Original subtitles

In memory of Masoud Behnam.

O Master of the Day of Judgment.

You keep saying people have to work, people have to work. People have to work.

Ms. Karimzadeh.

-Look, send Ozra to the discipline class. -Here, sign this so I can go.

Behnaz dear, my beautiful, is your eye better?

-Alright, go. -Sign this, so I can go.

-Karimzadeh! Didn’t I say...? I’m coming now. -Come, fix this.

-Didn’t I say to let Shahab in? -Fix this! Fix this now!

-Maryam dear. -Come here.

-Sign this, so I can leave. -Listen, sweetheart, I already signed.

Look, here’s my signature.

-You need four more signatures, right? -Where?

-Look, go sit down. -Just take the signatures...

-So I can finish my work, don’t make a fuss. -And let me go.

-Take the signatures! When? -I’ll get the signatures for you myself.

-I’ll get them and bring them to you. -I have to go.

-Look over there. -These signatures...

Look! Mr. Reza is one of our own. Just like you, he needs this paper too.

-Get the signatures and let’s go. -He’s sitting quietly, not making a fuss.

Until I get the signatures for him.

Here’s 200 tomans, can you get me a milk and cake?

[cinematic music]

The Painting Pool.

[sound of running water, Maryam humming]

[door opening]

[laughs]

Take this. [whispers]

Shhh!

Shhh!

-Gili gili gili gili. -Stop! Stop!

[sound of Reza and Sohail laughing]

-Hello. -Catch him! Don’t let him get away!

Sohail!

Catch him! Don’t let him run away!

[laughs]

[door closing]

You messed up the front.

Gol-e Maryam, I scattered on your path... [sound of Reza humming, song: Gol-e Maryam]

I didn’t know, I believed your promises...

You, no longer...

[radio on]

Good morning. -Have you forgotten the blessings you have?

-Let me remind you... -You, no longer...

Is it clean now? Let me see. [water splashing]

Ha, morning has come.

Come on.

Hold your breath, three, two, one... [radio playing]

Hold it! Hold it! Don’t breathe! Don’t breathe! Hold it!

Now let it go! Ahh, see?

-You’re so carefree. -See how nice breathing is?

-If someone doesn’t breathe, they’ll suffocate. -Breathing is the essence of life.

Thank God. Music, go!

[radio playing music, laughs]

Let me tell another one.

A man calls a taxi agency and says, "Sir, do you have cars?" The guy says, "Yes, we do."

He says, "Oh, lucky you! We don’t."

[roar of laughter]

Are Aunt Nasrin’s sugar cookies finished?

Yeah, she’ll bring more. [sound of noise from upstairs]

[door opening]

Good morning! We’re awake.

[door closing]

Sohail, son, eat all your breakfast, okay?

Love you. [smooching]

Be careful crossing the street. Maryam, hurry! We’re going to have to rush again.

Rush again? [whispers]

Rush, rush. [whispers]

You go ahead, or you'll be late.

-I’ll clean up. -Okay.

Okay, look, Soheil. [nylon rustling]

Here’s your carrot, and here’s the cutlet sandwich.

It's here, okay?

Soheil, come on.

[thud]

Put two in.

Don't eat those snacks, okay?

[street noises]

[sound of horn]

-Wait a second. -Are we just wasting time? You’re always late!

-Wait, uh... we’ve arrived. -Reza, hurry up, hurry up, wow.

-Wait until we get there. -Run, morning exercise, run, run and get skinny.

-Wow, wow. -Reza!

[man laughing]

Come up.

-Hello, good morning. -Good morning.

[bus door closing]

[radio playing in the bus]

[sound of horn]

These are for the kid’s clothes.

[sound of horn]

Ugh, shut up.

It’s small.

Ahh, it moved.

It's a girl, she is calm.

Soheil kicked so much.

What did we want a kid for, huh?

Don't make things worse for yourself.

Be careful!

No, the doctor said that Soheil would be the only one till the end.

God wanted it this way.

[radio playing in the bus]

-Yay, it’s break time! -Hurry up! Hurry up!

Be careful! Azarodi, I'm talking to you. [sound of kids shouting]

Hurry up! Hurry up!

Soheil?

I didn’t expect this from you.

Ma’am, since the beginning of the year, this has been my spot.

-Everyone knows. Amirali knows too. -Well, that wasn't worth a fight.

You should've told Mrs. Azizi. Not just acting on your own.

-Ms., but this boy... -No "but"!

Give me your glasses, and go to the yard.

[paper rustling]

See what he's done.

[machine noises]

[Reza humming a song]

One, two, three, four, five, six...

[machine noises]

[Reza humming a song]

One, two, three, four, five, six...

Now!

