The Day I Became a Woman (2000) - full transcript
A film comprised of three interconnected vignettes that depict women at three stages of life in Iran. The first part centers on a young girl on her ninth birthday who is told that she can no longer play with the boys she had been playing with only the day before because she is now a woman. Told from the perspective of a 9-year-old girl who does not feel like or know what the word "woman" refers to, we see how devastatingly this affects both the girl and the boy with whom she had been friends. The second part is about a young woman who decides to enter a bicycle race against her husband's wishes. As first, the husband and then increasing numbers of men from her village ride beside her on horseback to convince her to return home. The race begins to symbolize a freedom that she desperately wants from the limitations that have been placed on her. Finally, the third part shows us an old woman who has come into some money and is now free to do what she wants. The way she chooses to use this freedom, however, makes one wonder just how free she is.
THE DAY l BECAME A WOMAN
Script:
Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Editing:, Shahrzad Poya
Maysam Makhmalbaf
Theme music:
Mohammad Reza Davishi
Starring: Fatema Cheragh-Akhar,
Shabnam Tolou'i, Azizeh Sadiqui
Director:
Marziyeh Meshkini
First tale:
Hava
Hava
Let's go for some! ice cream.
Hava...
Hava, darling.
Hava... wake up, dear.
It's 10:30. You're late for school.
- I want Hava.
- Go away, now.
-Where is she?
- I don't know.
You should go
and play with boys.
- I'm not leaving.
- Hava is now a woman.
She's no longer a girl.
It's your birthday, sweetie.
Come down.
I'm buying you a beautiful gift.
Come down, now.
- What?
- Come down, Grandma will tell you.
Why don't you tell me?
Come down first.
Come on.
What are you going to buy me?
Grandma will let you know.
I'm off now.
Why did your mother
kick me out?
Wait a minute for me, please.
I'll get some money,
then we can go together.
OK, but hurry up.
I really want an ice cream.
Don't go without me.
I want one, too.
Hava, come on down.
You're a woman now.
You can't go on the roof.
You can't play with boys any longer.
Listen to your gran. Come down.
Hava, get permission to come out.
It's too windy to be up there.
You'll fall.
How come she was allowed
to play yesterday?
Mum, gran says
I'm a woman now. Am I?
Hasan, you can go in
and play with Hava.
Mum, gran doesn't let me play.
You mustn't play with Hasan
or any boy.
You're all grown up now.
You have to cover up your hair
from now on.
Look, gran. I bought a veil for Hava.
Let me see.
May I go and play?
It's very pretty. Well done.
Hava, let's measure you up
for your new veil.
Come here, sweetie.
Hava, come over here.
I need to measure you.
Mum, let me go play with Hasan.
Come here.
I've got to measure you.
Please, Mum.
ice-cream is waiting.
Hava, just sneak out.
Come here, daughter.
Please, Mum, he'll go without me.
Let me measure your veil.
Let me cut the veil. You'll ruin it.
Good girl. Come over here.
Hava, go and get the needle.
- Mum, I'm begging you.
- Get the needle first.
- Is it good quality, Mum?
- Excellent quality.
- What do we need to do?
- We'll stitch it here.
Let's go.
Let's go, Hava.
Let's buy an ice-cream.
It's getting late.
Hava, where's the needle?
I couldn't find it.
Time for you to come inside, now.
Come inside.
Come inside.
Hava, I'll wait for you
outside the mosque.
Don't forget, outside the mosque.
Come inside.
I won't.
Come inside.
- Congratulations.
- Thanks, gran.
Hava, it's ready. Come over here.
Now, let's see...
anyway,
no-one goes out at noon.
Maybe we should let her go out
for the last time.
I remember when she was born.
She was born at noon.
I asked if it was a boy or a girl.
They said, ''A girl!''
I already know all this.
I gave birth to her, after all.
You were distracted then.
But, gran, if I were born at noon,
I'm not a woman yet!
But it is noon.
No. it's still morning.
Let me play with Hasan until noon.
Please, gran.
Will you let me?
Go and check the time first.
Make sure it isn't noon yet.
- I'll go check.
- OK.
She never stays still.
