The Willow Tree (2005) - full transcript

IN THE NAME OF GOD

Speak to me...

I haven't told anyone yet. How long can I
endure this?

A day? A week? A month?

Should I worry about myself or them?

Daddy!

If they find out...

Daddy Yusef!

Could they deal with it?

I found them!

Good. Throw them in. I'm ready



I'm the small one and you're the big one

One, two, three...

Go!

- I'll Win!

- No, I'll win!

- Hurry!

- Yeah! Go!

- I won!

- What about me?

You got stuck in the middle of the stream

And if you cheated?

I swear to God!

- Are you angry?

- Of course not. It's only a game



Why are you crying then?

I'm not crying, my eyes burn a bit. Let's go

Are we going to the mountains tomorrow,
Daddy?

I don't know. Maybe

But you promised we'd go on Friday with
Mommy Roya

Well, yes, but I might have to work tomorrow

Daddy, don't work tomorrow, please

OK, we'll go

Rumi with his tact and sharp mind...

gave all he had to Shams-e Tabrizi and told
him to burn it

Was Shams getting something in return?

As for Rumi, he always bet on love and
expected nothing in return

Yusef, please wash Maryam's hands

That's what I'm doing. Where are my eye
drops?

Here, on the table

Come, I'll help you

Tea's ready

I also did Your Excellency's homework

And they say angels are only in Heaven!

Don't be silly!

- When will you get the test results?

- It's not important

- I want to talk to your doctor

- Excuse me, I can't see but I can talk

- I want to be sure

- Of what?

Let me see who...

Roya!

Don't worry, I'll pick them up

- Thank you, Professor. -You're welcome

When did you get here?

Are you still worried?

I have something to tell You

Have You forgotten all about me?

I'm Yusef

The one You deprived of the beauties of the
world and who never complained

Instead of light and brightness, I lived in
darkness and gloom

I didn't protest

I found happiness and peace in this small
paradise

Are all these years of hardship not enough...

that You now want to cause me even more
suffering?

Will I come back from this trip to my loving
family?

Will this illness bring me to my knees?

To whom should I complain about what You're
doing to me?

I beg of You to show me more compassion

Don't take my life away

"This is the Book of Masnavi—e Ma'navi"

This is a prayer, my son

- Pray for me, mother

- May God hear our prayers

Roya

Don't worry

It's time to say goodbye

I've taken care of everything

Mr Kashani will be waiting for you in Paris.
I've told him everything

May God protect you

- Thanks for everything, uncle

- Well, let's go, it's getting late

- Hello, I'm Kashani. I'm glad to meet you. -
I'm very glad too

Let's go

- You're very kind. - Don't mention it

I'm glad to finally meet you. I hope your flight
wasn't too tiring

No, I'm fine

I hate flying. It's so boring

I've scheduled your medical appointments

You'll be staying in a guesthouse near the
hospital

It's very cozy. I'm sure you'll like it

Many Iranians stay there when they come for
medical treatment

You've gone to so much trouble. How can I
ever thank you?

It's no trouble. Your uncle Mahmoud is like a
brother to me

When I was studying here many years ago

Mahmoud helped me. I'm indebted to him

It's best to close the windows at night, it can
get very cold

I'm upstairs. If you need anything dial 9. Is that
OK?

Yes, don't worry

- Good night

- Good night

Mr Kashani, are you aware of Mr Musavi's
condition?

More or less

His condition is extremely serious

The tests taken in Tehran show a cancerous
growth under his right eye

probably malignant

Is it life threatening?

Yes, indeed. If the tumor grows we might need
to remove his eye

But we can't make a decision before he
undergoes a biopsy

Prior to that, we will need some more tests

Should I tell you what to bring back for me?

A beautiful doll

Daddy, we're waiting for your return

This poem is for you:

Colorful butterfly, you're back...

you sit on the window and admire our pretty
garden...

Hello, friend!

Excuse me, who are you?

My name is Morteza

What are you doing here?

What's wrong?

