So Close, So Far (2005) - full transcript

So Far So Close
A Film by Reza Mirkarimi

Get ready. Camera One. Mrs. Sadeghi

3, 2, 1

Yes, hello again

The beautiful images you saw were images
of the crowded alleys...

and the streets of our city, which were
provided by my colleagues

The new year is arriving, and naturally
everywhere is crowded

We promised you something, so
let's go to the kitchen and see...

what the chef wants to
prepare for us tonight

Hello, Mr. Sohrabi.
Good day

I would like to say hello
to all the dear audience



A lot of you called and asked for the preparation method of fish and rice.

So tonight we are going to offer
you the dish you asked for

I must add that this dish is appropriate for
the last Wednesday of the year...

and New Year's Day itself

Yes, of course

Mr. Sohrabi, please announce
the ingredients for our dear audience

Yes, sure. I'll tell you the ingredients
in a very simple manner

First we need fish

It's better if it's white fish, but
trout can be used as well...

the same as we're using tonight

We need half a kilo of rice, and
half a kilo of fresh herbs

We can use fenugreek and parsley

We need onion. Flour has to
be added to fry the fish

Cast:



Masoud Raygan

Elham Hamidi

Okay, my dear friends. Before
introducing today's guest...

let's pay a visit to the control room
and watch a music clip together

- Hello
- Hello

For God's sake, can't anyone turn on the A/C?

The smell of cologne, heated oil and
fish is killing me

The A/C doesn't work

Hurry up. Somebody put out these candles.
We need them for the next scene

Why are the candles still lit?
Where's the stage staff?

These aren't set in a good place.
Take tea to the doctor

Here you are

Doctor, don't hold your hands like
that. It'll bring bad luck

Sorry for being nosy

17th floor

Edit:
Bahram Dehghani

Music:
Mohammad Reza Aligholi

Director of Photography:
Hamid Khozoiee Abyane

Yes. I understand Doctor

Yes. He was supposed to come
there after the TV program

I'm dialing the number constantly

But it's on the answering machine

Yes

Producer, Director:
Reza Mirkarimi

The windows are anti-shock

Hello, father

- I can hear a sound from inside the car
- When are they going to show you?

- My brother wants to talk to you
- The sound is coming from inside the car...

he's left his cellphone on

I think two minutes would be enough
for replying to each question

Yes

Thank you, lady

I'm in touch with the control room.
They'll announce the time to me

- Which camera shall I start with?
- Camera One

Get ready. Action

3, 2, 1

And tonights guest: Dr. Alam...

the significant neurologist, who accepted our invitation for tonight

Welcome Doctor

Please, introduce yourself to our audience, and then we'll move on to the questions

In the name of God

What program was it?

I don't know

On the one side they're making candles...

and on the other side
they're preparing stew

And at the end, they say: "Welcome
to your own program, Doctor

Yes, it's interesting

Tell me about the race. Is it on?

Over here, it's rainy and
the track is slippery

Who's joining the chartroom today?

As usual, Khalilzadeh from Malaysia

Didn't he say anything about his bet?

Two on Wilcox. But you
better not believe him

The doctor put us in trouble
because of his delay

Eat Doctor, it's lamb meat.
Please eat

You won't get fat. I eat three,
maybe four meals a day

If I go home and don't eat my
dinner, my wife will be upset

She'll become suspicious

All men are afraid of smelling
their lover's perfume...

and I must be afraid of going
home with a full stomach

Shall I tell them to bring a kebab
for you? It's fresh lamb kebab

No, thank you

I'm listening Doctor, go ahead.
I'm used to this situation

I can talk to someone, listen to someone else, and work at the same time

The doctor arrived two-three days ago...

And despite being very busy,
he examined father

He's doing us a favour

No wonder they call
him Gold Finger

Doctor, my father is Gold Finger as well

Give him dried whey shares today,
and gold shares in five days

First we rely on God, and then on you

Of course, I don't have
any role here

I mean, I hope it doesn't
get to that point

The surgery team which Dr.
Zabeti has gathered...

is one of the best all
over the Middle East

I'm not exaggerating

With the bill the doctor has sent
us, It must be as you say

When will you start, Doctor?

We're ready

As soon as your father's blood pressure
becomes optimal, we can start

I've told you a hundred times...

that I don't like to deal
with such upstart people

You won't be doing anything, Doctor

You'll sit in the room
and read your newspaper...

while we put the heart of that poor bike
rider into the chest of his father

Who wants to live as much as Noah?

