DISTANT
Mahmut, it's Mum.
I called earlier, but you were out.
Take care.
Are you looking for someone?
Does Mahmut Özdemir live here?
Yes, he lives here.
I'm a relative of his from back home.
- Did you ring the bell? - There's no answer.
Sometimes the bell shorts out.
Do you think he went out?
I didn't see him leave.
Good morning, Kamil.
Could you accept a package for me?
Sometimes they won't let me sign for it.
- Please try anyway. - Of course.
Kamil.
Yes?
Go and buy the things on the list.
Right now?
Yes. I've got some cooking to do.
- All right. - Hurry up.
Yusuf?
Sorry, I completely forgot you were coming.
That's OK. No problem.
What's the news?
Back home, everybody's the same.
Do you still work at the factory?
The economic crisis put the factory out of business.
My father was fired. Then me.
There's no work at all now.
- How many people were fired? - About a thousand.
That's a whole town of people!
Yes it is.
What will you do on the ship?
I'll work as a cabin-boy. Or a steward.
I'll do whatever job they've got for me.
Sailors make a lot of money.
Money in US dollars.
And you see the world.
There's no economic crisis at sea.
The dollars make up for the inflation.
It may not be that easy.
You'll be away on long journeys.
Can you take that kind of loneliness?
Have you thought about that?
You know I like to travel.
But the main thing is to earn money.
That's why I'm here.
I want to travel too!
You've been everywhere, so why not me?
Every place ends up looking the same.
How many days before you find a job?
I don't know exactly.
You said about a week on the phone.
I suppose it will take a week or so.
Yeah, about a week.
At night, be careful
of the mouse glue strip.
If you step on it, you'll be stuck there all night.
And don't use the toilet in the bathroom. Use the other one.
The one by the entrance? - Yes.
And we only smoke in the kitchen.
OK then, good night.
Good night.
Come this way.
Hello.
Is this where the freighters come in?
They dock here but the offices are in Karaköy.
- They dock here? - Yes, they do.
But the offices are in Karaköy.
So I can't get a job directly on board?
No. Go to the shipping agents on Monday.
I'll come. You set it up.
The thing is, I'm coming with someone.
No, he is someone from my hometown.
Will any girls be coming?
Great.
OK.
We'll be there.
See you tomorrow.
Hi.
Welcome back.
- God, it's cold! - It's so late.
- I was getting worried. - God, the snow is bad.
How could you go out in this weather?
My socks are soaked.
Can I dry them on the radiator?
Yes, you can.
How did the job hunting go?
Well, I went down to the port.
I'll dry my shoes, too.
All right.
It seems you don't find jobs at the port.
I was told to go to Karaköy on Monday.
I walked around Eminönü.
I'd better put on a new pair of socks.
Money doesn't make you happy any more.
And I think you're looking for your past here.
You're rambling.
Maybe. But have you already forgotten
our climb to the summit of Reshko
to get a better shot of the White Valley?
You used to say then you'd make films like Tarkovsky.
So why are you trying to forget those days?
Photography is finished.
No, it's not.
The mountains, too.
Maybe it's you who's done for.
You're announcing your death before it's happened.
You don't have the right to buy your ideals
or make everything commercial.
Hey, Arif, where are the chicks?
- They all backed out. - What do you mean?
We've reserved the whole Sunday. Where are they?
Not here. At the cinema or wherever. Fuck it.
You're weaseling out of it again.
Photography or women.
Which do you prefer?
I prefer photography.
Come on. Photography is dead.
This fits here normally.
But it's too loose.
Tell your mother to put some tape round here.
Hello.
There's a package for you. Shall I get it now?
Please.
If you want, I'll wait for it.
OK.
For the love of God.
We can't find anything once we've put it down.
Here it is.
- Thanks. - Good evening.
Good evening to you, too.
There's also a problem with the dust bag.
Let's go to your house to show your mother how to attach it.
I think I'd better go to bed.
OK.
Good night. See you tomorrow.
Good night.
Could you close the door?
Hi Mum, what are you up to?
Is your toothache better?
Why don't you let that old tooth-puller Nuri take care of it?
Because Mahmut's sleeping...
I am sure Nuri gives credit.
I'll pay it once I earn it. Tell him.
What are you ashamed of?
No need to worry about me. You take care of yourself.
Yeah, so I've been around.
I was told to go to Karaköy on Monday.
What did Dad do?
There's no chance the factory will take him back.
He should stop hoping. They always say that.
Anyway, I've got to hang up.
Stop putting off that tooth, Mum. OK?
I'll call you again. Good night.
Can I take the magazine over there?
I'll turn on the light for a second.
It's late. Let's turn that off.
Good night.
