Original subtitles

- Has it started already? - Yes.

Master Feqi Teyran used to say:

If I should end up alone in the desert

I would cry out my despair.

And under the biting of frost, I would lose my body to shivering.

Dear assembly, listen to me.

As a storyteller I came to you,

to tell stories from yonder.

Lend me your ears in this darkest of nights.

Once upon a time, the earth cherished

all its plants, all flowers, like a mother;

a time when the sun wouldn't hide its beams;

a time when our gardens weren't

strangled by foul plants.

And then came the time when the sun was imprisoned

and men became fiends to one another.

Our story is that of Berfe's sorrow

and her misadventures with her granddaughter Jiyan

and her son Temo.

- Here you go, son, you must be tired. - Yes.

Sweetie, aren't you asleep yet?

Go to sleep now.

But I'm not sleepy.

You must sleep now honey, we will wake up early.

- Why don't you sleep? - We'll go to sleep too, go ahead now.

Granny, tell me the story of the fox.

Sweetheart, go to sleep, don't bother your granny.

Will you sleep if I do?

- You start, I'll sleep. - All right then, my love.

I'll tell you the story of the fox.

Listen carefully, it's a beautiful story.

It happened a long time ago.

A beautiful fox lived in a far away village.

Our fox had soft brown fur and a wonderful tail.

He was very proud of his tail.

One day he came to the village to find something to eat.

Once in the village,

he noticed some wheat

that an old woman had laid out to dry outside.

At once he thought: this looks like it fits my stomach.

The woman came out and saw that the fox had eaten all her wheat.

She took her nut cracker and threw it at the poor fox.

Don't worry sweetie, it's nothing.

So the woman threw her nut cracker at the fox

and it snapped the fox's tail off!

Our poor fox went back to his friends,

overwhelmed by sorrow for his lost tail.

But his friends only laughed at his loss.

Our fox was devastated.

His beloved tail, his pride,

was gone now.

His friends asked him, "What's up?

Where is this famous tail of yours?"

Don't worry sweetheart, everything's fine!

- Down on the floor, now! - Move it boys, let's go!

Open this door, now!

Move boy, come on.

- What are you doing? - Clear the area! Move away!

What's this here?

This? It's the stable.

Speak Turkish, you peasant!

Stand up, stand up I said!

Hold your child there.

Where are the weapons?

- Where? - There's nothing here.

Stop your Kurdish gibberish. Speak Turkish for fuck's sake.

- So what's this here? - It's the stable.

- Then where are the fucking animals? - In there.

Is that right? Come then.

Let's see your fucking animals.

What are you doing with those clothes, son?

Be quiet woman, we're doing our job.

You think this house is an arsenal?

- You'll tidy up afterwards. - Tidy up, huh...

- Are there weapons? - Nothing, sir.

Enough, there's nothing here, nothing.

Soldier, it's ok, I'll handle it.

- You, alone? - Yes.

I know you have no weapons

but we have to obey our captain!

Your captain is cruel, do you have to be cruel too?

What's that?

That's all we have: rags. What did you expect?

What's in here?

Nothing, I tell you, look!

- Mother, take Jiyan inside. - Son, where are they taking you?

May God punish you.

There's nothing in our house. What crime has my son committed?

Quick!

- Bring them here, quick! - Look mayor, look.

See how he's resisting? Must be because he's innocent, right?

Bring him up here!

Halil, what did you find?

Sir, we've searched every house, no weapons.

No weapons, huh?

Zero! Come here!

See the guy in black? He keeps a gun in his cellar.

- Halil. - Yes, sir!

Take two men and go with Zero.

Go ahead, quick!

Careful!

Sir, I swear we have no guns.

Yes, I know, mayor, no guns, right?

Don't worry, mayor.

No need to worry!

Now we'll see, mayor. See them running?

Now we'll see whether you have weapons or not.

So mayor, what do you say now?

- Sir, he hid it in a tire. - Son of a bitch!

Where did you learn to hide a gun from the detector?

Your fucking terrorist friends have taught you, right?

Take this fucker away!

Where are your terrorist friends now?

Pay attention now!

Do you have weapons or not?

- Do you have a gun? - No.

Do you? You don't either. Do you?