But I've told him that, due to
the old age of his father...

a specialized neurologist like you
has to supervise the surgery

-Do you have a problem with that?
-No

By the way Doctor, the Middle East part was great. You're becoming smart

Not as much as you

I'm good for nothing if I don't
know you by now

By the way, I'll break your neck if you call my
new secretary "darling" one more time

Okay, darling

It's Hajji Firouz. It's once a year

The Hajji brings good news, yes

Salute Hajji. My boss is here

It's breaking time, so break
it. I won't break it

Break it here, and break it there

- What do you want kid?
- Will you buy one of these, sir?

- What is this?
- It's New Years prayers

Please, sir. Please

- No, I don't want any
- Please sir, Please

- The light is green
- I've made them myself

What did you do?

It fell under the seat. Where is it?

- Why did you throw it?
- Please, sir

Wait, wait

Wycombe, number four. Peterson,
number five, Wilcox, number six

I'm reading these from the brochure

They announced that Blake Edward
and City Star aren't competing

-Today is my lucky day.
-You're something, Khalilzadeh

Last time your horse ranked 11th,
you were saying the same thing

Stop interrupting. Let him read the
list. I want to see what to do

Well, Engineer Shayan. You too?

What's wrong with us, Dr. Alam?

Nothing. I just thought you
only bet on mares

You lost, Mahmoud. You
should have bet on it

Which one, Wilcox?

Wait

Yeah, right. You call
this mule a horse?

Just go on like this. You're
700 pounds behind

Let me give my report

Doctor, someone has come from
the City Sky organization

Where?

The City Sky organization

He has a suitcase with him

- Yes, its Saman's present
- What shall I do?

Ask him to come in. If there's
anyone left, send them in

The horses are ready at the start line

The flag is hoisted. The race has started

- What's this?
- Hello Doctor

I didn't know it would be such a hassle

It's a telescope. You ordered it

Do you have the test
results with you?

- Allow me to set this up
- Is it necessary?

- I have to deliver it
- Okay

Doctor, this is Mrs Bayat's file

By the way, your son has been waiting
on the line for a long time

- Yes?
- Hello

Hello. What's wrong?

Nothing. I just wanted to
say that the telescope...

Yes, I know. I got it

Can you give it to me tonight?

Yes

Before the celebration is over?

I said yes

When?

I don't know when. Whenever
I finish my work

Is everything in order over there?

Yes. You can send it in a cab...

If you can't come in one or two hours

I thought you may be busy

No. I'll bring it with me

You don't send a
birthday gift in a cab

Have fun

Today was a busy day, and...

I couldn't manage to pay a visit to the hospital

Well, how is our sleeping beauty?

Just like the previous days, Doctor

Keyvan says nothing has changed

But I think she's become thin. My
child is shrinking day by day

Mr. Ramezani said you've asked them
to discontinue the monitoring

Of course, I'm only telling you the
opinion of the physiotherapist

To be honest, I must say that
she'll get even worse

She won't even hear anything...

and I don't think she'll ever be
able to recognize anyone

In Maryam's situation, physiotherapy
would have been impossible...

and it had to be discontinued

- Excuse me, Doctor
- Yes

Please sign here

Thank you

I have a question. You have to think
properly before replying

If we find any infection or
disease in her body...

do you want to continue
the treatment or not?

I don't know Doctor

What's usually done in such cases?

If her situation becomes critical...

she has to be hospitalized in
the special disease ward

Even if we disregard the high expenses...

what would the result be? Huh?

She'll live a few more years, but...

You mean you want my daughter
to die sooner?

I understand your situation

You can't imagine what
I'm going through

Maybe

I might not be able to feel what
you're going through...

but I know your child's condition

Imagine getting stuck in a well
in the middle of the desert

No light, no sound

No one knows your there

Believe me, there's nothing
more that can be done

Goodbye

Yes?

Excuse me, Doctor

She's asking if we can take
her on a trip with us

A trip?

For the pilgrimage of Imam Reza

Yes

You can

Did your horse win, Doctor?

No, I didn't make
any bets this time

They've brought this from
the radiology center

Nothing has been written
on the envelope

Okay, I'll take a look later on

Can I leave?

Yes. I wish you a happy new year

For you as well. Have a nice
vacation. Goodbye, Doctor

Goodbye. Sorry, I was about to
forget to give you your New Year gift

Keep in touch with me
during the holidays

Thank you, Doctor

I don't think you have this
cell phone number

It's for the New Year.
Don't mention it at all

Thank you. Happy new year

Happy new year to you

You can't tell if it's a war
or a celebration

Yes. If you would allow me,
I would like to leave now

Yes, sure

- Goodbye Doctor
-Bye

- Salim
- Yes

Come up. I want you to carry
something to my car

Hello. We won't be able to reply
during the New Year Holidays

Please leave your message
after the beep. Thank you

Hello? Doctor?

