Original subtitles

[Delicate violin plucking]

[Sustained, warm violin tone joins]

[Music fades]

[Wind blows, water ripples]

[Blowing and rippling intensify]

[Footsteps]

[Indistinct voices in the distance]

[Indistinct voices from TV]

[Woman] He's not happy you took the car again.

Like I give a fuck.

[Urine splattering]

[Toilet flushes]

[He sighs]

Boy!

You hear me?

[Achi] What do you want?

- [Baby cries] - You take my car again?

[Achi] No. What car?

[Man] No?

I just drove some Turkish tourists from the border.

[Man] Turkish tourists?

I'm trying' to make money like you're always on about.

You sit like that in front of my wife?

Go do that in the other room.

[Woman] What? I'm covered up.

Go!

[Crying continues]

There's some woman in front of our house.

[Man] I'll be damned.

Ms Lia?

Ms Lia.

Ruso, get out here, girl! We got a guest!

Don't you recognise me?

No.

Your old student, Zaza?

You've gotten fat.

[Zaza] Ms Lia, what you doing out here?

[Lia] Asking around for someone who knew my niece.

She used to live in these cottages.

[Zaza] Really?

[Lia] Yes, they say she moved across the border to Istanbul.

[Zaza] Come on inside, we'll ask my wife,

she'll know something. Welcome.

Ruso!

Sorry for just barging in like this.

Not at all. Please sit.

[Zaza] Boy!

[Boy] Huh?

Bring a good bottle!

This woman's classy and refined,

unlike you lot.

Georgia's future...

[He spits]

Degenerates.

Useless, the whole lot.

Bring the glasses!

[Boy] Coming up.

[Zaza] So, Ms Lia...

Cheers.

[He exhales]

Forgive me for what I'm about to tell you.

What are you sorry about?

Some strange people used to live in those cottages...

Prostitutes.

I'm not saying your niece...

What's the name of your niece?

She calls herself...

Tekla.

[Zaza] What? You know this girl?

[Ruso] No.

She's talking about one of those trans girls.

[Zaza] You better watch your mouth, boy!

Please forgive my brother.

I'm just trying to help her!

[Zaza] My condolences, Ms Lia.

It's a real tragedy for the family when these things...

Indeed.

Boy.

Yes?

Did you know her?

[Boy] Nah. Just seen her around, that's all.

A bunch of them were living together. But then they were kicked out.

Alright then...

[Zaza] Ms Lia, why are you looking for her? Better just leave it be.

Sorry again for barging in like this.

[Ruso] Not at all.

Lady!

Lady, wait!

Are you going to Istanbul to look for your niece?

'Cause I got her address.

Show me.

One second...

See?

What am I supposed to see here?

It's in Turkish.

- Write it down for me in Georgian. - Can I go with you?

My mom lives over there too,

maybe I can find her and get a job?

I speak some Turkish!

[In Turkish] Hello, my name is Achi, how are you?

[In Georgian] And I learned some English from YouTube.

I'll be your translator.

[In English] Hello, how are you? How much?

[In Georgian] Is this really her address?

I swear. She left it in case someone asked for her.

We used to smoke together.

She's got friends over there, she told me.

This is their address. She went to live with them.

It's win-win.

- Fine. - Fine? Are you for real?

Wait, when are we leaving?

- [Lia] Now. - Now?

- [Lia] Uh-huh. - Wait, what? Like now, now?

- Do you have an ID? - Yes at home.

Meet me down by the border tomorrow morning.

I'll be damned.

- [Car horn honks] - Lady!

- [Hip-hop music plays in car stereo] - Lady! Lady!

[Car engine revs]

Lady!

- What's going on? - [Achi] I'll drive you home.

What do you want? What's happened?

[Achi] Let me drop you off!

I told you to meet me tomorrow morning.

- [Achi] Where do you live? - Up in Khulo.

[Tires screech]

[Achi] My brother had my ID so I punched him to get it back.

Clocked him in his fat ugly face! You should've seen his reaction.

So you're her aunt then, or what?

[Lia] That's correct.

So her mother was your sister?

That's usually how it works.

- [Achi] So where's your sister? - She passed away.

[Achi] So, why do you wanna find Tekla?

I promised her mother I'd find her and bring her home.

It was her dying wish.

I'd say my brother knew Tekla pretty well.

He'd sneak into her cottage more times than I can count.

[She sighs]

So are you excited to...

[Lia] Enough of this nonsense.

I don't want you blathering on all the way, is that clear?

[Achi] Whatever you say, lady.

And no drinking or narcotics. Is that understood?