Look, gran.
It's only... it's only eleven.
It's not noon yet.
I still have an hour.
if I don't go,
Hasan will think I'm sulking.
Will you promise to be back by noon?
- I promise.
- God won't forgive you if you lie.
- Don't be late.
- I promise.
How will you know it's noon?
I'll take the clock with me.
Can I go now?
- You promise?
- Gran, a minute just went by.
- I'm losing time here.
-You've to be back by noon?
How will you know the time?
I'll take it with me.
Look, time is flying by.
I'll show you how to measure time.
Come over here. Sit down.
When the stick casts a shadow
when the stick casts a shadow.!..
it means it's morning.
When there's no shadow
you'll know it's noon.
Put this scarf on. God be with you.
When the stick casts a shadow
it's morning.
When there's no shadow
you'll know it's noon.
You have to be back at noon.
OK, dear?
Hey, kids...
Khaled...
Khaled, have you seen Hasan?
- Which Hasan?
- Hasan, the orphan.
His sister took him.
- Hello.
- Hello to you, too.
- Can you call Hasan?
- He has homework.
Please call him.
How come your gran
always throws him out?
He can't come.
Hasan, don't come out until
you've finished your homework.
Hasan, open up. It's me.
I'm over here, Hava.
- There you are.
- Hi. What are you up to?
- Come out and play.
- I have to do my homework.
it'll be too late by then.
Can you not come out?
Teacher won't like it.
- How many exercises?
- Four.
Do you see this stick?
When its shadow is gone,
I have to be home.
Do you have to do your homework?
- Hava...
- Look, Hasan.
It's shadow is getting smaller.
When the shadow is gone,
I have to be back home.
Can't you give the homework a miss?
Teacher will spank me.
Not if I teach you a neat trick.
Bring your notebook.
It's a real nice trick.
Bring an eraser too.
See where he marked
yesterday's homework?
Rub out his remarks.
Pretend this is all new stuff.
- He'll know.
- No, he won't.
Tell him you wrote it today.
OK, I'll rub it out later.
- Hasan, finish your work first.
- My sister is back.
- I'll wait here.
- No, you'd better leave.
Where should I wait for you?
- Wait for me at the seaside.
- Promise you'll come?
I promise.
Can you give me a hand?
What do you want me to do?
Come grab the other side.
Straighten this side up.
What's that?
This? It's a stick.
A stick? What's that?
This here... this is its shadow.
What does it mean?
When the shadow is gone,
I have to be home.
It's tiny now,
but before it used to be this long.
Now it's really small.
Would... would a cloth this big
be enough?
-Yes.
-Wait a second.
Hi. Do you want to sail with us?
- No.
-it'll be fun.
I'm waiting for Hasan.
Sure? We'll sail over there.
- Over there.
- I don't want to.
I'm waiting for Hasan.
I've got something to show you.
Won't you come?
No.
Leave my stick alone.
I have to be home
when the shadow is gone.
We need you to rescue us...
in case the sail...
the sail comes unstuck.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
lt's so pretty.
lt's so pretty.
Do you want it?
- It has such a pretty tail.
- It's cute.
How about a swap?
Your scarf for the toy.
Hasan, where are you?
Only this much is left of the shadow.
I have to be back soon.
I'm really angry with you.
All I wanted to do was say goodbye.
When I left home it was this long,
now it's tiny.
Tiny.
if you're not coming, say so.
I'll go and play with someone else.
Take this money and
buy some ice-cream.
Hasan, hurry up. I'm late.
Hasan, get a move on.
Did you buy the ice-cream?
They'd run out.
I bought sweets instead.
Let's eat.
Hand it through the bars.
It's sour.
Let's eat it together.
Then I'll have to say goodbye.
Come out.
It's really sour.
Give me some of the lolly.
Do you want more?
Do you want some more?
Lollipop.
It's almost shadow less. Hurry.
Do you want some more?
Reach...
Hava...
It's the last one.
Hasan, the shadow's gone.
Goodbye.
Second tale:
Ahoo
Ahoo...
Ahoo...
Ahoo...
Ahoo...
Didn't I give you a final warning?
