Runaway (2001) - full transcript

Why are you crying?

Is it because your sister-in-law
is coming to take you back?

Don't you want to go home?

- I just don't want to be with them
- Why not?

What's wrong with them?

This is a temporary place. We're only
here to sort out the girls' problems

I know it's difficult to put up with
restrictions at home...

..but if you're a sensible girl,
you'll get on with your family

- Nobody could get on with my family
- Everybody says that

I know, I met your mum -
perhaps I couldn't get on with her either

but what's the alternative?



Running away?
Watting for strangers to help you out?

Nobody can help you better
than your own family

It's alright for you, you don't have
to stay at home all day

You're free to do what you like,
you can't understand us

Why don't you sit down?

You won't solve anything
by running away

Where would you go?

Look, all men are wolves

What do you think they're after
with a pretty young girl like you?

Your mother's only strict with you
because she cares

Damn her and her caring

She doesn't want you to be ruined
in this society

Women like her just get pregnant,
they don't care about the children

They should be ashamed!



Monireh, I miss my mum so much

I don't know why I keep telling
everyone that I miss my mum

I don't think she loves me

How can a mother not love
her daughter?

It happens

I've never heard of such a thing

I can't wait to see my mum,
I keep thinking of her...

I'm always thinking of her
and of my brother

I had a dream...

I don't remember when,
last night or the night before...

I dreamt that the devil came...

...and said that my mum was dead
and my brother was dead

I cried so much...
it was the middle of the night

- Are you going to stay here?
- I don't know

I don't want to stay here
and I don't want to go home

Where do you want to go?
On tothe streets?

I tell you, you won't find
anywhere better than here

I think it's like heaven

Much better than home

No beating, no cursing...

It's so much better... in so many ways

- What's your name?
- Maryam

Cat got your tongue?

Did it get your tongue?
Aren't you going to say hello?

- Where have you come from?
- Doroud

Doroud? Where's that?
Do you know where it is?

One hundred and... wait...

-..and two stations from Tehran
- Two stations?

No, one hundred and two

How do you know it's 102 stations?

The train stopped so many times

Tell me why you came to Tehran

My brother hurts me... he beats me,
so I ran away from home

When you ran away, didn't you worry
that something might happen to you?

- How old are you?
-12

Don't you want to go home?

- No, I don't!
- Why not?

My brother hurts me

What if he promises not to hurt you?

How does he beat you?

We have a big cable and
he beats me with it

Acable? Where?

All over my body

If anyone hit you with such a cable...

...you'd have to stay in bed
for three days and nights

I see, you wouldn't, but I would!

If he doesn't hurt me, I'l go back,
but if he beats me, I won't

If he beats you, you won't

- Can I gonow?
- Yes, goon

Have you got parents?

At least Maryam has a father... I don't

You're more normal than me

They only think you're crazy
because you keep running away

They say I have to goto hospital...

...sothey can find out
what's wrong with me

Sometimes I lose control

It's my nerves, you see

I've seen lots of psychologists
because I lose control

None of them can say
what's wrong with me

I'm going to see a new one

I'l see what he says

- Do you get bored at home?
- Yes, terribly

They won't let me go out because
I've run away so many times

- How many times?
- Maybe 20 or 30 times

Don't I have any rights in life?

I want to wear a short coat, I can't

They decide exactly what I'm to wear

No high heels, no short coat,
no tight trousers, no short scarf

That's what they're like

They decide what I can do,
what I can't do:

eat this food, don't eat that,
put on these clothes, not those

At my age, I resent being
constantly criticized

I don't mind them criticizing me...

...but they shouldn't interfere
with everything I do

I want to live apart from them for a while

But I have nowhere to go

I love them very much

I really don't know why I keep
running away

Was that the only reason?

He beat me up

What with?

With a cable, a belt, a stick...

With a knife - look!

You can see the mark

Here's another one

These are all knife cuts

If you had been hit with that cable...

...you'd be in bed for three days

- Know what I mean?
- Yes...

- Did you go to school?
-No

- Have you ever been to school?
- No. I haven't got an ID card

She had a fever last night

Did you tell Ms Farbod?

She gave her something for the fever

The girls were looking after her

In the middle of the night,
a big man came into my room

There was nothing I could do

I'm an 18-year-old girl,
how could I fight a strong man?

He did it to me several times

When I came out, I saw my father
sitting in the comer

He was smoking and he was drunk

- He showed no reaction?
-No

After this your life fell apart?

My father hit me in the face,
I'l never forget it

Why?

He said that if I loved him I'd put up
with it - my mother and sister had to

Your father encouraged you?

