Original subtitles

SEPTEMBER, 1980

Atta boy! Be careful! Watch out!

Slow down!

Ouch! Ouch!

What is it, son? What is it?

-It hurts too bad. -Where? Here?

Yes.

It's okay.

Just a little scratch.

Come on... up... come on!

I won't ride it!

Let's go back to Istanbul and give it back.

So you are giving up?

-Yes. -My son is giving up?

This doesn't suit you, boy!

If you give up on your first fall, you can never do this.

No matter how many times you fall, you should know to get up.

Never give up!

Come on! Come on up!

Stay straight up in this life!

You may fall, but you will always stand back up!

-Promise me! -I promise, dad.

-Promise me! -I promise, dad!

Ah, that's my boy!

Come on...

...yes...

Speed up... go...

Look ahead!

Always look at your horizon! Go, boy! Go!

Hit the pedal!

Hit the pedal! Yes!

Dad, I did it! It's happening!

Now you have the control!

Dad, it's happening... I'm riding it!

Wait...

Dad, why did those trucks come here?

I don't know, son.

Girl, open the door. That must be your dad and brother.

Mom, I'm making crème here.

She is making crème.

How can I help you?

Is Ismail Akıncı home?

Dad... what's going on?

I don't know, Ahmet.

We'll understand now.

What is this about?

Ms. Nimet?! -Stay right there!

Are you Ismail Akıncı?

Yes, I am.

Give me your ID.

Give it to me!

Did you write this?

Yes, I did.

-Mr. Ismail, what's going on? -Woman! Don't speak.

You are guilty of declaring your ideas about breaking the unity of State.

Handcuff him... soldier!

-Your hands! -What are you saying?

You won't defend yourself here, Ismail.

What are you, doing?

-Shut up, woman! -Your hands! Your hands!

Faster!

-Sir, there is nothing against the law. -Move!

You can defend yourself at the court! Come on! Move faster! Move!

Leave him alone!

-It's okay... this is a misunderstanding. -Dad!

-Step back, woman! -Dad, don't leave us!

Step back!

Dad! Don't go! Dad!

-Ms. Nimet?! -Dad!

Dad, don't go! Stop!

Dad! Don't go! Dad!

Dad, don't go!

Dad!

Come on! Faster! Faster!

Move! Over there!

Come on! Faster!

Follow me! Keep walking!

Turn your face to me!

Come on, move!

Go! Keep walking.

Move!

Don't talk to each other!

Over here!

Keep the line.

Lean! Your arms.

Move!

Keep walking!

Next!

Come!

Move!

Come!

Hands!

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

Open the gate, guardian!

Get in!

Faster!

Move!

Move! Faster!

OUR TALE

Locked up in 1980, hundreds were wrongfully accused and condemned...

My father Ismail Akıncı was just one of them...

...he took his last breath in his cell.

...and it is his family's legal right to take back his journal.

Dude, what's up? Where is the journal?

Get in...

Come on... we'll miss the plane and the Ramadan dinner.

Ah, about that.

Brother, what happened? Tell me?

You haven't said a word since you got into the car.

Say something... did you take the journal?

At last!

You are the best! Hell, you are the best!

Mom will be very happy.

I made promises every time I walked into those jail gates.

...and I've kept one of them.

Now it's time for the other one.

Mom, I'm starving.

Alright dear... the prayers will be heard now.

Ah, you can eat now.

-May God grant your prayers! -May God grant your prayers!

-Enjoy your dinner. -To blessed Ramadans.

Amin...

So, Ramadan pita? The last pitas.

-Okay... thank you. -Here, darling.

Pass me the pastrami.

When you start with pastrami, you can't eat more...

Is it Ramadan tomorrow?

No, tomorrow is Eid, First day of the Ramadan Festival.

We say goodbye to Ramadan tonight...

Tomorrow, we'll welcome the Eid, the Religious Festival.

Stop...

-Ahmet? -Yep?

Where have you two been today?

Spit it out... there is something odd going on here.

Stop it...