It's Jahanpour

I've just arrived at the radiology center

I didn't want to send those X-rays to you

Are you there? Please call
me. It's urgent

I'm really sorry. I wanted to
talk to you in person

I came to the radiology center to
pick up the S-rays and come to you...

but the staff had already sent
them to you by mistake

They thought it belonged
to one of your patients

I think your acting hastily

Why do you want to ruin
his birthday party?

My daughter is over there as well

The house phone is busy...

and Saman doesn't pick up his cell phone

Mahmoud, please stay calm

Okay, I'll ask them to do an MRI tomorrow

You better sit down

I asked for a simple radiography

Why did you conduct a CT scan

Okay. Sit down and I'll explain

Listen Mahmoud, the ICP symptoms
in Saman are very evident

How come you never noticed?

He has nausea and feels dizzy

-Dizzy?
-Yes

Didn't he tell you?

A few days ago, when I returned
from my trip...

Badri told me that Saman had
a headache for a few days. That's all

It's a good thing Badri is there to
know what's going on in your house

But I asked him, and he didn't
say anything to me

He explained something to me

He said, a while ago...

when he was watching the
sky with the telescope...

he saw two moons

Negin had told me that Saman
feels dizzy at times

Negin. My daughter

Did he have a fever as well?

We better disregard a tumor
for the time being

It might be a simple inflammation

Did he have a fever?

No

Queen won the race. Can
you believe that?

The closest horse was
six yards behind

No wonder this horse costs
half a million pounds

I wish you were here to see what
this horse did. Mahmoud?

What?

I thought it got disconnected. I was
talking about the horse race

He did great. You won 4,000 pounds.
What's wrong with you?

I've given you good news. Maybe
it's a heart stroke from joy

If you have a 17-18 year-old patient
with high ICP symptoms...

who has filled up a vast surface of his
supertentorial, what would you do?

Are you testing me at this time of
night? What patience you have

No MRI has been done, but several upward
extensions can be seen in his CT scan

Then say he's already dead

I can tell you without seeing it, the
invading apendimums are Ana-plastic

I'd bet on that

He won't even last chemotherapy once
he leaves the surgery room

But cut the brain. At least your students
can see one case, and learn something

How can I tell a
youngster that he's dying?

Well, tell his parents. Doesn't
he have anyone?

What's wrong with you, Mahmoud?

Mahmoud? Can you hear me? Hello?

You could have called and informed
us that you weren't coming

Don't ear this rubbish. You'll
lose your appetite

I'll prepare breakfast right away

-Breakfast?
-Lady needs to go to airport

I'm going to Isfahan. I'm taking
Ardeshir with me

We want to go to Kish with my sister

A man is coming along with us

I'm telling you this so that you
don't make a scene later

Even your son has noticed that you care
more about your own fun than him

He wasn't that upset, anyway. He was
worried about his telescope

Will you take them to the airport,
or shall I call a cab?

Badri?

I'm coming

Yes?

- Does Saman feel sick again?
- No

But he's not in his room.
Where is he?

After the party he left with his
friends from the observatory

-Where to?
-The desert

I don't know. The
same place they went last year

Hello?

You have to have the password
to see behind the curtain

Come here

Hurry up

- Goodbye, Badri
- Goodbye

Happy New Year, father. We couldn't
be together, once again. Saman

I don't know why this child is
always in a daze recently

He forgot his backpack

I think his mother sent this

Poor child. You didn't come
to his birthday party...

and his mother didn't even call

There we go again

You'll end up somewhere bad like this

I'm going to Sarbisheh,
and I won't be back soon

Find someone to take care of your life

Hello? Elahieh Observatory?

Please sir, I know it's
not a good time to call

Last night, a group of observatory members
headed towards the desert

I said the desert. They
went to the desert

Yes

Do you know their
exact location?

Yes

I'm so confused. It's like they've
collected my exam paper...

before I ever had a chance
to write anything on it

You're looking for someone to blame

You haven't found anyone
to blame but yourself

Saman has switched his cell phone off

Can you ask your daughter to call me?

Yes, why not?

Does she know anything?

Of course she doesn't

Actually, I'm worried for both of them, Mahmoud

I don't know if Negin has fallen in love
with your son because of astronomy...

or if it's vice versa

I had no clue

Hello

Doctor, pick up the
phone of you're there

We're taking the old man
into the surgery room

Get here before they find out

Just sit in the surgery room for
two hours, then you can go...

wherever you want. I'm waiting for you, darling

-Hello
- Hello Doctor. It's Negin

- Negin?
- Negin Jahanpour

Oh, Yes. I've been trying to call Saman,
but his cell phone is switched off

Thank you for calling.
Can I speak to him, please?