- No! - Fine!

- And you? - No.

- What? - No!

- You? - No, sir!

You? Got a gun?

- We don't have guns sir! - You don't? Fine, and you?

- No sir! - Perfect. You?

- No! - Fantastic!

Zero! Come!

They're lying sir, there's at least 10 rifles and many guns.

Mayor! Come here, quick.

Mayor, you will bring me 15 rifles and 20 guns, understood?

You have a week. I'm taking these men,

who will stay with me until you bring the weapons. Got it?

For the last time, do you have weapons or not?

Grab those fuckers. To the cars! Now!

The soldiers were not the only ones who disappeared into the night.

Along with them,

hope was gone,

happiness too,

and the joy of life.

Leaving only desolation.

Eat your meal, Jiyan.

Granny, what will happen to dad?

Nothing sweetheart, they will release him soon.

I'm not a child any more.

You told me mom would come back and she hasn't.

Your mother is in paradise, sweetie.

Your dad is in prison, they will release him soon, don't worry.

The captain said they would only release him if we bring a gun.

I will find a gun and save my dad.

If God will, sweetheart; may they all be released.

- Hello, mayor! - Hello, sergeant.

- How are you? - Fine, thanks.

Bring my chair, will you? These are too small.

Osman, take this away.

- Bring tea, please. - Tea, good idea.

- How are you, sergeant? - Not bad, you?

Well, you know our situation.

- May God help us. - Right, all of us.

Any news on the weapons?

You don't have them, right?

We both know you don't have guns.

But the captain won't listen.

- Why did he arrest them, then? - What else can he do?

He received information and had to act.

He has no personal interest in this.

It's always the villagers who suffer.

Yes, it's a shame.

What will we do, mayor?

What will we do?

Let's help our villagers out, ok?

You gather some money, I'll bring you weapons.

I feel bad for the villagers, all the men in custody, that's a pity.

One should help those in trouble.

- You're right, we have to help. - Of course we do.

By the way, if anyone hears about this,

it will be a shame for me, you and everybody else.

- You got it, right? - Yes, got it.

Good, prepare the money.

Our boys are here every day, you just tell them

that you need to see me, I'll understand.

- God bless you. You understand us. - Don't mention it.

Ok, I have to go.

- You didn't finish the tea. - Your tea is too strong.

- Right, we'll talk soon. - Take care.

Come, Osman.

Move it soldier, off we go!

What is it, child?

Why were you speaking with the soldiers?

What's in your bag?

Nothing!

Come on now, off with you!

Granny, look what I found.

What is it?

If we give these to the soldiers, will they release dad?

Sweetie, these are plastic guns, they won't accept them.

We need to find a real gun to save your dad.

If dad were here he would know where to find one!

Go give them back to your friends.

Dear God, why do you put all this trouble on our shoulders?

Go give them back honey, these are useless.

We'll sleep on it; God is almighty!

- Jiyan. - Yes?

Go to bed now, we wake up early tomorrow.

No.

- Aren't you sleepy? - First tell me about the fox.

The story of the fox, huh?

My sweet Jiyan, listen...

When our fox realized his situation

he ran to his friends in despair.

But as soon as they saw him, they started to laugh.

They asked him, "What happened? Where's that tail of yours?"

Our poor fox hurried back to the old woman.

The woman felt sorry for him.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," she said.

"You need to help me, everybody laughs at me," said the fox.

The woman asked how she can help. "A new tail," he replied.

"Ok," she said, "bring me pearls from the peddler, I'll make you a tail."

What is this, granny?

Sweetheart, why aren't you in bed?

Now will they release dad?

If God will!

This was my father's.

I hope they accept it, otherwise what can we do?

That's all we can do!

Ask him in Turkish.

Sir, we need to see the sergeant.

Osman! Come here.

What's up?

Sir, we need to see the sergeant. We brought a weapon.

Alright, just wait here, I'll call the sergeant.

Sit next to Keyna, dear.

How are you, Keyna?

May God bring our sons back to us.

Bless you!

- My prayers are with you. - Thank you.

Have they released your son?

I brought a gun yesterday. If God will, he'll be released today.

If God will.

We brought a weapon too, they will release my dad as well.