[Reza humming a song]

[machine noises]

How are you, Mr. Reza?

-Hello. -Hello.

-Here, this is your parcel. -Oh, thank you so much.

-Man, that math was so tough! -Really?

-I gave it to the engineer, he solved it. -Oh... Send my regards.

-Tell him I appreciate it. -Get back to work, don’t fall behind.

Got it.

[ring sound]

Let’s go to lunch. [mute conversation]

Let’s go, let’s go. [mute conversation]

[roar of kids]

Slow down! Slow down! Slow down! What is this move?

-Ma'am, here you go. -Enjoy your meal! Here.

If you don’t wet it, the glue won’t come off. Take it home, let your dad fix it.

-Thank you. -Mom! Can you ring the bell later?

I haven’t finished this yet.

How many times have I told you at school," Don’t call me mom"?

-A lot. -Then don’t say it anymore.

Ma'am, excuse me.

Could you do something for me?

I didn’t send a note for a fight.

They want to talk to your mom about your studies.

-Ma’am, we don’t want our mom and dad to... -Oh! Oh...

-What’s going on there? Wait, let me see. -Oh yeah! A fight!

[roar of kids]

What’s going on? What’s going on? Get out of the way, let me see!

Oh! Oh! Oh! What’s this, Azizi?

Azizi, get up, let me see.

Aren’t you ashamed?

Salehi, go inside.

[roar of kids]

Spread out. Spread out.

What is this behavior? Disperse! Disperse!

Hello. I learned, Mr. Karim.

Two bottles of milk, two thousand nine hundred.

You’re right. But you said it a day late.

Even I, an old man, got confused.

Forget about the prices. They change every minute.

Here, Mr. Reza. [nylon rustling]

This one is for Mr. Engineer.

-These are for Mrs. Attari. -Okay.

-Okay, goodbye. -Goodbye.

[street noises]

Mrs. Sharifi. Mrs. Sharifi, wait a moment.

[TV noises]

Respected parents of Sohail Ne’matollahi.

Madam, Mr. Sharifi just keeps saying okay.

The gas, electricity, and water bills, He needs to pay the building’s charge, not just say "sure."

You know, it’s been almost four days, and you haven’t paid the building charge.

-His car is amazing. -I'm sorry.

-Its speed is even faster than an airplane. -Sorry, lately...

-I can see that! -He’s always home, though.

And it has so many buttons.

-Excuse me. -Now, look.

Turn it down, Amir Ali, the sound reaches the street.

[door closing]

[thud]

[TV noises]

-Ms., I should go. -Oh...

Stay for lunch with Amirali.

No, thanks. We have lunch at home.

Don’t forget to tell your mom to come tomorrow.

Don't worry, okay?

I'm gonna be there myself.

We never got to watch this whole thing together even once.

[door opening with key]

-Hey. -Hey, Soheil.

-Mom’s here? -Yeah.

-Bye. -Bye.

-Don't mess it up. -Relax, I won’t.

[door closing]

[door opening]

[door closing]

[door opening]

[door closing]

Question mark? [Maryam humming a song]

Weird.

[cooking]

Weird.

[Maryam repeats under her breath]

Waiting.

Lost.

[Maryam humming a song]

Spacey.

[clapping, sniffing]

Spacey.

Oh... it got wet. [Maryam murmurs]

Spaceship.

-Spaceship. -Spaceship.

Don't say it too hard, you might get a perfect score.

I want to.

[laughs]

Phew, finally done.

[rustling]

A perfect 20? Nope, 19.

[rustling]

Here, rate this one too.

-I gave it a 15. -That's good!

-Fifteen? -Fifteen’s good.

[thud]

[door closing]

[window opening]

What did we agree on?

Hey, good evening.

Good evening.

What was it, Mr. Shahbaz?

I swear on the Eighth Imam, these pigeons ain't chickens to be pecking at grains in the yard.

You gotta teach your pigeons not to eat the ants’ share.

We've got a whole colony in the garden.

Mr. Reza, it's been three months now.

Don't go getting distracted by the stove and pots again.

The stove’s actually really cool.

Bit tricky to use, but it’s got a light inside.

But don’t worry, Mr. Shahbaz. They said they'll pay everything at once.

-Hope so. -Come inside.

-Bye. -Bye.

[window closing]

[laughs, TV noises]

What happened?

Right before he fell, he yelled for help, his eyes went all wonky.

Help, help! [laughs]

-This tastes amazing, Maryam. Thanks. -Tastes the same.

It’s the same thing as last night, just a different shape.

-No, it's tastier, really. -Wait, no, there's more potatoes in this one.

-Don't skip ahead, Soheil!

-We’re watching! No, it’s not! -This part’s not good. They’re just talking.