You're cycling again
despite your bad leg?
Ahoo, didn't I warn you?
Ahoo... get down.
Stop riding now.
I'm talking to you.
Why are you cycling?
Don't you have husbands?
if you don't get off, I'll sort you out
right here and now.
- Won't you get down?
- No.
Ahoo, you'll regret this.
Ahoo, I brought Mullah Osman.
Ahoo, why have you become
rebellious?
Have you had too much sun?
Get off that! What you're riding
is not a bicycle. It's devil's work!
Get off that bike, dear.
You really shouldn't be riding it.
Have you told her the whole story?
Remember when
your hand was asked for...
...with a handful of gifts?
Why do you want to ruin your life?
Come back to your life.
Neither God nor I approve of this.
You're at the edge of an abyss.
Get down off that bike, dear.
Your husband needs you.
if she won't listen, end the marriage.
Do you agree to a divorce, dear?
Yes or no?
Yes... I concede.
Make it official.
Shall I recite the verse?
Shall I recite the verse?
Our marriage is annulled.
Her husband chased her on a horse...
Do you have any water?
Ahoo, stop! Get down!
Return to your life.
Ahoo, don't run away.
Hello.
Ahoo, your husband is a good man.
He still loves you.
Your old granddad is here to help.
Get off... get off that bike!
Ahoo...
I'll give you a count of 1.
Ahoo... one!
Two!
Three!
The devil's got into you!
Four!
Get off right now!
Five!
Six!
Last chance.
Seven!
Ahoo, dearest. We'll drag you off
that thing if we have to.
Your brothers are on their way.
You've insulted our honour.
Your husband has divorced you.
What are we to do?
For God's sake, daughter. Return.
Shame on you. I curse you.
You didn't listen to your granddad
At least heed your father.
Fear your brothers.
Ahoo, return home now.
Third tale:
Hoora
Where to, madam?
To the market. I want to buy
some things for the house.
Tell me exactly what you need,
madam.
Then I'll take you to the right place.
Household goods, you know.
Household goods.
Top priority is a fridge
which I've never had.
All my life I wanted cold water.
Now which one was it?
Ah, this one was the fridge.
Let's buy that first.
What's next on your shopping list?
ironing board...
bath tub... samavar...
Bedroom lamp shade...
Who are you buying all this for?
For myself.
I want to buy everything
I've never had.
Don't forget I also need a gas oven.
I tied a knot for the oven...
Ah, that's the one.
Which one was
the washing machine?
For that we need the other market.
I've inherited some money.
Loads of money!
- How do you plan to carry all this?
- I'll manage.
Lord, why can't I remember
this last one?
Do you know somewhere
I can lay out my things...
...to see what's missing?
My memory is not what it used to be.
I even forgot to feed the rooster
before leaving home.
I hope it doesn't die.
I have a feeling
I'll never remember this one.
Bring the new pot here
for a cup of tea.
it'll be just what we need.
Right away.
I can hardly walk any more.
Madam, a refreshing cup of tea
coming up.
Well done, son.
I'll find a match for the oven.
Tell the kids
to gather everything in one place.
I've seen
the large salt cellar...
...but not the little one.
Tell them to be careful
with my make-up kit. It's important.
How come
this tea-pot is so... naked?
it has no shame!
it has no shame.
It's not my fault.
After searching the entire market,
you came up with a naked pot?
It's completely transparent.
They didn't have any other type.
I would be ashamed to use it.
Let's take it back.
Put it back in its box.
OK, let's go return them.
Hey, guys.
The old woman's gone.
She's gone.
I told you they wouldn't accept it.
To hell with them.
My own pot is better.
It's full of memories.
if that lousy bastard
had married me
I would have a son like you.
You remind me of him.
Since I have everything now,
will you become my son?
Thanks, but I have a mother.
That's a pity.
Two things are bothering me.
First, the rooster
I left at home without food.
And the second thing is this...
We bought the rice-cooker
and the cutlery...
...but I can't find the small flowerpots.
The old lady is here.
Put everything back.
Because the tide is low
ships won't come any closer.
Some of the lads have small boats.
We'll carry your stuff to the ship.