It suddenly jammed

Here, have some walnuts. Let me take a look

Thank you

I saw you when you came in. I'm getting
treatment here

This is my 3rd time

- Careful, don't break it. Trust me! Nothing to
worry about

Have some walnuts, they'll give you strength.
Here, have some more

Thanks

A screw is loose. I'll fix it

You think the tape will be alright?

Don't worry

We've got plenty of time here

Do you use tapes for teaching at the
university?

I do. But how do you know I teach at a
university?

Listen, do you hear the birds? They're
heading toward the forest

Behind this guesthouse, there's a forest full of
birds

I go there everyday. If you like we can go there
today

I'll fix your tape later

Come on, let's go

You haven't told me what brought you here

A stupid little shrapnel, souvenir from the war,
is still in my head

It's affecting my sight

Look at all these trees and not a single walnut
tree!

- What about willow trees? - Willow trees
don't have nuts!

No, but they bring back memories and also
bring me luck

How's that?

When I was at the School for the Blind, they
gave me a small willow to take care of

We grew up together

Now, it's now much taller than me

There's a big pond over there. Maybe there
are some willow

Let's go and take a photo

I have excellent news for you

The biopsy shows that the tumor is benign and
presents no danger

That's unbelievable!

There's more. You know that Mr Musavi
became blind at the age of 8?

Yes

Firework sparks burned both corneas and
badly damaged the retinas

That's how he went blind

Yes, but we've noticed both retinas are slightly
sensitive to light

This gives us hope

Hope for what?

For Mr Musavi to partially regain his sight

Is that possible?

Believe me, I'm as surprised as you

I have to tell his family at once

It's better not to give them too much hope

We need more tests before we can attempt a
cornea transplant. Nothing is certain

I know I was wrong

My biggest mistake was not knowing You well
enough

Now I know You didn't cross me off Your book
of compassion

You didn't forget about me

You're with me and protecting me

If only Your goodness could be complete

Now that You've taken my hand, I beg You to
lead me all the way

More than anyone else I long for the light

If I come out of this darkness, I'd be with You
forever

Who's there?

Is that you, Mr Morteza?

You devil, I bet you can see me!

That good scent could only be yours

I heard the good news and I'm so happy

Now I understand how this willow tree brings
you luck

- Who told you?

- Come, sit down

- let me just pick up the walnuts

What about you? Did you have your
operation?

No, this damned shrapnel is hopeless

If they operate on me I may go totally blind

I don't want that. I'd rather go blind slowly, no?

- When is your operation?

- In a few days

- Are you excited?

- I don't know. I'm excited and scared

Scared of not seeing?

Maybe scared of seeing. I've lived in another
world for 38 years

I don't know what might happen

Eat this, it's got phosphorus. It's good for your
eyes

Thanks

Oh, I nearly forgot

I fixed your tape. Here it is

Thank you so much

And these are the leftovers

I'm all done here. I must leave now

Where to?

Give me another chance, Mister Hunter. I am
a fawn born in this mountain

Your bullet pierced my right side, but I am
wounded on the left side

You wounded my heart, you wounded my
heart

I am just a fawn, just a fawn...

- How is he? - He's OK. He needs to rest now

This is my 57th night away from Iran

But it feels like years since I saw my family

Tomorrow they'll take off my bandages

Will I see?

Will I not see?

Will I be able to see or not?

But I...

Mother...

Welcome Professor!

I get dizzy just thinking about all you'll have to
see

I can't believe it! I must be dreaming!

Unbelievable but true!

Puran gave me the news when I was stuck in
traffic

I was so happy I opened the window and
yelled:

"Hey, people, Yusef can see, my Yusef's eyes
can see!"

They must have thought I was crazy!

He gave out sweets to all our neighbors

Uncle Mahmoud only forgot to announce it in
the newspapers

Do you remember we used to go to "Twin
Waterfalls"?

It's the first thing I want to show you

Look at me, Maryam. I want to take your
picture, sweetheart!

Now, get ready Mr Yusef. Good!

Yusef, I've got thousands of photos of you
growing up

I could make a TV series out of them!