This part’s good.

[cars speeding]

Ugh, not again! It cut out!

Its broken again.

[laughs]

I'll fix it right now.

What? [laughs]

-Why did the power go out? -What happened?

[match lighting]

Oh! Dad came.

I want the Khan’s daughter. [Reza singing]

The Khan knows, he’ll catch me.

What should I do? Oh, what should I do? [everyone singing along]

Uh… where was the flashlight?

I want the Khan’s daughter.

The Khan knows, he’ll catch me.

What should I do? Oh, what should I do? [clanking]

Spotted horse, golden hooves... Go faster, why so slow?

Spotted horse, golden hooves... Go faster, why so slow?

I want the Khan’s daughter. [clanking]

The Khan knows, he’ll catch me.

What should I do? Oh, what should I do?

About the fabric… (Maryam misreads it as “about the torn piece”)

Affairs… in… in the school office...

-It is mandatory… -It’s not mandatory, I swear!

Good morning. [paper rustling]

Sohail, Dad, good morning.

-Maryam, the minibus is about to leave again. -Oh no, we're late!

This is fake. They just want to take our money.

And who gave you permission to go through my bag?

No, no.

But it says "mandatory"!

Sohail, we ran out of glue, but…

I fixed it for you.

You should also be more careful.

Here, I even cooled down your tea. Drink up. [voice from upstairs]

Good morning, we’re awake!

[door closing]

[humming]

Sohail! Mom, look, this is a cutlet sandwich.

And here’s a carrot. Okay?

Take these two, too. Just don’t buy junk food, alright?

[humming]

[door opening]

Reza, run! Run, Reza!

You guys make us run every day!

Don't trip! Mashallah! Mashallah! Run! Run!

Run!

Hello, hello! You’re exhausting us!

[door closing]

[thud]

Quiet! Solve your math.

Bill payment, press 1. [Teacher’s phone sound]

What’s six times seven? (whispering from the boy behind)

Teacher, excuse me!

-Can I go to the bathroom? -After Akbari, it’s Sharifi’s turn. You go after him.

Teacher, we don’t need to go anymore. I solved it ourselves.

[thud]

Teacher, please, it's urgent! I can’t hold it! I’ve finished my math too!

Wait by the door. Go when Akbari comes back.

-Teacher, I can’t hold it… -Go sit down!

[door closing]

Welcome! Come in. The principal just got transferred here.

She wanted to meet you in person and discuss Sohail’s education.

Look, Ms. Ne’matollahi, fourth grade is a critical stage in elementary school.

Even nutrition, sleep, and playtime are important at this stage.

His teacher also says he’s been distracted since the start of the year.

Yes.

The words are too hard. I don’t understand them.

Well, what do you think we should do?

-Something must be done. -As I mentioned...

Sohail comes to my house and does his homework with my son.

Marzieh, he can’t always come to your house.

-You have your own problems… -But it's just math that’s really hard.

-I know, but… -Uh… I promise I’ll keep an eye on him.

I’ll treat him like my own son.

[door closing]

[roar of chatter faded]

-Ahmad, I’m leaving. -I’ll be back.

Amir, come on already.

Kids, slow down! What's going on?

[sound of women laughing]

-I’m serious! -So funny!

[sound of women laughing]

-Thanks! -That’s so nice of you!

[school bell rings]

Much appreciated! [sound of laughter and the principal coughing]

[roar of kids]

[car horn honking]

Soheil!

Soheil, calm down! [car breaks]

[street noises]

Easy, easy.

Easy.

-If you hadn’t come, I’d be crushed! -Why did you even come to school?

Great, you embarrassed me!

-Didn’t I say it wasn’t mandatory? -Huh?

But it was good.

They liked me.

Oh, and your principal even kissed me, Soheil!

Listen to me.

Wait! Wait! Wait!

Wait, I’m coming!

Soheil! Soheil, sweetheart!

Stop squirming, kid. [birds noises]

A grown man crying over a pair of glasses?

I wasn’t crying, Shampoo got in my eyes.

Everyone has to take a bath on Fridays and get clean.

A bath... Not with their dad, though!

I told you to keep your eyes closed in the foam!

If the soap gets in your eyes, it's on you!

Dad, I’m grown up now! I’m almost ten!

-You can be a hundred, you’re still my kid! -Hey! Don’t come in! I’m naked!

[water splashing]

You’re four.

She washed you for four years! What are you even talking about?

[door closing]

-How’s this, handsome? Try this one. -Oh, this blue one is nice!

-No, no. That’s too girly, I don’t want it. -But the first one you picked is for boys.

It’s not girly.

-And it looks really stylish. -No, no, I want this one!

That one’s a bit pricey because of the brand.

Here, try this one.

