Original subtitles

Actors: Sadegh Moghaddas, Ahou Kheradmand

Shahnaz Sahebi, Soheil Souzani, Djanghorbani, Reza Gian

Layegh, Khaladj, Haeri, Varahram, Khatibi, Zaman

Yes, yes. But I've been especially curious about

what happened after the defeat. After Alexander the Great.

It remained unchanged. And that for years. But nobody cared about it.

Are these the only available photos?

No. Wait a minute.

You will certainly understand why it remained unchanged.

With the participation of Iradj Zohari

Music: Fozieh Majd

Cinematography: Ali Hedjrat, Hossein Rahnama, Daneshmandi

Editing: Poran Golfam, Mirza Pour, Siavashi

Costume Design: Farzaneh Zahedi

Laboratory: FILMSAZ Sound: Davanash, Title Design: Tavalla

Balaban Player: Taghi Rastegar

Production: N.I.R.T.

Written and directed by: Ferydoun Rahnema

Ren� Grousset writes:

"Iran is on the threshold of the West, but also on the threshold of the East.

It is a bridge between the East

and the West."

IRAN'S SON IS UNAWARE OF HIS MOTHER

What process?

What Iran?

Who is Iran?

What is Iran?

That's what I want to explore.

And I'm exploring you.

Stop bothering me. Give it back!

Here you are.

Here you are.

So talk a little bit about their wives.

Were they like this?

Or like that?

Otherwise, I'll keep it.

Well, all right. The gentleman is angry.

My word is an illness. You're sick of history.

I don't understand: How can the past,

which is still unclear,

resemble the present?

What are you looking for?

I think that there were also pictures of their wives.

Whose wives?

It was you who asked for them. Ah! Look!

Do you like them?

I wouldn't accept to look like that.

Why not?

But my beloved! We, the living, are also human beings.

I also count.

This is what the fellow said:

Sex! Yes, sex!

Sex is what people are asking for.

I wasn't talking about that. And even if? It's a natural thing.

In this case it's a natural reaction.

And what about Westerners?

But what's wrong with it? Here or there?

Yes. Sex. The infatuation with sex

At least this way, people are less stilted.

What do you mean?

Wait. Let me show you.

You see? Everyone watches. Everyone likes it.

It's not about that, it's about the whole consumption aspect.

- Have you read that story? - About Iran?

Yes. The process.

I still don't understand it. Announcement! This is literary!

Iran... Iran...

Iran...

I forgot his family name. Iran...

Iran...

Ah! Yes, I remember... With you, one ends up feeling dizzy.

Constantly Iran... Ancient Iran, present Iran, Iran.

Yes, I read it. It seems the guy was a father's son and...

Iran. Yes, Iran.

How and what will it be?

My work is not moving forward.

Yesterday, the technical error...

...on the TV screen.

Afterwards, everything became confusing.

I don't know how to explain it to you,

it's as if the sound and light waves of the figures

from the past

came back to us by means of

an image receiver. So I was thinking that

it would continue like this.

Our light and sound waves are for the people to come after us.

Despite my eagerness, I don't understand anything.

Yet it's simple. There are all sorts of theory on this subject

which say that the waves never disappear.

Fine. Suppose the waves of speech and expression

come back to us from the past

in the form of the error we saw on the TV screen. In discontinuous disorder.

Fine. You would be in the same situation as you are now.

- Which situation? - Mine. As you can see:

I'm absent, I'm present.

I'm here, I'm there. With you, with them.

They appear, they disappear.

One moment. Fine, fine. No.

Yes, old man. Hello. Pardon me.

No, believe me.

I'm telling you, believe me.

Of course, you can trust me.

Then get him to sign a contract.

But that's not a phrase! No, I'm not talking to you.

Now who knows that person?

Change it.

Fine. I'll be waiting for your call. Goodbye.

I've done a lot of work. Do you understand me?

Hello?

- Mr. Yazdi... - That's for another day.

- But, sir... - What I've told you.

You're very busy. Some other day.

You're a witness. Excuse me.

By the way, it will be rather expensive.

The costumes, the decors. It's immense.

This is no joke. And then let's keep our eyes closed

regarding our good relations with the Greeks.