-Say it, man. -Stop it!

Come on! Are you doing this on purpose?

Just say it.

We took my father's journal.

-Really? -But it was lost.

This is the man!

-Brother, how did you take it back? -Long story.

What? You were going to say it eventually.

Is it with you?

Come on!

-Show them! -Show us!

No...

Get your hands off me.

Give it to me.

Sister, be careful with the pages.

Mom, what is “journal”?

I'll tell you later. Finish your soup.

Pages are almost torn.

It had its days... it's been through a lot.

Every page of it is history.

Hell of a history!

Ismail!

Mom!

No!

Ismail!

No!

Don't go! Son!

-Dad! -Ismail!

Dad!

Son...

Mom?

Brother... please sit... I'll go.

Sit, please.

What's wrong, dad?

It's nothing. Just eat.

-Mom... -I am fine, daughter... I am fine.

I'll perform my ablution for my prayers.

Go back to the table, dear.

May God grant your wishes.

Thank you, woman.

Top of the morning.

Did you put on your Eid (Festival) clothes?

I did... did you?

Yes, I did... aren't they nice?

Are they your neat Eid (Festival) clothes?

-Good morning, Basri. -Thank you... good morning.

We are neighbors... but you don't even come for a glass of tea?

-Faster... -I will... I will...

Let's zip that up... we don't want you to get cold, right?

PRAYERS IN ARABIC

Come... let's see uncle Hasan.

-I wish you a blessed festival. -Have a blissful festival.

God bless you with kids to kiss your hands.

Praise be, Ismail... he has grown up.

Yes... he is growing up.

Are you growing up?

My son will be a man!

Come on, Ahmet... we are getting late. Your mother must have set the table.

Have a blessed festival (bayram)

-Dad? -Yes, son.

Are we taking the festival home?

-Who told you this? -Mom told me.

What did she say?

Children and their father...

...who fulfill their festival prayers, bring the festival home.

Your mother is right.

Alright then! Faster! Come, quickly!

I prayed for grandpa, dad.

Atta girl! My beautiful daughter.

Brother?

Did you see dad, again?

Are you still up?

Yes, we are.

Sleep escaped us.

I hug my father and fall asleep right away.

Ah...

I can call him.

Don't call him.

I can hug your uncle, okay?

Why are you up?

I got thirsty.

Okay, take your water... and off to the bed! Chop chop!

I hope you see the doctor sometime soon.

How will you cope with your sleeping problem?

Are you ready for tonight?

Yes, we'll set the engagement date, too.

Brother, please, be there for me.

I feel shy around Asli's father, you know.

Okay, don't worry.

When is the case?

After the Eid festival...

I wish the best... and I wish I wouldn't get married earlier than you.

But mom, you know... my brother...

Your brother! I don't want him to be stuck in the past.

Years passed by, trials over trials...

Nothing has changed.

What could he change, Tuba?

We have been through a lot... and now it's all in the past.

It's over... do you get it? It's over!

He isn't like any of us.

He became the man of the house after his father passed.

He can read it... I can't stop that.

...but once he starts reading, he'll go back to past.

He'll be stuck in the agony there.

My dear wife...

My kids... maybe we can read this journal together...

...or maybe it will guide you when I'm gone.

Up! Up! Up!

It's roll-call time! Up! Up!

-Get in line! -Up! Up!

Up! Faster! Come on!

25, 26, 27, 28, 29

30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36

37, 38, 39, 40

41! End of line!

No, not “end of line”

It's “end of line, sir”

End of line, sir!

Good.

Now... those who had a fight at the lunch line, step forth!

If you don't want everyone to be punished, step forth!

What is your crime, old man?

Homicide, sir.

Your crime?

Boy... I didn't ask an algebra problem... I asked your crime!

Say it!

Rape and homicide!

You hesitate to utter it! Why didn't you hesitate in the first place?

Maybe you could have stopped yourself.

Back to your spot!

Look at me!

You are no different than one other for me.

You are all filthy criminals.

You are here for your sentence!

