But it's time to get up.

Come on, get dressed and we'll go to the girl's house.

There's a wedding, remember?

I'm getting dressed right away, father.

We'll go together, right?

- We'll go together. - Together...

Together.

Bless you, my son. I hope to see my grandchildren too.

Bless you too, mother.

They give me a wealthy girl,

But I'm giving them an honest son in return.

Right, Ali?

Mother...

What's wrong, son?

Nothing...

Ali! Come on, the car is ready.

- Goodbye, Mummy. - Goodbye, son.

Did you have something to say?

No, just tell him to drive a little slower.

Can it be slower than this?

I don't know.

How are you, Aysel?

I'm not well, not well.

What are you doing here?

I was waiting for you.

I was going to congratulate Ali.

Your congratulation is more appreciated than anyone else's, Aysel.

Right, Ali?

Right.

Do not be late. Goodbye.

Take care, my girl!

Did you have something to say to Aysel?

No, no, I don't.

What's wrong, Ali?

It's just that...

I'm not worthy of all these kindnesses.

And why is that? You've never hurt anyone,

so why shouldn't you be treated well?

I killed a man, father.

Thank God!

I appreciate you personally saying that

to me, son.

You knew that before I said it?

I realised the night before that something was wrong.

It was me who found your switchblade in the marsh.

So you're the one who took the switchblade?

Yes, it was me!

- And it's broken! - It is...

But I can't remember

if it was me who broke it

if I really did this or not.

It's intoxication, intoxication alright.

I don't remember anything.

I don't know if I fought.

I can only vaguely remember the beginning of a fight.

Father, if you only knew how much I've suffered since then.

Since you told your father now...

You should be relieved.

I am relieved.

Okay, but if you hadn't told me now,

were you going to go on with the wedding today?

I thought it would be better if I kept quiet.

So why did you say it?

Aysel was the reason.

The way she congratulated me...

That's the reason.

Right to the municipality for the wedding now, huh?

Going into town, right?

We're waiting for the groom.

When he arrives, we will take the girl and go together.

How late you are!

We have something to tell you and your daughter before the wedding.

Like what?

Let's go upstairs...

Gulsum, Ali, you and me, the four of us...

Well, let's go upstairs.

Are we leaving?

We'll go, but...

Ali and his father have something to say to us before the wedding.

Let them tell us!

Haji Effendi

There had been some trouble in town on Tuesday night.

The boys had a fight.

One of them is dead.

- Maybe you've heard of it? - I have heard.

They've stabbed that Satilmiszade.

I was in town Tuesday night.

Some friends invited Ali to a night out.

Last bachelor celebration.

Ali had a little too much to drink.

Upon returning home in the morning, he was unaware of his actions.

However he looked like he was involved in some kind of trouble.

He was covered in dust and dirt.

They found the tip of a broken switchblade

in the head of Satilmiszade.

I checked at home, and the tip of my switchblade is also broken.

What!

Such bad news, Ali.

It would have been better if you had told us yesterday.

Yes, but it's not easy to just say it.

Anyway, what's done is done.

Thank God, we got the news before the wedding.

Otherwise we'd be in trouble too.

But it is not yet clear whether Ali committed this murder.

But if you want...

Let's postpone the marriage for a few days until this matter is fully clarified.

No, no...

No need to postpone. The case is clear.

Ali knows very well what he's done.

Better to break up with my daughter once and for all now.

So be it. Goodbye.

Goodbye Gulsum.

Did you stab the knife with this hand?

- Shame on them. - Don't worry, sister, don't be sad.

Why should I be sad, anyone would want to marry my Gulsum.

Mother, stop all this talk now!

Ali didn't look like a lad who could do such a thing!

I'm sorry for the expenses we've made, that's all.

Oh mother!

Sister Gulsum!

- Sister Gulsum! - What is it?

In front of Haji Uncle's house, A rough girl wants to see you.

- Who is this girl? - I don't know.

Oh, my God!

- What do you want? - I have something to tell you.

Not here.

Let's go inside.

Gulsum, let me ask you something before I speak.

Do you love Ali?

Why do you care?

I do care for a reason, that's why I'm asking you.

Do you love Ali?