My father was so into drugs

He'd shake my bag to see
if there was any money in it

He didn't care about me, his own daughter

I used to tell myself "This is my father...

"I have to rely on him...

"He can help me"

But he didn't... instead he forced me
into a life of misery and darkness

Day and night I suffered hunger, thirst...

No clothes, no place to stay...

I had to put up with all this

I had to take all these insults...

People treated me like dirt

Because of my father, I became an outcast

I suffered so much

Now I'm here...

Yes, she'll be staying here

Il contact her mum and ask her to come...

Sorry about that

So you ended up on the streets

What did you do then?

I had nowhere to sleep

I had to be with a different man each night

I felt more and more desperate

Once I decided to kill myself

That night my dead mother
came to me in a dream

I said "Mum, I've had enough,
I'l come to you tomorrow"

My mum got upset. She said
"Why now? It's not right

"ll come for you when it's time"

She gave me two pomegranates...

Two pomegranates in
a pretty blue wrapping

woke up ...

..and I knew my mother loved me.
She was the love of my life

I've come to tell you I've had enough
of being here

- You want me to send you home?
- Yes

I can't stand Elnaz

I told you living here would be
like this, didn't 1?

Wherever you go, there'll
be kids like Elnaz

There are bullies everywhere

Wherever I go with Elnaz,
even if it's just as far as the door...

...she never says anything sensible,
she talks rubbish to me

When we were in the mosque,
she said:

"you can't come with us tomorrow,
you don't know how to pray properly"

This happens everywhere with kids

My brother beats me, but he doesn't
say the things Elnaz says to me

She shamed me in front of everybody
at the mosque

You'd rather put up with your brother

I can't stand Elnaz. I don't care
if my brother beats me

If you could put up with your brother
why did you run away?

Have you learned your lesson now?

There's no place like home

Look at me

If it's not Elnaz, it'll be someone
else teasing you

Next time, I'l thump her

'l'talk to Elnaz, but you must
lear to put up with these things

If she annoys me again,
Il break her jaw

I'tell her to leave you alone,
but you leave her alone too, alright?

I didn't do anything! I was sitting
in the mosque by myself, praying...

...and she pulls my chador from behind
as if she owns me

I'm older than all of you,
but I still treat you with respect

This is a basic rule of life

If anyone wants to --
Don't interrupt me!

I won't have any answering back
in this meeting

When you fight...

When you use bad language...

When you threaten one another...

...you are breaking the rules

You came here because you can't
live at home with your families

If you want to live here, you have
to respect the house rules

Agirl must behave properly,
be decent and modest

Elnaz, do the call to prayer

Turn that music off, go upstairs
and say your prayers

Then lunch

I never went out, I was always at home

I could have been like other girls
and gone out with men, but I didn't

I'd talk to my parents' photographs,
like a mad person

I talked to the photos and cried

Nobody paid any attention to me.
I kept everything to myself

When I tried to talk to my father...

..he pulled my hair and
threatened me with a knife

He burned my skin with cigarettes

I couldn't stand it

I knew that if I stayed there,
I'd end up on the streets

It's the first time I've run away

The lady who took me in, Mrs Yadegari,
was so kind tome

I haven't seen my mum for six years

I haven't talked to anyone else

Would you like to see the lady
who took you in?

- Yes, I would
- Good

I've got her phone number

I'd like to call her

Please, I'm not like other girls

I did nothing wrong

If I'd wanted to, I could have,
these past six years

I've got a virginity certificate

You can ask Mrs Yadegari

We don't doubt your virginity
or what you've told us

We can't decide what to do
on the basis of this session

We must make sure that
she's telling us the truth

She says she has no address,
no home phone number

Kids often resist letting
someone into their world

Some do it by putting
on a tough front...

..or by being aggressive with us

Others, like her, doit by being gentle
and mild... almost normal

She wants me to believe her

She was trying to convince me

She thinks I believed what she was
telling me about her situation

But her emotional state does not
match the story she's telling me

My situation's different

I was on the streets longer

I had to put up with a lot

And I didn't?

Yes, you did, but my situation
is different from yours...

...s0if I ran away again I'd know how
to survive in a society full of wolves

But for you, it was the first time,
you've been out there for only a week

Setareh, aren't you going to pray?

I can't today,
I've got a religious excuse

- Have you prayed?
- I'm about to

- Then go on, don't be late
- My ear's itching!

You'll get more good points for
being on time, hurry up!