My rules, here!

I will not hear you fight at the yard or any part of the jailhouse!

If I hear, I'll make you pay! Do you understand?

Yes, sir!

I couldn't hear you? Do you understand?

Yes, sir!

All this “yes sir” thing is disturbing you, I suppose...

What is your name? What is your crime?

Ismail Akıncı. I am a writer.

Get in line!

I say “get in line!”

What is your name?

Nazmi Yılmaz.

Nazmi Yılmaz, get in line!

All the anarchists and communists gather in this prison!

Move your feet back!

Back to your cells!

You are restricted from leaving your cells!

He is the one responsible for this!

You will learn my rules!

"Then we'll contact the TRT News center..

...and hear the first news of the day."

That's too much blood. You should go to the infirmary.

No need for that.

Don't be stubborn.

You should go to the infirmary.

"Turkish Armed Forces take over the duty of the government."

Guard!

Guard!

Nazmi's nose is really bad. He needs to go to the infirmary.

Step back.

Get up... we'll go to the infirmary.

I'll pass... first, you break our bones then you tell us to go to the infirmary!

Your call.

Her nose is really bad... he can't stay here.

-Are we supposed to take him by force? -Yes, you'll take him by force!

How was he dragged here? Not with a warm welcome party!

This is not about people's ideas... this is about being a human.

Up! We'll go to the infirmary. Come on!

Come on up... move...

Ahmet?

Brother...

Uncle Cemal?

If it is okay with you, maybe we can set their engagement after the Eid.

Well, I want to say “no” but I am afraid...

...Necip may convince my beautiful daughter to elope.

You are funny, Cemal.

Uncle Cemal... I took two weeks off...

...and if it is okay with you, too, mom...

...I want to engage her before I go back.

What do you say, daughter?

Whatever you say, dad.

Alright, I'll grant your wish.

-Congratulations. -Congratulations.

-So, did she sleep? -Yes, she did.

Come on, dear.

Brother... a word, please?

Mom is really sad, you know that, right?

I do...

...mommy... if only she could understand me.

If she understood the reason why I don't want to marry, she'd be relieved...

I'd be relieved.

I can see that... she didn't want me to read the journal, right?

Brother... mom sees more than you can guess.

Yes... you have your struggle and principles.

We respect that... we wish everyone else could respect that.

But your ideals won't change once you have someone in your life.

Maybe you can meet Elif.

I promise you, I won't insist one more time.

-Okay. -What?

-Okay, we can meet. -Really?

Yes, keep it under your hat.

Alright, don't worry... I got that.

This is great. I'm super happy...

...my mother will be happy, you know that, right?

-Get in. -This is going to be great.

-Get in! -Okay...

Son...

Take this pamphlet to Musa...

...he can fix it, okay?

Why?

You can keep it now.

O God! Drag me into the trouble that is love...

Don't keep me away from it now...

Bless her with more beauty as she leaves...

Entangle me in her life here and now...

Good morning, uncle Musa.

Welcome.

We have tea... fill the glasses.

I'm in a hurry... I shouldn't be late.

Ismail's case?

Yes.

I wish you the best of luck.

I hope so...

Uncle Musa...

Ismail's pamphlet?

Yes... my mother entrusted me with it.

The gildings look pretty old.

...and the cover is pale.

I wanted your retouch before I keep it.

I wish these Suleymaniye streets...

...and the Marmara Tea House had a tongue and could talk...

Your father used to read these couplets so beautifully.

Of course, son... I got this, don't worry.

Thank you.

But Ahmet, here's the deal. Don't give me a short deadline...

...we can't rush this... especially a piece like this.

Alright, alright... have a nice day.

Ahmet... since Ms. Nimet gave you this...

...you are either in love or on the path that leads to love.

The clean hands trial to give Ismail Akinci his dignity back has started.

Ms. Attorney, we can hear you now.

Obviously the court decision taken for Ismail Akıncı in 1980...

...needs no change or rectification, your honor.

Ismail Akıncı is still guilty.

