Two Women (1999) - full transcript
A sensation when released in 1999 in Iran, Two Women charts the lives of two promising architecture students over the course of the first turbulent years of the Islamic Republic. Tahimine Milani creates this scathing portrait of those traditions - aided by official indifference - which conspire to trap women and stop them from realizing their full potential; the inclusion of frank depictions of domestic violence was hailed by many as a breakthrough in dealing with a long taboo subject.
Arta, how may I help?
Is this Miss Roya Rafei's office?
Yes
-I'd like to speak to her personally
She's not here at the moment
can I take a message?
She's not?
It's urgent miss, please
Where could I find her?
Please
Her husband is here, would you like to speak to him?
-Her husband?
Ok that's fine
Roya had realised the place of the utilities
had changed according to this plan
One of your wife's friends
is on the phone
You two keep bragging about each other
-What can we do?
Yes?
-A lady is on the phone, to speak to your wife
She says it's very urgent
-Put her through
Hello sir, I'm an old friend of Roya
You don't know me
My name is Fereshteh
I need Roya
Yes
One of the Apache girls, right?
Yes!
I do know of you but
Roya is in the workshop right now, I'll give
you a number. You can find her there
Mr Ramezani
Your helmet sir
Don't laugh sire, do it now
Yes?
Is that you? It's me
I can't believe it!
-I need your help
Could you come see me?
Where are you?
-Hospital
I'll explain, come if you can
Why there? What's happened?
My husband in ICU
Ok, I'll be there soon
Thank you Hassan
Hi
-Hi, you're early
Of course! Could you believe it?
-I knew you'd be happy
You don't know how I feel
Fereshteh after so long
You're so nice! I'll try to be
back as soon as possible
You get a cab to the garage
take my car if it's ready
If I'm late, pick Golnar up and
warm up her food
Are you sure there's
nothing else?
Dry cleaners, laundry, shopping
watering the plants
Are you mocking me?
No
-Stop it then, it upsets me
Ok fine, go on
You don't know how I feel
-Yeah I know
I might bring her home tonight
-2 Apache girls in a small house
God help us
See you
-Sure
Look
I love you
Look me too
Ms Rafei
Ms Rafei
Miss Roya Rafei
I'm talking to you, come to the board
Yes
Sorry sir I need help in
this area
You've picked this module a
while ago right?
Yes
Who knows how to answer
this question?
Not one of you could answer a
simple question like this?
Not even one
I think I can sir
-Come to the board
Well done!
What's your name?
Take a seat Miss Namavar
You really suit the name
These are our axes
Hi
Can I have a word?
-Sure
Do you remember me?
Miss Rafei?
-That's right
My math isn't so good I was wondering
if you could help me a few hours a week
Sure, I'll definitely do it
but I will charge
Pardon?
-I charge 100 for every hour
To help with my tuition fees
-Sure, it's better for me too
Right, when are you free?
How's Wednesday 4-6?
I've English lessons, then.
How about Thursday Friday?
Thursday is good
This is the same plan
on a 3D level
From there to there
You'll go places
I learned from the best
The rain so bad
I'll leave the camera on automatic
and easy
What I had to do
See you later
-Bye
Do you get it now?
It wasn't so hard?
-You're a genius
Sure
-Seriously
Genius, lovely
-Shut up
I was thinking if you had been born
in America or England
You'd be in Oxford or Harvard
Good thing I'm not
I wouldn't like it
Born in Esfahan
How come you've no accent?
-Of course I do
Right enough, I have to
practice my English
Why do you pay so much
for these classes?
I'll teach you
-You're always thinking of money, why don't you ask your dad?
My dad has no money, he could
never send me money
What do you think?
-About what?
Teaching you English
You're saying your English
is that good?
Enough to be able to teach
you a thing or two
Where did you get your lessons?
Nowhere, tapes, books
Say something now
You're a genius
Yes
Can I take a few of these books?
-Yeah, take as many as you want
But there's one condition
-What is it?
To help me in tomorrow's exam
if I get stuck
Ok
-Thanks
You know I love being adventurous
But if the universities close down
all of these studies will go to waste
Yeah, it seems serious
It'll be too bad
All of my plans will go to waste
Question 2
It's the answer, pass it on
to the girl
It's the answer, pass it to
the girl
Come on then
You were great, genius
You're welcome
-I didn't know what to do
Stop! Move
-What is it?
I'm scared
-Don't be let's see what's going on
I'm scared Fereshteh
-Wait
Let's see what it is
-Nothing
There's a meeting tomorrow, are you coming?
-I'm scared of these things
It's not scary, we should make
decisions for ourselves
I'll go
-Excuse me!