I'm out of breath
and my legs are killing me.
Put the kettle on, dear.
- And sort out my shopping, please.
- Leave everything to me.
We'll go fetch the boats
and the floats...
Lads, let's fetch the boats
and take her things to the ship.
Let's go.
One of you should stay behind.
- He should stay.
- Me? Me?
The one wearing an Afghan outfit.
The white one.
You stay behind
and make a cup of tea.
What did I buy all this for?
I wish I had a son like you.
You're very sweet.
White and beautiful.
Will you let me adopt you?
I already have a mum and dad.
But I have so many things now.
Won't you reconsider?
Can't you choose
one of the black kids?
But you're prettier. You have
blond hair and white skin.
You're the one I want.
- Come back with me.
- Like I said, I have parents.
- Hello, madam.
- Hello.
What's the story
with all these things?
Are they yours?
Yes, mine.
We were amazed to see all this stuff
on the beach.
The kids are fetching boats
to carry the stuff out there...
...to the ship.
At your age,
what do need all this for?
if it was all ours, we could
get married and start a new life.
I have never owned
any of these goods before.
Every single item
has sentimental value for me.
When I was poor,
no-one cared to help me out.
Take tea with me.
Lad. Put the kettle on, please.
- What are you doing here?
-We were cycling.
We were left behind.
Then you have time for tea.
The floats are here.
Load the stuff while we have tea.
As long as we leave
before the tide gets any lower.
OK. What do you do again?
We were in a cycling race.
There was a girl there
whose husband
tried to stop her from cycling.
She disobeyed him.
A horseback preacher
divorced her on the spot.
Her brothers, uncles and father
all pleaded with her to stop.
Finally, her brothers carried
the bicycle home on horseback.
Did you win the race?
No, but she borrowed a bike
and continued the race.
- No, she was left behind.
- No, she finished the race.
- Left behind.
- She finished the race.
I came over to buy household goods.
I had tied a knot on every finger
for various items.
I bought everything save this last one.
I can't remember this one...
...no matter how hard I try.
Make sure you tie them tightly!
Can you think of anything
I might have left out?
Let's have a look.
It's getting late. Let's go.
I have to leave now.
But you promised us tea.
it was not destined.
Don't leave anything behind.
The last item
was it a sewing machine?
No!
May be a rice-cooker?
Mirror and candelabra?
By the way, madam.
What was your name?
Hoora.
Produced By:
Makhmalbaf Film House
Director:
Marziyeh Meshkini 200O
Script:
Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Editing:, Shahrzad Poya
Maysam Makhmalbaf
Theme music:
Mohammad Reza Davishi
Starring: Fatema Cheragh-Akhar,
Shabnam Tolou'i, Azizeh Sadiqui
Director:
Marziyeh Meshkini
First tale:
Hava
Hava
Let's go for some! ice cream.
Hava...
Hava, darling.
Hava... wake up, dear.
It's 10:30. You're late for school.
- I want Hava.
- Go away, now.
-Where is she?
- I don't know.
You should go
and play with boys.
- I'm not leaving.
- Hava is now a woman.
She's no longer a girl.
It's your birthday, sweetie.
Come down.
I'm buying you a beautiful gift.
Come down, now.
- What?
- Come down, Grandma will tell you.
Why don't you tell me?
Come down first.
Come on.
What are you going to buy me?
Grandma will let you know.
I'm off now.
Why did your mother
kick me out?
Wait a minute for me, please.
I'll get some money,
then we can go together.
OK, but hurry up.
I really want an ice cream.
Don't go without me.
I want one, too.
Hava, come on down.
You're a woman now.
You can't go on the roof.
You can't play with boys any longer.
Listen to your gran. Come down.
Hava, get permission to come out.
It's too windy to be up there.
You'll fall.
How come she was allowed
to play yesterday?
Mum, gran says
I'm a woman now. Am I?
Hasan, you can go in
and play with Hava.
Mum, gran doesn't let me play.
You mustn't play with Hasan
or any boy.
You're all grown up now.
You have to cover up your hair
from now on.
Look, gran. I bought a veil for Hava.
Let me see.