- You can make it
- But I hate studying

Look, the sun is shining...
our future is going to be like this

tl be as bright as that,
if we really want it

I'm sure of it. So from now on
you must change your life

I've lost all hope

It's winter now, right?

We're alsoin the winter of our lives

Listen, it will pass
and then spring will come

It's going to be green everywhere

- We're stuck here, what's the use?
- No, you can make your own spring

After spring comes the warm summer

It's the best time of your life

- I can't think like you
- Why not?

You're only 18,
in three years you'll be like me

When I was your age,
I didn't think like that either

But now I have so many dreams

But I can't think like you

Why? Tell me what's on your mind

You can tell me, I'm your best friend now

I want to get out of here...
I hate myself

But why?

I don't know

Come on

Let's keep our shoes on!

I feel that Parisa is like me

I don't want her to repeat my mistakes...

...go through the horrible things
I went through

It's as if my other half is sitting here

My life is being repeated

I want to be like a dam, to stop it...

...50 she won't end up like me

I don't want her to waste
the best years of her life like I did

That's why I'm kind to her

I try to fill the void inside me
and inside Parisa too

The only thing that makes me happy
is helping Parisa and girls like her

Later, when she's my age,
she can be proud of herself...

She'll be happy with her life...

...and say that she once knew
a girl called Setareh...

..who said things to her that
changed the course of her life

It's very important to me that
people think well of me

I'm always waiting for my mum

I don't know how to reach her

My dad was very nasty to her...

...even in front of me

My father was always angry

They'd be joking and suddenly
he'd tum vidlent...

...and throw at my mum whatever
he could grab:

cups, glasses, the teapot...

...anything he could get his hands on

My mum used to lock herself in the toilet

She would stay there for an hour or two

I don't know what I'm going to do

If it goes into the net, it's not a goal!

Now you try!

You lost, mate, you lost!

I lied to the counsellors, to everyone

I've got parents, two sisters
and two brothers

I ran away because my father
humiliated me in front of everyone

He said bad things about
my fiancé's family

He used to treat me differently
from my sisters...

...and bad-mouthed my fiancé

The day I got my exam results, I saw
I'd failed again in three subjects:

Maths, English and Psychology

I knew when I got home,
my father would say:

"I spent all that money, I got you
a private tutor and you failed again!"

I knew he'd beat me, lock me up

I knew I'd be humiliated again
in front of my fiancé and his family

That's why I was scared

When I ran away
I went straight to the police

What I said about my life was all lies

I knew if I told the truth
they'd send me home

I was sent to Social Services
and then to the Medical Police

I was examined there
and they found I was a virgin

The first day I spent here,
I was shy of the other girls...

..but after 10 minutes, we became
friends, we got really close

On my first night I had nightmares...

...and she gave me a lot of courage

I can't bear to leave her, I don't think I can

I love her somuch

I love you too, I won't forget you

Don't cry, please, don't

Last night we cried a lot together

We talked a lot

I told her that life is full of difficulties...

...and sometimes one gets to a point
where one has to run away...

...from oneself, from one's life

I'm not upset about her lying to me.
She must have had a good reason

I told her she'd learn from experience
but she must not do it again

I ran away because of my dad's temper

My dad is respected by everybody

By running away I've ruined his reputation

Do you feel better now
you've told the truth?

I feel lighter, but I'm scared

Tell my father that I'm intact, that
I wasn't on the streets a single night

He's very sensitive about these things

Tell him I was here

You must try to gain their trust and
show them that you're a good girl

Tell them you made a mistake
and now you want to make up for it

But they'll look down on me now,
won't they?

No, they won't, parents are kind,
they're forgiving

Often, they're not as bad as children think

I want to be happy and I want you
to be happy too

Thank you, God is great

Take care of yourself

Your happiness will be mine

Do you understand? Be happy

There, now go to your husband

Your uncle and your father are waiting

Show them your feelings for them

They admit they were also at fault
but you too acted a bit immaturely

There's no mistake that can't be forgiven

I saw your father, he's not such
a bad father

At least he admits he made mistakes too

- Won't he hit me?
- No, don't worry!

Come on, Parisa.
I'l come too, don't be scared

I'm going to be there with you

There's nothing to worry about

Here comes your lovely daughter

Please sit down

Parisa will tell you what she has to say

God willing, with her promises and
the agreement we'll all reach here...

...she'll go back home happily

Who shall I begin with?

Let's start with Parisa

Then our future bridegroom

She was always telling me
how much she loves her father

Thank God she's reached us intact

Say what you have to say, my dear

I wasn't thinking straight

I was scared

But you had no problems

Oh no, I didn't have any problems at home

My family is very nice to me

I regret what I did, it was a mistake

We're also happy that Parisa is sorry
for what she has done...