Doctor, sorry to say this, but if he
has switched off his cell phone...

then maybe he doesn't want
to speak to anyone

Where are you now?

In the desert. The Mesr village caravanserai

Saman and the others are on the rooftop.
We're waiting for the others to join us

The others?

The Isfahan Observatory members
are supposed to come here today

The Tabriz group will join us tomorrow

Last night we waited for you a lot.
We wished you were there

I was watching the film just now

Yes, he's left his backpack. All
his stuff was in there

You know, Saman was
very upset last night

If I tell him you're on the phone right
now, he might get upset again

It's a good thing that you're
taking care of him

By the way, which one are you?

What?

As I told you, I was watching
the birthday party film

Which one are you?

You can easily find me

I'm wearing a scarf. A green
scarf with white flowers

Yes, I found you

Wow

He has good taste, just like his father

But Saman isn't like you at all

Last night, he knew that
you weren't coming

No offense, but Saman was counting on that telescope for tomorrow's competition

I mean, all of us

I mentioned it to Saman a few times

I mean, I wanted to talk to you before,
but you know how Saman is

He even hides the smallest
matters from you

Yes

- Hello. Do you need any help?
- No, thank you

Were you talking to me?
-No, not you

By the way, I'm on the way now

On the way?

Yes. I'm coming to join you. You said
the competition is tomorrow night?

Are you pulling my leg?

No

I can't believe this. But why?

Don't you want the telescope?

We came third last year,
but you didn't know

Saman won't believe this if I tell him

Then don't say anything to him, okay?

It's very interesting. I'm sure
this will make Saman happy

So let's keep it between
us for now, okay?

Okay, sure. Bye

Hello father, how are you?
Can you show me the way to Mesr village?

Hello. You're on the right road.
Turn right a bit further

Okay, thank you

- Hello, Engineer
- Hello. What has happened, Hajji?

It's broken down, like always

Excuse me. I want to go to Mesr village,
can you show me the way?

Thank you. In the
name of God

It's too hot for this time of year

What about your motorcycle, Hajji?

First of all, I'm not a Hajji

But you can call me that name,
and God may accept it

Secondly, everyone knows
my bike around here

When the villagers see it, they'll load it on
a tractor and deliver it to my house

That was quite a lot of dust you made

They had told me that
this road is asphalted

Yes, brother. That's because
you've come the wrong way

Do I have to go all the way back?

No. There's a route from
this side as well

I'll get off at the Old Asia village, and there's
a road over there. I'll show you

You follow the road and you reach
an asphalt route, and...

that route will lead you to the Mesr village

How can I roll up the window?

Yes, well done

These foreigners are very intelligent

It's a pity they belong to hell

Hell? No, it's not like that

Everything has two faces

One face is the one we see, and...

the other is all that goes on
in the heart of people

For example, the desert

The appearance is something, and
the nature is something else

You better see the heavenly side

Now, why do you want
to go to Mesr village?

Have you fallen in love?

No. My son and his friends have
gone there for astrology researches

It's the desert, and a sky full of stars

Astrology has its own world

So you know about astrology, as well?

Not the modern astrology

We had our science of
the stars in the past

You can tell the destiny of people...

from the location of the moon
and the stars in the sky

These stars aren't shining on the top
of our heads for no good reason

They're talking to us

You just need to have a wise ear

They said it's sinful, and I put it away

They said one shouldn't interfere
in God's will, and such stuff

But I know someone in this desert

If anything gets lost and buried
under the sand...

he can tell the location
by looking at the stars

Don't you believe me?

You shouldn't

You haven't seen these things

I have to move from one place to another. I
somehow manage to make a living

Right now, I'm going to recite
an enactment sermon

God knows when I'll manage
to go home to my family

God knows that I'm not objecting.
I'm just telling a story

But you didn't tell me anything.

I was talking all the time

What kind of doctor are you?

Neurology

So we're colleagues. I work on
the brain and nerves as well

This place used to be the graveyard
of ten villages once

But now this is the only
thing left of it

The world is like this. It doesn't even
have mercy on the gravestones

The world is unfaithful

Doctor, wait a second. Stop

Oops. I think we're in trouble.
I'll be back soon

It seems I can't have
a day for myself

Who's dead?

- What are you doing here?
- I'm digging a grave

I can see that. I asked "why are you here?"

Everyone has gone to the wedding, and
they've sent me here to dig a grave

Hello, I'm not at home at present. Please
leave a message. Thank you

Hello

It's me, Mahmoud

Like always, your phone is on
the answering machine

I wanted to say something
important about Saman

Poor corpse is under enough
pressure in the grave...

and you're not even willing to
give some extra space to him?