- If God will, child. - If God will.

- Halil? - Yes, sir!

- Who are they? - This woman... come here, you!

Sir, she brought a gun yesterday. She wants her son back.

Your son will be home tonight.

I promised to release them if you bring your guns, didn't I?

- God bless you. - Ok, enough, off you go.

- And those two? - Lady, come here.

They came to hand in their gun.

See? What did I tell you? I know these villagers.

That's how you deal with them. They will all come and hand their weapons.

Open it up, woman!

For God's sake! Look at this thing.

Her grandfather was a rebel, and that's his gun.

Now her son is a terrorist, maybe her grandson too.

They keep weapons for generations.

Look.

You bring me one like this or one like that, got it?

Then you'll get your son back.

Translate for your grandmother.

- What are they saying? - To bring another gun.

Beat it!

How am I supposed to find another gun?

Off you go, away with you.

Sergeant, what is this mockery?

You call yourself a soldier?

How long did they wait here? Why didn't you check the bag?

- Sir... - Shut up.

Are you soldiers, or what?

I'm losing my time with you clowns.

Eat your meal, sweetheart.

Now worry has drained all hope out of them.

Where there's no hope, how can there be life?

Jiyan.

Come, sweetheart.

- We have to go now. - Where?

To the place where your father works.

Let's go, sweetie.

The land was full of life.

Winter had made way for spring.

And in Berfe's heart, like a young bough,

a new hope had grown.

She grabbed her future with both hands,

and went where her hope drove her.

Well there, where are you headed?

The village uphill.

And how's Temo?

Temo's fine.

Fine, huh? He's in lock-up, being beaten all day!

Those militia asses...

What's that? I couldn't hear you.

Our donkey got lost, we're looking for it.

Please, come in.

- May God help you, sister. - Thank you, welcome.

Well Berfe, how are you?

I need something from Kasim.

What is it?

I'd rather wait for Kasim.

Here's some tea, I'll bring a few things to eat.

No need to bother.

- Are you Temo's daughter? - Yes.

- Why did you come? - We need a gun.

What for?

I'll give it to the soldiers and save my dad.

- The soldiers? - Yes.

Kasim, what does the captain want from us?

He had our houses searched, he set his dogs on us.

Can't you tell him we are human beings?

Berfe, let me tell you something.

You know full well,

that we're like slaves on our own land.

Whatever we say, it's not taken into account.

Yes, I know what kind of a slave you are.

Berfe, don't talk to me this way.

Your son has worked here for years.

I took him in my home, I trusted him,

I made sure he wouldn't join the militia.

All this only for your sake.

I had to resist a lot of pressure to protect him,

and now you come here and disrespect me?

- Do you have a gun? - Yes.

- Is it a real gun or a toy one? - Mine is a toy.

You know that those guns are registered in our name.

I'll be in trouble if a gun is missing.

I can't give you a gun.

I have a suggestion.

I'm listening.

Go find Uso, the smuggler.

He comes and goes to Iraq and Iran.

Maybe he can get you one, and you'll get your son back.

Have you helped me one bit? Why would Uso be any different?

As if you were a saint.

- Grandpa has one though. - Can I have it?

He would kill me.

I'm the one to blame for coming to you.

- Isa! - Yes.

Isn't that Berfe down there?

Who's Berfe?

Berfe, from the village downhill. She's Seyithan's wife.

What about her?

In Berfe's youth, poverty was everywhere like a plague.

The people were starving.

Seyithan had a friend.

The friend told him: let's rob something.

Cars come and go on this road.

Let's rob one of them.

So they did as they had planned.

The driver only had a few pennies,

but they robbed him anyway.

Oh God!

But soon there was trouble,

and Seyithan was wounded.

What happened then?

They took shelter in a village,

but the villagers denounced them,

and Seyithan was sent to jail.

Berfe and her son were left alone, poorer than ever.

You know master Kasim, right?

He was in love with Berfe.

Oh, this doesn't sound like a joyful story.

Berfe was so chaste,

she wouldn't let Kasim near her.

So what happened to her?

Now Berfe's son is in jail too.

- Poor people! - Yes, poor people.

They are left alone.

What else is left for her?

Poor Berfe.