It’s pretty much the same…

-But it’s a better price. -Reza?

-That’s all the money you have? -Yeah.

If he takes this one, it’ll be fine.

Thanks, but I don’t want it.

-Why not? -Soheil! Come. I wanna tell you something.

-Come. -Soheil, come here.

Soheil.

Come on, this one’s stylish.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

I told you once—let’s go to the amusement park!

And you didn’t even buy me glasses!

Okay, fine! We’ll go.

-But it’s really far… -Nah, it’ll be less crowded on Friday.

Yes! I’ll take you guys right to the entrance!

Soheil! Don’t run now [laughs]

Soheil! Don’t go, sweetie! You’ll get lost—it’s dark!

[coughing]

Your eyes will adjust. Come on in. [coughs]

[train noises]

How much further?

[train noises]

-Hurry up, how long are you gonna take? -Your hands will get dirty.

-Forget it, she'll get knee pain. -I'm coming.

Mom...

Soheil, look over there.

-Look this way. Look this way. -Uh… over there.

Watch where you're going.

[laughing]

-Don't rush. -Okay.

-Watch out for Soheil! Soheil! -Got it!

I’m coming… [Maryam panting]

Watch where you’re going.

[laughing]

-Come on, hurry up! -I’m coming!

Soheil! Don’t run, you’ll fall!

Soheil!

[roar of chatter]

Come on, already! Run, run!

Hurry.

-Run! -No, you’ll fall. Come on, Maryam, come!

-Maryam, don’t lag behind! Come on! -Run, run!

Don’t pull, that’s rude!

[roar of joy, machine noises]

[laughs]

[screaming, machine noises]

[screaming, machine noises]

Soheil…

Sit down, sit down… Watch your head.

Soheil, you have to tighten this…

-You need to secure it tightly. -Yeah, this bar, this one!

Like this. Ow! Be careful!

Uh… yeah, yeah. Lower it down.

You have to fasten it tight, Maryam.

-Tighten it! -No, no!

-No. -No, no, Soheil!

-Uh… what are you doing?! -No, no, don’t get on!

-Reza… no! -Hey, hey! Let go of me!

-Let go! I wanna get on! -Come, come. Soheil, come on.

-What’s wrong with it? -No, be quiet, Soheil.

Come down!

-What’s wrong with it?! Look, everyone else got on! -Soheil, Soheil…

-Soheil, don’t yell! -Come down!

-Lady, don’t worry, the ride is safe. -No, we can’t.

-Our kids have been on it before. -She is right!

[cat meowing]

-Phew! His leg’s tired. -Let go of me!

-Come on! -Let go!

Reza, the cartoons…

-Maryam, which one? -The car, the car.

[rustling]

You know? Sohail, we want to watch that cartoon together.

I don’t know how it ended.

-How did it end? Tell me. -I don’t know.

Come on, Soheil, let’s watch the cartoon together, let’s see what happens next.

-Don’t. -Maryam, math, math.

[paper rustling]

Look how good your math has gotten.

-Look, all of it… all of it is solved. -Did Mr. Karim’s customer solve this too?

Well… well.

Come, let’s draw together.

Come, Sohail. Let’s draw together. Do you want to?

-Do you want to draw together? -I don’t want to!

Sohail, dear, look, it’s clean now.

-Oh, it looks so much better. -It was covered in grease.

What are you doing?

-Karim says washing CDs with soap cleans them. -Who told you to wash it?

Why did you wash it?

-Put it in now, put it in now. -Didn’t I tell you not to wash my movies?

-It was Amir Ali’s loaned copy. -If you put it in now, it’ll still play.

Put it in, it’ll play, Sohail. It’s fine now.

-Who told you to wash it? -Sohail, give it to me.

Sohail, let me put it in and see if it works?

-Give it, give it to me. -Move! I don’t want to!

[gasp, pot breaking]

-Don’t touch it, you’ll cut yourself. -No, no.

-Why are you doing this? -No!

-No, uh… Reza! Go put on the cartoon. -Why are you acting like this?

Go.

[thud]

Sohail.

Come, dear. Dear, look.

-My new drawing. Do you want to grade it? -Instead of all these scribbles...

At least learn how to cook… [ripping]

[door closing]

[TV off]

Sohail, Sohail, I’m about to cry. Let me come to you.

Sohail.

-Sweetheart -I’m not your sweetheart.

You always embarrass me. You’re scared of a simple toy.

-You can’t even say a word to my teachers. -Come, give me a hug.

Let go of me. You’re both crazy.

[slaps, gasp]

[Sohail sobbing]

[door opening]

[door closing]

[dramatic music]

[paper rustling]

Reza.

Look, the kid fell asleep.

I put the flower pot in water, too.