[Achi] Who do you think I am?

Keep your eyes on the road.

[Hip-hop music continues]

What are you waiting for? Get in and close the door.

I'm out of firewood.

It gets real cold here at night.

Help me out.

[Coins tinkle]

[Birdsong]

Go fetch some cucumbers and tomatoes from the neighbour's yard.

[Achi] Are you kidding me, why?

Go on, then.

[He sighs]

[Door opens, closes]

[She sighs]

[Insects chirp]

[Delicate, melancholic women's choir]

[Music halts; She inhales, deeply]

[Thuds in the distance; Dog barks]

Wake up.

You got any money of your own with you?

No, not really.

[Lia] So now you understand why we're bringing cucumbers.

- Madam Lia? - [Ms Lia] What you want?

Mom saw you borrow some cucumbers and tomatoes from our garden.

She thought you may want some pelamushi too?

Oh she did, did she?

- Who's that boy? - None of your business.

Are you going on vacation?

Sure, kid. Tell your mom I'm off to Paris!

Paris?

[Kid] Wow!

Let's go.

[Car engine starts]

Thank you.

[Hip-hop music plays in car stereo; Lighter clicks]

[Music stops]

[Achi] I don't give a fuck. I'm never coming back.

[Nostalgic folk music]

Passport or ID?

One moment.

[Music continues]

Thank you.

Hello.

Hello.

[Music fades]

[Indistinct chatter]

It looks exactly the same.

What did you expect?

Isn't this a different country?

Wait until you see Istanbul.

Wait, you've been to Istanbul?

Once.

So, how was it?

Did you forget what I told you in the car?

Yes, sorry. No talking, Ms Lia.

But it must have been cool, right?

[Lia] It was alright.

- [In Turkish] Hello. - [In Georgian] Hello.

All of this.

[Man] Off to harvest tea in Rize?

Yes.

Do you take gold too?

Yes.

My sister's, from when she got married.

It used to belong to my grandmother.

It's supposed to bring good fortune.

We've sold them off over the years, but I kept this pair.

- [Man] I'll take it. - For how much?

- [Man] 2,500 lira. - [In Georgian] Are you nuts?

He's ripping you off. Don't sell.

Do you have money for bus tickets?

No.

You should be ashamed of yourself!

I would get three times as much in Batumi.

Asshole!

[Man, in Turkish] Be quiet, boy.

It seems he's a gold expert too.

Thank you.

[Delicate flute and violin music in the background]

[Indistinct chatter]

Ah, Churchkhela.

What?

[Cars roar]

[He retches]

[Music continues]

[Music concludes]

[Cutlery tinkles; Melodic, romantic ballad]

What? You just gotta avoid the part that's been eaten.

Want some?

You kidding me? You brought chacha?

What about "No drinking"?

It's so hot.

Maybe it's menopause.

What? My grandma had that.

Let's be very clear about something.

I'm not here to take care of you.

Do you understand?

It was just food poisoning or something. It's passed now.

I don't need anyone taking care of me.

[Indistinct chatter]

[Tradition Turkish folk music in the background]

[Lia] Georgian women have lost all their dignity.

There was a time when our women were refined.

[Women laugh]

[Achi] Ms Lia.

Ms Lia, wake up!

Look outside, we're here.

Look.

[Emotive Turkish traditional music]

- [Music fades] - [Sirens wail, traffic hums]

[Indistinct chatter]

Our bag.

Wait... Go talk to that girl you were ogling on the bus.

Go on, show her the address.

Excuse me.

Do you know how to get here fast and cheap?

I don't know, I'm just here for work.

- Why don't you search for it? - [Achi] I don't have internet here.

[Girl] Follow this road down. And from there, take a ferry.

[Achi] Okay, thanks.

[Girl] No problem.

[Horn honks, engines purr]

[Traffic hums; Indistinct crowd chatter]

[Indistinct announcement in PA]

[No audible dialogue]

[Ferry's horn honks]

[Indistinct announcement in PA]

[Cutlery clanks]

[Indistinct conversations in the background]

[No audible dialogue]

[Nostalgic plucked string instrument music]

[He sings, delicately]

[Music continues]

[Birds squawk; Music continues, faintly]

[Smooth, slow wind instrument music]

[Ahmet, in Turkish] Girl!

How are you?

Look at you, all dolled up!

Mustafa's taking me out tonight.

In public?

Of course in public, where else?

Wow! You finally lured him out!

You have no grounds to evict.

Especially not without a prior warning.

My hands are tied.

Why are they tied?

Is she supposed to be a lawyer?