...and that she's going back home

I hope she won't forget to invite us
to her wedding

We have a humble house,
but you are most welcome

Let's thank God

Thank God, we all said
a thanksgiving prayer

And thank God she's still a virgin

We are grateful to you
and to your colleagues

You'll soon forget us

Cheer up, you're going home!

Thank you for all you've done

I'm really grateful

Call us whenever you feel
you need to talk to someone

Whenever you feel gloomy, call us
here... we'll always listen to you

Can you fill in this form
for the police?

Give us your phone number, please

827-3040

- It was your unit that sent her tous
- Yes

Where's this?

Police - the Unit for Combatting
Social Corruption

Police Unit for Combatting
Social Corruption

- Don't we need to give you anything?
- Just a receipt

Hadis, help Parisa settle in; give her
fresh clothes and let her have a wash

Eat something, relax...

This is your home now

Let me help you

Eat a bit

God's mercy brought you here.
Awful things could have happened to you

I'm happy you're here with us.
They!ll help you here.

- What do feel now that you're here?
- that I'm saved from the streets

Aren't you happy to be with us?

I think of you as my sister

I had a friend here,
her name was Parisa too

I liked her very much.
She left yesterday

I used to talk to her, to comfort her...

She finally told the truth, her family
came for her and she left happy

But if your family is abusing you,
you'll be helped here

Don't think that they'll just hand you
over to them

If I go back, itll be the same as before

They may say that they'll leave me
in peace

You can ask all my relatives

They know what it's like at home,
what sort of family I have

Nobody can help me without
my family's permission

Now I feel free from that house

From their reproaches, beatings

I used to break sugar at home

Are you going home then?

Just for a visit, my mum won't let me stay

I want to see my baby brother -
my mum's just had a baby...

..by my step-father

What's happened to your
real father, Atena?

He sleeps in Freedom Square

You sure he's still there?

He sleeps in the park

He's gone mad

There's no paint in seeing him,
it only upsets me

My father separated from my mother
and we ended up with a step-father

My step-father made advances tome

I mean, after he married my mum,
he said "I want to have you too"

I was not safe at home

I couldn't sleep at night,
I was scared he'd come to me

I didn't say this to my mum. I was scared

My mum used to take me
to her work-place...

...and a lady saw me there
and liked me

She said she wanted me
as a bride for her son

My mum wanted to get rid of me,
so she said yes

After our marriage, I lived with
my husband for only 6 months

I kept on running away from his house...

..because he beat me up a lot

I went back to my mum's...

..but my step-father continued
harassing me

Sot went on like this...

but I still stayed at my mother's
with my step-father

One day my mum went shopping
and I was alone with my step-father

Thank God my mum came back early

She saw my step-father standing
over my bed, about to rape me

I was asleep

My mother screamed

I woke up and saw my step-father
and started hitting out at him

And then my mother turned on me
and took his side

She said it was my fault

I saw her picking up a can of kerosene
to set me on fire

So ran to the local police station

I ran out of the house barefoot,
I wasn't properly covered

I told the police officer what happened

I said "My step-father wants to rape me...

"and my mum wants to set me on fire"

I went back home with a police officer

In front of the officer,
my mum pulled my hair

She bit me, she kept hitting me,
she just went mad

She did such strange things

I said "I belong in this house,
I'm your child"

She said "I won't let you in,
you're not a child anymore

"Go and sleep in a cardboard box!"

She can start work on Saturday or Sunday

She can start work on Saturday or Sunday

It's a factory for packing meat,
liver, kidney, things like that

I can handle it

It's all mechanized, computerized
cellophane wrapping

It's all done by machine

I know, I must make sure that
everything remains on line

I don't expect much

I want to earn a living in a legitimate way,
you know what I mean

This is enough for me

I must try to better my lot,
this is very important to me

Fine, go now and we'll talk
about lodgings later

I'm so grateful

Parisa, I'm so happy -
they've found me a job

- Really!
- I'm starting work on Monday!

Didn't I say God is great!

I can't tell you how happy I am!

I'm so happy

It's in a meat-packing company;
with a salary

- Are you leaving now?
- Not yet

Ms Shirazi is finding me lodgings.
Il have to wait until Monday

Don't cry, please

Please, don't cry

Now that you've got your ID card,
you'll find work too

One day I'l come here for a visit...

...and I'l hear that Atena has found
work and got her own place

- Atena is unlucky
- Now, don't say that!

I'm the unlucky one. My mum died...