Are you miss Fereshteh Namavar?
-Yes
I've something to say
A friend of my husband
seems to like you a lot
He's sent me to ask for your
address if it's ok
He wants to get married and
he's given me his photo
You might've seen him yourself
he's a final year student in Mechanics
He's rich and his father
is a lecturer too
Are you sure he wasn't
asking for me?
You'd get to know each other
more if you'd agree
Why did you say no
you idiot
He could've been good
I don't want to get married
I want help my brother and sister out
once I finish uni
Help my dad, change our house
I've so many plans
The boy I've seen will run for his life
once he meets my family
Suppose I agree and we do
get married
I have to tell our kids their dad
proposed to me in the bathroom
Stop it Fereshteh
I'm being honest, who'd ask
in the bathroom?
Let's go Fereshteh, quick
Did you see it?
Yeah, I was scared to death
-It seems serious
There was a notice about students from other
places to evacuate the halls
I don't think it'll go on
for as long
It'll die down in a couple of months
classes will be back on
I don't think so
-Forget it
Your suitor
He's waiting for us
-It's bad
He's gone
Pray for me to pass my
driver's test
My dad promised to buy me a Renault
-Really? That's so good
You want me to teach you?
Do you drive?
-Yeah I got my license a few weeks back
You're so coold
Will you come to mine?
No I promised my aunt to help
her kids with their homework
Their exams are close
Roya there he is
-What?
The man who follows me
-Where?
Him?
-Lower your voice
Where?
-On the other side of the road
He's so stylish
I'm really jealous of you now Fereshteh
Please don't joke with me on this one
I'm annoyed
You've no idea how scared I am
I feel nervous every time I see him
He's not scary you can just punch him
-You'd think so
He escorts me from the halls to
uni every day
Ignore him for a while
he'll go away
Did you see the girl? She'd fail the
module 3 times and she was overconfident
She was wrong to pick this
module first
You're right
What is it?
-Behind you
Who is it?
Move over ma'am
Move I said
Where you talking to me?
-No my mum
Which one?
-Stop chatting shit and move
Shut up you weirdo
What's going on these days
-Shut up
Sir? Pull over please, this man
has a problem, he'd like to get off
Who was talking to you, ugly face?
-You do
Move over
-You've a problem
This man is harassing us, we'd
like to get off
I'm not in the mood for trouble
get off
She was bragging about her boyfriends
and the parties she goes to
She has no shame
-Me?
Who else?
He's lying I swear
-Don't swear down
Shut up
Yeah, we were talking about
the parties we'd been to
What's it to you?
-You wouldn't dare
You wouldn't
Shame on you they were talking about their uni
-Sit the hell back down
Get down
Get off
-Shame on you
Get off
-Hands off
Get down
-Hands off me
Let go
Move
You're so good
Stop it
-I'm being serious
You're fun, you're a lady
Yes of course
-I can't believe it, how do read so many books?
I've read so many I'm starting
to look like one
I try to find myself in there
My situation is different to
-Oy bitch
You make me get off the
bus now?
Run Roya
You made me get off the bus?
Help!
-Look
Help
-I'll let you go this time
But if you do shit like this again, I'll kill you
-You wouldn't dare
It'd better be the last time you hang out
with her, got it?
I'm not kidding, got it?
-Help sir
Please, help us
What is it?
-Someone is harassing us
Come on guys
Get lost you psycho
If I see you with her again
I'll draw on your face with this
You wouldn't dare
You scumbag
He keeps getting worse
Where are you going?
The guys is too dangerous
Go back to Esfahan for a while and come back
I'm worried for you
Look my hands are still shaking
Ok, lie down for a bit
you'll be fine
You have to be very careful
if his knife hits your face
What if he attacks you with
acid? Your life will be over
Don't worry it's not as easy as that
we'll know what to do
Do you want us to stop
hanging out for a while?
I swear it's not about that
I'm just worried for you
How about we file a complaint
against him?
I had enough going for me
now I have to deal with this
No, my family don't like me
going down to the station
No, we can't go on
like this
We have to start our own group
What group?
-Our own group
The Apaches
Apache girls, see?
Here's the logo
What do you think?
You're out of your mind
We can't have a man harassing us on the streets
and for us not to say a word?
We should become stronger
We have to take karate lessons
and body building
Are you feeling better?
-I am but you seem even better
I don't want to leave you alone but I have to
pick my books up from the halls and give it to my cousin
Think of the Apache idea
Hi
Did you have the exam?