This is Evrim, a lawyer. What, she can't be a lawyer?

She volunteers with me at Pink Life.

[Man] A lawyer? Really?

Ladies, this has nothing to do with you.

[Woman] Evrim! You know how to use a needle, right?

Come upstairs for two minutes and help me out.

- [Neighbours talk in the distance] - She doesn't like needles.

Just turn around.

[Evrim] Don't worry, my mum's a nurse.

I have a steady hand. You won't feel a thing.

She takes dick all day and she's afraid of a tiny needle.

Girl, you get your diploma or what?

Yes, it's all sorted!

Now I'm getting a female ID.

[Woman] Lawyer Evrim!

Our saviour from the police and the johns.

You're absolutely right. I'll save you all, rest assured.

[Indistinct chatter]

[Nurse] The doctor will see you shortly.

Fill these out while you wait.

- Do you have a pen? - [Nurse] Here.

[Birdsong]

- You're up next. - [Evrim] Coming.

Where do you work now?

[Evrim] I work at Pink Life, an NGO.

- And they can afford to pay you? - [Evrim] Well, a little.

So you're not doing any sex work then?

No.

Have you ever?

No, doctor, I haven't.

You need to take these and pay the gynaecologist for a medical exam.

Alright.

[Doctor] Then get these signed by every department in the hospital.

Okay.

[Doctor] They are required to authorize female status.

Okay.

And here are the documents to apply for a female ID.

Thank you. So this is everything, right?

By the way, doctor, your hair looks really nice like that.

They told me I need signatures from every department.

Do they cost as much?

I don't know about the other departments.

Here.

Thanks.

[Indistinct conversations in the background]

[Indistinct chatter; Ship's horn honks]

Sir? I can show you the way!

[Achi, in English] Go away!

[In Turkish] No!

[Child, in Turkish] Sir!

- For five lira. - [In English] No, go.

- [Child, in Turkish] For five lira. - [Achi, in English] No, go!

- [In Georgian] Show him the address. - He's trying to fool us.

- I said, show him. - [Achi] I bet he can't even read.

There, told you so!

- [In Turkish] I know! - [In English] Come on! Follow me.

[Traffic hum]

[Rhythmic, traditional music]

[Music concludes]

[Man, in Turkish] We have very nice, cheap rooms!

Cheap rooms! Cheap rooms!

- [Woman] Hi, Izzet. - [Izzet] Hi.

Hi, Izzet.

[Izzet] Hi.

[They converse in Turkish]

[Loud banging]

They say her name's Tekla, Miss Gülşen.

[Miss Gülşen] Tekla? What kind of name is that?

- Is she trans? - I think so.

She lives on this street?

[Izzet] Uh-huh.

[Miss Gülşen] I'd have known if she were here.

How old is she?

[Izzet, in English] Age, number?

[Achi, in Georgian] How old is Tekla?

28.

[In English] Two, eight. Two, eight.

[In Turkish] He says 28.

[Miss Gülşen] Aynur!

Aynur!

- Girl, Aynur! - [Aynur] What is it, already?

[Miss Gülşen] Calm down, love. These people are looking for someone.

Apparently a trans girl. Her name's Tekla.

A foreign girl. Got any foreign girls in your building?

[Aynur] No foreign girls here, you know that.

[Miss Gülşen] You heard her, child.

No.

No Tekla.

- Sir, another five lira, please. - No!

I'm very hungry, another five lira, please.

[In Georgian] I'm so fucking fed up. No, leave!

[In English] Go!

[In Georgian] Where'd you go?

Is this really the address she gave you?

Yes.

This is the life she chose?

I hardly think it was a choice.

So, what now?

I will rest

and clean up for the night.

Shower, sleep.

First thing tomorrow, I'll go door to door.

Someone's bound to know something. That's what I'm doing.

Shall I come with you?

[Lia] Aren't you coming?

Yes. Yes, I am.

[In English] Two beds. It's okay?

Yeah, two beds.

- [In Georgian] What is she saying? - Nothing, forget about it.

[In English] Room good.

[Achi] Yes.

Table's over there, WiFi password.

And key.

- [Achi] Thank you. - [Hotel receptionist] Your welcome.

[Door closes]

[Springs squeak]

[In Georgian] There's no bathroom.

There's the shower and the toilet.

Oh, shit.

The door doesn't lock.

You'll stand here

and keep guard until I finish.

Won't people just hear the shower and know it's busy?

This place is probably full of perverts.

[Delicate, melancholic music in the background]

[She sniffles]

[Door closes]

- Are you done? - I am.