May I go and play?
It's very pretty. Well done.
Hava, let's measure you up
for your new veil.
Come here, sweetie.
Hava, come over here.
I need to measure you.
Mum, let me go play with Hasan.
Come here.
I've got to measure you.
Please, Mum.
ice-cream is waiting.
Hava, just sneak out.
Come here, daughter.
Please, Mum, he'll go without me.
Let me measure your veil.
Let me cut the veil. You'll ruin it.
Good girl. Come over here.
Hava, go and get the needle.
- Mum, I'm begging you.
- Get the needle first.
- Is it good quality, Mum?
- Excellent quality.
- What do we need to do?
- We'll stitch it here.
Let's go.
Let's go, Hava.
Let's buy an ice-cream.
It's getting late.
Hava, where's the needle?
I couldn't find it.
Time for you to come inside, now.
Come inside.
Come inside.
Hava, I'll wait for you
outside the mosque.
Don't forget, outside the mosque.
Come inside.
I won't.
Come inside.
- Congratulations.
- Thanks, gran.
Hava, it's ready. Come over here.
Now, let's see...
anyway,
no-one goes out at noon.
Maybe we should let her go out
for the last time.
I remember when she was born.
She was born at noon.
I asked if it was a boy or a girl.
They said, ''A girl!''
I already know all this.
I gave birth to her, after all.
You were distracted then.
But, gran, if I were born at noon,
I'm not a woman yet!
But it is noon.
No. it's still morning.
Let me play with Hasan until noon.
Please, gran.
Will you let me?
Go and check the time first.
Make sure it isn't noon yet.
- I'll go check.
- OK.
She never stays still.
Look, gran.
It's only... it's only eleven.
It's not noon yet.
I still have an hour.
if I don't go,
Hasan will think I'm sulking.
Will you promise to be back by noon?
- I promise.
- God won't forgive you if you lie.
- Don't be late.
- I promise.
How will you know it's noon?
I'll take the clock with me.
Can I go now?
- You promise?
- Gran, a minute just went by.
- I'm losing time here.
-You've to be back by noon?
How will you know the time?
I'll take it with me.
Look, time is flying by.
I'll show you how to measure time.
Come over here. Sit down.
When the stick casts a shadow
when the stick casts a shadow.!..
it means it's morning.
When there's no shadow
you'll know it's noon.
Put this scarf on. God be with you.
When the stick casts a shadow
it's morning.
When there's no shadow
you'll know it's noon.
You have to be back at noon.
OK, dear?
Hey, kids...
Khaled...
Khaled, have you seen Hasan?
- Which Hasan?
- Hasan, the orphan.
His sister took him.
- Hello.
- Hello to you, too.
- Can you call Hasan?
- He has homework.
Please call him.
How come your gran
always throws him out?
He can't come.
Hasan, don't come out until
you've finished your homework.
Hasan, open up. It's me.
I'm over here, Hava.
- There you are.
- Hi. What are you up to?
- Come out and play.
- I have to do my homework.
it'll be too late by then.
Can you not come out?
Teacher won't like it.
- How many exercises?
- Four.
Do you see this stick?
When its shadow is gone,
I have to be home.
Do you have to do your homework?
- Hava...
- Look, Hasan.
It's shadow is getting smaller.
When the shadow is gone,
I have to be back home.
Can't you give the homework a miss?
Teacher will spank me.
Not if I teach you a neat trick.
Bring your notebook.
It's a real nice trick.
Bring an eraser too.
See where he marked
yesterday's homework?
Rub out his remarks.
Pretend this is all new stuff.
- He'll know.
- No, he won't.
Tell him you wrote it today.
OK, I'll rub it out later.
- Hasan, finish your work first.
- My sister is back.
- I'll wait here.
- No, you'd better leave.
Where should I wait for you?
- Wait for me at the seaside.
- Promise you'll come?
I promise.
Can you give me a hand?
What do you want me to do?
Come grab the other side.
Straighten this side up.
What's that?
This? It's a stick.
A stick? What's that?
This here... this is its shadow.
What does it mean?
When the shadow is gone,
I have to be home.
It's tiny now,
but before it used to be this long.