-It was good
Mine wasn't too bad, bye
Say hi to uncle
Say they weren't in when I came
-Ok
Say thanks or something
I worked hard
Bye
-Wait
Let me bring it to you tomorrow
-No I have to go back to the halls
Let me help you to the bus stop, it's heavy
-No
Ok let's go
-Wait
Mum I'll be right back
Give them to me
Leave this on top
Have you heard what's going
on at uni?
It's the same everywhere
-You've no idea what it's been like
Our uni is the same
The students hardly turn up
The students have to attend
I've been attending them
all myself
Let's go Amir
-I'm burning
What is it?
Help!
Help!
-What's happened?
God damn you for doing
this to me
What do I tell you?
Is this you studying and
going to uni?
Is this what you wanted?
You wanted to ruin my reputation?
-Brother
Take a seat, you only
just got here
She's made a mistake
Take a seat
-I didn't do anything
Brother you asked
You said let her come to
Tehran to study
Otherwise I'd never send
my daughter to Tehran
I'd never sign up to this
misery
I've nothing left
I wish she was dead herself
Get your damn things and go
to your uncle's
I've got tickets for tomorrow
Enough with the studies
I don't want your stupid achievements
Go on then!
This was the entire story
Dad says I have to go
back home with him
You're lucky, trust me
Go back for now, and come back
once things have died down
I can't call you, we've no
phones
Phones are the source of corruption
especially with kids in the house
But I'll write to you
-What will they do to you?
They'll curse me for a few weeks
Then they'll break my legs
as they say
Then it'll all be fine again
What about your uncle's hand?
-Poor thing
His fingers are stuck together
the doctor said another surgery will fix it
Do you think he'll
be arrested?
Who? The psycho?
-Yeah
I don't know, this town
is pretty big
My has filed a complaint against him
I'll miss you
Look over there
What is it?
-Where are you going?
To hell
I said where are you going?
Are you happy with what you
did to my cousin?
I didn't know he was your cousin
I thought he was a friend
-Suppose he was, is it your problem?
Are you the police?
What's it to you?
I want to marry you
I'm in love with you
My dad is lucky, go away
leave me alone
I said I wanted to marry you
Oh I'll pass out with excitement
Are you mocking me?
Go away
-I said where are you going?
To hell with what you did
I'll come after you there too
-You wouldn't dare
It's the last one ma'am, shall we go?
-Yes
Thank you, go
Call a cab, this guy is a psycho
You want me to call the police?
-It's pointless, it'll get worse
I'm worried for you Fereshteh
-Don't worry I'm an Apache
Take care
-I'll call when I get there
Ok
-Bye
Let's go sir
Where are you going sir?
I want to see the lady
I'll be back
Won't you say where you're going?
-Let's go sir
Is he harassing you?
-He is
Go away
-Get out sir, I'm not in the mood for trouble
Go on
-Go
Shall we go?
Why are you following me?
I'll find you wherever you go
-You wouldn't dare
You want to teach him a lesson?
-No sir
I'm going to my uncle's I dare
you to step foot in their area
Don't worry I won't lose you
-Will you go or not?
No one can say no to me
-I'll tell you once we pull over
You had to say yes
when you were getting married
Turn here sir
Careful
-I'll get them all
Come back soon
-Come down guys
It'll take me an hour to get a
few books and magazines, I'll be back
Can I come along too?
I'll be home soon
So it all ended well
But they're annoying the
hell out of me here
It's a small town, everyone is
proposing
You should see all my fans one
of them has been 3 times
Looks like you wouldn't hate the idea
-No way
I'm trying to find a good job
I'm taking sewing lessons for now
You should see what I make
Gerlovin method
Lucky me
-Tell me what's new, I've been reading the papers lately
I really wish I was there
-It's a chaos
The different parties at uni
had protested for 3 days
But it's over, uni was closed down
officially as of yesterday
It was good for you to have
left Fereshteh
You've no idea how happy I am now
that Hassan has lost you
Yes thankfully
You wouldn't believe it
He's stood in front of me
-Who?
The psycho
-Stop! It's impossible
He's stood there staring
into my eyes
What are you going to do now?
Bye, I'll call you later
Bye, take care
You know ma'am your name
always starts an argument at our house
Me? Why?
I don't want Fereshteh to
go through her old memories
Your presence
-What memories sir?
Universities are open and
she's not back
Move over please sir I want to see her
I want to come in
She doesn't want to study
anymore
She doesn't want to see you
How should I tell you?
Her life has changed now
She has a kid
Look we've a good life
Please don't ruin it
If you really want the best for her
don't ever come here again
Go away ma'am, don't call
or write to her. Go
Are these your kids?
-Yeah
This is Roohali and Mohammad
Did you see him?
Yeah I did
What can I do for you?