But this has nothing to do with our relations.

Let's see! Just between us. Never mind!

And then that serious tone.

All that literary talk.

It's too serious.

Without anything amusing.

That's all I'm saying right now, it's impossible.

But you have many talents. This is really not just a compliment.

Couldn't you put on a more accessible work?

As you know, we are preparing

a large, well-equipped room.

I went to see the group to talk to them.

- I'm not listening to you. - The director...

I told you, I'm not listening to you.

Why not? What are you playing at?

At nothing. If you don't greet me, I don't listen to you.

All right. Hello!

Better. More sweetness, more tenderness.

If it's like that, I'll shut up.

Don't be angry. But I've been waiting for you,

and you come here as if nothing has happened and talk about your work.

But isn't it also your work? Now listen:

First of all, I'm sorry, you're right.

Secondly, I thought our work would also be enjoyable for you.

Thirdly, I went to see the new group to start rehearsals.

I did this while waiting to receive money.

But I was told that I had to join their group first.

Do you understand? Then we have to approve it.

I mean that the board director has to approve it.

Once it has been accepted, you will assign all rights to us

and we will settle the rest.

Let me tell you about the realization.

You know, it needs to be rearranged.

As it is, it cannot be performed.

For example, the character of the hero,

he is weak, he sways,

he's not homogeneous, even though he's a hero.

And furthermore, you put too much emphasis

on his aristocratic side, which people don't like.

And from another point of view it's not appropriate.

Anyways, a modification is necessary.

In summary, when all group members have accepted your text,

then we can work on the performance.

I'm now forced to recur to my relatives,

friends and acquaintances

to ask them if they're willing to finance the performance.

What have you been up to?

To the large library.

Then he read me this little poem

from the time of the Arab invasion

and the migration of a large number of Iranians to India.

You must be very busy, given that you're taking notes like that.

This is for a play.

Ah, I see. So you're a writer. Where are we going to see it?

I don't know yet.

And who're the actors?

I don't know. I already told you.

Okay, okay.

Forgive me if I'm indiscreet. What's the subject?

It's about the Parthian Empire.

So it's historical. Just like that other play...

"Nader's Sword".

The actors were wonderful.

Not that kind of genre. It's a mixture of past and present.

Okay, I understand. So it's a comedy.

Just like on TV. Amir... Amir Arsalam.

When will the time come that a messenger from India,

from the lineage of the Kians, will appear?

It's here!

Sir, the accounting department gave the order not to pay you.

It appears to be because of your absence days.

- But I've already paid the fines. - Listen, I'm not aware of this.

The accounting department has no right to block the salaries.

I can't help you.

- Can I see the head of the accounting department? - Wait.

He says that we will only be able to pay you

after the director has given his approval.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

You know how much I respect

your extensive knowledge.

I even defended you against certain officials.

But you need to recognize that your absence days are becoming too frequent.

I know you've been engaged in the creation of a theatrical work.

But such work is not in accordance with

the scope of our organization.

You even congratulated me on fulfilling my duties.

I know that, but it has nothing to do with your absence days.

So for what have I been paying all these fines?

Here you go! The receipts!

You think the other workers don't take days off? It's that they use tricks.

I understand your problem,

but there's nothing I can do about it.

However, let me give you an advice.

You see, if you love the arts and performances so much,

why don't you work in one of the corresponding organizations?

You'd avoid such conflicts.

On the road.

This very day. Today.

A large company made me that offer.

No, I'll be back soon.

It's no direct appointment, but it could become one.

It's better like this.

Ten days maximum. I told you it depends.

You know, me and goodbyes.

All right. Goodbye.

- How are you? Where are you going? - I'm looking for someone.

Wait for the rest of my speech.

But wait a moment!

I'm the spectator

of what happens behind the curtain.

I'm the watchful eye

of the blind crowd.

Well said, right? It's not finished. Wait!

I'm searching. I'm watching.

I'm exploring.

One moment.

So you don't recognize your friends anymore?

It's full. Well filled.

It must be going well for you.

- So the deal is done? - Let me see.

Deals are deals. Everything's a deal.

Even the war. Why worry?

What's bothering you?

That's the deal. I'm your humble servant.