I also stuck up the drawings.

They all stuck. Looks good.

Looks good.

Reza.

It’s too high.

I can’t.

I can’t come to you.

Come.

[machine noises]

One more month won’t make a difference, Doctor.

Do you know what this means? If this continues, production will officially shut down.

Just listen to me for a second, pay attention. I’m saying wait one more month.

-Can’t you see the company’s condition? -I do, I admit it.

I’m just saying, wait this one month. [the conversation fades out]

[machine noises, rustling]

[paper rustling]

[thud]

[nylon rustling]

[thud]

Reza.

Why isn’t he coming?

Well…

Math is hard.

They always solve it together with Amir Ali.

[thud]

Yeah, it's hard.

The principal said she’ll dictate to Sohail herself.

[nylon rustling]

She’s a really nice lady.

Goodbye.

[door closing]

[dramatic music]

[knocking on the door]

L...laugh.

Just a little smile.

For Sohail’s sake.

[laughs]

[smooching]

[water running]

Take Mr. Hassan’s goods and deliver them.

Okay.

Uh... hello, Maryam. Hasn’t he arrived yet?

-Well, he’ll come. -Hurry, Mr. Reza, run!

-Hurry up! -He will come. Bye, bye!

[hangs up]

[nylon rustling]

Dear, you eat this stuff, and then you don’t eat dinner.

Did you write it down? [clanking]

Independence.

Turbulent.

-Mom, don’t say the previous lesson, say something from the new one.

-Uh... -Ma’am, may I?

-Write it down. -I'm not talking about dictation.

Then what?

Miss, this dress really suits you.

It’s really old, isn’t it?

Yeah, it’s old.

[door opening]

Hello.

Hi.

[door closing]

-Hello. -Hi.

Hello.

-Do you want some tea, Naser? -No.

It’s ready.

Aren’t you going to continue, Mom?

Mom?

Yes.

Passion and enthusiasm.

[Naser coughing]

Pure.

[clanking sound]

-You have lavashak in your bag again? -Yes, yes, I do.

-Lavashak is for pregnant women. -What does that have to do with anything, idiot?

Thanks, though. [nylon rustling]

[door closing]

[rustling]

It’s getting dark. Don’t be late, Sohail.

Uh...didn’t you say we’d play after dictation?

[paper rustling]

[thud]

-Uh! Where are you going? -I’ll be right back.

Ma’am, may I?

Sohail, you’re driving me crazy with all these “ma’am, may I”s.

Okay, ma’am. But can I stay here?

Can I be your son?

What do you mean? All the kids in school are my sons.

I promise I won’t call you Mom at school.

Please!

Sohail, listen, you’re also my son... [smooching]

[dramatic music]

Just...

Just...

Can you tell him his dad didn’t mean to hit him?

[hangs up]

You made a mistake.

Reza.

You made a mistake.

No.

Yes.

Yes.

You hit Sohail.

Well...

Well...

Well, I’m his father.

Why shouldn’t he come home at night?

Why shouldn’t he come home at night?

Everyone should sleep in their own home.

All kids should sleep at night...

With their parents.

[dramatic music]

[street noises]

It was your fault.

You yelled at your mom. Why did you yell at your mom?

You messed up big time.

Get up and come home. [motorbike passing]

-She didn't sleep for you. You messed up. -Reza!

[street noises]

[car break noises]

-Why didn’t you come? -Reza.

Come.

[car break noises]

Just...

Maryam!

Maryam! Nasrin must never find out!

We’ll be disgraced.

She won’t find out. [Maryam, under her breath]

Sohail.

Sohail, wait a minute.

Why are you standing here? Go upstairs.

Soheil.

Come on, son.

I already apologized to you.

-Now, I apologize again. -Mr. Reza.

Come on, let’s go upstairs.

-His dad doesn’t let him stay anywhere at night. -Okay, now... now...

-Come on, let’s go upstairs, Sah.. -Ms. Sharifi.

-Yes, Ms. Shahre? -All kids must sleep at their own homes.

-Did something happen? -No, no, nothing’s wrong.

-Sorry, I apologize, it’ll be over soon. -Tell Soheil to come.

Maryam, dear! He’s a kid.

-He’ll say something now and forget it soon. -Tell him to come.

-He’s our kid. -Of course, of course.

Hello.

Hello, peace be upon you. Have a good night.

The neighbors said we should put this memo on the board.

Yes. Sorry, apologies for the noise.

-It’s late. He should come. He has school. -Maryam, dear.

-I’m dealing with hundred kids every day. -Why wouldn’t he come home?

-I know their language better than you. -Say something.

-My dear, I’ll talk to him myself. -Reza!

-Say something, too. -What?

