Original subtitles

(In Kurdish) The crow wakes up early and runs to the lake.

He looks at his reflection on the water.

A shriveled up black face with a pair of bright white eyes.

The crow lifts his head

and sees...

a flock of peacocks crossing the lake.

He shouts,

"Peacocks! Peacocks!

Why am I ugly and not beautiful like you?"

The peacocks then get even more fluffed.

They ignore him.

The crow follows the peacocks.

He picks up the multicolored feathers

that the peacocks drop in their majestic walk

and he attaches them to himself.

He goes down to the lake to look at his reflection.

He is a peacock now.

So he walks like one.

Sometimes, in disguise, he spends time with them.

One day, the peacocks are joking around amongst themselves.

They notice an ugly voice.

An ugly voice is laughing with them.

(In Turkish) What are you doing?

Go inside!

SONG OF MY MOTHER

It's you, Sanem. Welcome.

- Come on in. -Thank you.

How are you?

Come in, have a seat.

You're quite packed up already, Sister Nigar.

I've done my best. How about you?

We sent the furniture out.

I'm waiting for Mehmet to come back.

Before he does, l wanted to say goodbye.

What goodbye, Sanem?

God willing we'll meet at the village!

Is there still a village, Sister Niigar?

We'll meet there, don't worry!

How is the bride?

Hello, Mehmet. 0K.

0K. I'm coming.

You asked about my bride?

She's doing good.

Only a month left, but it was a tough pregnancy.

- I hope she will be 0K. -Poor thing, she is so frail.

God does not abandon his servant, my child.

- I pray to God. -Amen.

If I may, I'll leave now. Mehmet is waiting.

You may.

Farewell, my dear.

Thank you.

- Give me your blessing. - You have it and I need yours.

My kids grew up in your house. You gave us food.

You took care of this house more than I did. Godspeed.

- Thank you, my dear. - God bless you.

- Goodbye! - Thanks goodbye!

Take care of yourself and your health.

Thank you, my dear. Goodbye.

- Sanem! -What is it, Sister Niigar?

- Come here fora second. -What?

Come here.

Take this amulet and give it to your bride.

I hope her pregnancy will be easier.

May God bless you.

Let God give you good-hearted neighbors!

First to all Muhammed's people, then to us.

- Amen. Farewell! - Godspeed.

Godspeed.

Come on Mom! We're late!

That's enough, Mom!

The ceremony's lasted long enough.

I still have Bese's plates!

You'll give them back. Come on, we're really late.

- Ali? -Yes.

Where's that tape of "dengbéj" Seydoyé Silo?

It must be here. Where else would it be?

I couldn't find it.

It must be in a box. We'll look when we get to the house.

Mom, are you good like that? Hold on tight!

- Did you check all of these? - I did.

See, I looked and it's not here.

I don't even remember that tape.

What do you youngsters remember anyway?

I'll ask around tomorrow. Maybe someone has it.

Seydo had a great voice and was a good "hafiz".

My father used to say that when he sang,

"Grains of barley climbed up walls." He was such a "hafiz".

Did Grandpa tell you that story?

Yes, he did.

Everything gets lost, everything... 0 cruel fate!

Seydoyé Silo.

Here you go.

Are you 0K?

I feel like there's a worm nibbling my head!

You tire yourself too much.

You don't have to clean the house every day.

Get some rest. Why are you in such a hurry?

What should I do all day? I'm bored.

No, no.

- You're not going to drink? - I don't have an appetite.

Eat your breakfast.

Come on!

No.

Eat it yourself, then.

- What's wrong? -l'm not hungry.

- I am fine. - You are fine.

Look what it says here. "Draw a circle around the T."

Our letteris T.

1, 2, 3, 4...

Good! You've done it all.

Sit down, kids.

Ali, the officers are here fora search.

Oznur, sit down.

There's class right now. They can search later.

Sir, please let us do our job. We received a tip.

We have a search warrant.

- Come on, children. -Alright, no problem, go ahead.