What are you looking at?

Don't you know a chacha a day keeps the doctor away?

I'm pretty sure that's "an apple a day".

It disinfects the body.

Do you want some?

- Ms Lia... - Yes.

- Can I ask you something? - No.

What's your plan after you find Tekla?

My plan? What do you mean?

Yeah, like for your future?

I have no future and thus no plans.

I'm just here until I'm not.

Turn off the lights, it's time to sleep.

[Traffic hum in the distance]

Ms Lia?

When was the last time you saw Tekla?

[Lia] What is this, question and answer time?

I told you to sleep.

Sorry.

It was many years ago...

Right before her father ran her off for good.

Why, because she was trans?

Yes, what else?

It was a great shame...

for our family.

Can you imagine everyone's reaction in the village?

I can't even...

She was so smart, curious...

Used to ask me questions about everything.

She could've really become something.

We didn't know about these kinds of things back then.

Of course I'd heard stories but...

There was a boy in the next village who was shot dead.

The boy's father claimed

he was cleaning his rifle when it accidentally went off.

So...

What will you tell her if you meet her?

I...

don't know.

Go to sleep now.

Sorry. Good night.

[Muffled, thick thumps]

[She sighs]

[Woman moans]

[Man grunts]

[Thumping and moaning intensify]

[He sighs] Fuck this!

[High-pitched metallic dings]

[Dings blend with upbeat, subtle percussion]

[Indistinct crowd chatter]

[Percussion fades]

[Cutlery clinks; Indistinct chatter]

[In English] Hello, do you have a job...

- for me? - [In Turkish] The boss is over there.

[In English] Okay, thank you.

Hello.

Do you have a job for me...

here?

- No, no. - No?

[Melancholic ballad plays in bar]

[In Turkish] May I take your order?

I'm waiting for my friend. Just another five minutes, please.

- [Waiter] Of course. - Thank you.

[Indistinct conversation]

[Evrim] Son of a bitch.

Fucking bastard.

[Pop song plays in car stereo]

[Driver] Need a ride?

No.

- [Driver] I'll drop you off. - I'm not a prostitute.

I'm not saying you are.

[Evrim] I'm trans.

Did I ask?

[Music concludes]

[They breathe heavily]

I'll smoke one too.

So you're into picking up trans girls?

No.

So?

Where do I drop you off?

Me?

[Driver] Uh-huh.

So you're actually a driver?

Yes.

But you need to sit up front.

Or we'll get in trouble if the police stop us.

Come.

[Slow romantic pop song plays in car stereo]

If they stop us, we're friends from school,

on our way to a friend's birthday, okay?

Why don't you just drive a regular taxi instead?

Just getting the license is super expensive.

Plus, the market for pirate taxis has exploded since the inflation.

What school?

What?

If we're classmates, what are we studying? And where?

I don't know.

Economy?

Istanbul University?

I love this song. Can you turn it up?

[Music volume increases]

[She hums]

Don't you want to know my name?

Just saying, if the police stop us they will know we're not really friends.

You're right.

I'm Ömer.

- How old are you? - 25.

Nice to meet you. I'm Evrim.

I'm 33.

My star sign is Gemini.

We don't need to know that much.

Come on!

Fine.

Mine is Sagittarius.

Born in December.

We're opposite sides of the zodiac.

It's the ultimate combo, you know?

In both friendship and love.

[Indistinct, lively conversation]

Hey!

From the hostel!

- He's staying at the hostel. - Hello.

[In English] What you doing?

[Achi] Nothing. Just walking...

out for a job.

[In Turkish] My name is Achi, how are you?

[They laugh]

My name is Özge. Do you speak Turkish?

No.

[Özge, in English] So where are you from?

Batumi.

Neighbour!

- [Özge] Georgia. - Yes.

- Yes, Caucasus. - [Woman] Oh, neighbouring country.

[In English, Turkish] I'm Çerkez.

[In English] Circassian, Circassian, you know, also Caucasus.

[Man, in Turkish] Come on, let's go to the party.

Yes, the party!

[In English] So we are going to a party now. You wanna come?

- Party? - [Özge] Yeah.

[Woman, in Turkish] Let me take this off your hands.

- Don't pretend to be all shy now. - [Özge, in English] Come on, let's go.

[Muffled electronic music]

Girl!

You came!

- Who's he? - He's nobody. Never mind.

Did Mustafa show up?

Yes, he did.

- Did he really? - I swear on my mother's grave.

Like you give a shit about your mother.