[dramatic music]

He’s not coming home.

He’s not coming home.

Wow...Soheil.

He’s not coming home.

Soheil.

It’s all your fault.

It’s all....

Your fault.

It’s all your fault.

It’s all...all...

It’s all your fault.

[TV noises]

You’re really bad.

You’re really bad.

You did something really bad.

You shouldn’t...you shouldn’t have hit Soheil.

You shouldn’t have hit Soheil. Why did you do it?

What did he do? Huh? It was my drawing.

-What’s it to you? -I’m his father.

You don’t know how to make pizza.

That woman knows how. Well, he didn’t come.

What?

All the kids love pizza.

I love it, too.

You always make cutlets.

He got tired of it, so he didn’t come.

Did you want Ms. principal to be your wife?

[nylon rustling]

M...Maryam.

[door opening]

[dramatic music]

Guys, we all know by now the sanctions have hit. Our production's down.

Inshallah, it'll get better, you'll all be back.

Hey, hey, my brother, my brother, listen! [background chatter]

Hey, listen, sir, my brother, Just one minute, please listen!

Hey! Hey, listen for one minute! C'mon...

-Why are you firing us? -Firing? What do you mean, man?

They promised me you'll be back to work. Don't you believe me?

No. [everyone]

Thanks anyway.

[roar of chatter]

Move.

Engineer!

Can't Reza stay and work?

-I’ll be fired instead of him? -It's not in my hands.

Don't complain, please, for my son's sake...

I went to the doctor ten times before they let one of you stay.

-Hello, Engineer. -Hello.

I swear it's not in my hands. I can't do anything.

[roar of chatter]

[bell rings]

[machine noises]

[dramatic music]

I told you, there's no customers in the morning, you're just wasting time.

Look around the area, you'll find work.

This sanctions thing is nonsense. [dramatic music]

I wish it were a real sanction.

This smoke only goes into our eyes.

Work is for men, right?

If a man doesn’t work...

He’s useless.

He won’t ever do anything either. [laughs]

[street noises, dramatic music]

Milk’s expensive.

Two milks, four thousand.

[door opening]

[door closing]

Soheil!

Soheil!

My son.

[street noises]

[car horn honking]

[car horn honking]

Here you go. Wait a minute.

Hi.

Hey Mohammad, how are you?

[bus door closing]

-Hello. -Hello.

Are you looking for workers here?

Looks like you’re not feeling too well. This is a motorcycle courier. Get outta here.

Get out!

[door closing]

One special. One with mushrooms and meat.

-One salad, please. -What drink would you like?

-Two lemonades. -Here you go, it’ll be ready soon.

Thank you.

[music playing in cafe]

Sir, you’re still here?

We need a motor courier. Without a motor, the food will freeze.

Hey! Do you even listen?

-Excuse me, didn’t the salad come yet? -Yes, yes, I’ll bring it right now.

Hey, what’s the difference between pizza cheese and regular cheese?

A lot. Plus, the more cheese, the tastier it gets.

-What about our salad? -Yes, I’ll bring it right away.

[phone ringing at the shop]

Yes?

Yes, our food’s ready.

[thud]

[thud]

Umm...

Mr. Karim!

Can this REXX motor be started in the warehouse?

No, Mr. Reza, no.

The motor's dangerous even for a healthy person.

Okay, Mr. Karim.

[laughs]

Which of these pizza cheeses is the best?

They’re all good.

Ugh! So many persimmons.

Soheil, your yard is awesome.

[bird noises]

-Did you take it? -Yeah, let’s go.

[door opening]

Oh, ouch!

-What happened? -Close the door, come on!

[door closing]

Where are you going?

Come on, don’t be scared. Didn’t you want to see the pigeons?

Come on.

[birds noises]

[door opening]

[birds noises]

[thud]

[door closing]

Come on, come on. [whispring]

He wants to ride with this little space?

[motorbike starting]

[pot breaking]

[thud]

[dramatic music]

[clanking sound]

[phone ringing]

Get up, let’s go play. Get up.

Hello? Are you good?

Hold the phone.

[door closing]

Thanks.

Enjoy.

[sound of cooking]

Every week, you came tomorrow.

Why did you come today?

I missed Soheil a little.

Nephews are like your own kids.

[thud]

[thud]

The fourth-grade math is really hard.

Even the factory engineer had a hard time solving it.

They’ll solve it with Amirali.

Reza has loved qandi bread since he was a kid.

He still loves it. [cat meowing]

Soheil loves it too.

This lavash is really delicious this time.

[cat meowing from outside]

[cat meowing from outside]

[door opening]

[cat meowing]

[door closing]

By the way...

Did I tell you that Majid’s sister’s kid got stationed in Mashhad for military service?