Check his records.

Give me your lD.

May I take your lD?

Look over there carefully.

Check there.

Ahmet, I have an ID for you.

122...

781...

15...

733.

Did you check there?

0K, thank you.

He's clean.

Are we done?

- It's clean, inspector. -Clean!

Let's go, guys-

0K, Ali. You may carry on.

“Mam!

Whose tum was it?

- My tum. - Come on up.

Game $m.

This is Oznur's.

Here, you can paint this.

Ali?

What do the stars say about me today?

Mom, honestly, you won't even let me work for an hour!

- Which one is yours? -Virgo.

- Last time you said it was Taurus. -No, mine is Virgo.

0K, I'll read it.

"Your creativity awakens.

The people you'll meet today will move you emotionally.

Your efforts 0n the things you care about

may not yield results right away."

Efforts on important things,

Mrs. Nigar.

"You may take long journeys and relax."

- I want to go back to the village. - Here you are.

- That's it? - I read it all.

- Why do those infidels write so little? - I read all of it.

I'm curious to learn more.

Mother go sleep. This isn't the time for horoscopes.

I hope they write more next time.

Please, go to sleep.

Mum!

Come now. I bought this phone for you.

Let me show you how to use it.

Let's look at how to unlock the keypad.

First you press this button, then this one. 0K?

0K.

Look you press this one, not that one.

I know, I know.

You try it now.

You try.

Go over there!

Now, you answer.

Press the green button.

Hello?

Mommykins!

Where are you?

Why won't you answer the phone?

- What? - 0K, that's enough.

Oh, you're busy?

Why don't you say so, ma'am?

0K, take care.

Enjoy your new phone, Mrs. Nigar.

Thank you.

Let me put it in its cover.

Do you like it?

- Keep it with you at all times, 0K? -OK.

0K, enjoy it.

Children, quiet please!

Take your Turkish language books out.

Quietly now!

- Teacher, do we keep our notebooks? -Yes.

- Teacher! Which page? - Page 123.

Yes. Bérivan, start reading.

- "Once upon a time there was a crow..." - Listen silently, children.

"Not far from the crew's house...

there lived peacocks in a beautiful garden.

As the crow watched the peacocks...

he would get frustrated

because he was not as beautiful as they were.

He wouldn't join in any games.

He would idle around alone."

Osman, continue.

"The crow was always looking down at his fellow crows.

His mind was always on the beautiful peacocks next door.

He would perch on top of a branch watching the peacocks

and imagining he was playing with them..."

- Ali! - Meme!

- How are you? - Good, how are you?

Good, busy as usual.

We were just talking about you with Selahattin.

- How are you doing? -Fine.

I read your book in Turkish! My Kurdish is still shaky.

That's 0K.

Do you know, it's great... Best stones I've read recently.

Don't exaggerate.

I'm not exaggerating! You shouldn't be so modest.

Your book is the talk of the town, man.

By the way, my students want to meet you.

- We'll discuss your book. - Pick a date.

Great! That's a promise. I'll call you.

- We'll keep in touch. - Bye for now.

- Greetings to Zeynep. - Will do.

- Ali! Welcome brother. - Hello!

- Have a seat. - How are you?

Fine, thanks.

- Is all well? - Thank you, I'm doing fine.

I haven't seen you much lately.

My mother's a little sick.

We live faraway now. It's harder to travel.

- Sony to hear that. -Thanks.

How is she now?

She'll be better if I find Seydoye Silo's tape.

You haven't found it yet? You've been looking fora long time.

I asked many people, but nobody knows about it.

Strange...

- Can I get you some tea? -l'm good, thanks.

- Let's have tea, at least! - I have to see Uncle Agid. Sony.

Since I'm here today...

I brought you my latest project.

There's still work on it, but I would like your feedback.

Will do.

- I should go now. - Right away?

- Yes. - Alright.

- Tell me when you read it. - I'll call.

- Thank you! -Good bye.