Pari, my dear sister-in-Iaw, you haven't taken a
single picture of me

My photographer always tells me I could've
been a movie star

Mahmoud, you talk too much!

Well, hello!

Look at me for a second

I'm Uncle Mahmoud. The kid from Hassan
Abad

And as you all know, a great guy!

Hello! Welcome. So glad to see you

Do you know who this is?

Hello, Mr Yusef! We're all so happy for you

It's Puran, my wife!

Hello

Come in all of you, I'm so pleased

Roya, come and visit, alright? I'll be waiting

- Goodbye, Yusef. - Goodbye

Come again, Yusef

This is our neighborhood, Darakeh. We're
almost home

- Where are we? - About 200 meters from the
bakery

- can you stop? - What for?

Just stop

You're going the wrong way! It's the street on
your left

- Guess where lam? - Where Are you?

I'm here, here...

Why are you looking at me like that?

Don't you want to change your clothes?

Of course...

I feel a bit cold

Where are you, Mommy? Come, I'm scared

I'm here, honey

I'm scared

It's just thunder, darling. Don't be scared, I'm
here

Daddy Yusef!

Run!

Wait for us!

Wave to him!

Hit him!

Take this, Maryam

Hit him!

See, I hit you too!

What color is this?

Yellow

Yes! And this one?

White

Good! And this?

No, it's purple

Is it purple?

You're right

- Do you know how fishes drink water? - No, I
don't

Some new fishes drink like this

The old ones drink like this

I like this one!

- Be careful, Yusef. - Don't run, Maryam. Stop!

I bet you can't catch me!

I'm telling you to stop, you little rascal!

Stop, Maryam!

Granny, we're coming!

Mahmoud

Yusef, my dear, come...

I want to serve the food I vowed to give

Forgive me, Mr Yusef

My sister Pari is driving me crazy

She feels too shy to give you her thesis herself

Tell her that I'll read it to Yusef myself and get
his comments quickly

Thanks so much

Mommy! Come! Auntie Pari is here

Give me the pictures, Mommy

It was Pari. She brought the pictures

Let me see them first! Pari was in a hurry

I asked her to come in but she was late for her
music class

Just look at this cute little Maryam!

Look how nice this place is!

Yes, it's very nice

Look at this one! It's pretty

Auntie Pari is filming here

Yes

- Why is she filming?

- So we remember these Good moments...

Well, Mr Kazemi, Mr Keshavarz? Should I
order this one?

- This one's fine. Order it. - Yes, it's just fine

You too. Very good. Thanks

Let's go, Uncle

Ladies and gentlemen, you'll have to excuse
me

Mr Amiri, I'm going to the workshop

- I'm so glad you came to see me, Yusef. -
Thank you, Uncle

Let me show you my workshop. We'll have a
good cup of tea

You'll see how we make jewelry. I'm sure
you'll enjoy it

I've planted shoots for the children at the
School for the Blind

By spring we'll give a prize to the owner of the
tallest tree

- How about that? - That's good

The University called again today

They want to know whether you'll be teaching
next term

I haven't made up my mind yet. I might
change jobs

And do what?

I don't know

Anything but the University

Why don't you come to the School? They
could use your experience

Come with me tomorrow

Forget it!

- Letters from the University

-OK

I'm so glad you changed your mind

The teachers and the children will be so happy

They certainly need your experience there

Mr Abbas, come here, please

Hello

Mr Abbas, please ask some of the children to
take these pots inside

Who's there?

Who's there?

- The garden won't be cold?

- No darling, not anymore

Hello, my dear Roya, this is Pari

Are you there?

I know you're very busy these days...

but I wanted to know whether Mr Yusef has
read my thesis...

and what he thinks of it?

I wanted to come and talk to him but somehow
I feel shy

I can't look into his eyes. It's a strange feeling

Roya, I'll be so thrilled if one day I could
discuss my thesis and...

many other things with him

Please tell him that I'm in a hurry

Love and kisses till I see you

Oh! There's a concert by the Mowlana group.
I wanted you and Yusef to...

- Have you counted the pots?

- Yes

- How many Are there?