His doctors say a few specialists
should come from elsewhere
I thought you might be able to help
-Of course!
I'll call a few people now
I know so many people
Don't worry
Lovely
As you already know the heart
muscle is damaged
And has failed
That's why most other organs
Have undergone serious damage
Of course we'll try our best
But we need a miracle
Considering what my colleagues
just said
I suggest you speak to your friend about
accepting the reality of things
What happened doctor?
-The lady will explain, good night
Pay with this
-Don't worry about this stuff, keep it
We have to wait, if his body responds
we can still have hope
Thank god
-Let's go
Let's go kids
-No I'll stay here
No, it'll make no difference
I can't, you don't know
-I do
Let's go to mine you'll all rest
We'll come back together tomorrow
Let's go, let's go kids
Won't your husband be unhappy
with you staying out for so long?
No, he knows I'm with you
Guess who he is
Who?
Mr Mooshakian
No
-Yes
Remember how much I used
to fancy him?
Of course I do
I went to work for a company
when I finished my degree
He was the owner, he hired
me without a word
Does he treat you well?
-Yeah! Very
We're good friends
That's good
Tell me about yourself
what are you up to?
My mind is so preoccupied
Ask and I'll tell you
Why didn't you write
back to me?
Why didn't you want
to see me?
I didn't receive any of them
Everyone thought it'd be better
for me
Do you know how many times
I visited to see you?
I thought everyone had forgotten
about me
Even you
After so long, your husband
Your kids
Bye, I'll call you
I told you, you couldn't get away
I found you
Pull over
Pull over, I want a word
I said pull over
-God, a police station
Pull over I said
What are you doing you psycho?
Pull over I want a word
Move! Move!
What happened?
My reputation is ruined
I just needed my daughter to
end up in prison
Will they keep me?
-Why don't you get it?
You've broken the kid's both legs
Officer has asked for you
You can bail your daughter out
with the right paperwork
Sir I work in an office
I'm a tenant myself
My daughter isn't guilty
I've filed a case myself
You've ran over one of the boys
How's he?
-The boy you hit is fine
The other guy is dead
Get up I want to stretch my legs
"I'm a student"
God knows what the hell she was
up to out there now she says she's a student
She thinks we're idiots
Yes
-Step out
What the hell should I
do with you?
You ruined my repuation
you made me look bad
You made me go to almost
anyone for help
Everything you did to me
Why did I sign those letters for
you to go to uni?
What a mistake!
Now I have to pay for it
for the rest of my life
No one stopped to ask why are
you doing this?
Stop shouting, everyone heard you
-We've nothing to lose
My daughter, Mirza Ali Khan's
grand daughter
Is in court or the police station
There's nothing left
-What has she done wrong?
What?
I'll tell you what she's done wrong
-I beg you, leave them alone
Move, I'll kill the pair of
them tonight
I'm not a man if I don't send
both their dead bodies out of this house
I beg you, please
I saved money every possible way
For her to go to uni and study
For me to be proud of her
Then I hear you've ruined everything
-Ruined what?
What did I do?
What have I done to make
you be ashamed of me?
Whatever money you sent, I added some
to it and sent it back to mum
Why don't you get it?
Someone was harassing me, what had I done wrong?
-Shut up
She answers back now
-I won't shut up
I want to talk, what do you want?
What do you want from me?
I won't even cry anymore
I don't want to
Enough with all the insults and
the humiliation
Instead of supporting me
You insult me and tear down my confidence
I'm human too
You're not
But I'll make you into one
you'll see, move
Move, open the door
Open it up
Go, now you lock the door
on me?
Your final words
I don't know why it happened
The first day I saw her
I had a lot of dreams
I wanted to start a life
Be a husband to her
I wanted to be her man
But I was insulted since
the first day
I had a hard time
I hated everything
She ruined me sir
I couldn't live a normal life
How can I say it?
Since the day I met her
I felt like my chest couldn't contain my heart
-Get to the point
This is it
I was in love, sir
I still am
That's not a crime
Is it?
Sir you have to hang him
Do you have kids of your own?
