Harem Suare (1999) - full transcript

Send Midhat once he's arrived

They've sent an ultimatum, Majesty

How long do we have?

Two days

Why not open the gates
to the people?

Address the people

Denounce the leaders of Ittihat

Everyone will be behind you

You're so young, Izzet

I will never let it be said that
I led my people to civil war

Midhat Aga



What's happened? Tell me

With your permission

May I withdraw, Madame?

I'd lost hope, Nadir

I'm almost done

The Sultan dismissed Izzet Pasha

He must decide before dawn

I have two pages to finish

Did you hear what I said?

This is probably the last night

What ending does he want?

Voiletta survives...

So why are you worried?

The Sultan likes happy endings



Let me just finish this

It's time to lock the doors

He must have it tonight

He won't read it tonight

You decide for His Majesty now?

I don't feel up to it tonight

Let someone take my place

Gulfidan, come tell us a story

What can I tell?

I don't know

How can I, since you're here?

I've never done this before

I won't be able to

Water and fire

Shadow and light

day and night
are like youth and old age

They seem so different
but in fact, they're not

Youth is the past of old age

Old age is the future of youth

A new girl arrived in the Harem

The Agas asked her to wait
and left her alone in a room

She was tired. She was frightened

So looked around

She knew nothing of this world
which she had entered

perhaps for ever

She looked around

She glanced at a divan
more beautiful than the others

She decided to sit down

But once she had

she heard an order
Away from there

For the divan
belonged to an old favorite

whose last day it was in the Harem

She was waiting for the boat

that was to bring her
to the Palace of Tears

Both women were waiting

But for different voyages

One was arriving, the other departing

Suddenly, the door opened

A cold wind invade the room

Good night

There they were, sitting

unable to ignore each other

I don't know who spoke first

They exchanged some polite words

The older woman said

I have no advice to give you

but remember this

Within these walls

three things are essential

love

power and fear

Nervous, the younger woman asked

Love for His Majesty?

The favorite said no

What we feel for him is adoration

The same adoration we owe Allah
in this world and the next

It's not the love you speak of

that fire which consumes
the heart and banishes sleep

One cannot
love His Majesty like that

Unawares, the woman began

to talk about her life in the Harem

The only life she had every known

Fire!
The Sultan's atelier is burning

Fire! Fire!

Hurry, we must save the novices

What demon took hold of you?

My love for you, my Lord

Take her away

Let no one look at her as she leaves

Who are you?

Her name is Safiye

Was she your friend?

No, Majesty

As of today
it is forbidden to leave the Palace

forbidden, evenings on the Boshporus

Forbidden, carriage rides

Forbidden, strolls in the gardens

Our enemies are more numerous
and closer than we think

than we think

We can trust no one

Have you seen Selma's jewels?

And her dress?

Marvelous. A French tailor made it

The one in the Palace?

It's a beautiful color

You are very pale, Safiye

Didn't you sleep well?

What's it to you? She slept fine

Don't listen to her

It's dangerous
to call attention to yourself

Dangerous to
call attention to yourself

You're jealous

His Majesty never even notices you

His Majesty won't notices you either

I'm not from Hungary

I was brought up for him

Why hasn't he summoned you?

His atelier has burned
He has time for you

Maybe he wants you old, like him

Watch your tongue! He isn't old

Don't insult him

I'm insulting you!

Stop!

The fire wasn't enough?

Shall I turn you in?

Safiye, go to the baths

I'm eating

Eat later

Welcome

You bring us joy

Enter

Don't be shy

Come. Have a seat

You don't want to sit?

You're not going to eat standing?

I'll sit when my host has arrived

It that case, you may sit

Do you also think
I did it on purpose?

If I wanted to be noticed

it wasn't be the Sultan

It was done spontaneously

She was one of us

Do you know why she did it?

Everyone knows

Gulfidan, please

I don't like your expression

I don't either

But my face has a will of its own

The Sultan loves us all

He shares his love with all

Ayse made a mistake

She fell in love with him

She wanted him all to herself

When he stopped seeing her

she burnt what was dearest to him

Is she banished?

The Sultan
will let her marry a guard

What cruel punishment

She'll never see him again

It's stupid to disobey the rules

Everyone here should know that

The first rule is
to master one's feelings

If they go against his desires

I haven't disobeyed

I never even spoke with Ayse

Was I speaking of you?

Am I here to be scolded?

No

I wanted to know you better

Would you wanted to

if I hadn't helped her?

But you did

She's Italian

Her parents sold her when she was 8

We don't know her birth date

A French ship brought her to Cairo
where she was bought

Abdul Pasha offered her to your son
the Sultan

She can read and write
three languages

The moon

Has the eclipse already taken place

Midhat?