[Music volume increases]

[Music intensifies]

[Electronic music concludes; Slow, traditional music in the distance]

[Loud indistinct chatter]

[Slow music plays in store]

I didn't order this.

[Özge greets him]

[Clerk] What else would you like?

[Özge, in English] What do you want?

[Achi, in Georgian] Pistachio.

[Özge, in Turkish] He's saying "pistachio."

- "Walnut baklava." - [Achi] Walnut baklava.

[Özge] How much do we owe?

You can pay later.

[In Georgian] Hello.

- [In English] What? - [In Georgian] Hello.

[In English] Sorry.

[Loud music and indistinct chatter]

[Zipping]

[She sighs]

[Indistinct voices from TV]

[Traffic hum in the distance]

[Man, in Turkish] Good morning.

[Birds squeak]

[Melancholic, delicate traditional music]

[Music continues]

[No audible dialogue]

[Music continues]

[Music fades]

[Birds squeak]

[Knocks on door]

[Thick thuds]

[Indistinct voices]

[Aynur] You take care of the peppers, I'll do the rest...

[In Georgian] Hello.

Gülşen!

- [Gülşen, in Turkish] What? - [Aynur] It's that woman again.

[Gülşen] What woman?

She's not going to give up it seems

[In Georgian] Do you remember me?

[In Turkish] Well don't just stand there, come on inside.

Don't just stand there, go on.

Come in.

Dear lord.

Take a seat, please.

[In Georgian] Eggplant.

- [In Turkish] What? - [In Georgian] Eggplant.

[In Turkish] Oh, eggplant.

It's almost the same.

[Gülşen] Let her try some Turkish tea.

Smuggled tea, actually.

[In Georgian] Do you know Tekla?

[In Turkish] What's she saying?

Tekla, Tekla?

What's this "Tekla, Mekla" she's saying?

[Gülşen] She's looking for her grandchild or something.

Lady, there's no such girl here, unfortunately.

You're looking in vain.

[In Russian] Do you speak Russian?

[In Turkish] Girl, I think the lady is Russian.

No, I don't know Russian. I know a bit of Arabic.

- [Ms Lia] Batumi. - Batum?

Georgian?

- Oh, the lady is Georgian. - Yes, Georgian.

My grandfather was also Georgian. He had the worst temper.

[Gülşen] There's no such person living here.

No Tekla, no. No Tekla.

She's not taking it in.

[Aynur] I'm telling you, she's Georgian. My grandfather was the same.

[Girl] Isn't she sweet though?

She's come all the way from Georgia to search for her.

What if our families had looked for us?

Are you crazy? God forbid. Bite your tongue.

- Aynur? - [Aynur] What?

- [Gülşen] Sing a song for us. - [Aynur] Girl, stop it.

[Gülşen] Let the poor woman hear your singing.

Come on, now. Just belt one out!

[She sings delicate song in Turkish]

[Singing continues]

[Singing obscures dialogue]

[Singing concludes]

[Traffic hum; Indistinct chatter]

[Door slams]

[Achi, in Georgian] Where were you? I've been waiting here all day.

I'm sorry for last night.

I went out for a walk last night, thought I'd ask around for a job.

Then I met some people from the hostel and lost track of time.

I have good news! I met a girl who works for an organization.

She said she might be able to help us.

- And I brought you something sweet. - Thank you.

I've been waiting here all day to take you to that girl's office,

but you never came...

I think they're closed now.

Leave her address at the reception. I'll go see the girl myself tomorrow.

I really just needed to get out.

I'll do all I can to find Tekla.

On my honour!

Your brother was right about you.

Pack your things and leave.

I don't have any things.

Well then.

Go fuck yourself!

You old fucking drunk!

[Door slams]

[Birds squeak]

[Upbeat pop-traditional song plays in bar]

Unbelievable...

[Footsteps approach]

[Achi] What?

You hungry?

I'm starving.

Come on, then.

[Man, in Turkish] Have a seat. Would you like to see the menu?

[Traditional music plays in bars]

Hello, welcome. Would you like to see the menu?

[In Georgian] If we only get rice and potatoes, it won't be too expensive.

[In Turkish] Hello, would you like to see the menu?

[Delicate, traditional violin song plays in the background]

[In Georgian] Boy, I love the smell of cucumber.

May I?

Why are you even asking?

[Cutlery clanks; Indistinct loud chatter]

[In English] Sorry, cigarette?

[In Georgian] Thank you.

[In English] Thank you.

[In Georgian] Pardon me?

Are you Georgian?

Yes.

Are you here on vacation?

Yes.

I live here, running a business.

This is Hasan.

He's a local Georgian, third generation from the Black Sea.