Mom, I have to go out fora few hours after dinner. Let's eat.

I want to come, too.

With your headache?

You shut me up here and go have fun yourself.

I want to come, too!

I'll come back as soon as I'm done.

I want to come.

You told me I couldn't stay in the village, right?

I can stay by myself during winter. You can visit in the summer.

And maybe even Haydar will have returned by then.

We'll be in our village

- You'll stay by yourself, Mrs. Nigar? -Yes, I will.

0K, tell me.

What will you do by yourself in the village?

What? Can't I take care of myself'?

Don't l cook my own food every day?

You cook and feed me? Have I become an invalid or what?

Oh, my dear, dear Mrs. Nigar! Of course you make your own food.

And it's delicious to boot!

Mother.

You can get off now.

If you like, I'll pick you up in the morning.

No, I'm coming with you.

0K, go on. I'll come pick you up!

- Will you come get me? - Yes.

- Hello. - Hi.

- Sorry, honey. I'm late. - No worries, l just got in.

She started up about the village again, then insisted to come with me.

So I dropped her off at Mustafa's.

How are you?

Fine.

I worked all day for the seminar.

Have you eaten?

I thought I was eating with Mom, but...

You know her.

- Would you like leftover green beans? - Great.

-I'll help. -No. It's ready.

I'm exhausted.

By the way, I was curious all day.

What's so important that you couldn't tell me over the phone?

We'll talk.

- Would you like some rice? -Just a little.

0K.

- Here you go. - I'll take that.

I'm dying to know, tell me!

You're looking at me a little weird.

I'm pregnant.

It's no time for jokes Zeynep. I already had a terrible day.

I'm not joking. I was tested.

And now you're testing me?

Would l joke about something like this?

It's Mustafa.

Yes, Mustafa.

I see, put her on the phone so I can talk.

Mom, stay at Mustafa's tonight. I'll pick you up in the morning.

So you're not going to sleep in your own bed for one night.

Stay there tonight. I'll pick you up in the morning.

She's become like a child.

I don't know what to do anymore.

I didn't trust the urine test.

I stopped by Nazan to give blood.

- I can show you the results... - Forget the results.

I'm sorry.

I thought you were kidding.

Doesn't matter.

- Would you like some yoghurt? - No thanks.

Yes, Mustafa?

Keep her busy a little while.

I'll be there shortly.

And, please, I apologize.

Mum!

Ma, what are you doing?

If you won't take me, I'll go myself!

- Where to? - I'll go myself.

- Where to? -To the village.

Ma, are you joking?

Everyone's gone back to their hometowns, their villages.

I'm going back, too!

I don't want to die between these walls.

Nobody's going back to their village! Tell me who has gone back?

Everybody moved to a different neighborhood.

If you want, I can take you to each one.

You'll see no one's gone anywhere else.

Stop trying to fool me! I'm not a child.

I get that you're leaving,

but where are you taking all the furniture?

I know everybody's returned to their land, gardens...

They went back to their villages. I can't stay in this hole.

I can't live here.

I swear, nobody's gone home.

You keep saying the same things.

You are stubborn!

Stop packing, Ma!

Why are you two outside?

Where have you been, Mr. Ali?

Sony, sir.

- What have you done? - They broke the windows again.

Ahmet did it, I swear!

- Liar! You did. - Silence!

0K kids, in the classroom. I'm coming.

Class is almost over.

I know, sir. There was a family matter.

This isn't the first time. I can't keep covering for you.

This isn't tardiness, it's not showing up for class at all.

I'm sorry, but if this keeps up...

I'll have to report you.

0K, sir. Do as you please.

Who is this woman?

Poor thing... Who knows what's bothering her.

God help her.

Hello, bro. Welcome. What do you need?

Hello.

Thank you. What can I give you?

I'm looking for old "dengbéj" cassettes?

Of course, we have that! Here you are.

These are all "dengbéj". And this, this, and this.

Also this one.

Not this one, bro. Yes, this one.