My kid has stepped out of the door and not come back
Control yourself ma'am
-You should stick to the law
If you don't do it, I'll kill him
with my own two hands
Have a seat ma'am
Carry on
Sir I didn't mean to run
their child over
I swear I didn't
She provoked me she kept
mistreating me
I loved her and I'd heard
no from her
I just wanted to prove
I was more powerful than her
That's all
I've nothing else to say
According to the order of
the Islamic Court
Miss Fereshteh Namavar,
the second offender
Daughter of Mahmoud, due to the
unintentional harm to a child
And breach of driving laws
Is classed as a convict and
by paying the lawful compensation
And the consent of the parents
will be sent free
And the first offender,
Hassan Najafi
Due to different crimes
such as
Acid attack, harassment of fellow citizens
And the unintentional murder of
a child is found guilty
Has been ordered to pay compensation
to the parents
And 13 years of prison
-I'm innocent
I'm innocent
I'm not guilty
I'll kill you
I'll be back
I'll kill you
I'll be back
End of trial
I got their consent, I'll pay the compensation
too. You can go home
Thank god you won the case
-Thanks
Thank you so much
-Please
You've all lost your minds
why would I marry him?
The guy will come back in 13 years
and come for you. Why don't you get it?
God knows what will happen in 13 years
I'll have moved by then
Your dad has promised
-It's not the first century
Let them come here first
Leave me alone mum,
I've said no 3 times
I'll pay his money back too
Is there anything else?
-The whole town knows your story now
Ahmad will save your life
by doing this
We owe him, we can't open the door
on him, can we?
Open the door for me to take
care of it
Hi
Serve the guests
Thank you
Congrats!
Congratulations for what?
I know you don't agree to
this marriage like me
And you're here because
of your son
You're right either way
I'm not a good case for him
I'm sure there are so many
girls in this town who'd be good wives to him
But I'm not sure about
myself
I'm a student. I want to
carry on with my studies
I'm not afraid of being married or having kids
but I'm just thinking of studying right now
I feel the same but he's insisted
Thank you for everything, Ahmad
I hope I can make it up to you
one day
You can still study if we're married
I'll take the exam and go
to uni with you
Mr Naseri these things are easy to say
but more difficult to do
So you're trying to say
I won't do it?
No I meant
-Girl
Enough
There's no room for
discussion here
When is it then?
We're talking about two adults
we're not selling sheep
Look Fereshteh
I'll get you whatever you may need
We'll live wherever you choose
I'll have the wedding you want
with the dowry you choose
You can carry on with
your studies
I swear I'll sign a consent
Give me time to think
Call my name, your voice is soothing
Your voice is the
-Louder
What?
-The poem you were reciting
It's by Sohrab Sepehri
It says: Call my name, your voice is soothing
your voice is the
Whose voice?
-What?
For who to call you?
It's a poem
But it must remind you
of someone
Yeah, Shirin. My classmate
She gave me the book
So you used to call him Shirin
-Who?
The person
Leave me alone, I'm not
in the mood
What are you doing?
I'm calling a friend, Roya. You don't
know her. She's really nice
I want to ask her to come visit us
what do you think?
She couldn't come to our wedding
-Where from?
All alone?
-Yeah, why?
You used to go to Tehran on your own?
-Yeah
How?
-I used to get the coach obviously
Would you meet anyone?
Yes if there were no empty seats
You spoke to men?
Yeah
What about your classmates?
Yeah, why?
-Even the boys
What are these questions?
So you were quite free
Depends how you'd define freedom
A woman has to be very vulgar
to answer back like that
What are you doing?
-Control
You were too free
You have to be controlled
I can't live with this man
Have some patience, it's only
the beginning
The beginning has to be better
than the middle
It's silly, he takes me places
The phone! He hides the phone
from me
I bet he's kept lookout for me
not to run away from here
Let me convince your dad
what will people say?
God damn people
Yes
Yes
No
Sure
Bye
Your mother said hi
Thanks, do you need anything?
No
Bye
I called you a few times. Couldn't find you
-You could've left your number
My husband doesn't want me to
socialise with others
He loves you
No, I'm so scared right now
that I've called
How did you end up marrying him?
It's a long story, I'll tell you
What does he look like?
Good, he's stylish
Do you love him?
I do, I'll tell you I don't hate
him if you won't hate me
Send me a photo of him
Ok I'll write to you, if you decide to write
back send it to my dad's
Ok I will
What are you going to do?
I have to think, my mind is
so preoccupied
It all happened so suddenly that
I'm working on him, I'm trying to
I can't believe it
What are you doing?
-Who were you talking to?
You're lying
Lie? What do you mean?
You have to tell me who
it was
I told you, it's up to you
to believe it
You can't talk to me
like that
You can't call me a liar
What are you doing this to me?
What have I done?
Where did you get the key>
I made one
-How?
I got another key and filed it
to fit the lock
You're lying, you've someone out
there who helps you
I knew, I knew as soon as I step out of
that door, things are happening in here
Shame on you
I'll wait here for so long till he shows up
-Who?
Who are you talking about?
-Your friend
Who's my friend
-I know there is a person there
The guy, what was his name?
The one in love with you
What did you do to him for
him to fall for you that way?