As long as you can eat. Get fat!

Get fat and inflate yourself!

But you're a donkey, a poor donkey.

I've also written a poem.

With rhythm and rhymes.

It will blow your mind.

Later, later, I'll see you again.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Have you seen it yet? - Yes, in the garden.

- What was he talking about? - The whole truth. Nothing but the truth.

Isn't he a little crazy?

That would be the reason.

We were just speaking about that problem.

All of you are such bores.

I was looking for you.

I'm interested only in individuals.

We were talking about...

What? Individuals?

- Yes. - Ladies and gentlemen!

Tonight we've organized a sort of game.

It's a very funny game. You have to follow me.

And everybody has to accept the game. Is that alright?

So let us start!

I'll choose a man and I'll choose a woman for him.

And the couple has to follow me.

You! Come!

Excuse me! There's no end to it.

Yes, but that's not bad.

It seems like you've been living abroad for a long time.

Because of my accent? My father is Canadian.

Ah, do you speak French?

A little. But I prefer to speak English.

It's not as complicated as you think.

You see, this country is like everything else. You have to discover it.

You have to let it open itself to you.

I know, I know. But there are certain things that either I can't understand

or I don't understand.

Or I'm not in position to judge.

Well, never mind. You... you really love this country.

- But somehow, you know... - Somehow?

Somehow, I don't know, I just feel you aren't a part of it.

Maybe you feel you have to defend this country

or maybe you're trying to replace things that actually exist

with things that you'd like to see there, that you wish were there.

Anyway...

No, thanks.

Let's dance.

Your love will end up killing me...

What are you talking about?

Nothing big. For you Europeans it's too sad

and perhaps stupid.

Say it. At the end it will always be the same.

What are you saying?

Nothing. Words, words, words.

What's wrong?

Night. Again. I'm dreaming?

Very Eastern.

Very scared.

These lights.

Again the Parthians.

This light.

The Seleucids.

I would like to understand all of these things.

Hey, noble Parthian knight!

I'm a sorrowful, beautiful child.

I'm sad, sad, sad.

- But why? - I don't know. I'm sad.

That's all I know.

Dear sir, I loved that man.

- Oh. - Yes, six years ago.

Six years?

Very oriental.

Indeed.

Oh, very nice boy! Hold me! Hold me tight! Tight!

O Romeo. Romeo,

wherefore art thou Romeo?

- You're drunk. - Drunk? Drunk...

Drunk...

You hear me, one of you? I'm drunk.

Drunk!

Say, and you beauty...

Who could accompany me?

A gentleman! A man! Where can you find me?

I used to be a tree in the forest.

They chopped me with an axe.

I was chopped, so they could make me a hookah.

So that the fire would never burn on my head.

Have my heart! Have my heart!

A man, I said. A gentleman.

Dear sir, will I have the honor of your kindness?

Would you kindly escort me home?

Come!

I'm lonely.

I saw you were asleep, and I didn't want to wake you.

In Farsi!

In Farsi!

I saw you were asleep,...

Come now. You're far away.

She really loves you.

I had no idea.

Why is it like that?

Huh? Why?

What, why?

When one person takes the place of the other...

What does she do? If she loves him?

I'm not separated from her.

So why are you with me?

- Who is to blame? - I don't understand.

I mean, whose fault is it? Where does the fault lie?

I know, but what do you mean by that?

Ah, you want to tell her?

Why don't you tell her?

She'll suffer.

There's always someone who suffers.

What can be done about it? It's like being born and dying.

You lie either to yourself or to others.

It's always about ownership. I've already told you about it.

You see?

The material situation...

is deteriorating.

This is what you were looking for, chains, darkness

and dungeons.

And the garden, and the flower you gave me that night.

While the flames of life of our peasants

were fading away.

What a great and warm solitude.

Be quiet!

Yes, I remember. And also how in our countryside

the sound of chains gradually replaced the song of the crickets.

Enough of this nonsense. Be aware that...

So who are you? The unnatural son of that same countryside

I'm talking about and that same garden she's talking about.

I'm also addressing you. Say your name! Your profession!

To let you cross the entrance of our land.

Guards!

Your name! I'm telling you, your name!