It's big enough

He keeps telling me "it's big enough"

Who has asked you to come
her and dig a grave here?

Uncle, everyone has gone to the wedding.
They sent me here to dig a grave

All my clothes have become dirty.
Let me go to the wedding

Rise. Rise. Don't act like a sissy

- This is the head's side
- Okay, I know

- Have you done the ablution?
- No, I don't know

No, this is too small

This is big enough, uncle.
Hajji Mirza will fit in it

When a person dies, the corpse becomes
the same size as his or her youth

Do you want me to dig a grave
the same size as you?

No. Mirza Mehdi was tall

As tall as this doctor

Hello

When did he die? God bless his soul

This morning he came to the
square and sat on his chair

Then he said: "Ouch, my chest"

His heart stopped, and he
went to the other world

And when I say everything needs
a specialist, they disagree

They've sent a kid to dig a grave.
It's a good thing I came

The grave digger has thought
that it's a bad omen...

if he digs a grave on his daughter's
wedding night

Someone needs to tell him that
it's the wedding of the one...

who has died as well. Both of them are going
to the house of fate

- House of fate!
- Yes, what difference does it make?

Yes, but I know a lot of people who are
willing to pay loads of money...

and sell all their life to avoid
going to this house of fate

So what? One day, all
of us have to leave

The pit I saw was similar to everything
but the house of fate

By the way, Hajji...

if someone comes to you and says
you're going to die in a month...

what will you do in the
remaining time?

Nothing. I'll fix the bike

Then at least it wont leave me
in the middle of the road...

and I can get on with my work

Look. If you think I'm loaded and can
pay you to postpone my trip for a month or two...

I must say that I can't

This is Gholam. He'll dance
until he drops

Honk. That's enough

Come over here. Come on

- Hello, uncle
- Hello

- Did you hear about Mirza Mehdi?
- Yes

Don't say anything, otherwise you'll change
their celebration into a mourning ceremony

Hopefully, I'll engage them and then
I'll go and say prayers for him

You're welcome. Goodbye

What are your plans, Doctor?

It will be a pleasure for me
to have lunch with you

- Hello
- Hello. Go and play

This isn't a snack. It's
the wedding lunch

Thank you. As I told you, I have to
get there before night time

Sorry for bothering you. Forgive me

Don't mention it at all

Just go straight ahead and you'll
reach the road to Mesr Village

Do you want me to send someone along?

- No, thank you
- God be with you

Goodbye

That's not fuel

It's gasoline

-Do you want fuel?
-Yes

How much do you need?

The tank is empty. I need
about 60 liters

Each 20 liters will cost you 4,000
tomans. Do you want it?

Okay, no problem

Come on

I'm over here

Do you want tea?

- No, thank you. Is this the fuel?
- Yes

Isn't it dangerous to
store fuel in here?

All of it isn't fuel. I've got
water as well

I want one of these gallons as well.
How much would that be?

4,000 tomans, 4,000 tomans,
4,000 tomans, 1,000 tomans

-Well?
-13 tomans

13,000 tomans. That's
an unlucky number

Okay

Are you tired? Let's go

They're taking the bride

Congratulations. Congratulations

How shall I pour the
fuel into the tank?

I need the hose as well

You'll have to pay an
extra 1000 tomans

The string tore. Let's
see where it fell

- Hello
- Hello

Excuse me, I'm looking for the team
that came here for observations

- The ones from Tehran?
- Yes

They left

They left? Where did they go?

The old Zarbad mine

What?

Dr. Alam?

Wait professor

- Hello professor
- Hello

Welcome

Sorry, I didn't recognize you at
first. I can't believe it

-It's fine, but...
-Pass this to me

Sorry, we're bored. The children were
here...

Do you know why they left?

I think they contacted the weather broadcaster...

and they said they sky will be dusty
over here

Please, professor

No, thank you. Please, just tell
me which way I have to go

I'm not familiar with this region

Asad can help you.
He works here

- Javad, where did Asad go?
- He went home

Go and ask him to come

But it's not nice like this. Please

Excuse me, but

How do you know me?

It was the year 1997; you came
to the Mashhad university for a speech...

and the next year you
started teaching there

I didn't have the honor to attend one of
your classes, but one of my friends did

What a nice car

When I saw the car, I thought you're
one of these foreign tourists

They come here once in a while

- Hello Doctor
- Hello Rahim. How are you?

She won't believe it if she hears
that I saw you here

- Who?
- Rafati. Your student

Oh, yes. Unfortunately, I can't
remember her name

Asad is coming. They found him

Rafati was fat, and she had
a mole on her face

You should remember.
She talked a lot

- When did they leave?
- It was 1999, 2000

- You mean the astrology team?
- Yes

They left at noon

Do you want to join your son?