-L'm not looking fora recent record. - 0K. It's a mix.

These are really old. Can't find them anywhere.

Bu“ cam say he!“ names.

- Take these as well. - I'll ask you a name.

- OK. - Have you heard of Seydoyé Silo?

Seydoyé Silo. I don't know, bro. But I'll give you a big archive.

All our old "lé-lé lo-lo's" are in here.

All here.

Not this one.

This is Reso.

This one is Huséyine Usé.

His voice was beautiful, too.

This is the last one.

I hope it's on there.

- Are we ready Mrs. Nigar? -Yes.

- Listen carefully. - OK.

What is this!? My ears are exploding!

- What kind of music is that! -Very nice!

The "dengbéj" have started playing heavy metal.

Tum it off!

Son of a bitch, I got duped.

I'll look around again.

- Ali? - Yes brother.

The translation of your book is going great.

My friends at publishing say it will be ready for the new year.

Around here, it's not easy

to have a Kurdish book translated into French.

So you should use this opportunity.

You should finish the new project as soon as possible.

Don 't leave too much time I'm-between.

I can't find time to write lately, brother.

I've written almost nothing in the last couple months.

I mean you should keep going while you have this opportunity.

Make the best of it.

Thank you.

It's been a while. Let's talk more at a better time.

Now I'm going to meet a writer friend of mine from Erbil.

0K, big brother, you go ahead.

- Ali? - Tell me.

Le tme speak to Mom.

0K, I'll take the laptop to her.

- Ali? - Yes, brother?

Take care of mom. Take her to see familiar faces.

Maybe she'll forget about this village idea.

Familiar faces can sometimes be the cure.

I take her to the village association, but it doesn't help.

Do it anyway.

Just a second. I'll take the laptop inside.

Do you know when you're coming over here, son?

Rdoesrftksok Eke anytime soon, mama.

I heard on TV that many people are coming back.

Things are very different for me, Mom. There's no progress.

Keep faith my son. God is great!

Someday you'll come home, my dear.

Let's forget that for now. How are you? How is your health?

I'm fine, I'm fine.

As much as my age gem“.

You're still young. May God look over you.

Are you getting used to your new home?

Well, I miss the old neighborhood.

I can't breathe here. I'm bored!

I want to go back to my village, son. Everybody's gone but me.

Nobody's gone back, Mom.

Everybody's still in Istanbul.

0K, Heyder.

You keep saying there's no village left like Ali.

Where are those people going, then?

0K, hang up now!

You're wasting your minutes.

Wait, don 't get angry. I'm not wasting my minutes.

This is internet. You can speak as much as you want.

Son, buy some clothes. You'll catch a cold dressed like that.

It's warm here, Mother. I'm home.

But winter is coming. You should dress accordingly.

OK, {will.

Take care.

Goodbye.

Son, wake up. Whose funeral is this?

Mom, for the love of God! It's a big city. How should I know?

Let me sleep a little!

Hatlce Bayir passed away. Her funeral will be held after the Zuhur prayer.

You hear? It's for Hatice Bayir.

Do you know her?

Dear Lord, don't let me stray from the Koran.

Take what you entrusted in me with benevolence.

Isn't it time you took me, too?

No, I won't eat.

Why not, Mom?

You eat. I have no appetite.

- Are you drinking walnut juice again? -Yes.

Stop cracking walnuts at night. The neighbors will start complaining.

I can't sleep. What am I supposed to do?

There aren't any left anyway!

0K. Message received, Mrs. Nigar. I'll get some more today.

Alright.

Sow and sow to blossom

Learn and learn to grow

Sow and sow to blossom

Learn and ham to grow

Enough is enough!

- Don't you have a headache? - Welcome, sister.

It sounds like someone's being strangled.

Why are you so angry? Come on, have some tea.

Have "dengbéj" songs gone extinct?

We have work to do. We're rehearsing.

Have a nice day.