What would I say to you?
-You think you're smart
I know what's going on
in your head
I can read your mind
I won't let anyone take what's mine
I won't let anyone betray me
I've punished so many people
He's here, open the door
Go on
Quick
What is it?
-Your electricity bill, here you go
Here you go
Feel better now?
-He'll be here
I know he will
Sit there for as long
as you want
Ahmad don't do this
Don't do this to me, I'm your wife, your friend
-You're not
You don't love me
Give me the chance to
Don't you want us to live together?
-I do, you don't
We'll work together and we'll become friends
-I've done my part Fereshteh
I got you a house, clothes and shoes
Your life wouldn't be like this if it wasn't
for me. I've done a lot for you
I fought my family and other people
for you, my pride
Don't do this to me
Let me go see my mother and sister
Don't hide the phone from me
Let's go buy some books together
Let me teach you English
take the entrance exam
We'll study, we'll travel
Let me help you build our life together
-Your friend, Roya
I don't like her
-You've never met her
I don't lik her
-Ahmad you can't just judge people like that
Let's go out, let's talk
Let's go for a walk
do you agree?
Ahmad, please
It's been half hour and she's
not here yet
Do you have no family
of your own?
Why did you look at my wife?
Let go of him
What's happened?
Let go of me
You're killing him
let go
Don't hit him
Let go
Go home
-He's up
How are you?
-How are you?
How are you Ahmad?
Thank you, take Fereshteh
home please
I don't want to go dad
-Ok I'll take her
Yeah take her
-I don't want to go
What happened?
What do you mean for
her to go home?
I trusted you with my daughter
I didn't sell you a slave
A slave?
I didn't ask her to work
I don't want my wife
to stay at the hospital
I don't
If you carry on like this
I'll have to
-To what?
To do what?
Was I wrong to help you?
Wait
Was I wrong to save your
reputation?
What will you have to do?
How are you?
-I'm not good
What do you do these days?
Taking care of a kid
What?
Taking care of a kid
Don't say that
You shouldn't talk about your husband like that
-Ok
I wanted you to be happy
No, you wanted to
get rid of me
You sold me to a little boy
to do whatever he wants to me
I was wrong
Does he hit you?
Not physically but verbally yes
God! What should I do with
this baby now?
It'll be fine when the baby arrives
Is that supposed to act
as a miracle?
Why do you let me stay in his prison?
What have I done wrong?
It's the beginning, wait a little
I'll talk to him once he feels better
It's because he loves you
I don't want him to
I need help
Help me leave him, please
Does he pay for childcare?
Yes
-Has he provided you with a home?
Yes
-Does he hit you?
No
-Does he have bad friends?
No
-Does he drink?
No
-Does he gamble?
No
-What's your reason ma'am?
He's always suspicious, he
gives me a hard time
He insults me, he keeps me at home
-These aren't good enough for a divorce
Leave
-I'm living with a man I didn't choose
He's stepping all over
my personality
He's taking me away from me
-I told you these aren't good reasons for a divorce
Let me talk
He wants to turn me into
the woman I'm not
What he wants and who I am are
two completely different things
Don't take the court's time ma'am
-Sir
Wait sir
-These reasons aren't good enough
Next please
-Wait sir
Look at me sir
Look at me I'm a human being
I want to live like one
How is it that you think if a man doesn't
pay childcare he's not good
But if he insults me if
He tramples all over me, he's not?
I don't expect much
I only want him as his wife as his
friend
To ask him what I want to eat, where, go
or who to socialise with
You're taking my time ma'am
Next please
Is this too much to ask for?
-Let him live his life
I won't go back to that house, dad
If you don't want me to live with you
I'll to Tehran to uncle's
I'll work and stay there
But how?
You can't it's a crime
You'd be running away
A woman all alone with a baby?
What will people say?
He's back
Hi
Are you ready?
Let's go home
We'll talk
Let's go
I was unlucky enough
to have gotten pregnant
With the worst cravings
I didn't want Ahmad
to come close
I hated all smells
The kitchen, people
I was feeling terrible
I was feeling this way for 4 months
It was making our life worse
go Ahmad I feel sick
He didn't understand that this wasn't
my fault and it was completely natural
He'd class it as my hatred
towards him
You're about to deliver
shout
Scream
Shout
God
Is this my baby?
What's happening to me?
I'm not ready to have a kid
I feel like I'm stuck
I wanted other things
I wanted to live
I had things to say
so many things
My plans
My dreams
I don't believe it
My baby, my son
No this isn't fair
And now another one
Ahmad buy it, the universities are
open again. You won't believe it
All students in Tehran
I can't believe it!