I am Nadir

Tiem as passed

and your eyes have mellowed, Midhat

I am not Midhat

Tell me when the eclipse begins

One monent

Enter, Safiye

From what I've heard
your tutor did not teach you well

Espeically
when you eat with your fingers

Fingers are
the source of all refinement

Next time be more careful, Nadir Aga

Don't waste my time
with well brought up girls

Our Safiye is as perfect
as the Sultan's mother can desire

I see a long road

then a wide gate

Beware the evil eye

Gulbahar, it's my turn

Wait, Nimet. Safiye first

Not now

I warn you

I will not undergo one more test

You don't trust me?

You lie too well

You pretended
you had no table manners

We're even

You don't understand me

You're perfect only
when it suits you

Careful

Why pretend to be my friend

then test me?

I'm not pretending

I must be sure

That I'm worthy of your attention?

Not of mine

A century ago

Sultana Esma adored
English furniture and comfort

Anything old or Oriental
was sent up here

She'd take this boat in search of
boys to quench her desire

Everyone knew her boat
with its cargo of splendid boys

She dominated them all

on her throne, or standing

like a bird in flight
in search of prey

When she'd chosen one

she brought him back to her palace

after one night of love

she had his throat cut

She was not a favorite
nor an odalisque

She was the sister of Mahmud II

No woman of the harem
ever had such power

unless she became
the mother of the next Sultan

thus becoming herself the Valide

But that road was long
and fraught with peril

You need a protector as companion

a man of trust

I'm not the favorite

He's already asked about you

Unselfish friendship
doesn't exist here

I wanted someone
with whom I'd feel myself

Different from others

I can offer you much more

Close your eyes

I can offer you this

Look

Fear not, no one can see us

I cannot

Please, close that door

Be my companion

and I'll be your true friend

You'll become his favorite

mother of his children

The Sultan approached the closet
with the lovers inside

and brusquely opened the door

But the closet was empty

The dagger slipped from his hands

He fell to his knees
before such a miracle

Allah has sent three apples

One for the teller of the tale

another for the listener

and the last one for me

Do whatever you like here

To change the furniture, just say so

No one must know I've given you this

An opera

Translate it for the Sultan

It's difficult, but you can

Listen to the music. You'll see

We must stand fast now

The woman told her how
His Majesty fell in love with her

He called for her not only at night
but also by day

Together they listened to
the music they loved

Whenever music echoed
through the Palace

everyone knew
she was with the Sultan

A shadow follows you

A woman's shadow

Another, still larger, follows
It is the shadow of a mob

But little by little

I see the shadows give way

In the end, you will have peace

Very good

Only two mistakes

You're making progress

Delicious, Gulfidan

I didn't bring them

Did you, Karanergiz?

You must be vigilant

There are two of you

Nadir

Nadir

Can you wake up?

I'm worried about Sumbul
He's disappeared

Halit is over there

Halit

You're looking for me?

What's wrong?

Have you seen Sumbul?

Why would he be here?

People said he was

Maybe they think
he's about to join the army?

He shouldn't go out at night

I swear he's not here

All right, Halit. Forgive me

Come back, Sumbul

No one find out

Why did Midhat involve you in this?

This has nothing to do with Midhat

This is between Halit and me

What!

You don't have to please him
because you're not a man

I'm doing it only for myself

Don't talk nonsense!

We're the same

No, we are not the same

I'm in love

Gulfidan found them under my bed

The third time

I'll have them burned

How do they get into my suite?

It drives me mad

I'm afraid to be alone
even in the hammam

You're never alone there

Even for my mud bath
I send for Gulfidan

It's not very wise to meet here

All eyes are on you

Did this belong to Sultana Esma too?

I don't know

If it was her wedding gown
it brought bad luck

The eunuchs lived outside the Harem

In fact
those who survived sastration

came to the Palace to be educated

They said that
even Cairo's black markets

had forbidden the sale
of emasculated African boys

I am happy that you came

Before you go to Egypt

stop in Istanbul, for my sake

Think of me

I don't know if I will

Anyway, what do I care where I go?

As long as I travel...

What are you running from, Anita?

We weren't talking about me

Don't change the subject

I'm jealous of certain memories

If I put them into words

they may escape and never return

I don't want them to abandon me too

You have nothing to say?

Yes, but n an unknown language

that has no dictionary

She too is Italian

And she also knows music

She sings very well

and she plays three instruments

Much time was spent
in teaching her the art of love

She was brought up in secrecy

Perfect

Just as planned

We can still give up

We mustn't run any risks

Leave me alone with her

We have to finish preparing her

Withdraw

As you wish, Madam

Stay

Don't be afraid

I won't harm you

You're Italian?