Now it's really small.
Would... would a cloth this big
be enough?
-Yes.
-Wait a second.
Hi. Do you want to sail with us?
- No.
-it'll be fun.
I'm waiting for Hasan.
Sure? We'll sail over there.
- Over there.
- I don't want to.
I'm waiting for Hasan.
I've got something to show you.
Won't you come?
No.
Leave my stick alone.
I have to be home
when the shadow is gone.
We need you to rescue us...
in case the sail...
the sail comes unstuck.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
Come, let's go.
lt's so pretty.
lt's so pretty.
Do you want it?
- It has such a pretty tail.
- It's cute.
How about a swap?
Your scarf for the toy.
Hasan, where are you?
Only this much is left of the shadow.
I have to be back soon.
I'm really angry with you.
All I wanted to do was say goodbye.
When I left home it was this long,
now it's tiny.
Tiny.
if you're not coming, say so.
I'll go and play with someone else.
Take this money and
buy some ice-cream.
Hasan, hurry up. I'm late.
Hasan, get a move on.
Did you buy the ice-cream?
They'd run out.
I bought sweets instead.
Let's eat.
Hand it through the bars.
It's sour.
Let's eat it together.
Then I'll have to say goodbye.
Come out.
It's really sour.
Give me some of the lolly.
Do you want more?
Do you want some more?
Lollipop.
It's almost shadow less. Hurry.
Do you want some more?
Reach...
Hava...
It's the last one.
Hasan, the shadow's gone.
Goodbye.
Second tale:
Ahoo
Ahoo...
Ahoo...
Ahoo...
Ahoo...
Didn't I give you a final warning?
You're cycling again
despite your bad leg?
Ahoo, didn't I warn you?
Ahoo... get down.
Stop riding now.
I'm talking to you.
Why are you cycling?
Don't you have husbands?
if you don't get off, I'll sort you out
right here and now.
- Won't you get down?
- No.
Ahoo, you'll regret this.
Ahoo, I brought Mullah Osman.
Ahoo, why have you become
rebellious?
Have you had too much sun?
Get off that! What you're riding
is not a bicycle. It's devil's work!
Get off that bike, dear.
You really shouldn't be riding it.
Have you told her the whole story?
Remember when
your hand was asked for...
...with a handful of gifts?
Why do you want to ruin your life?
Come back to your life.
Neither God nor I approve of this.
You're at the edge of an abyss.
Get down off that bike, dear.
Your husband needs you.
if she won't listen, end the marriage.
Do you agree to a divorce, dear?
Yes or no?
Yes... I concede.
Make it official.
Shall I recite the verse?
Shall I recite the verse?
Our marriage is annulled.
Her husband chased her on a horse...
Do you have any water?
Ahoo, stop! Get down!
Return to your life.
Ahoo, don't run away.
Hello.
Ahoo, your husband is a good man.
He still loves you.
Your old granddad is here to help.
Get off... get off that bike!
Ahoo...
I'll give you a count of 1.
Ahoo... one!
Two!
Three!
The devil's got into you!
Four!
Get off right now!
Five!
Six!
Last chance.
Seven!
Ahoo, dearest. We'll drag you off
that thing if we have to.
Your brothers are on their way.
You've insulted our honour.
Your husband has divorced you.
What are we to do?
For God's sake, daughter. Return.
Shame on you. I curse you.
You didn't listen to your granddad
At least heed your father.
Fear your brothers.
Ahoo, return home now.
Third tale:
Hoora
Where to, madam?
To the market. I want to buy
some things for the house.
Tell me exactly what you need,
madam.
Then I'll take you to the right place.
Household goods, you know.
Household goods.
Top priority is a fridge
which I've never had.
All my life I wanted cold water.
Now which one was it?
Ah, this one was the fridge.
Let's buy that first.
What's next on your shopping list?
ironing board...
bath tub... samavar...
Bedroom lamp shade...
Who are you buying all this for?
For myself.
I want to buy everything
I've never had.
Don't forget I also need a gas oven.
I tied a knot for the oven...
Ah, that's the one.
Which one was
the washing machine?
For that we need the other market.