Right now I'm the guardian, as are thousands of others.

I demand! We demand!

Your name! Your skills! Your profession!

Be quiet! Don't provoke me!

I'm provoking you. You must concede to respect this entrance,

otherwise you must leave this land.

This land belongs neither to you nor to your followers.

It belongs to all those who have respected the entrance.

Soldier Roshanak! You're the guardian.

Sir! Who are you? What do you do? What do you know? Tell me.

So that I let you pass.

Enough of the insolence. The names and whereabouts of your fellows!

The question is mine to ask. The names of those who follow you!

Take them away! Mithridate!

Mehrdad! And not Mithridate!

Not bad. You were a little dry.

Anyone in my place would have been a bit dry.

Wait, if you actually reflect on his character,

you'll understand he sees his actions as justified.

This is how he can best serve his country.

Like Afshine. Do you remember him and what he did against Babak?

There, we fought against the Arabs. Here, against the Greeks.

And right here! Here, against the empty stomachs!

And it's a long way to walk every day to get to this damned club.

Who forces you?

No one, fortunately. I'm not a slave.

Over there are your slaves.

We've been rehearsing for just one month now. We were aware of the conditions.

You see, we again find ourselves at a junction. Just like before.

The important thing is to see it clearly.

I hope it will be this way. A kind of new youthfulness.

But we're living in an ancient country.

That same old age will also be reached by young countries.

At the time of the Greek occupation, it was the same.

We were old. We were beaten. And how did we rejuvenate?

The work of the Parthians is nothing other than that rejuvenation.

Can we act like they did? Can we do that?

This land.

This land.

I saw oblivion

that covered everything.

Where is Iran?

What is Iran?

- You haven't told me. - What? - What did the taxi driver say to you?

You've distracted me. Ah yes.

He said that if past and present mingle,

the play must be a comedy. In my opinion, he has a point.

Whose fault is it?

Excuse me, sir!

Excuse me, sir!

This gentleman is currently working on a play about the Parthians.

- Do you know anything about them? - Yes, of course. But why?

Because this question is important for his work.

What do you know about them?

Excuse me, Madam. I'm in a hurry.

Listen. This is very important.

- This question has current relevance. - Let me go, please.

Wait a moment!

You see, the past resembles the present time.

Are you listening?

It means that they are like people today.

That's why our problems...

I see. I read that somewhere. I think someone else

said the same thing. Yes, intellectual fuss.

Excuse me... No, I already told you.

- But sir. - Here we are again.

- What do you say? - You with your questions.

Listen to me, it's really very serious.

I'm leaving.

Where to?

Canada.

- So early? - So late.

- Really this early? - Really this late.

Fine. The costume fits you and you know the roles well.

To make it clearer, let's get started!

You and your peers are the ones who built the land in this state.

The people want to live in peace.

Thanks to the Greeks, we finally acquired it.

In peace! Do you understand? In peace!

And you should also know that if it wasn't for me and my people,

you wouldn't be alive and you wouldn't be able

to allow yourself such impudence.

The land we have to plough is old.

It's old age itself.

It's the past. It's time. It's the past itself.

This old age threatens the entire country.

The state of crisis does not belong to a single epoch.

This is him.

Leave us alone!

I prefer him to also be a witness. What do you want from me?

I want to talk.

There can be no dialogue between us.

Dialogue is always possible.

What do you want?

The liberation of this country.

What's the point? What would you gain from it?

What did Leonidas and Themistocles gain from

rising up against the empire of Xerxes?

They were defending an existing freedom.

Freedom in Athens and Sparta.

But you are defending an illusory freedom,

and men who practice slavery and subjugation as a habit

by their own standards. That is the difference!

You have defended the men who bow to us

because they fear us so much.

You should know that they also avoid you, and perceive you as a stranger.

Especially given such behavior.

How foreign were Leonidas and Themistocles?

No. You take your wishes for reality.

The Greeks had been living

- in a democracy for years. - Don't flaunt it.

What do you know about this land? What do even its own people know?

Given that they themselves don't know it, thinking that it never existed.

I admire you. Your courage,

your honesty, your wisdom

and that appropriate frankness towards us Greeks.

- That idiot Mithridates! - Mehrdad, not Mithridates!