What's your name?

Aliye

Aliye...

Let me spend the night with him
and they're yours

I don't need them

I'll have the same tomorrow

These are not the gifts of one night

Do you think it will last?

I can't

Look at me

All these jewels for one night

And so it was

The girl drank up
the old woman's words

just like all o fyou right now

The young woman was curious to know

whether Safiye made it
to His Majesty's side

Just as you'd like to know. She did

When his Majesty saw her, he said

I didn't call for you, he told me

I know, I said
but this night is mine. I bought it

He looked at me, stunned

with a certain pleasure
and said, from whom?

I murmured

From the girl you were expecting

Excuse me

your train will be 20 minutes late

Thank you

I'm tired of talking

Tell me about yourself

No, please

We have so little time left

Go on, please

With your permission

Aliye is dead

Poor thing

Poor creature

What happened?

We've heard

she drowned in the Bosphorus

His Majesty
couldn't have ordered that

Of course not

It wasn't His Majesty

Everyone thinks you had her murdered

Help me, Gulfidan

Give me my clothes

Are you feeling unwell, Safiye?

No. I'm fine

Thank you for your kindness

We weren't expecting you

They said you were tired

that you hadn't slept

Some halva in honor of the deceased?

Safiye

Magnificent necklace

I received it today

Say he's ugly
to ward off the evil eye

Safiye, come here

Come sit next to me

Let me see your face

You have beautiful hands

You smoke?

Young women
shouldn't ruin their hands

Why are you so silent?

I wanted to think you

for letting Osman stay with me

You're sentimental

That's why you were chosen
as my son's music advisor

You like opera?

I hate it

I hate theater

What purpose does it serve?

To dream

Other peole's lives?

I dream my own life
and that's boring enough

Do you like stars?

Have you ever seen an eclipse?

That's when the moon masks the sun

Night takes its revenge on day

It's our revenge
the revenge of women

Is my son handsome?

Of course

Describe him

Can't you see him?

When I close my eyes

I can't remember his face

Open them and come play

You want me?

We demand you

There's your mama

Going to Bursa?

It's unbelievable

It's an important mission

Amber used to go

I'm happy for you

We'll all miss you

It's just three days

Osman...

Osman

I'm here. Gulfidan

What happened?

Don't worry

What happened to my baby?

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help me!

Children...

just speaking of them can bring joy

as it can bring sorrow

Sorrow feeds on silence

The old woman fell silence

The young woman dared not speak

You know you can't see him

They're good doctors

He needs me

He'll get better

His heart problem isn't serious

Stop torturing yourself

Every sorrow has its remedy

Every poison, its antidote

What do you mean?

Who poisoned him?

Who'd poison the Sultan's son?

No one, clam down

I didn't mean that

Who'd dare?

Who poisoned him?

How malicious

Stop, Madam

Call Midhat immediately

How dare you come in here?

It's alright

I was coming to see you

Don't torture yourself
Allah willed it

I beg you. Have pity on me
for your own children's sake

I can do nothing
to end your suffering

Give me the antidote

I'll forgive you

Please, get up

Antidote? What do you mean?

Make him live

I beseech you

Tell me what to do
You know the truth

Safiye has disappeared

You must find her

Safiye...

I wanted you to see him

Forgive me, Safiye

Don't weep, Safiye

Death does not exist

Death does not exist...

From then on

there was an unspoken pact
between me, the Sultan and the Harem

The very walls seemed to
respect my sorrow

I had been granted
a sort of immunity

the price of my grief and my tears

In the name of what
should I spare you?

In the name of this document

I bring for your signature, Majesty

Sign this constitution
and all will remain as before

By dawn

the Sultan
had signed the constitution

For eight months
all went on as before

But in fact
it was the beginning of the end

Are they taking us very far?

Not that far

It's very beautiful

Don't you want to go on holiday?

Midhat says
we're going there forever

Midhat always loves to joke around

Why isn't he coming too?

He's staying to watch the house

Aren't you, Midhat?

A word from you would suffice

To whom, Midhat?

If only I knew to whom

He's taking me with him
to Thessaloniki

What a great honor for you

You deserve it

I can't leave you

Have you the choice?

Sumbul will tend to you

I'll be back. I promise

The Sultan's desire is our command

It outweighs even your promises

I could feel you were suffering

I'm sorry

I'll never forgive myself

You will

You're the one who's alone
She's staying with him

Between them, there will always
linger a trace of this suffering

Time heals all wounds

You'll be able to start a new life

when the pain of parting
is no more than a memory

How did you manage to be so strong?

Who says I was strong?