-So what?
I have to go back to uni
and study
You don't believe it either?
-What then?
It's good for the kids too
I'll be under less pressure too
it's something I like
You can't do it
I can relocate to Esfahan
I can change my subject
We'll ask my mum to help
with the kids
Let's try it
Suppose you do study
then what?
I can go to work once the kids are older
-Work?
So you want to work?
What about our life?
This is life
-Not a bad idea
But I know what you're
thinking Fereshteh
You won't hate to go back to
your old life, gradually
You don't seem like a
real mother either
I do?
I want to study for us
For their future
-Enough Fereshteh
We're thinking of two different things
We'll never be the team you
claim we will
You are who you are
you can't be changed
Why don't you let me say
what I want?
Why do you go into defense mode?
-I know
You want to say this sorts of things
You want a different life
Wandering around
being irresponsible
No you don't know what I want
but you're right, you can't change me
My studying was what we agreed on before marriage
-Your life is your kids
I presumed we'd get to
this point
But I'll study
You can't stop me
I'll tell the uni I'm not happy
as your husband for you to be there
You're not? You promised
-Where's the record of it?
When did I say you could?
I'm done
I'll get a divorce
"I'll get a divorce", you will?
Ok
I can take care of the kids
on my own
But I feel sorry for you, yeah
You'll have a miserable life
You ungrateful person with
your dark past
Why are you driving so fast?
Who'd feel sorry for you?
I was the idiot
Fine, you're right, slow down
Why are you driving so fast?
Slow down
Pull over
Pull over I said
Why haven't you eaten? It'll get cold
-Why won't you eat?
I'm on a diet, I've gained weight
It's not that, you've not
eat your food
I told you I'm on a diet,
lower your voice. The kids will wake up
What are you doing?
Exercise
I don't want people to think I'm a fat woman
who only cares about food
It's good for my confidence too
You'll feel better if you look
after your husband and kids
Yeah but I need to look after
myself too
"Look after yourself"
You can't trick me Fereshteh
I can read everyone's minds, I'm a
therapist, a sociologist
The moment you open your mouth
I'll know what you're thinking
I know what sort of life you're after
"Look after myself"
Look after them guys, dad I won't
get back there
End it
What's happened now?
You can't just leave, there's a way
-What is it?
What's the way out?
Seriously, I'm asking
Let him file a complaint
it'll take a few months at least
Let me find myself again
I can't take it anymore, I can't!
I'm off to buy a few buttons
and a zipper. I'll be back soon
Watch the kids
Get me a magazine, they say it's good
-Ok
Don't annoy auntie till
I get back
Everything I said, don't forget
-No, don't worry
You don't know how much he begged
he said a few minutes in the car
I asked him to wait till you'd come
-He said to take them, you wouldn't know
I couldn't say no
He said their dad was
missing them
Have some food
What are my Ali and Mohammad eating?
Who washes their dirty laundry?
Who'd love them?
Who'll change them?
Who?
Mum, how long haven't I seen
my kids for?
10 days love
No it must be years
A few years
What am I doing here?
I have to go
Where's my chador?
My kids
Bye
-Bye love
Thank you for everything
we'll get a cab
Sorry guys, good night
-Bye
Thanks for coming
-Of course
Thanks
Good night
Sorry it wasn't so great
Bye
-Good night
What are these?
What?
-I said what are these?
Fluorescents
Get in
Who left the house?
-Why?
How did they get here?
Ali got them
Ali got them? Where from?
Down the road
Why?
Masoud was here the neighbour's son
he had bought some
The kids were excited, Ali asked
-Right
I said he could go
Down the road
The old man?
Do you know what sort
of person he is?
No, how would I?
What's wrong?
What's the problem if I watch over them?
-Don't talk to me like that
See what we don't agree on?
You're the witness
She left the kids to go to
I'm an adult and I don't step
foot in his shop
Forget it, it's nothing
I didn't know what he was like
-You don't?
You don't know anything
what do you know?
See what she does to me
She doesn't care about anything, she has no
feelings, she's not a mother
I tried to change her
it was useless
Now I know it's useless
she'll never be normal
Well done, it looks so good
Colour it in
-Mum I did it
It looks so good
Colour it in
Dad is home
Hi dad
-Hi
Hi, welcome home
Good thing you're home early
I want to talk to you
You're so close to my mum
Look at my drawing mum
-Well done, I'll come back in a second
Tell me, who do you love more
me or your mum
Both of you
-Sly move
Why do you ask questions
like that?
I want to know who they love more
It has a negative affect
Forget it, we've been through everything
and we turned out fine
Now a simple question will have a negative effect?