You ate the mouse, late the liver

The liver and the mouse are in the pot You ate the mouse, I ate the liver

The liver and the mouse are in the pot You ate the mouse, I ate the liver

Faster!

Alright now.

This time we start slowly and get faster.

One, two, three!

The liver and the mouse are in the pot You ate the mouse, I ate the liver

For God's sake, Ma! Don't put away the photos like this.

I'm leaving!

- Where are you going? -To the village.

OK, then. I'll put you 0n a bus so you can go!

Go and see if your village is there or not!

Get up! We're going!

Why are you doing this, Ma?

Why do you torture yourself and me, too?

Everything seems normal.

From now 0n, I have to check you regularly.

Try not to skip any appointments.

You should come by every month.

Here is your prescription.

Thank you.

Doctor, we haven't actually decided to keep the baby yet.

I can't believe you.

I learn what you're thinking in front of the doctor.

You got me wrong.

I was just trying to understand our options.

Shouldn't you have asked me first?

Did I say I don't want the baby?

But you talk to the doctor before me!

As if we had discussed it and decided before.

You're exaggerating!

You go on! I'll take the bus.

Zeynep, where are you going?

I'll get home on my own. Go.

Ma!

Hi, Mustafa!

Hi, Ali! Welcome.

Come inside.

No thanks, Mustafa.

Ask Mizgin to bring my mother, we should go.

Why the hurry? Take a breather for a minute!

We're not strangers, Mustafa! I'm tired. I want to go.

As you wish. Mizgin!

Yes?

Welcome, Ali! Come inside, tea is ready.

Thanks, Mizgin, I'm in a hurry. Please bring my mother.

Alright, just a minute.

She came insisting she would join whoever was going to the village.

The family did their best to change her mind.

When I came home,

I told her nobody was leaving, she gave it a rest.

Just like my late grandmother.

I know, Mustafa.

If you won't drink tea, have some mussels.

Thanks.

Do you remember ou rlate grandmother?

We had such a hard time when we first came from the village.

I know Mustafa, but my mom isn't new to the city!

Don't worry, it'll pass. What can she do?

She's used to crowds and having neighbors.

- Eat. -No, I'm 0K.

Take it.

Aren't you moving?

We hardly found a basement in Kurtulus.

We can't go very far since we work here.

- Right. - You see what's going 0n.

Hotels everywhere. The rents have skyrocketed.

Why did you stay outside like a stranger?

Thanks, Mizgin. Some other time.

It's late and I have things to do.

Forgive me for tonight.

Alright.

Hold tight, Ma.

Goodnight. See you!

I didn't say anything in front of them. Why are you acting like this, Ma?

Why can't you stay home?

Should I stop working to stay at home with you?

Is that what you want?

Mehmet, eyes 0n your paper!

Tuba, eyes 0n your paper!

Keep writing, kids.

- Mom, what's wrong? - I'm bored.

The test is almost over. Go sit, I won't be long.

Eyes 0n your papers!

Mother, please.

Go, I'll come shortly.

Don't walk around too much. I'll get in trouble.

Salih, come you should see this!

Osman, collect everyone's papers.

Come on, chop-chop.

Be quiet, kids!

0K. Come on.

Hurry up, now.

Did you see my mother here?

No one was here when I came in.

Honey, we've been talking about this for days.

And we haven't come to a conclusion.

Try to understand me for once.

Don't you think one needs to be ready to have a kid?

I don't know when you'll be ready...

but I just don't want to be left alone.

You're worried sick the child will interfere

with your freedom and writing.

But this is good.

I'm finally able to see how selfish and cowardly you are.

You call me selfish, but you're the one being selfish.

You're stubborn.

I want this child.

And I want you to be by my side.

Why not see the positive side?

I can take you to the doctor, if you like.

No need.

I don't want a doctor.

Slowly...

Do you need anything, Ma?

No.

Nothing.

Mom?

What's wrong, Mom?

Ma, do you hear me?

Are you alright?

Hello.

- How are we today? - Better.