The plaintiff's claims do not possess the evidence to question...

...or break the court's decision.

With better words, these are emotional demands.

No evidence found for the trial brought here by Mr. Lawyer...

...on his family's demand.

As a result, there is no necessity to examine the file again.

You can speak, Mr. Lawyer.

Ahmet, listen to me, please.

I can explain this.

Is this what you do to me after all those years?

I came here two weeks ago.

I was going to call you to talk... I thought you wouldn't talk to me.

I didn't see this coming. The odds were really low to take this case.

Alright... why didn't you refuse it once you were informed?

I am an attorney... I can't take any case I want.

I didn't take this case on purpose after all.

Let's say you didn't.

You knew this was my father's case.

You could have called me.

Ahmet...

What do you know about my father?

What do you know about those times?

...but still you could say that our file didn't have to be on the table again.

Not enough evidence?

On what grounds?

I make my job the center of my life like you always do.

You know you can't win this one with that file!

You are being emotional, Ahmet.

According to the law...

You were choked within that entanglement called law...

...and forgot that you were human.

Hello...

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good day, guys.

-Good day, sir. -Good morning, sir.

Yes.

Today... we'll study individual rights...

...and freedom in our Constitutional Law class.

Any questions on this?

Alright...

You...

Read us the seventeenth article of our Constitution, please.

Are we going to wait till dawn?

You... how did you come to my class like that?

I'm talking to you, girl... don't look at other people.

Either take it off your head or leave my class.

Come on...

Move!

How do you get this right to treat her like that?

How do you get the right to talk?

Know your place and sit back.

You can be an instructor but this doesn't mean that you insult people.

This is not a primitive republic.

We'll all obey the law.

Which law? What order?

Seventeenth Article, right? I'm reading it.

Everyone has the right to live...

...and to protect and develop their individual existence and rights.

Talking about individual rights and freedom...

...you judge someone for religious beliefs.

Your friend knows a lot!

He can take it from here.

-Sir, no... -No, please.

What if he holds a grudge against you and fails you.

I came here to learn the law... not to pass the class vainly.

It's the law...

What else could he have done?

This is ridiculous.

Excuse me.

Don't cry...

You must be stronger.

This is not your fault.

Thank you.

I'll go wash my face.

Please don't be mad at me.

I was scared... I thought he could hold a grudge against you and fail you.

Scared, and you can't come over any struggle.

Like the other students who preferred to stay inside.

But, you are making life difficult with a high profile.

That's nonsense... for someone you don't know...

You came at him in front of everyone.

Isn't that pointless?

Pointless?

We are talking about a single human right.

Obviously, there is no way you can understand this.

His case must have taken long.

He'll be here soon... I am sorry.

It's okay.

When you have a lawyer brother, God, you are in trouble.

He is master of words.

He knows how to triumph in every discussion.

I'll call him again.

That's odd.

Is something wrong?

Don't panic... he must be busy.

His trial must have taken long... otherwise, he wouldn't be late...

...especially on a day like this.

On a day like this?

I mean, we barely persuaded him to meet, you know.

He has a sleeping problem. He has the chance to talk to you about that.

Would you like more coffee?

That will be fine.

Excuse me?

-Yes, ma'am. -Another cup of coffee, please.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes, Candan... that operation is supposed to be tomorrow.

Okay... I'm coming.

Are you going?

Yes... it is my day off today but one of my patients got bad.

He must undergo his operation today.

Oh dear...

Don't feel bad, please.

Okay.

Darling, take care.

You, too... so long.

Thank you.

Ah, brother! Ah!

Today, I had my first trial.

Yes, it was really good.

Alright, I'll call.

MARCH, 1981

Ah, this is not cool... come out!

My father entrusted my mother to me.

I need to be with her.

Today, it was the visit day.

I saw my little son Necip for the first time.

I inhaled his smell that gave me to will to live.

For the first time, we met.

I saw my Ahmet, Tuba and Nimet today.

You look good, Mr. Ismail.