I've inherited some money.
Loads of money!
- How do you plan to carry all this?
- I'll manage.
Lord, why can't I remember
this last one?
Do you know somewhere
I can lay out my things...
...to see what's missing?
My memory is not what it used to be.
I even forgot to feed the rooster
before leaving home.
I hope it doesn't die.
I have a feeling
I'll never remember this one.
Bring the new pot here
for a cup of tea.
it'll be just what we need.
Right away.
I can hardly walk any more.
Madam, a refreshing cup of tea
coming up.
Well done, son.
I'll find a match for the oven.
Tell the kids
to gather everything in one place.
I've seen
the large salt cellar...
...but not the little one.
Tell them to be careful
with my make-up kit. It's important.
How come
this tea-pot is so... naked?
it has no shame!
it has no shame.
It's not my fault.
After searching the entire market,
you came up with a naked pot?
It's completely transparent.
They didn't have any other type.
I would be ashamed to use it.
Let's take it back.
Put it back in its box.
OK, let's go return them.
Hey, guys.
The old woman's gone.
She's gone.
I told you they wouldn't accept it.
To hell with them.
My own pot is better.
It's full of memories.
if that lousy bastard
had married me
I would have a son like you.
You remind me of him.
Since I have everything now,
will you become my son?
Thanks, but I have a mother.
That's a pity.
Two things are bothering me.
First, the rooster
I left at home without food.
And the second thing is this...
We bought the rice-cooker
and the cutlery...
...but I can't find the small flowerpots.
The old lady is here.
Put everything back.
Because the tide is low
ships won't come any closer.
Some of the lads have small boats.
We'll carry your stuff to the ship.
I'm out of breath
and my legs are killing me.
Put the kettle on, dear.
- And sort out my shopping, please.
- Leave everything to me.
We'll go fetch the boats
and the floats...
Lads, let's fetch the boats
and take her things to the ship.
Let's go.
One of you should stay behind.
- He should stay.
- Me? Me?
The one wearing an Afghan outfit.
The white one.
You stay behind
and make a cup of tea.
What did I buy all this for?
I wish I had a son like you.
You're very sweet.
White and beautiful.
Will you let me adopt you?
I already have a mum and dad.
But I have so many things now.
Won't you reconsider?
Can't you choose
one of the black kids?
But you're prettier. You have
blond hair and white skin.
You're the one I want.
- Come back with me.
- Like I said, I have parents.
- Hello, madam.
- Hello.
What's the story
with all these things?
Are they yours?
Yes, mine.
We were amazed to see all this stuff
on the beach.
The kids are fetching boats
to carry the stuff out there...
...to the ship.
At your age,
what do need all this for?
if it was all ours, we could
get married and start a new life.
I have never owned
any of these goods before.
Every single item
has sentimental value for me.
When I was poor,
no-one cared to help me out.
Take tea with me.
Lad. Put the kettle on, please.
- What are you doing here?
-We were cycling.
We were left behind.
Then you have time for tea.
The floats are here.
Load the stuff while we have tea.
As long as we leave
before the tide gets any lower.
OK. What do you do again?
We were in a cycling race.
There was a girl there
whose husband
tried to stop her from cycling.
She disobeyed him.
A horseback preacher
divorced her on the spot.
Her brothers, uncles and father
all pleaded with her to stop.
Finally, her brothers carried
the bicycle home on horseback.
Did you win the race?
No, but she borrowed a bike
and continued the race.
- No, she was left behind.
- No, she finished the race.
- Left behind.
- She finished the race.
I came over to buy household goods.
I had tied a knot on every finger
for various items.
I bought everything save this last one.
I can't remember this one...
...no matter how hard I try.
Make sure you tie them tightly!
Can you think of anything
I might have left out?
Let's have a look.
It's getting late. Let's go.
I have to leave now.
But you promised us tea.
it was not destined.
Don't leave anything behind.
The last item
was it a sewing machine?
No!
May be a rice-cooker?
Mirror and candelabra?
By the way, madam.
What was your name?
Hoora.
Produced By:
Makhmalbaf Film House
Director:
Marziyeh Meshkini 200O