How did you know that?

I met him. I examined him. I didn't know
at the time...

but I wrote his name in my notebook,
and I guessed he must be your son

You examined him?

It wasn't anything serious, sir

He had nausea, and he felt dizzy

Sorry professor, I didn't
mean to worry you

First, I thought it's sun stroke because
they were under the sun all day

But when he said it's not the
first time, I thought maybe...

- Hello?
- Hello Doctor. Where are you?

- Is it you?
- Yes

I'm at Mesr caranvanserai

I tried to call you, but you
were out of reach

I wanted to tell you that
we're changing location

Yes, I know. You've gone off to the old mine.
I'll set off as soon as possible

It's a long way. We left at noon, and
we've reached here just now

I don't think you'd be able to find it

Is Saman fine?

Pardon me?

I said, is Saman fine?

Yes, but I haven't told him
that you're coming

What a pity. I thought we could spend
the arrival of the Yew Year together

The arrival of the New Year?

Tonight, Doctor! I thought you were
only bad at remembering birthdays

- I was talking to the doctor here...
- Nasrin. Her name is Nasrin

Yes, she said she has
examined Saman

Yes, the same headaches and nausea

By the way, I didn't ask my dad. Were
the X-rays ready? Did you see them?

- Yes, everything was fine
- Excuse me, but I can't hear you

- I said, it wasn't anything important
- Hello?

- Hello Doctor. How can I help you?
- Are you Asad?

Yes, how can I help you?

Can you show me the
way to the old mine

Of course I can

Then get in the car

Now? It's going to get dark

It's the New Year night.
I want to be with my family!

I'll give you all the money you want,
just get in the car

I'll take you in the morning.
I don't want any money

Don't get upset. He's like this

The team from Isfahan hasn't arrived yet

They don't know that
the competition location has changed

You can go with them.
Now come in

I'll prepare tea for you

This is like a miracle.
Dr. Alam, here, in my clinic!

What can I do
if I don't want to see a miracle?

So it's bread, dates and eggs.
Don't be late

We don't have many patients here.
It's not very busy

Yes, it's obvious that
you have a lot of free time!

Here you are!

It's chamomile tea.
It's good for your fatigue

Thank you

Did you draw these?

Yes, they're my patients.
All of them are old

I make them talk

As they talk about their past,
and their children, who have left...

I draw them

This one is called Molouk Sadat

She has pain all over her body.
She's lost her memory as well

She has 50 grandchildren.
She has a grandchild in every city

She mistakes me for one
of her grandchildren

She always says "Fatima, be kind to your
husband. Don't break his heart!

She's 77 years old and
she hasn't lost even one tooth

The last time she came here
she had a toothache

What about Saman?
What did he tell you?

Actually he was under the drips for
30 minutes and we talked a lot

Drips?

It's good for heatstroke

Although he wasn't feeling well, he wanted
to know about the people over here

He wanted to know
where they are

I drew him as well. He took
the drawing with him

God bless him. He's a
nice and calm boy

He was so modest that
he didn't mention he's your son

He didn't bring your
name up at all

I think the Isfahan team has arrived

I have to tell them that the location
has changed. Excuse me!

I'll tell them that
you're going along with them

I guess you have to spend the night here

They want to rest here tonight. You
can leave with them in the morning

Weren't they supposed to compete?

The competition isn't tonight,
it's tomorrow night!

-Hello
-Hello

-Please have some
-No thank you

I insist It's fresh

Excuse me

Such crowds come here a lot.
They live in their own world

They stare at the sky till morning

One night the neck of one of
them became cramped

-What are you doing here?
-What's going on?

This is no place to start a fire!
Put it out! You'll ruin these walls

You're not allowed to start a fire here!

Don't they know that they're not
supposed to start a fire here?

Okay, don't make so much noise!

He loves the caravanserai
as much as his own life

I can sleep in the care
Please give me a blanket

What are you saying, professor? We have
enough space for you over here

-Hello Doctor
-Hello, what's wrong?

Khadijeh's son went to dig a well
The walls have collapsed on him

-When?
-It was about 3, 4, 5 hours ago

Hello Shaban. The doctor can't come tonight.
Leave it for the morning!

What are you saying, Asad?
Let me get my stuff

Who digs a well on the New Year night?

Why are you saying this?
For the needy people, New year night...

Is it very far?

It's about 3, 4, 5 miles form here, Engineer!

You want to take the doctor with this?

I've brought a girl along so that Doctor
will feel comfortable to sit behind her

We've announced our request for a vehicle
but they didn't give a proper reply

Their population is decreasing
day by day and...