I am good, Ms. Nimet.

Thank God, I saw you. I am better now.

This will be over soon...

You'll come home, to us.

Of course I will.

We'll be together in our home again.

Right, Ahmet?

Yes, we missed you a lot.

Me, too.

You keep riding your bicycle, right?

No... I won't ride it before you come.

Alright, as you wish.

Look, soon I'll get out.

We can take Tuba and your mother Nimet on the bike.

...or how about this?

We can buy a new bike... four of us can ride together.

I'll be at my mother's back.

What about Necip? He can't stay alone at home.

I think, the best idea is to take Necip.

We can make a basket for the bicycle and put Necip in it.

I can make a pillow for him.

It will be soft.

Atta boy!

I missed you so much.

Come on... bring your hands.

Let me touch you.

Tiny little hands...

I love you so much. (lips move)

Flash! Flash! Our fifth president Kenan Evren visits Istanbul!

Give me one.

Here...

-God bless you with more. -Same for you.

I earn money with my elbow grease. God will see that.

Well said... what do you want to be when you grow up?

-I'll be a lawyer. -Why?

To prove my father's innocence.

Ahmet?

Another sleepless night?

Sleep escaped me, mom.

This will look, uncle Musa... what say you?

I don't know anything about that. Better you decide.

Yeah, I bet you don't know anything.

I'll take these uncle Musa.

I'll give you a bag.

Please don't bother.

Don't even mention that.

Whose is that?

Can I take a look? -Of course.

It's lovely.

Despite the old adornment, it is lovely.

Take a seat... I'll tell its tale.

This was owned by my closest friend.

He left this to his family.

It must be really valuable for them.

From his grandmother...

...this was left to her from her husband, a martyr of the Turkish Independence War.

She gave it to her son to give it to his wife as a present.

Now, their son keeps this... to give it to the girl he'll marry.

The couplets in here carry love from generation to generation.

A lovely tale.

If you allow me, I would like to renew its adornment.

Here...

I'll bring it back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.

Don't even mention.

Uncle Musa, you can come to my exhibition this time, right?

I have too much on my plate... I don't know where I put my things.

But I give you my promise for the next one.

Okay... I better go.

I am sorry, my mistake.

It's fine.

Are you alright?

Yes... you?

Greetings, Uncle Musa.

Salutations.

I came to take the pamphlet.

Pamphlet? You gave it to me yesterday.

You talk like you don't know anything about me.

Pressing an artist or a craftsman often is no good.

I was kidding. I just wanted to say hi. Take your time.

Are you alright?

I am fine.

Come, let's have coffee.

Man... good day.

Ahmet?!

Ahmet!

Ahmet, don't act like a child. Just listen to me.

Act like a child?

Answer my question... why did you come back?

You disappeared years ago and now you came out of the nowhere.

...and against me in a crucial case for me... why?

I...

Look... I'm fighting against my father's unfair sentence.

...and you stand on my way.

...but you have the nerves to say “let's talk”

Alright, let's talk.

I am all ears.

Here... read it.

What is this?

My father's journal.

You know nothing but you still fight for that case...

...first, find out what the other side has been through...

...if you have the guts.

-Good day. -Welcome.

Welcome.

Mom... mom...

Let's see what you have here.

-Do you see that? -Did you like it?

May I help you?

The lady over there...

Do you know her?

We bumped into each other outside Uncle Musa's shop.

You dropped this... maybe you need it.

Thank you.

I am sorry, again.

It was my mistake.

Excuse me.

Please... we'd like to offer you something.

You came all the way here.

I apologize on behalf of Elif... she is not very... cautious.

Ah, don't say that.

I... I need to be at the court hall... that's why I can't stay.

Good day to you. -Thank you... good day.

-Mom... -Yes?

Look, what I got from Uncle Musa today.

This is lovely.

I will renew its gildings.

May it be easy.

Won't you go to Tuba's engagement ceremony?

I said I'd renew the gildings, mom.

Ah... no way..

Your stuff here is not going anywhere.