-Yes it will
These are a bunch of nonsense for
people like us
What are you laughing at
you potato
You've no feelings
You'd stop if you cared
It was obvious
I knew I was kidding myself
You weren't my type
I was kidding myself because
I loved you
You loved me and
-And what?
Ahmad, I
I've lost my personality
I'm upset, I've problems
Let me be myself
it'll be better
It's better than the one you
want me to be
I don't want you to be
anyone else
I don't know who I am or
what I want
I can't even go down the
road anymore
I think whatever I do is wrong
Let me be myself
let me be your friend
I don't have anyone else
Let's see a family therapist
let's talk
What are these?
Mum's books
Where did you get these?
I got them off someone
Off who?
-Someone
You bought them?
-Me?
Do I even leave this house?
Where did you get them from?
I said where did you get them from
are you deaf?
From hell
Why do I have to keep explaining? I'm tired
-Don't talk to me like that
Sure
-You want to kill me
That's right, I'm taking
my kids and leaving
You can go to hell
-I knew you didn't love me
You want me dead
-You're a genius
Of course I do
Let me go, I'm sick and tired
It's a self-help book, I've not
committed a crime
I've never had kids before I had
to learn from somewhere
You could've asked my mother
or sisters
I don't approve of their disciplines
-Do you approve of your own?
Neither one
Neither of us have learned to
enjoy life
Especially you, tell whoever
you want
Say my wife reads books to discipline my kids well
let's go boys
Where to?
-None of your business
Where to I said
Leave me alone, I'm tired
Where are you going I said
-Where do I have to go?
You didn't let me study
or to have a job
I'll become a homeless woman
at the mosque
You can't leave, I won't let you
Ok, stop me if you can
let's go boys
Let's go
-Wait, where to?
Where are you taking them? Go play
-What do you want?
What is it?
I wanted to talk, you didn't
want to listen
What do you want from me?
Leave me alone, you're driving me crazy
You are
You've ruined my self-confidence
I'm scared of the entire world
Even my own shadow, you
You've made a prison for us
I hate this house!
It's full of sadness
You drove me crazy, I won't let you
do it to my kids
Let me show you something
Look closely
These are all mine
look closely
You think you can stop someone
from reading?
Dad please don't go
don't do this to mum
Let her go
-I won't, don't worry. Get back inside
Go!
I got you
You ruined me
I wanted to marry you
You didn't let me
I wanted to make you happy
You didn't let me
I wanted to be your man
You didn't let me
I didn't want to commit crimes
You didn't let me
I always wanted you
you stopped me
Don't act like the movies
I wanted to study you didn't let me
I wanted to become someone
you didn't let me
I wanted to change my brother and
sister's life you didn't let me
I wanted to help my family
you didn't let me
I wanted to live, you never let me
None of you did
You didn't, my dad, my husband
What now? What are you waiting for?
Kill me and end it
I'm tired of it all
A lifetime full of insults, threats
What are you waiting for?
Kill me and end it
I'm tired, I can't take
it anymore
It's not that I never had good days
I did
But it's so faint now that
I don't remember them
I tried to tell him
Say that Hassan is free
I wanted to talk to him
But I couldn't
He didn't want to
he didn't let me
You don't know Roya
You don't how how hard I tried to make
the like that was forced upon me
I wanted to love him
I wanted to be Shahrzad
the storyteller
I didn't want to back down
But he wanted a maid
Then
It's the hospital
Yes
Yes
One moment, Roya
He wants to speak to you
Yes
Yes
We'll be there tomorrow morning
Is he dead?
So he'll never know I was here
-No, never
I think I loved him
Yeah
Like a criminal who loves
his prisoner
I didn't want him to die
I felt sorry for him
What is it?
What should I do now?
Live
I'm not sure I can
I've forgotten how to
I have to think
I'll have to raise the kids
on my own now
Can I?
I'll have to be patient
and realistic
The kids, the kids have to
see their dad
They'll have to know
he's dead
I have so much to do
Yes
I've a weird feeling
I feel free but I don't have any wings
-I understand
Yes
-What do you think will happen to me?
Nothing
You've just been ill and weak
for a while
You have to rest fully
Then you'll be fine, you can
make decisions Fereshteh
I'm sure
I know you well
-Yeah
I can practice my driving
Take computer lessons
do something
Do you think they'll let
me back into uni?
You should do your best
The kids, what about them?
Will they give them to me
or their uncle or grandad?
I'll have to fight
Yes love
God help me
I've so much to do
I'll have to work, go to uni
Be a mother and father
to my kids
I shouldn't waste time
Yes love
-Do you have a book about single mothers?