Fine, Mehrdad, that illustrious fool and scatterbrain, who has incited you.

You, who are so very Greek, maybe even more so than us.

After all, just think about it.

The traditions of this country were, and still are,

those of despotism.

That is the very rule that destroyed your country. Don't forget that.

No, I can't forget it.

That's unforgettable.

At present, Achaemenes is not the last one. Let's move on!

In spite of everything that you said about this country, you know that even

Alexander the Great had to...

Poor Alexander...

It was you people who diverted him

and he then became a barbarian and despot.

Here he was no longer the same.

And why wasn't he the same?

Have you asked yourself this question?

Have you tried to understand his inner struggles? No.

Because you didn't want to comprehend the culture of your own country.

Because apart from Aristotle, there have been thinkers like Antisthenes.

Ah, peace with these little meaningless ones!

With those who never wanted to accept conveniences.

Wait! The tone. The tone again. It should be cold, expressionless.

I got distracted.

Maybe you don't want to work here anymore either.

No, I assure you. I was thinking of

those people who never wanted to accept conveniences.

So what?

You said that

this play is constantly making comparisons.

So we tend to compare.

With what? What is it all about? Why don't you speak more clearly?

Never mind! If you want to laugh, here you go!

I compared it with the world of the hippies.

This is no laughing matter.

Ancient Greek philosophers, such as Diogenes or the Cynics

thought that for man, even a shirt is too much.

In Iran, too, there were such thinkers. Before and after Islam.

If we think carefully, we will find that Christians

and Mithraics were also hippies in their time.

And our Dervishes.

Of course. Like the Malamatis.

Let's move on! Let's get back to the play!

You walk. You come back with this arm movement

- and you say... - Conveniences. - Fine. Go ahead.

Freedom requires discipline and respect.

These people didn't respect the reasons

for their life and freedom,

and the future will sweep them away.

How do you know who and what

will be swept away in the future?

Don't irritate me!

Anyways, you will understand one day

that the men of your country will reap

the fruits of what I'm doing with my companions.

And if you examine it closely, this is true love.

And not, as you imagine, your action, yours and that of your army.

My companions! A handful of uncultured people!

A handful of nomads tearing each other apart!

A handful of small governors who fear their peasants!

What are they? Who are they? Say it! Why don't you understand?

Even you are a stranger to them

because you talk about revolt

and revolt is a Western concept. You yourself know this.

What do you want to bring to these people?

Come join us, and you will be able to express your thoughts.

Transform our country, and it will transform the entire world.

I, too, am tired of what's going on over there.

I have a vague apprehension

that in the World Empire

sovereignty has eluded us.

The ascending and barbarian Romans have replaced us

and even call us decadent.

Your words will help us to become aware of our obligations again.

How do you know that the liberation of this country

will not help those Romans?

Nonsense. Nonsense.

The situation has become almost untenable and

the debts are increasing.

Nevertheless, I thought of finishing the decorations,

but there's always this money problem.

K. doesn't want to continue, neither does S.

The bank requires guarantees.

Excuse me. About what he said,

is there a reference to a historical event?

More or less. Such as Christianity in Rome.

Apparently even Spartacus...

Ah, it's you!

I came to say goodbye to you.

- Goodbye? - Yes, the plane leaves in an hour.

Excuse me. I interrupted you. So, goodbye.

Please don't come. I insist. Please. Bye!

As you like.

Her departure was so gentle.

It's tough, isn't it? Her departure.

I was thinking about the lack of weight.

The lack of burden,

if you think of affections.

And you like "weightless" affections?

Perhaps.

Why didn't she stay?

I don't know.

To avoid being "heavy".

She is happy to be "weightless".

I don't feel well. By the way, Parham won't be coming tomorrow.

Once I feel a little better, I'll come to your place.

Sometimes there are invisible

burdens of life.

Do you remember, Zarir?

Do you remember the 43rd Chapter of the Yasna, the Avestan Hymns?

O Mazda Ahura, when the time comes

to pass your message on to other humans,

wouldn't I be overwhelmed

by my passion?

How strange it is.

He who was a prophet.

We carry the burden of a future we don't even know.

It's the price of our deeds.