If you don't show up, that will be very unkind.

Why would that be unkind?

I spoke with Tuba.

I said I'd show up at the wedding.

No way... you should be there now.

No way?

Weddings and ceremonies bring people together.

You locked yourself into your room.

...and Tuba's brother will be there, too. Maybe you can talk.

Mom, what am I supposed to talk with Tuba's brother?

He can't sleep. Remember?

Ah, it's sometimes hard to talk to you.

Come on, girl.

She couldn't come to your birthday I know... you can go.

You like doing good deeds, I know.

Everyone, up!

We'll search the cell!

Up! Up! Up!

Up! Up!

Move!

Come on!

Get in line!

Sir.

Sir!

Sir!

THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO (Book)

Come here!

What the hell is this?

Will you weave a yarn with this?

Will you?

Take him! Take him!

One reads, one writes...

Come here...

What does it say here?

Karl... Marx...

So you haven't learned yet.

You won't eat anything for two days... maybe then you can learn, Mr. Marx boy!

What does it say here?

It's a journal... it won't harm you.

Don't you know that it's forbidden?

Huh?

What is your job?

I'm a writer.

Ah, one of those who want to take down our Republic.

Why are you staring at me?

Why are you staring at me?

Because you are pathetic.

Look, I'm not like the previous ones.

You tried to ruin the unity of this State with guns and you failed.

We won't let you try that again with your ideas this time...

...do you understand?

Take him, too! To the dungeons!

He'll stay there for two days... maybe he can learn something, too!

Writer my ass!

There is order!

You'll sleep when I say so!

Disobey me, protest me... and I'll finish you!

Move! Move!

In there!

Welcome...

Brother?

Brother!

Come here...

Welcome.

Brother...

This is Elif. My brother.

I told you about her.

You can sit at our table.

The one on the front... your seat is ready.

You have guests. I can sit here.

My brother will keep you company.

Please, don't bother. I can go...

Alright, then... see you.

Thank you, man.

Brother Ismail.

Eyup... heat the water. Bring food.

Bring dry clothes.

Take off your pullover.

-The journal. -I have it, man...

I have it... don't worry...

Brother, when are you planning to apologize?

Uncle Musa, how are you?

Thank you... how about you?

Do you need anything?

No, we are fine... thank you.

Thank you.

-May I sit? -Please.

I kept you waiting the other day. I am sorry.

It's fine... that happens to me... a phone call and I go to the hospital.

Thank you by the way.

You are welcome.

Your gildings at the exhibition were great.

Thank you... I make them when I have time.

They look great.

If this is not enough, I can make more.

Thank you, brother Sukru.

How does it look? -It worked.

I heard that you are having a sleeping problem.

-I am sorry? -Tuba mentioned that.

Tuba... ah of course.

Have a sister like Tuba and it's natural to have a sleeping problem.

Why?

How can we solve this problem?

Actually, it is not my branch. I told Tuba...

...this was actually my senior thesis in college.

For ninety percent of the patients, this is not congenital.

They catch it later, psychologically.

Well, this is predictable.

You mean?

I mean... let me put it this way.

You are struggling for something... you don't know how long it will take...

...but you know, you'll win eventually.

...and when you are on the verge of quitting...

...your fate inside you stops that.

How do you explain the insomnia in this period, Ms. Elif?

I think I need to write a new thesis about that.

Alright.

I'll be looking forward to it.

Thank you.

-Musa. -Musa...

-Please. -You first, please.

Did you know Uncle Musa before?

My father and Uncle Musa were at the college...

...excuse me...

-Congratulations. -Thank you.

I am sorry...

Too many memories here.

Now, you get me.

I got you on the very first day, Ahmet.

Nesrin...

Elif?

Are you leaving?

I better go.

My mother is alone... and I didn't call Sevda.

She'll be worried when she wakes up.

Congratulations, again.

Thank you.

Good night, Aunt Nimet.

God bless them.

I feel asleep.

Did you call Tuba, girl?

You left early... she said she was worried.