What's this? Is that all you're having?

Let me be your host.

No, that won't be necessary. Thank you.

[Man] What are you drinking?

We really are good. Thank you.

Have you ever tried raki?

No, but thank you.

[Man, snapping his fingers] Garçon!

Smell how good this smells.

Cheers.

Cheers.

I reckon it's your first time here?

No, I was actually here as a child once.

- [Man] Really? - [Lia] Yes. My father brought me here.

It was that trip that inspired me

to become a history teacher.

You teach history?

[Lia] I used to, I'm retired now.

[Hasan] I'm so sorry, I need to leave.

- Lovely meeting you. - Likewise.

- Goodbye. - [Hasan] Goodbye.

Is he your son?

No...

He's a friend of my niece.

Cheers.

To you, Ramaz! Our Georgian brother in Istanbul!

- Cheers. - Cheers.

- He seems like a good boy. - He is.

[In Turkish] I combined the checks for both tables.

- [In Georgian] Shouldn't we get going? - [Lia] Be polite.

[In Turkish] That's fine.

[Lia, in Georgian] Oh no, Mr. Ramaz, please don't...

[Ramaz] No worries, it's on me.

It's really too much.

How often do I meet Georgians such as yourself?

Do you have your own family?

Only my niece.

What about...

you?

I used to.

We separated ten years ago.

[Lia] That's a pity.

- [Ramaz] Cheers. - Cheers.

[Boy, in Turkish] A rose for the lady?

It would really suit you.

[She chuckles]

Sir, I gave the lady a rose.

[Ramaz, in Georgian] Please excuse me.

I'll be right back.

Are you kidding me?

What are you on about?

I know what I'm doing.

Sure you do.

Achi.

Lia told me you're looking for her niece.

Perhaps I could be of help?

We could inquire at the local Georgian church.

Yes, I'm sure they'll be super helpful...

[Upbeat, traditional Turkish music]

[No audible dialogue]

[Music continues in the background]

[Music continues]

- Where is he? - How should I know?

You scared him off?

What did you tell him?

[Achi] Nothing. I just saw him leave.

Tell me what you told him!

What would I have told him?

You shouldn't have let him go.

- [Achi] What was I supposed to do? - He was going to help us!

What should I have done? Tie him down? You scared him off!

[She retches]

[Achi] Are you okay?

[Lia] I'm so sorry.

I didn't mean for this to happen.

Do you know what a knockout I was as a young girl?

Men threw themselves at me.

[Achi] You're not so bad nowadays either.

- [Lia] You think? - [Achi] Sure.

[Lia laughs]

[Lia] I was the best dancer in the village, too.

[She vocalises, laughs]

[In Turkish] Here.

[Girl] Oh!

Does it work?

[Electrical buzz]

[She laughs]

- Should I cut my hair? - [Girl] Yes.

[He sings, passionately]

[Indistinct chatter]

Alright now, thank you.

Come on kids, enough now.

Move along, now.

[Thunders rumble]

So I don't know what to do...

Come over to my place and I'll help you solve it.

Don't look now. I said don't look now!

It's the driver I mentioned.

Oh my god, he's coming over!

[Ahmet] Bitch, relax, maybe he's coming over for me.

Plus he's barely a taxi driver.

[Ömer] Hi.

Hey.

I wanted to give you my card.

In case you need a ride.

Oh, that's nice of you. Thanks.

- Are you on night shift? - [Ömer] My shift is almost over.

I need to sleep, I've got an exam tomorrow.

Exam? Are you a student for real?

Yes. I'm going to be a teacher.

My parents are teachers too.

That's awesome.

[Ahmet] What kind of teacher?

Geography.

[Ahmet] That's nice. I like geography.

Alright then. I'll see you around?

See you.

[Evrim's friend] He's got a fine ass too.

Bitch, he eye-fucked you.

No, come on! He's just looking for customers.

Yeah, right.

[Spiritual singing in the distance]

[Mustafa] You're not picking up my calls.

Go fuck yourself.

Baby, I'm here now, aren't I?

[Evrim] Take me to breakfast tomorrow?

Of course, baby.

[Mobile vibrates]

What?

What do you want me to do?

Now?

I just went to bed. Wait one second.

Did you call Şevval?

What about Ahmet?

Alright, I'll go. Hang up.

Son of a bitch.

[Indistinct voices on TV]

Long time no see!

We missed you.

What's wrong? Wanna get locked up again?

I'm here as a representative.

A representative?

You're keeping somebody here under false pretences.

Is this some kind of joke?