Can you roll up your sleeve? I'll take your blood pressure.

Ma, roll up your left sleeve. She'll check your blood pressure.

How is she?

16-7. It's a bit high, but nothing to worry about.

- Get well soon. -Thank you.

I hope she gets well soon. May she have a speedy recovery.

Here is my doctor's report sir.

There's no date on this.

- Isn't there? - Don't worry, I'll take care of it.

- Thank you, sir. May I... -Just a minute.

Mr. Ali.

Here, this is regarding the strike you participated in.

You need to submit your defense very soon.

Alright, sir.

Uncle Agid?

Where have you been, Uncle Agid?

I'm here. Welcome.

I stop by, but you're always off somewhere.

- How are you? - Fine. Actually, not so good.

- Come in. - No please, after you.

- You shouldn't have, Uncle Agid. - No bother.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

How is Mrs. Nigar?

Has she gotten used to the new neighborhood?

What do you think? Of course not.

The same old stubbornness...

Being stubborn is good. Yes, she's a little stubborn.

But let me tell you...

that's what keeps us Kurds going.

Without it,

we would be nowhere.

You're right.

I actually stopped by because of her, Uncle Agid.

What is it?

She's been going 0n about Seydoyé Silo's tape for some time.

I have no idea who that is.

As far as I remember we never had such a tape,

but l can't convince her.

Well, I don't have any tapes of Seydoyé Silo.

And I never heard that name.

I thought you might have a tape.

No, unfortunately. Who cares about "dengbejs" these days?

I'm a "dengbéj" too and these are all my tapes.

Sakiro's, Egide Cimo's... All collected here.

If I were to die tomorrow, the city would throw everything away.

- You're right. - Anyway, good to see you.

Your mother is probably bored. Let me record her something.

I don't know where it came from. She's been driving me crazy about it.

She'll enjoy it. Plug this in here.

Woe is me

Woe is me, Pa

O my poor Ma 'twas not this year but last

I saw in front of Seydo's home 25 horsemen cast

No tin amor but dressed fora wedding, I thought

They fumed to Mardin, galloped off to Sileyn

Towards Karayazi, to the castle with two gates

Then one day, again flocked to see

In dust and din, riders galloping towards me

May one go face them and say." Good luck has brought you back I see

But where is my poor Ma's young boy?

Te“ me

What are you doing, Mom?

I rang the bell. They won't answer.

It's too early in the morning.

Maybe they need something, son.

But they won't open the door, see?

May God help her! Who knows what her problem may be.

Did you tell your mother?

No, I wanted to tell you first.

I don't know. Will it do her good?

I'm not sure,

but I can't think of anything else.

At least this way you can't say you didn't try.

I hope it doesn't get worse.

I hope so, too.

Why don't you come with us?

Just for the weekend.

That way we'd get away fora bit as well.

I don't know

You can see where I grew up.

Let's talk tomorrow.

0K.

I should go home.

0K.

May God bless you with a swift journey, Sister Nigar.

Come back safely.

I won't be back Sanem, my dear.

God willing, I'll stay in the village.

Haven't you heard?

Everyone? going back to their hometown now.

You should get your family and return as well.

God willing!

When you go back to the village...

please bury my grandchilds umbilical cord

at the foundation of our house.

I will. May it bring you luck.

God bless!

May it bring you luck.

- Take it easy. -Thank you.

Can you help me with the cupboards?

The peacocks,

arrogant,

vain,

swanky while walking,

suddenly stop

and look at the stranger amongst them.

"Who is he?"

Then the crow...

opens his wings

and laughs.

Then the peacocks,

look at him in disdain.

The crow realizes this.

He is laughing by himself.

He feels ashamed.

He puts his head down.

He wants to bury himself deep into the earth.

And then what does he see?

- The Earth splits! -The Earth splits open.

Then what happens?

All the colorful feathers he'd attached to himself

have fallen while he was laughing.

He tries to stick them back on.

He tries to cover his black chest with his black wings.