I'll call her now.

Elif, are you alright?

Come here... come...

You don't like to talk about this, I know.

...and I am not good at talking...

When your father was with me, I was on my feet... straight up!

Then you were born.

The pain of losing your father...

...the pain of being separated from the one you love.

You are my precious...

Not saying this because you are my daughter...

...but you are different... I know you are.

I won't be like, “Ahmet is good, Ahmet is fine”

Your heart is probably whispering you something.

I read some of the pages.

They had terrible times.

This journal will change the whole course of the case.

If they don't take this journal into consideration, then we should all quit.

Don't worry... I'll put the case back on the table again.

Good morning, uncle Musa.

Welcome, Elif.

Thank you.

I finished it.

I hope you like it.

Well done, girl... this looks great.

The couplets were fascinating... written by a beautiful mind.

They are fascinating... once we renew the cover, its possessor will love it.

Now... tell me.

Uncle Musa...

I'm glad that you were there last night.

God knows what's best.

Alright, I'll be waiting for you at two, uncle Musa.

What's uncle Musa's problem?

Nothing crucial... routine check.

Fine.

So... what's up?

I'm busy... like always... I have an operation soon.

Sorry for the last night.

Why?

I couldn't spend time with you... and my brother left all of a sudden.

Actually, my brother is a great guy.

His case hasn't ended yet... so he couldn't move on.

Tuba, why are you telling me this?

My brother is little bit odd.

He can't reveal his feelings much.

For the first time, I saw his excitement.

He got excited when he saw you.

If I am not mistaken, you were excited, too.

Tuba, your brother is a sophisticated man.

...and so gentle...

His past made him an experienced man.

...and I saw something last night...

Ah, you are talking about Nesrin.

She is my brother's classmate from college.

She was assigned as the prosecution lawyer for my dad's case.

My brother doesn't feel good about it... Nesrin isn't happy, either.

Elif... there is nothing between them.

Nesrin came to talk about the case last night... that's all.

Uncle Musa... your hands are a bit slower now, right?

Oh boy! I can break your bones right here.

How dare you?

This looks great, I'm kidding. May I?

No, not so fast!

First, the cover will suck the oil.

You know what? Elif made the gildings.

I saw you two, last night... a sweet conversation you had.

Tea?

Fill it up.

Ismail, my man...

Your father used to smile all the time.

OCTOBER, 1968

He didn't fight with anyone. He never hurt people.

He used to stand with his smile against life.

We used to meet at the Marmara Tea House where we shared...

...and developed our wisdom and knowledge.

A shelter of breath amidst the rushing life.

We were ambitious youngsters.

We always got what we wanted.

We did our best to publish this magazine and share it with our folk.

Writing his pieces, he used to say...

...This is a dark world... so dark...

...my readers should find the light in my writings”

He worked for that... he struggled for the light but died in darkness.

That was his fate.

If he was alive, he'd be proud of you.

I wish he was alive.

But your father built a home when he was struggling.

He was fighting for his ideas but he loved you and your mother all the time.

Don't put barriers in front of you.

Maybe not for anyone else, but at least for yourself...

...you should stop ignoring your own existence and life.

You can speak, Mr. Lawyer... I'll hear you.

The journal we presented to the court and...

...you all read is my father's memoirs...

...which he wrote in Sinop Prison as a convict between 1980 and 1983.

The incidents taking place in 1980 and later on have harmed not only...

...my father but tons of people's pride.

This is not the case of the left-wing or the right-wing.

This is everyone's case.

With false and forged evidence, with lies... with rumors...

Innocent people were condemned and locked up in prisons.

This is everyone's case.

Sadly, my father... he died before he proved his innocence.

But I am absolutely sure...

...even when he was giving his last breath...

...he had faith in freedom we have today.

On behalf of everyone whose pride and dignity were harmed during the Coup...

...and citizens of any belief and religion, who were condemned unfairly...

...and on behalf of families torn and citizens who died alone in cold cells...

I demand “clean hands” for my father.

Decision!