..my sister died too...

...my brother and father abandoned me.
I have no one but God

I was unlucky in my husband,
in my step-father...

Don't say such things -
I was unlucky with everything

This society has wronged me...

..but I want toreturn toit
and rebuild my life

I want to show them that I can doit
and so can you

Atena, don't cry...

Crying is a sign of weakness

Now, don't cry, you'll find work too

Ms Agazadeh, did Ms Shirazi say
anything about my situation?

She's upset about ancther girl

Now, don't cry

Ms Shirazi is going to sort things out
for you...

...and for several other girls here

I can't take it any more

Come now, weren't you consoling
Rona just now?

So you must comfort yourself too

Everybody's shocked when they
lear I've been married and divorced

It's unbelievable!
And I agreed to it, damn me!

Nobody believes that I was married at 12

Those mistakes you made when
you were young...

Those decisions were made for you
and you just accepted those decisions

You have a lot time to make up
for your past

You're so young, there's time
for everything

Now you can decide for yourself

- What's your mum's name?
- Parvaneh Rahmani

Mrs Rahmani, Atena has been
waiting for you for a long time

She's been very anxious and homesick

I've got so many problems of my own

The worst is, my husband's gone,
he's left me with this baby

That's my biggest worry

You can't just sit there,
staring at the walls...

...waiting for him to come back...

..without work, no money for food,
no clothing...

...no proper food for these children

This baby needs proper nourishment too

If I know you'll take Atena back,
I can find work for her...

...and her wages will come in handy
for the family too

She can work and provide for all of you

I'm sure my husband will come back
but it might take some time

He's stuck with his first wife

It'll take some time for him to divorce her

But I can't take her back

AllI can think about right now
is gaing after him...

...or phoning him to see what's up

If he comes back,
I can't have her at home

We can't send Atena home
just for a short time

We have to do what's best for her

Well decide for her where
to go and what to do

Everybody says he'll come back

He was so attached to us

You stay here. We'll find you a job
and somewhere to live

I'l die if I don't see them

- You must break away from them
- I cant

Clearly your mum is putting herself first

She doesn't care about you

She doesn't care that you're her
daughter and that you need her

She says "My life comes first,
Atena's comes second”

You should put yourself first too

Wait until you're independent,
with money of your own...

..then you'll be able to re-establish
your links with them in a better way

I was killing myself with worry about them

That's what I'm saying: you shouldn't
put yourself out for them any more

Don't shed any more tears for them.
Stand on your own two feet

I know you don't want to get married

Well find you a job and lodgings
in one of our new centres

When the time comes,
you'll be independent

You'll be able to make your own
decisions, and we'll help you

I'm not suggesting a complete break

Just give yourself time to think

Again, I'm not saying you should cut
yourself off completely...

..but for now, your own life
is more important

Afena, isn't that right?

You know why? Because she says
her life is more important

She wants to go after her husband
and bring him back

And if he comes, there'll be no
place for Atena

She's not a virgin

I kept telling her to cover herself
when she went to bed at night

She didn't bother

When I told her off, she'd sulk

She simply didn't care

I told her "When he comes home,
you must dress and behave modestly"

Still, she's your daughter

Hardly 18 years old and already
married twice - you sacrificed her!

It's all her fault

She brought it on herself

Mrs Ghamgosar, I just wanted to say
that... that...

- Mrs Ghamgosar, I wanted to say...
- Well, say it then!

Tomorrow's Friday, I want to go home
for the weekend but mum won't let me

Let me finish talking to your mum,
don't interrupt like this

You can't just go for the day. If you go
back, you must stay and find a job

Can I say something? My mum
and I never talk about it, I swear!

tl be good for her if I come home,
I can take care of the baby...

...and as soon as my step-father
arrives, I'll come back here

Your mum says you were careless
about certain things

Look, Mrs Ghamgosar, I know I was,
I know I did wrong

I know my mum is right

But I can't stand it here any more,
it's like a prison. I must get out!

Do you want to go back for a while
and see what it's like?

Yes, but she won't let me

I beat her half to death and
she still wants to come back!

She's your daughter, you can't kill her!

- She needs a mother's love
- I love you even if you kill me

You can call us if she's any problem

I know her, she'll be as good as gold
for ten days and then...

Tell her how other parents have
changed after you've talked to them

You say she'll behave for ten days

- Yes, she'll pretend to be good
- Then shel be just like before

- No, I swear I won't!
- She'll be just the same

You tell her, Mrs Ghamgosar,
tell her I'l be good

I think you should give her a chance
and see how it works out

We're here, if you have a problem,
you can send her back

Can I stay in touch with you?