Why all of a sudden so much bitterness?

Herodotus wrote: "When Xerxes was victorious and crossed the Hellespont,

he suddenly became very upset.

Ardavan asked him the reason for this sudden sadness

and Xerxes said to him: I recognize that man does not live long

and that within a hundred years none of these soldiers will be alive."

Zarir! It's much more a regret than a bitterness.

A regret for what life could be, and is not.

I believe that if we were to lose that regret

then we would only be beasts reduced to our bellies.

We kill and they kill.

They will kill and we will kill.

Up to what point?

Your mind and eloquence deserve more

than to hang on to the inevitable.

The inevitable!

Perhaps... Perhaps.

Our plan: The forest is here.

They're there. Right there.

You, you're here.

When the Greek army passes...

Not bad. Except for the fact that you don't know your lines.

I won't be able to do better. You're pushing us to the limit.

He was quite right to say that we are not serfs.

- What are you saying? - We are no serfs.

The gentleman lives in opulence, and it is we who must suffer for it.

But why? Why?

For literature! Bulky words! Empty discourses!

Let me tell this gentleman:

The play is a praise to the aristocracy.

The same aristocracy that dragged us into the shit.

No, I'm not participating anymore.

Wait.

But there's no one left.

Never mind! No one should have to stay. Enough discussion. Take his place!

Listen, father! Who made you rich? Think about it!

Where does this wealth come from?

From this same land.

I can't understand it.

This land must exist for you to continue your business.

What's our fault? The Achaemenids prepared our defeat.

Come what may! As for me, I'm satisfied with my business.

It satisfies you. Yes. It satisfies you.

I say that you are satisfied.

Your ancestors must have said the same thing in those times.

As a consequence of the decisions of those

who rejected the result of all that, this is the life we lead.

With these foreigners! With this separation!

This separation in the mind and in the heart. Everywhere.

We're all separated. Even you are a stranger to me.

But what can we do?

Without weapons, without drachmas, without soldiers.

Nobody accepts to work for free.

Nobody accepts to work for free.

Lingering at the margin or remaining inside.

Observing something from a constant distance.

Thinking about something from a defined perspective.

It means to look at a statue from a single angle.

This numbs and diminishes.

Time frees us from narrowness.

Why are you all sitting?

So read it!

Because of the exhausting duration of the rehearsals

and the unsuccessful realization of the play.

But also because of the stubbornness and the permanent arbitrariness

of the director, we, the undersigned actors, have decided:

1. To elect someone from our group to replace the director.

2. To bring back the actors who have resigned.

3. To get in touch as soon as possible with theaters and organizations

that are able to include the play in their program.

4. To contact the companies "United Nails" and "Guide and Son"

to ask them to fund the production.

5. To make any number of necessary changes to the play

to make it more accessible to the public's taste

and give it a more optimistic ending.

To eliminate at all costs the aristocratic aspect of the character.

And to show, insofar as this is possible, that the hero

belongs to the working class.

Bravo! It's not badly arranged.

And everyone agreed to it?

- I said you make yourselves ridiculous. - He's lying. He also agreed to it.

Hold on!

What if the writer withdraws his play?

You can't do that.

Now this is what the director decides:

All those sitting there will no longer be part of the group.

This is not a mix-up!

What's going on here?

This gentleman has decided to replace me with someone else.

Yes, that's right. To replace me,

to choose between them a director, and then to change the play

to make it more convenient.

- That's democracy. - You deserve that bitch.

Your ancestors are bitches! Shameless!

Let go of me!

Yes, Master, no one. That's the way it is.

Afterwards, how will you repay the debts?

What is this play about?

It's about the Parthians.

So it's about ancient times. Of course. You'll have to spend a lot of money.

Costumes, scenery, and that sort of thing.

Why don't you choose a more current topic?

Do you know who the Parthians were?

It's in the history books. They did what they could.

We'll have to do something else. Don't we?

This is the actual subject of the play.

The relation between them and us.

Listen, Master. Listen. What did they want to do?

They wanted to change their situation. Do you understand, Master?

It's very clear.

Yes, of course. But what happens to the poor worker in all this?

No question, I share this conviction,

but who actually listens to these things?