Inside

there were rare silks from India

There were also robes
embroidered with precious stones

and table topped
with a thousand and one delicacies

Wealth abounded

The Sultan said to the young woman

All this is yours

Tell me. What else do you want?

Don't worry. Stay calm

In the name of the law
the Harem is now closed

You may rejoin your families

You had to break in here
to tell us that?

We bring you freedom

Freedom? What freedom?

To die of hunger and cold?

No one takes care of us anymore

In order to send you
to your families

we need your names
and those of your relatives

If was have no family?

We'll work it out

You're no longer prisoners

While we're here, no one may enter

It's the law

The law can wait outside

They'll tell you what you what

We have the right
not to be offended by your eyes

Everyone out

Get us the necessary information

We'll do what the law requires

Come Gulbahar
We can't leave without you

Your relatives are coming

They'll find

a place for everyone

They promised

We'll all have a home. They promised

Promises, promises...

Allah help us

Do you want something, dear?

Durisehvar!

Durisehvar

What do they want?

Nothing

Then why do they want you?

They're offering room and board

Only for the young

Nevres is leaving

Nevres

Nevres

Nevres

I didn't want this to happen

I didn't want...

We must write

We'll meet again

We'll meet again

Durisehvar

Durisehvar

Durisehvar...

Allah help us

Eat, Madam Munive...

This will warm you

Karanergiz

Bring this to Madam Guya

Laikseza, you're very pale

Karanergiz. Take my place

Eat, before it gets cold

You couldn't have done a thing
if I'd woken you

You should have

Fine, but now eat something

even if you're mad at me

To each his fate. Such was hers

Don't torture yourself like this

You look frozen, Nadir

Come closer to the fire

How is His Majesty?

Who's taking care of him?

How Sama?

Everybody leaves!

So many men have been sacrificed

Who are these people

To you

You never went out
while living with the countess?

Sometimes, rarely... afternoons

I dared not look around

I felt all Istanbul staring at me

Careful, Safiye

Nadir?

Why are you here?

Don't you know
it's forbidden to be out?

We're hunting for dogs
It's dangerous to be out?

The lady is with me

I was showing her home

We got lost in the fog

You're from the Palace

Hurry home
Tonight the streets won't be safe

This way

It may have been
the last stray dog in the city

All the others had been captured

They took them to a deserted island

Day after day

the wind brought from
aftar their echoing barks

Then, suddenly, the city
was enveloped in an ominous silence

Someone wnet out to the island

The dogs had devoured each other

Not one had wanted to
survive its race

Following her triumphs

in Paris, London and Berlin

we present you the loveliest flower
of the Sultan's Palace

Only a short time ago, she lived
enclosed with in forbidding walls

guarded by fearsome black eunuchs

A slave amongst the slaves!
A master of almost godlike power

I promised you a "Night in the Harem"

You'll get much more

She's going to dance for you

She'll sing for you

She will reveal the secrets

the mysteries of her life
and of her forbidden loves

Introducing the Pearl of the Orient

The Last Favorite

Sublime Safiye

Italy, October 29, 1923

Did you work long in music hall?

You never found your family?

What have you done since?

I have just grown old

Your train is coming

Thank you

I have to check my baggage

I'll be back to say goodbye

Look what's arrived. Maybe...

No, it's from Karanergiz

Dear Madam
and invaluable benefactress

light of my eyes

Unfortunately, I bring sad tidings

With the harem Agas who remained

we struggled against our misfortune

For some time, our dear Nadir Aga

had been growing somber

One day he disappeared

We sought him everywhere

We learned he was victim
of an accident at Kiziltoprak

Our Nadir had breathed
his last, crushed under a train

Oh light of my eyes

I tried to sort his things
He'd left them all in order

The amulet he wore around his neck
was in a box on his bed

My God

I'd rather be struck blind
than bear such news

Madam
I would give my life to console you

I kiss your beautiful hands

I kiss your eyes, my benefactress

And Nadir?

Nadir...

You've said no more about Nadir

I never saw him again
But I've heard form him

I letter from time to time

He's happy now

His dream has come true

He married a widow with two sons

He's founded a family

You never tried to see him again?

You're still waiting for him?

You have beautiful hands, Anita

Young women shouldn't ruin them

Here

Don't refuse

It's a souvenir...

Only a souvenir

Two ships in the night
they were about to part forever

The young woman asked

Instead of advice
why tell me the story of your life?

The old woman smiled
Then she answered

Always remember this...

and these were her final words

What's important
is not how you live your life

but how you tell it

To yourself and others

In that way alone
will you make sense of errors

of suffering and death

Allah sent three apples from on high

One for the teller

One for the listener

and the last
for the heroes of our tale