Since you are wondering, I'll tell you.

Would I marry him if I didn't love him?

Do you still love him today?

It was today that I realised I loved him.

You're sure that Ali is innocent?

Who told you that? How do you know?

Or do you not know anything and you just have a hunch?

It is not a hunch.

Ali is innocent.

Let's go to the village...

I'll tell you all that I know on the way.

No! Tell me what you know first,

let me know it too, and then we'll go.

Last day before leaving Camlibel, Ali's house

I asked Ali for his switchblade for a chore.

The tip of the switchblade broke while I was using it.

Got it?

It was me who broke the tip of the knife while using it.

Then I closed the switchblade and gave it back to Ali in the evening.

I forgot to tell him I broke the tip.

Do you understand?

Now Ali thinks...

Ali did not kill a man.

Ali can't kill a man, Gulsum!

Didn't you go and tell Ali all this?

I didn't tell him that. I wanted to tell you first.

Now only you and I know how the switchblade broke.

Why did you want to tell me first?

To make things right between you.

Sooner or later, Ali will realise that he is not to blame for this.

But I want you to go to him before he finds out.

Do I tell him about the situation?

You won't say anything to him.

You will go there as if you know nothing.

You're not going to blurt out that you talked to me.

Even when he is going to prison, he will know that there is a woman

who wants to marry him, he will be happy,

then things will come to light and you will have a wedding right away.

What a strange girl you are Aysel!

And yet I was the one who had you kicked out of Ali's house.

- You know that? - I know.

You know and yet...

Why do you want to do me a favour anyway?

I don't know.

Let's hurry up, dear.

Let's get there before he finds out he's innocent.

What now?

Aysel...

- Maybe Ali loves you. - Never mind!

What could Ali love about me?

A poor girl like me.

And there is more

Let's go.

Thank God!

Such awful days we've been through, Ali!

- Mother! - What is it, dear?

What would you say if I brought you Aysel as a bride?

You didn't say anything, mother?

What shall I say, my son?

Bring whoever you want as a bride, I'll cherish her anyway.

- As long as she loves you. - Aysel knows how to love.

You should go now, Gulsum.

Talk to Ali like I told you.

I'll be there shortly to tell about the switchblade,

and everything will come to light.

But don't tell Ali that I called for you.

Mother...

Mum, it turns out I've only loved Aysel.

Emeti Hatun!

Gulsum has arrived, she has now entered the yard.

Good grief!

Please come in.

I have something to say to you, Ali.

Go ahead, tell me.

I'd be embarrassed here in front of your mother, Ali.

Let's go to the room.

Go on, son, let's see what Gulsum has to say.

- Have a seat, Gulsum. - It's better standing like this.

I treated you very badly this morning, Ali.

No, it's us who scared you out of the blue.

But, Ali

Nevertheless, it's our fault.

Bygones are bygones, dear.

And it's better this way.

But I'm glad you came here anyway.

I did not, Ali.

Someone sent me here.

Someone who knows that you're innocent.

Someone who wants to make things right between us.

I really wish, Ali, that I would have come on my own.

Who sent you here?

Who told you I was innocent?

- What's it to you, Ali? - Okay but,

who can know that I'm innocent?

Even my dad just got back from town.

We learnt from him.

I wasn't the real killer. They caught him.

I see, Ali,

you can't forget what happened between us this morning.

I've forgotten everything.

And let's not talk about that anymore, Gulsum.

Oh Gulsum, I love her, I love her!

I just realised today that I love her, Gulsum.

- And who is it that you love? - No need for a name.

She doesn't love me anyway.

But I'm not going to marry anyone else but her.

Is it Aysel that you love, Ali?

If she's the one you love, You should know that she loves you back.

Because she sent me here.

- How are you, Aysel? - Thank God, I'm fine, uncle.

Did you hear the news?

No! What happened?

Turns out Ali wasn't the murderer in the town.

No way, who told you?

His father just brought the news. The gendarmes arrested the real killer.

I already knew that.

Then there's no need for me to go and say it.

Anyway, bye, Aysel.

Aysel

I was on my way to the Marsh Croft to find you.

You can't get away from me this time.

THE END