Nowadays, people are so caught up in their own affairs

that no one would want to listen to you.

Just like back then. But the Parthians were able to make themselves heard.

They were rich, weren't they?

What difference does it make?

What did they know about how people feel?

What do you know about it?

What do you know about it? Who knows how people feel?

How many people do you know who are like you?

Of course. You're right.

Many pull themselves out of the affair at the first opportunity.

Yes, that's indeed the case, but there are also

a lot of people who are not like that.

As for you, you're too honest.

After all, I've known you for twenty years, as you know.

You know what? You think this play is meaningless, right?

Not meaningless. But you know, you take it too much to heart.

That's it. I mean, can it actually help people?

That's weird. In the play there's a blacksmith who resembles you.

He has exactly the same doubts and pessimism,

but in the end he helps the hero

and makes the weapons for free.

So he was rich. Times have changed. I told you.

The blacksmith was the owner of his material.

Nowadays, if you can't pay for the wood on time,

no one will want to supply you with it.

But you lent me money.

Please. Don't mention it.

What a strange night, Master.

I had the feeling that the world was coming to an end.

For the decoration of a scene we had to pay for an entire order delivery.

I had asked everywhere,

parents, friends, acquaintances,

for a small sum, I even asked my father's servants.

Without any result. Nothing.

They were right. I hadn't paid off all my debts.

And we started talking about it.

The words of my father are clearly in my memory.: Forget about it.

Get lost! You're not a priest. You didn't take an oath.

Master, it was as if these words clarified everything for me.

In fact, it was as if I had really taken an oath.

To whom, to what, I don't know.

So I came to your place.

You had no money and you went to a merchant.

You must have begged him to give you 60 tomans.

Ah, these 60 tomans, Master.

No amount of money has ever been so gratifying to me.

Why didn't you say anything?

I was embarrassed, even towards you.

What a world! Ah! What a world!

Listen, Master. I've been walking around

with all that trouble, tired of

all the cars that passed by.

What didn't I think of?

Whether we like it or not, money is a very real thing.

And it is capable of destroying so many values.

There, I thought of the Parthians, of King Arsaces.

Maybe he wasn't really the way I would have liked him to be,

I wasn't there to find out.

I have a strong attachment to him.

To all of them.

Rich or not rich,

these distinctions are too generalizing. In each category there are

good people and bastards.

I've seen it around me, I've experienced it.

And you in your environment.

I said yes.

What a happy man I am.

Do you know why?

I'm happy because at least I can think about these things.

That's already enormous.

Secret combinations and tricks

don't really matter to me,

but they let this world become

more bearable.

And nothing will conceal our cry anymore.

Nothing anymore. Watch!

How the water veins of our mountains meet.

How in the plains, these veins reach the streams.

Nothing will conceal the murmur of our streams anymore.

And we're flocking in from all sides,

from all sides, to come together.

Prometheus, your great hero, stole the fire from your Gods.

And we steal the fire from you, or from any other God.

And we free our land.

Freedom is freedom everywhere.

It's a cloud that constantly moves and brings rain.

We've revolted just as you once revolted.

But our banner of revolt was covered with ornaments.

It was your revolt that awakened us.

May our revolt also become your awakening.

The torch passes from hand to hand continuously.

We may seem like your enemies today,

but the day will come when you will love us.

Your children will undoubtedly love us.

- Bravo! - Ridiculous!

Oh! Oh! The phone.

You're asked on the phone. It's urgent, a long distance call.

Yes. Yes, it's me.

Hello? Hello? Yes, I understand.

It's me. I'm saying it's me.

Ah, it's you! I'm fine. How are you?

I wrote to you. I'm saying I wrote to you.

Are you well? I'm asking if you're well?

Are you well, joyful, happy?

I can't hear anything, it's too noisy.

I don't understand anything. The line is congested.

Did you understand what I said?

Yes, yes. It wasn't bad.

I can hardly believe how quickly this year has gone by.

Oh, that's true. I'm saying it's true,

but we forget about it when we're absorbed in the work.

I'm saying we tend to forget that it's a spectacle.

I'm not pessimistic, but...

I'm saying both the spectacle and life itself...

The spectacle and life itself...