You're supposed to be a lawyer now?

- I have a degree. - A degree?

She's got a degree, she says.

[Police officer] So where did you graduate from? The circus?

Istanbul University.

[Police officer, chuckling] Istanbul University?

I bet you did...

Go ahead then. Show us your ID.

I don't have it just yet.

I'm just waiting to get in front of a judge.

It'll be any day now.

[Police officer] So you're not a lawyer then, are you?

Listen...

- Get over here. - [Man] Here's your order.

[Police officer] Why is this cold again?

I'm a volunteer for Pink Life.

Somebody's here under false pretences.

[Police Officer] "Under false pretences"?

Who's this somebody we're keeping here?

[Evrim] Izzet Yilmaz.

Izzet Yilmaz?

[Evrim] Uh-huh.

[Police officer] And what business is he to you?

I know his mother, Firuze.

Tell her to come pick up her kid.

His mother's out of town.

Meanwhile, he's in my care.

On what grounds are you detaining him?

He tried to steal from a tourist.

- Did you catch him in the act? - [Police officer] No...

Did he have any money on him?

How would I know?

Well then, you can't actually detain him.

We're not detaining him. He's going to the orphanage.

Not as long as his mother is around to take care of him.

If you want, I can call his mother.

Besides, he'll just walk straight out of the orphanage.

[He sighs]

Fine. Go sit and wait.

So much for a peaceful lunch!

- You didn't sign anything, right? - [Izzet] No.

Can I have one?

Don't be silly.

Who's this?

[Izzet] Gülpembe, I'm watching her while her brother's gone.

Where's her brother?

[Izzet] In Malatya.

Go on, wake her up.

[Izzet] Gülpembe, wake up.

Come on, wake up.

Get up.

[Evrim] Come on now, hurry up.

Take her hand.

Where'd you get that saz?

[Izzet] I borrowed it from a friend.

[Evrim] Sure you did.

[In Georgian] What are you doing?

Nothing.

[Lia] You thought I was dead?

No.

Your breath smells like shit. It brought me back to life.

[He scoffs]

[He clicks his tongue]

I want to tell you something.

What ever happened to your mother, by the way?

What do you mean?

You told me your mother lives here.

I did?

Don't you remember? Back in Batumi.

Oh, yeah.

She came here for work when I was a kid.

But after a while she sort of disappeared.

But...

I think...

She died and they didn't want to tell me.

She never would've just left me.

Of course not.

[Achi] I think so too.

Especially not with my fat half-brother.

[Lia] You know what?

It seems Istanbul is a place

where people come

to disappear.

[In Turkish] What did you do to your hair?

I found a hair clipper, had to check if it worked.

Idiot.

Why aren't you in school?

When's your mother coming back?

Don't know.

How long has it been this time?

Not too long.

So, you're a pickpocket now?

No, I'm not!

If they catch you again and your mum's not around, I can't help.

She'll be back soon.

Come here. You'll catch a cold.

Sit straight.

[Traffic rumble]

[Lia burps]

I must've eaten something bad last night.

Sure, that's what it is.

Is this place far?

We have to cross to the other side.

[Indistinct chatter; Melodic, slow song in the background]

[In Turkish] I'm gonna look so cool! Thanks, Evrim.

[Hairdresser] Did you select your hairstyle?

Girl, who are you flirting with?

You're disgracing the salon! You little floozy!

I know them!

He and his grandma are looking for a trans girl!

- I hope you're not scamming these people. - [Izzet] No.

I just showed them the way.

I'm like a guide.

Alright then.

[In English] Where are you from again?

Batumi, Georgia.

[Evrim, in Turkish] Izzet, go get us some tea.

[Lia, in Georgian] Is she trans too?

How should I know?

[In English] Yes, I'm trans.

[Achi, in Georgian] She says she's trans.

- [In English] What's her name again? - Tekla.

Tekla. You had an address you said?

[Achi] Mhh...

No, no address.

[Evrim, in Turkish] She could be anywhere.

And how do we know if she even wants to be found?

[Woman] Evrim, do we know who they actually are to the girl?

[In Georgian] What are they saying?

[In English] What's happened?

Are you sure she wants to be found?

No.

- [Lia, in Georgian] What? - One second.

[Evrim, in English] Is this her mother?

No, she's mother's sister.

I see.

You're just her friend?

[Achi] Yes.

[In Turkish] What do you think?

[Woman] On the other hand, she has the right to know someone's looking for her.

If she's even in Istanbul.

Attention, friends!

Does anyone know of a Georgian girl who goes by the name of Tekla?

I might've heard her name.