His poor mother misses him so much.

Mashhad?

He was just a kid.

Kids grow up so fast.

Soheil has grown up too.

[laughs]

Feels like just yesterday, you threw a fit over his name.

And said, "Either Soheil or nothing."

This is the warranty for the CD player.

I forgot to give it to Reza.

I left it here. Look.

Look at me.

The CD player warranty.

I should go.

The metro in Karaj gets super crowded at sunset.

Majid’s coming home; I need to be there.

The kids are home alone too.

I came to say...

[door opening]

[nylon rustling]

Why did you say it?

-I didn’t! -Yes, you did! You said it!

Weren’t you supposed to keep quiet? Huh?

Why did you say it?

-Are you trying to ruin us? -Reza!

-You weren’t supposed to say anything. -I swear on Reza, I didn’t say it!

-You weren’t supposed to! -I didn't say it.

-You weren’t supposed to say anything. -I didn’t.

Reza. [nylon rustling]

[door opening]

[door closing shut]

[sound of something breaking]

[dramatic music]

[nylon rustling, crying]

[crying]

Excuse me, ma’am.

What did you need with my aunt Nasrin that you called her?

[dramatic music]

Reza.

Reza, honey.

It’s freezing out here.

Look.

-Look at me. -Don’t be scared. She can’t climb up.

She’s afraid.

This ladder is way too long.

I’m falling.

[grabbing hand]

Never leave me alone.

Okay?

That guy who officiated our wedding...

Do you remember what he said?

Yeah, I remember. [bird noises]

[bird noises]

[local music playing]

Thanks.

Don’t touch it; it’s dirty.

-Come on, bring your foot over. -No, let me…let me do it myself.

-Come on…no, I won’t! Bring your foot. -Your hands will get dirty.

[groaning]

Ah, it burns.

It’s bad.

It…it burns.

It’ll be okay.

It’ll be okay soon. It’ll be okay.

[water splashing]

Ride...

Riding a motorbike is hard.

It’s hard.

You can do it.

I can’t.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family. [Maryam whispring]

Enough, enough.

Thank you.

Thank you.

[skin peeling]

Your mom brought these.

Elaheh said she came here today.

Sneaky, did you tell her I like lavashak?

-Was she alone? -Yeah.

-Wasn't my dad with her? -No.

No matter how much I insisted, your mom wouldn’t come upstairs.

Your mom is so sweet, Sohail.

Can you call my house and check if she got home?

-Call yourself. -Please!

-Give me your number. -Seventy-seven..

-Yeah? -Fifty-one.

Thirty-two. Eighty-two.

Sohail, it's your turn.

Uh… Mom says it’s disconnected because of unpaid bills.

Let me see.

Can you call with your mobile?

[hangs up]

Please.

[clanking sound]

[roar of flames]

Good job.

[laughs]

[thud]

Good.

Good, good. [laughs]

[doorbell rings]

[door opening]

[door opening]

-Uh… -Hello, Mr. Reza.

Hello, good evening.

-Come on in. -Excuse me.

[footsteps]

[door closing]

Mr. Shahbaz.

Yes?

-Hello, good evening. -Good evening.

Mr. Shahbaz, we have guests.

Can I pick four persimmons?

-Go ahead. -Thanks.

You're making such a complicated dish.

Need help?

I tried making it a few times at home, but it didn’t turn out well.

[laughs]

[door closing]

Here.

Enjoy. They're ripe and sweet.

-Thanks. -What’s next, Reza?

Hmm? Huh?

Well, because mozzarella cheese is different from regular cheese…

The more cheese on a pizza, the tastier it gets, right?

-Yeah. -What’s next, Reza?

We need to layer the sausage and cold cuts.

Uh…this one has got sauce on it.

No problem. Let’s say these are like the garden’s stone borders.

Aren’t you going to ask why I came here this late?

Sohail sent me.

[laughs]

He got really worried when you came to our house alone today.

He sent me to check on you.

Maryam.

[murmuring]

How is he doing?

Is he good?

He's good.

[clanking sound]

[thud]

[laughing]

Aww. Did you put his ultrasound photo here too?

How far along is he? Aww! Looks like seven months.

Yes. [laughing]

Time flies.

[clanking sound]

That's his second birthday.

-Aww! He was such a chubby little thing! -When did he walk for the first time?

No.

He spoke when he was two.

When he was one, you held his hand, and he started walking.

When were you practicing with him? When did he start talking?

He was two.

Did you go on a trip here?

To the North.

To the sea.

Do you remember, on the bus, how many times he said he needed to pee?

[laughing]

The driver thought I was talking about myself, and I blamed it on Soheil.

[laughing]

Why did you shave his head here?

To help his hair grow more.