Yes, any problem you have, if you
think Atena isn't listening to you

I'l do anything! I'l do anything
she tells me!

Just call us if you want to send her back

I'm saying this for both your sakes:
give her another chance

There's no future for her with us,
she can't stay here

He loves the kids more than I do

I'm their mother...

..but God knows, I don't love them
as much as he does

He's isn't here, but God knows,
he loves them

He loves them all so much

It was all my fault, I know it was

I knew she felt guilty,
she was so unsettled here

I guessed she felt she was to blame

Now I suggest you give her
another chance

It might be better for you too

You should know about such things

You've dealt with girls like her

You know how they behave

You've reconciled lots of families,
can't you do the same for me?

Your mum is still angry with you,
she needs time to get over it

Because she thinks I'l be like before

Atena is giving us her word.
You have our phone number

How much more must I suffer?
I was unlucky with husbands

Whenever you have a problem with
her behaviour, send her back tous

There are chairs there, please sit

Tell your mum we'll help her out
until we find you a job

Will you be told off at home?

Won't they ask why you ran away?

If they tell me off, I'l run back here

The girls here are leaving one by one

Two go, another one comes

Is this the brother who beats you?

Tell me, do you want to go home?

What does that nod mean?

What?

Well, if you want to go home,
why did you leave in the first place?

Because she's a silly girl

No! She must realise that she
shouldn't run away like this

Many runaway children are kidnapped
and killed for their hearts or kidney

Imagine if that happened to you

One shouldn't leave home like this

Was it the right thing to do? And
now you say you want to go home

Tell me why

- I just want to go home
- Why? For what reason?

Now, you've come here and
and you've accepted responsibility

Will you give me a written guarantee
that nobody will beat her at home?

If she runs away again, I'l come
after you, you realise that?

Sure, if I accept the responsibility
for taking her back...

Il get a guarantee from her family

Il tell them not to hurt her

Il take the consequences

- Do you beat her? What's your name?
- Kioumarz

- Do you beat her? Tell the truth
- Ill make him eat shit if he does

She's only a child; if she misbehaves
you should talk to her

She's been here several days
and I can see that she's a bit naughty

Look at me!

Last night she had a fight with another girl

I'm not saying she's perfect

She's a bit mischievous but you must
learn how to handle these kids

She doesn't know the meaning
of love and compassion

Her mother's paralysed in both legs

She's been housebound for two months

- Excuse me, her real name is Marjan
- Marjan?

She should have stayed home
for her mother's sake

She's the eldest daughter,
she should help her mother

Now she's not sure if she wants
to go home or not

It's obvious she has no consideration
for her parents

Say if you want to go home
to your parents or stay here

If you're not happy about going home...

tell the lady and I won't take you

I'm telling you, Marjan...

- I want to stay here
- Why?

Your mother's been crying for you
every night and your poor father...

Don't you want to go back
to look after your mum?

Your sister's crying for you
day and night. She's lonely

Don't you want to go to school?

You can't have everything, you know

You must put up with hardship in life
until you can stand on your own feet

You must help your parents

I've got this gentleman's guarantee...

..that no one will beat you again

I assure you, there won't be
any more beating

Look, your brother's crying.
He came all this way for you!

Why do you want to stay here?

True, they can look after you
until you grow up...

..but your mum, your sister,
they won't let you go

In the end, they'll have to come
and get you

Families don't just give up their children

We can't let someone stay here
if they have a family

You must go back to your family
and live a normal life

There's hardship in everybody's life

You can't expect to have everything
you want, you understand?

Asthe lady says, when I take you
home, I'l get guarantees...

..from your parents and from
your brother here

Yes, I'l send them to her

Il'tell them that if they ever
hurt you again...

..I'l bring you back here myself!

Listen, next week I'l send a social
worker to her house...

..to check how she is doing

We're putting her in your hands, right?

If you have a problem, go and tell
the gentleman, he'll know what to do

And don't leave home again
for no good reason

Society is full of wolves,
do you understand?

God was with you this time

You got here safely

All parents are strict with their daughters

It's their right, isn't it?

What do you really want?

What can we do for you?

I don't ever want to go back to that house

Never?
Don't you want to see your mum?

My mother, yes, but not my father

You love your mum.
Don't you love your father?

- Why? Does he beat you?
-Alot

I never complained about
doing the housework

I did whatever they told me

They stopped me going to school
so I could do the housework

They kept me in the house all the time

- Did you do the housework properly?
- Yes

Did you go out with friends
without permission?