Where?

[Man] You know the girls living in Ceylan's apartment?

[Evrim] Yes, I was there the other day.

Are you sure?

[Man] Not one hundred percent,

but it sounds familiar.

[Evrim] Alright, thank you.

[In Georgian] Do they know her?

I dunno, I don't speak Turkish that well.

- [In English] He knows Tekla? - Yes.

- [Achi] Yes? - [Evrim] But...

not sure, we'll see.

[Achi, in Georgian] She says they're not sure.

[Evrim, in English] I can take you there.

[Achi, in Georgian] But she can take us there.

[Birds squawk]

[Gentle saz music]

Ask her if it's hard to walk in such high heels.

[Achi] I can't ask her that.

Ask her.

- [In English] What? - [Achi] Um, nothing.

No, what?

[Achi] She's interested your shoes...

how... is your... hard?

No, I like it!

- [In Georgia] What did she say? - That they're comfortable.

I could never.

[Evrim, in English] Thank you.

[Woman, in Turkish] Ah, Turkey's hottest lawyer!

[Evrim] Welcome, love.

[Woman] Hello.

Who are they?

They're looking for a girl named Tekla.

[Woman] I'll take you to Mother then.

May I offer you some tea?

[Evrim] Apologies for disturbing you like this.

[Mother] Not at all.

You've been very helpful with those nasty tenants.

We brought you sweets.

[Mother] Thank you.

Girls!

Serve our guests some tea!

And keep it down in there!

Not a noise!

[Girl] Yes, Mother, right away.

We're actually here to ask about a Georgian girl.

Tekla is her name.

Oh, darling...

Many Georgian girls have come through here.

All of them stuck-up, noses in the air.

[Evrim] I was told she might be living here.

No.

[In Georgian] What are they saying?

[In Turkish] Do you have any idea where she might be?

[Mother] All my girls have tried to find her.

Her phone's turned off. It's like she disappeared into thin air.

Careful.

You know how it is with these girls and drugs.

They go down that road, there's no return.

Strictly forbidden in my house...

If you ask me, she probably left Turkey.

Is this her family?

This is her aunt

and that's her friend.

She left a few of her belongings.

They can take them if they like.

Thank you very much.

[Mother] Of course.

[She sniffles]

[Ferry's horn honks in the distance]

[In Georgian] I want to tell you something.

What is it?

I never actually had her address.

I googled "Trans women in Istanbul" and showed it to you.

[Delicate ballad in the background]

I knew it all along.

- [Evrim, in Turkish] Hey, Murat. - Hello.

Is there a wedding tonight?

Yes, but I can seat you in the back.

- Maybe I'll see you dance a little too. - Alright, thanks.

[In English] Come.

[Upbeat, traditional music]

[Evrim] Cheers!

[In Georgian] Cheers.

[In Turkish] Cheers!

[In Georgian] Go on.

[Man sings over microphone]

[People join]

[Music and singing continue]

[Music concludes; Birds squawk]

[Delicate, romantic ballad]

[Music stops]

[In Turkish] You hungry?

Always.

Wanna get breakfast?

Why not?

Let's go then.

[In Georgian] Will you go back to Batumi with me?

I'll stay here.

They said there could be work for me at the hostel.

[Man sings warm, melancholic song a capella]

[Delicate piano joins]

[Music fades]

[In Georgian] Auntie?

Auntie!

Tekla?

[She gasps]

[Lia cries]

Tekla!

You look just like your mother.

Is it really you?

How do you like my garden?

I did everything the way you taught me.

I have a few tomatoes. Some tiny cucumbers.

How's our garden doing?

I didn't have time to tend it.

That's a pity.

[Lia] Who lives here with you?

It's my boyfriend's apartment.

He owns the hair salon downstairs.

Do you remember how I used to cut everyone's hair?

You need to cut and dye your hair.

[Tekla weeps]

Go on, what would you tell her?

I would tell her...

that we failed her.

Her mother and I.

We did nothing for her.

We lost so much time.

We only cared about what people would say about us.

That's what I would tell her.

I would tell her...

that her mother loved her very much.

In spite of everything.

I would tell her...

that I love her a lot too.

[Birds squawk]

I will stay here.

And keep searching until I find you.

[Tekla] I know you will.

[Announcement in PA in Turkish] Attention passengers.

This ferry is heading back to Eminönü and Karaköy.

[Delicate, slow ballad]

[Music continues]

[Music continues]

[Music fades; Sea waves crash]

[Tense, dramatic music]

[Music continues]

[Music continues]

[Music continues]

[Music fades]