No.

It's his first day of school. That's his school uniform.

We didn't shave his head for school.

-No... -We just cut his hair short.

Is this your wedding photo?

-Yes. -Here, here.

Thank you.

This is our engagement...our engagement.

-You were so young. -Our engagement day.

Do you remember...

What that guy said to us when he married us?

Yes.

[laughs]

I remember.

[clanking sound]

Say it.

I remember.

What did he say?

[thud]

He said...

Just...

"Just make it work."

That's it?

Oh.

Yes, that was it.

[sniffing]

Come on, Maryam.

[clanking sound]

Eat.

[dramatic music]

-Goodbye. -Goodbye.

Excuse me.

Is Soheil coming home?

Yes, why wouldn't he?

He will come back.

He will come back.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

[door closing]

[dramatic music]

Maryam.

This is burnt.

So...

He's not coming.

Soheil.

He's not coming home.

[dramatic music]

[door opening]

[door closing]

[thud]

Nasser.

[knocking]

Nasser.

[door opening]

Where's your dad, Elahe?

I don't know. He was around here. [music playing from headphone]

Nasser.

[knocking, door opening]

Nasser.

[door opening]

What do you want to do?

Don't be afraid.

[rapid breathing, running]

Why are you standing here?

I'm smoking a cigarette.

Phew!

I used to do this before.

But you didn’t take these pills before.

I wasn’t this worried before.

When I’d get off work, I’d be so tired that I’d just sleep.

I’ve been unemployed for a year now, Marzieh.

It won’t stay like this.

I can’t work in a restaurant after all this studying.

Of course.

I don't want you to do that either.

But is this the solution?

The way we’re going, we keep getting farther from each other.

Nasser.

We haven't talked in a long time.

Yeah.

We haven't talked.

I was reading books.

Childishly.

I was singing.

[footsteps]

Go!

Sorry I became your dad, Soheil.

God gave you to me unexpectedly.

At first, when you were like a little frog, everyone said you looked just like your dad.

[laughs]

But you got better, slowly, you started looking like Maryam.

Beautiful.

Accepting. [teacher's voice]

Then.

I’m glad you became a man, son.

I told Maryam not to come in so we could talk like two men, man to man.

Mom and Dad are really good, Soheil.

I swear.

When they’re not around, you understand.

[teacher's voice]

Believe me.

By my father’s grave.

[teacher's voice faded]

Don’t tear up your new mom’s drawing book, son.

The pigeons keep asking how you’re doing.

If you want, if you have time, come visit them.

[teacher's voice faded]

[teacher's voice faded]

Don’t cry, Soheil, son.

[teacher's voice faded]

No.

Crying is for men.

[teacher's voice faded]

Just...

Keep your head up.

And cry.

[teacher's voice faded]

You did well, son. You found a new mom and dad for yourself.

If it were me...

Reza.

I forgot about shoelaces.

Don’t let your shoelace get under your foot.

Goodbye.

[teacher's voice faded]

For teaching.

I was reading.

Soheil, why don’t you write?

Okay, ma’am.

[dramatic music]

[bird noises]

[water splashing]

[dramatic music]

[clanking sound]

Why aren’t you eating, Soheil?

If you don’t like it, I can give you something else.

It’s really delicious, Mom.

Enjoy. [phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

Excuse me, can I say something?

-Hi, how are you? When did you call? -Say, dear.

[door closing]

My mom’s cutlets are a little tastier.

So I must go learn the recipe from her.

He is right. She makes it differently every day. It’s so delicious.

You haven’t made cutlets in a long time.

Yeah.

[paper rustling]

[clanking sound]

[thud]

[clanking sound]

[thud]

[thud]

[humming, thud]

[they hum a song]

I want the Khan’s daughter.

The Khan knows, he’ll catch me.

What should I do? Oh, what should I do? [clanking]

I want the Khan’s daughter. [thud]

The Khan knows, he’ll catch me.

What should I do? Oh, what should I do? [clanking, humming]

Horse with golden hooves... [voice fading]

[dramatic music, singing]

How many times do you go to the bathroom, young man?

-Aren’t you sleepy? -No.

I’m not sleepy either.

Come sit.

Come. [thud]

Alright, let’s see.

It’s even better than before.

Thank you.

Do you know what your name means?

A little bit.

It’s the name of a star.

A star that, if you can see it, is very beautiful.

[sound of an ambulance]

[doorbell ringing]

[doorbell ringing]

[door closing]

[sound of laughter]

Soheil!

-Catch it, don’t let it fall! -I did.

[motorbike noises]

Hold it tight, don’t let mefall. Hold it tight.

[laughing]

Hold it tight, don’t let me fall.

[sound of laughter]

[cinematic music]