Never. I never had such freedom

I never went out without my parents

How long has your father been an addict?

Six, seven years

He uses opium, you said?

- What about your mum?
-No

Do you have any close friends,
anyone to talk to?

No, I'm not allowed out of the house

What about relatives?

None of our relatives ever come
to our house...

..because of my father

He was a shoe-maker,
but now he buys and sells opium

You can go now, come and talk
to me whenever you want

Why do you worry?
Didn't you say you don't love them?

That's true, but I miss my mum

- Is your mum nice?
- Yes

If I see her I won't be able to let go of her

I love my mum too and when
I'm grown up Il go and live with her

But not now, because she can't manage

Amazing! I've been here 3 weeks
and they finally decide to show us

The Centre people can't really help me

You don't have to face your family
right now

We'll talk to them first

Just stay calm and say whatever
you like to them

I've got nothing to say to them

God, I was so naive!

Why, sister, why? I provided for you

Whatever you wanted, I gave you

I had nothing to wear myself,
but I got you whatever you asked for

Dad had a stroke

Come and sit down

She says she hasn't got her ID card

We've got it

Why hasn't she been to school?

We live in a bad neighbourhood

We told her certain things,
but she wouldn't listen

We told her she couldn't continue
going to school there

We said the girls in the neighbourhood
were no good and a bad influence

"They'll lead you astray,
they'l corrupt you"

At first she agreed, she said:

"Brother, just don't lock me up!"

I said "Whatever you want, I'l get you"

We want to help you as much as possible

But girls don't run away from home
without cause

This was without cause

Listen, she was walking down
the street with my mother

Acouple of guys called out
"what a nice figure you have!"

My mum told her "Ignore them!"

But my sister answered them back

My mother told her to walk properly

Her wallcis a little improper

Begging your pardon...

..but if you were walking properly
in the street...

..would I dare call out to you?

- Are you saying it was Parisa's fault
- Yes, she didn't walk properly

My sister has no friends

She isn't that type at all

She just went crazy suddenly

You can ask the neighbours

When I told people that my sister
had disappeared...

they said "What sister?"
Nobody had ever set eyes on her!

Why should she run away?

She had no problems at home

Whatever she wanted I provided for her

I want to talk to her for a few minutes

- Shall I come too?
- No, you wait here

It's up to you. Your brother wants
to talk to you and convince you

I can't interfere when you two are talking

Tell them what you told me, all the
reasons you think are important...

..why you'd rather stay here
than go back with them

Now let's go back to the room

She's done a lot for me

I'd come home at 2 a.m.
and she'd be waiting for me...

...and take my socks and trousers to wash

- Well, Parisa?
- She's done all this for me

Do you love your mum and your brother?
Why don't you speak up?

If you don't love me, say so

Have I done anything wrong to you?

Say it, don't be afraid, I'l get you
whatever you want

Tell us about the problems at home
so I can defend you

Dad had a stroke, he's dying

When you were at home,
whenever mum had a fit...

...she never bit her tongue

Since you left, her tongue is a mess

Since you left home, life has no meaning

I was sacked from the best job I ever had

My sister must remain intact, you see

She's a virgin

Could I talk to my daughter alone?

- Of course
- We'll both talk to her

Wait, sit down

You can't let girls go out these days

Shall I pour the water on him?

- He passed out
- Where's the father?

He's outside. I want to
talk to the father separately

Call your father in

- What guarantee shall I give you?
- Not you, I won't accept yours

You're not up to giving me a guarantee

- What do you mean?
- You can't even look after yourself

- Why can't I?
- I won't say any more

But I've enough experience to know
what your problem is...

You're not fit to look after this child

So you won't give us our sister back?

No, we'll send her to a Centre...

..where she can continue her studies
and lead her own life

I'l agree to anything

If my sister comes home,
everythinglll be fine...

If she doesn't, I'l cut myself to
pieces and then I'll leave this place

- Don't you threaten me!
- I'm threatening myself

Don't threaten yourself either

- There's a law
- I'l hang myself!

I've had a million beatings from my father

If I wanted to kill myself or leave
home, I could have done it

But I stayed for love of my mother
and my two sisters

These three are the loves of my life

If my sister comes with me...
if she comes back home, no problem

She can go if she wants

But if she won't come with me,
then I'l cut myself to pieces

There's no need for such a thing,
there's always a sensible solution

Don't you want to come with me?
Don't you love us?

I'm your servant

- Don't you want to live with us?
- This is pointless

We must safeguard this child's future

- What guarantee do you want?
- Can you give us a guarantee, sir?