The clean hands case which was brought to the court...

...by Ahmet Akıncı on behalf of his deceased father to give...

...him his dignity back.

Under the light of the new examinations and expertise reports...

...and the new Constitutional regulations...

...Ismail Akıncı's formerly assumed crimes are...

...now accepted as “not illegal” actions...

...and he has been found “not guilty”

...Ismail Akıncı now has all his constitutional rights back.

With dignity restored, his stained name is now clean.

I'll call brother Kenan... and thank him.

Go to the car, I'll join you. -Alright then.

We'll be in the car. -Come, mom.

Hello, brother Kenan?

We won!

Thank God...

I'll ask you something.

Nesrin wasn't there at the court hall.

Nesrin!

Leaving without a goodbye again?

We won the case.

I had no doubts.

This was us in college years...

This deep silence.

These shy looks...

Then you always started to talk.

At that engagement night...

I saw you...

...talking to... her...

I wish I was sitting there with you instead of her.

I am just pushing life too hard.

You know what you used to say...

“I won't sleep in peace...

...till I right the wrong that had been done to him”

You are a very good man.

...a very good man.

NOVEMBER 1970

My dear kids...

Did I ever tell you how I met your mother?

I couldn't... that's true...

Because I never had enough of you.

I only remember your first smiles.

Your cheerful eyes looking like your mother's eyes.

Little one... here...

Take it...

I saw your mother once on the street.

Then I couldn't have the chance to see her again.

We were in the same neighborhood, I knew it but...

...I didn't know her house.

That day... I walked the streets of Suleymaniye all day, to run into her.

What would I have told your mother if I had run into her, though?

I didn't know that... I was just walking.

The streets of our neighborhood...

...and the centuries old plane trees were my companion.

They were keeping me company for my search for your mother.

Nimet, the woman I saw once...

...the woman I knew, was going to be my lifetime partner.

When our hands unite in love, no one can separate us.

I never gave up...

...I knew, our eyes were supposed to meet once again.

We had a happy home.

Our hearts united by that fountain and never left each other ever again.

NOVEMBER 1983

Did you have your suhoor (late night dinner before fasting) brother Ismail?

The prayers will be heard soon.

I had my suhoor, thank you.

Let's see how many Ramadans we are going to see here?

I hope this is going to be our last Ramadan behind bars.

God willing.

Brother Ismail?

-Brother Ismail! -Ismail!

Get some water!

Brother Ismail fainted.

Give him some space!

Brother Ismail?!

-Guardian! -Open the windows!

Brother Ismail!

Open the door!

Brother Ismail fainted.

Brother Ismail! Brother Ismail!

I always think about you.

Of course I do...

This is the season when trees shed their yellow leaves...

...you are my heaven blossoming in my heart every morning.

I tried to serve you as a father who earned his money fairly...

...a father who tried to make a living with the tip of his pencil.

I can't even stand the idea of seeing you bending down your knees.

Do not underestimate yourselves.

Never mind the fact that I've been condemned here...

...because of reading, writing a book and suffering for uttering an idea.

This era, this period is the time of choosing to “suffer”.

This era is the time of honorable acts not blessed to everyone.

An honorable act is the highest level of honor for me.

When you sleep at nights, I think of you in these dungeons.

In the middle of the night, I pray I can open a door into the skies...

I do this every second... I am not tired of this.

Don't worry... maybe today maybe tomorrow... wait for me.

We'll be together again.

Don't be afraid of what you see today.

Always have hope for tomorrow.

Rest assured...

Tomorrow, it's going to be much better.

...and never forget that... I love you.

...and I will love you forever.

MEKTUP (THE LETTER) plays

I wrote a letter in a hurry

Read it word by word...

I wrote a letter in a hurry

Read it word by word...

You got letter from me...

Put it on your chest and sleep...

I wrote a letter to my lover

One day, night may fall...

...our song may remain on the lips...

Read it word by word I'll be on your mind

...for “that” generation...

On Friday nights...

Remember me, on Friday nights.