If it continues like this they'll
shut down this clinic as well

The Cultural Heritage Org. keeps sending
his men to evacuate this place as well

Although I don't have any facilities
here, but I like to stay

I mean I feel useful here

They're coming out

Sorry, what did you say?

I'm talking about the stars

How interesting

I wish the house roofs
had the same thing

Whenever you felt sad you could push
a button and it would roll aside

To be honest at first I was afraid to come
to such a place...

but now I love it! I love the heat,
the coldness, and the people

As Saman said, over here everything is pure,
especially the sky

Morteza, go tell them the Doctor is here

Come on. Please Doctor.
Please Engineer

You did a good deed on this night,
God will repay you! Please, please!

Get out

-What's this?
-It was under the seat

Doctor! Please come in

-With your permission, professor
-Please

-What are these?
-They're oleanders, Engineer

Don't cry! Hopefully, he'll be fine

May God bestow you a long life!

Thank you. Have you
any broken bones?

Hello. This way, sir

Do you feel any pain?

-Hello
-Hello

-Hello
-Hello

-Come up, Engineer
-No, thank you

It's not nice like this

Please sit down.
Shall I bring a cushion for you?

Thank you

Where are you going? Didn't I tell
you to go home? Come on!

Here you are, Engineer.
I brought you a chair

-Thank you so much
-With your permission

Breathe

Goodbye, sir

Now pull up your shirt

No, please don't move him

What if his spinal cord
has been ruptured?

-What's your name, son?
-Hussein

Allow him to reply. I want to
evaluate his consciousness

-How old are you, Hussein?
-14

-Does it hurt when I touch here?
-Yes

Look at me!

You must have an Ophthalmoscope
with you

No professor, we requested one, but...

Please bring my bag from my car

Oh God, what shall I do if I lose him?

Help him like a father

This is the only son I have.
Please, Doctor. Help him

Prepare one of those
injections please

Don't move. It will
take a second

You'll be fine

Saman is very lucky to
have you as a father

He'll be fine, right?

I mean you must be
able to cure him

I'm not an expert. But
there must be a way...

a surgery, or maybe chemotherapy

I'm sure you've cured patients
with worse conditions

Hello, Happy New Year

There's someone over her
who wants to talk to you

Hello

-Hello son, how are you?
-Fine

Are you fine?

I'm fine. Negin told me right now

It wasn't necessary to go through
so much trouble

I've brought your birthday gift.
Didn't you want it?

What trouble?

Negin said you need it
for tomorrow's competition

So it was your doing?

No, I swear to God
I didn't say anything

Hey, don't make a scene.
I wanted to come

Has anything happened?

No, why?

Is mother fine?

Yes, actually I called her today and...

like always the phone was on
the answering machine.

Why did you call mom?

I wanted to tell her that
the gift she's sent for you has arrived.

Actually I brought it along!

Hold on a minute

Wait, here it is

That's nice

It shows that she still thinks about you.

What is it?

It's a letter.

-So she did it at last?
-What?

It's a long story

Is it a secret?

Not a secret! But I don't think
it'll be interesting for you

It's about a spaceship

That's interesting!

Really?

Yes, it sounds interesting!

In 2007 NASA will launch a spaceship

It can exit the solar system
and go to a place...

where no earthly object has ever gone

Don't tell me that your mom wants
to board that spaceship!

That spaceship has no passengers

What a pity, it was becoming interesting!

Whoever wants can record his or her voice
and send it with the spaceship

Imagine that; a spaceship full of different voices with different languages

They can transmit their messages to
a remote and unknown location

Mom has paid $2000 so that we can record
our voice and send it as well

Us?

Yes, Negin and I! A dual voice message!

She's a nice girl

She really likes you

It's a long time that I wanted to talk toyou about her
but it wasn't possible

I wanted to...

There's someone here
who wants to talk to you

Who?

Someone wants to talk to you.
Hold on a second.

The doctor wants to know
if her patient is doing fine

Talk to him. Please

He can hear your voice

Hello? Hello?

Hello Saman

Hello, is it you, Doctor?

Yes, are you feeling better?

Yes, I'm better.
Where are you?

An emergency came up and your father
was kind enough to bring me here

Everyone says hi to you

We were about to go and
sit at our own New Year's table.

Your New Year's table?

Yes. Tonight we want to watch
the great nebula in Orion

They say whoever sees
the great nebula in Orion...

on the arrival of the New Year
his or her wish will come true

Of course, it's a feminine belief

-Where is it?
-What?

The nebula you mentioned

If you look at the west you can see three
bright stars in a straight line, that's Orion

If you pay more attention
you can see three less bright stars...

which are lower than the first three

The star in the middle is the great nebula
in Orion. Did you find it?

Yes.