Il vouch for her future

- How can you give a guarantee?
- Il give a written one

Next time, if anything happens to her...

Il drag you, both of you, tothe
International Court at the Hague

Il hang myself!

Il give the guarantee myself

I won't accept a guarantee from you!
You're not fit to give one

Mr Tagipour, let your daughter
stay here for a while

I can't bear her staying here

Sort out your problem, then welll
accept your guarantee

Why did she say she ran away?

She was mistreated at home,
she wasn't cared for

Keep quiet, Mr Tagipour. Tell me,
Parisa, why did you run away?

Tell the truth, I'd like to know the reason

Please, keep quiet!

Now speak up. What were your
reasons for leaving home?

Tell us the truth so I know how
tohelp you

Il be your slave, whatever you
want I'l provide

You sit down, please

Now, tell us

They beat me up, and they humiliated
me in front of others, so I ran away

Why did they beat you?

You weren't the only one at home
to get beaten, were you?

- I suffered more...
- More than me?

You suffered too, but I got the beatings

- What, more than me?
- Will you let her speak?

Go on, say what you want

I was beaten a lot...

Wherever I went, it was always
with my mother

Once or twice they allowed me to go out...

..but then they stopped it
and I didn't go out at all

Will you let her speak!

Do you approve of your
daughter's conduct?

- What do you mean?
- Has she misbehaved?

She never went out alone, never

I want you to tell me

Did they just beat you up
or were you beaten for a reason?

Sometimes yes, but mostly they were
just upset and took it out on me

You keep quiet!

You know your family best

If they give us a guarantee,
do you think they'l keep toit?

Ifit were up tome, I wouldn't accept
any guarantee from them

I wouldn't accept their guarantee
because I believe they'll break it

Why? What do you know about us?

You're not in a normal state

I felt dizzy for a moment, that's all

That's why we didn't let her go out

Tell me, if they give a guarantee,
will you go back?

Do you want to go back?

I'l give you whatever you want

- I'm getting dizzy again
- Go out, then! Go on!

Go outside, get some fresh air

Go on, get out!

Ifthey give a guarantee and keep it,
I'l go back

What sort of guarantee?

For instance, that there won't be
any beatings, no humiliation...

They used to pick on me for no reason

I won't go back if it's going to be
like it was before

Was it your brother or your father
who beat you?

Tell her, child, tell her everything

She says, yes. Why did you beat her?

Perhaps this lady will show me
where I went wrong

Tell her, child

When [tell her not to go out
without my permission -

Sit down, Mr Tagipour

That week I eamed 19,300 toman

Then the other week, 29,000

This week 52,000 toman

I spent it all on taxis, looking for you

Dad had a stroke, I fell off the roof...

The roof collapsed...

Come home with us tonight, please...

For God's sake, come home

I'l get you a jacket like mine

I'l give you this one, alright?

If she runs away again, you'll have
to answer not only to our courts...

..but to the international courts...

...because you've been violating
the rights of this child!

- Punish me as you think fit!
- I'm not punishing you

You must bring her here
for counselling once a month

If you don't, the police will
come and get her

I'l bring her myself

When you've filled in the form,
send them to my room to sign it

Give them an appointment
to come for counselling

She's to come with her parents
once a month

I'l give you any kind of guarantee

Il guarantee good treatment

No more beating!

Whatever the girl asks for, I'l provide

But she and her mother mustn't go to
certain places without my permission

I must have peace of mind when I go out

Well discuss this later

Whatever you want, whatever
freedom you want, I'l give you

The jeans you liked, I'l buy them for you

You asked for a weekly allowance,
I said that's fine

You said you wanted to buy things
in installments, I said fine

- Parisa, where's your mum?
- She's in the office

Tell them you're happy with us, sis...
come back home

We have no more money to pay for taxis

You know what this means?

It means I'm responsible

- Can't you sign?
- No, I can't write

Very well

Is everything alright?

Il give another guarantee, if you like

No, there's no need

You just keep your word,
that'll be enough

Will you get my wife to guarantee
they won't go out?

So that I have peace of mind
when I leave in the morning?

- You go out, I'l see to it
- I beg your pardon

I never knew they cared so much about me

My dad hugged me when he saw me.
He's never been like that with me

I mean, I never felt my father's love before

And my mum, and my brother...
particularly my brother

I didn't know he felt like this about me

What if you go back and they start
mistreating you again?

That's not possible, I don't think so

I mean I don't expect them to give me
everything I want

I only want them to treat me well

It seems I'm moving towards
the happiness of my dreams