- Four

But there are more than four!

...I wanted to know whether Mr Yusef has
read my thesis...

and what he thinks of it?

I wanted to come and talk to him but somehow
I feel shy

I can't look into his eyes. It's a strange feeling

Roya, I'll be so thrilled if one day I could
discuss my thesis...

and many other things with him...

The symbolic language of the mystics existed
long before Hafez...

...a subtle interaction between sensibility and
vision...

...Poetry draws on inner feelings to create
visual images...

...the encounter with Shams brought out the
inner soul of Rumi...

and the exaltation in his works...

"My eyes opened to see the beloved and!
thank God for that. "

"I am a fool. Without Your kindness, I can do
nothing. "

Daddy! The flowers are blooming. Come and
see!

I was worried sick! Where were you?

Worried about what?

I shouldn't worry?

Stop playing the role of a mother!

I'm all grown up now. I'm 45 years old

Roya!

I'm sorry

- Hello

- Hello

I'd like to see Pari Azarnoush

You can't right now. They're practicing

- When will It be over?

- An hour

Thanks

Be careful not to fall down

Hello, my darling

I missed you so much!

Is something the matter?

No, nothing's the matter

I'm going to Kashan with Maryam

- By yourselves?

- Yes

Has something happen in Kashan?

No, don't worry. Ijust have to go

What's happened?

Hello mother, where's everybody?

I came to ask you the same question

What's happened? Where are they?

Do you really care?

What a question, mother! Of course it matters

I don't think so. If it was important to you,
they'd be here and not in Kashan

Kashan?

Why didn't Roya say anything?

Did she need to?

What are you talking about?

Yusef, what are you doing with your life?

What life?

Does anyone understand how much I've
suffered all these miserable years...

without saying a word?

Everyone felt sorry for me

You, my wife, everyone around me

I don't need anyone anymore

I want the life I'm entitled to

I've lost the best years of my life

Look around and see what I've got

Do you call this a life?

A handful of nothing?

Four trees and a house I thought was a little
paradise?

I'm sick of this paradise. I want to live my own
life

Yes, I want to live my way!

Can you understand that? Can you?

Mother!

Mr Yusef, she isn't home

- Hello. - Hello

- Where is she? - Haven't you heard?

What?

Last night your mother wasn't feeling well

Mrs Kokab and the neighbors took her to the
hospital

Hospital? Which hospital?

I'll ask my daughter

You've got to turn your life around

What do you really want to do?

You need to think of your family, your sick
mother

You can't go on like this!

If you want to start a new job or invest in
something

I can give you whatever you need

Why not work with me? Who'd be better than
you?

For months now you've been sitting at home...

avoiding work, life and university

You've been given a new life. Take advantage
of it!

Greetings, Mr Yusef! I really miss you

I wanted so much to see you again

Tell me what's worth seeing and I'll tell you
what's not worth seeing

Ever since I've practiced not seeing, I've seen
many wonderful things

Guess what? I found a forest full of walnut
trees

I'd like to take you there sometime. We'd eat
our fill of walnuts

How much have you been seeing? Are your
eyes satisfied?

So many questions to ask!

Did you see the willow tree?

I'd like to know if it still brings you luck?

I'm sending you the photo I promised so you
know that I always think of you

Your friend, Morteza

His eyes show no reaction to light

It might be a rejection of the cornea transplant

Is there any hope, Doctor?

We must conduct more tests

- I'm not staying here! - Relax, Yusef

- I want to get out of here! - Everything is
going to be alright

- I don't want to stay here. - Please, calm
down

Please get me out of here!

Get me out of here

Let's go to Kashan with Puran and Pari

We'll go see Roya and Maryam

Disagreements are a part of life

I promise you everything will be alright. You
mustn't lose hope

I talked to the doctors. I'll send you abroad

I'll pay whatever it takes so you can see again

Where are you going? You'll get run over by a
car!

Wait! Tell me where you're going?!

Wait! You'll get hit by a car!

Let go of me...Go away!

Where are you going? Yusef!

My God

I am asking You...

for another chance...

to start a new life