Of course, what you say is
only the constellation

Most nebulas can only be seen
with a telescope

The great nebula in Orion
is the birthplace...

But the Skelmo nebula is
worth watching as well

It's the most beautiful graveyard
I've ever seen

Graveyard?

Yes, the nebulas are the birthplace and
death place of all the stars

They return to their birthplace

I didn't know stars die as well.

All of them die

Many of the stars that we see now
might have died millions of years ago

We can only see them
because they are so far from us

You mean they're that far?

So far, so close

When we compare them
with our own world they're so far

But only if we compare them
with other galaxies...

we can find out how close they are to us
and we've been unaware of that

It's a local dish.
Asad's wife taught me how to prepare it

Thank you, I didn't want to bother you

Don't mention it at all, professor

I forgot to bring water.
I'll bring it right away

Didn't you want to spend the
night with your family

No, I won't leave. I'll spend
the night here

It's the meat of a new born
camel. It's very delicious

They beheaded it for the bride. It
was God's will for you to have it

I'll sleep here. Call me
if you need anything

I'm not a heavy sleeper

Hello?

Where are you Doctor? Saman
isn't feeling well

Saman?

No matter what we do, he doesn't
regain consciousness

What has happened to Saman?

I don't know. He was tired,
and he went to take a rest

But when I came to call him he Ndidn't answer, and he wont wake up now

First of all, you have to try
and stay calm. Okay?

Okay

Now, tell me exactly what happened

What? He's regained consciousness?

Hello? What's going on there?

Saman, move aside, Saman dear

Saman, can you hear me?
Saman, are you fine?

- Doctor?
- Yes

He's regained consciousness. He
can hear us, but he can't move

- We don't know what to do
- It's not important

- He can't open his eyes
- Everything will be fine, dear

What should I do?

- Listen. Can you help me?
- Yes, what can I do?

Go forward, and open his
eyes with your fingers

What shall I do?

Go and move his eyelids
with your fingers

Okay

Hello?

Saman. Saman, I want
to open your eyes

Can you see me? Yes?
Can you see me?

Doctor, he can see me now.
He can see me now

I told you. In half an hour he will
be able to move his eyes

Shouldn't we take him to the city?

No, no

I'll be there by tomorrow. If it's necessary,
we'll come back tomorrow

Wait a minute. I think he
wants to talk to you

Hello

Hello, professor

You scared everyone

How are you?

You tell me

Okay. This is a kind of
anxiety attack

Your eyelids won't move
for a short period

But you'll recover very soon

Is that all?

Trust me

Okay

It's not nice to underestimate your
father in front of your friends

Don't worry

I'm not worried about myself

- Dad?
- Yes, dear

- Will you promise me something?
- What?

Don't say anything about my sickness
to mother...

or Negin

What's this childish nonsense
you're saying?

This is a simple anxiety attack.
You'll recover soon

It's natural for a youngster your age

The telescope I've bought for
you is very well equipped

The seller said you can see up
to the end of the sky with it

Even the best telescope in the world
only shows 4% of the sky

Well, I didn't know that

You have to teach astrology to me
whenever you have the time

You better take some rest

I'll call you in half an hour
to see how you're doing

- Bye
- Goodbye

I can't. I can't talk to him

This is so unfair

You have to be hopeful

God is mighty

God?

Yes, God is very mighty

We have built is so that whenever
we fall into trouble...

someone can come along
and say "God is mighty"

But the problem is that
God is too mighty

You're not feeling well

Really? Why don't you put
me on drips

Or maybe you want to recite poems and
sketch my face and hang it on the wall

What nice people. And God is all around,
so there's no other problems

Your food is getting cold, professor

What do you know about life?

I've saved a lot of people from
death with these two hands

But I never saw God show
up round there

And about those who
died in my hands...

people like you came
and blamed me for it

It was God's will. God is kind

Why doesn't God help me?

Why can't these hands do anything
now that this child needs help?

Excuse me, professor

But I don't think Saman is
the one who needs help

Why did he leave without telling us?

He left?

I had brought fresh bread for him

You can see, strange people

Hello Doctor. Are you there?

This is your secretary

I called to wish you a happy New Year

I hope you have a nice
holiday. Goodbye

Hello. Hello?

Can you hear me?

- Hello?
- Hello? Hello, dad

- Hello, son
- I can't hear your voice

I can hear you

Hello? Hello? I don't
have any reception

Saman, I'm stuck here

This doesn't have any reception

No. No. Don't hang up

Hello? I can't hear you. Where are
you? I'm worried about you

Try to go to a high place so
that you have reception

Saman

Dad. Are you fine?

Thank God

He's alive

Give me your hand

So Far So Close

Director:
Reza Mirkarimi