Do you know where the sailors' coffeehouse is?
Behind that hilltop.
May I sit here?
At your age, I thought the same. But listen.
I've worked on the ships for months now. And I have nothing.
I could never send any money home.
I'm as broke as Tarzan.
Listen to me.
There's no work and no money on the ships.
Forget it while you're still ahead.
It's an empty dream.
Hi.
Come on in, Yusuf.
It's snowing like mad.
Where were you till now?
I was trying to find a job. You know.
So what happened?
Well, some said they would call me.
Others told me to come back
or said they would think about it.
What are you doing?
What can I do? Just surfing the net...
Is there a problem with the job?
No. There's no problem.
It looks like they want someone to act as a guarantor.
No guarantor, no job.
That's easy enough. We can take care of that.
But I don't know anybody in Istanbul.
I don't know what to do.
There was something here. I just can't seem to...
The goddamned thing has 50 channels
but there's only shit!
What a rip-off. Look at that!
I want to call home.
Can I use the phone?
All right.
The phone in the back room.
OK, go and use it.
He refused to give us any credit?
What a bastard!
When I get back, I'll punch his lights out.
I'll punch his teeth out one by one.
Anyway, forget about it.
I'll send you some money as soon as I get a job.
Mahmut's going to Anatolia to take pictures
and he says I should go with him.
If he gives me money, I'll send it to you.
Then you throw that money in that bastard's face.
OK, take care.
That fucking mouse!
"Our agency has no current need for ship personnel."
Hello. I'm looking
for a job on a ship.
There are no jobs.
All right. Thanks anyway.
So, it's Canada?
Orhan got a very good offer.
We don't want to miss this opportunity.
When are you leaving?
In a month or three weeks.
By New Year, we'll be in a new country
starting a new life.
It's hard.
It's not so hard when you don't have that much
to leave behind.
We spent a lot of money on doctors.
That's one reason to sell the house.
We can settle that. But I keep thinking about that baby matter.
How can they be sure it happened
because of the abortion you had?
They just say the abortion is the most probable reason.
I was three months pregnant if you remember?
I remember.
But we were about to get divorced.
That's why I didn't want it.
I'm not blaming you. Really. Don't worry about it.
You should see a doctor in Canada.
I still doubt that one abortion can cause infertility.
We didn't believe it either at first.
We went to different doctors. But that's the way it is.
I've resigned myself actually
but it's hard for Orhan.
He really likes children.
I told him we could separate.
But he doesn't want to.
It's empty.
Have one of these sailor cigarettes.
How can you smoke that shit?
There's still sunlight.
- Raise it a bit. - It seems OK.
Don't you see that?
Now, there it is.
Raise that light a bit.
Leave it.
I do that a lot. Didn't you see?
Why did we stop?
Open that window.
God, what a place to photograph!
It's best to shoot from the top. Sheep in front and the lake behind.
Shall I set up the camera now?
Shall I?
Mahmut?
Fuck it! Why bother?
- I'll set it up right now. - Forget it.
Kamil, put it down on the rug. I'll take it from there.
Mahmut. This is your sister. Mum is ill.
We're rushing to hospital. Call me back.
Mahmut, where the hell are you? Mum's been hospitalized.
She'll be operated on tomorrow.
I'm staying with her. My child is suffering and so is my work.
You could at least come and help.
How can you refuse to get a mobile?
You're really irresponsible!
- God, I'm tired. - Take this.
Isn't it too much?
Well then, give some back.
If you take more photos I'd like to come along again!
What's wrong, Mum? Can't you sleep?
It hurts. Right here.
Maybe it's just gas.
Do you think I should walk a bit?
All right. Let's give it a try.
Take the serum, too.
Let's go.
Hold the serum up.
Higher. Higher.
- Or else, there's blood. - Easy, now.
It hurts more when I lie down.
Sickness comes when you least expect it.
And you smoke so much!
I don't understand
why you smoke so much.
I can't stop, Mum. I've tried.
Yes, you can. First cut down, and then give it up altogether.
Just a bit more, sweetie.
I can't find anything in this house.
I'm closing the door to keep the noise down.
Yusuf. Are you there?
It's Mahmut.
If you're home, pick up the phone.
Hey Mahmut.
Where were you? I've been calling all day.
Well you know, I went to...
How's your mum doing?
We brought her home. She's resting. Listen...
I've got something going on at home tonight.
Can you get lost until ten or so tonight?
Sure. I'll go to Beyoglu or around there.
I've got business to do.
I understand.
Son of a bitch!
Look at that.
Little prick!
Filthy son of a bitch!
- Is she gone? - Is who gone?
You know.
Did you smoke in the living room?
No, I didn't.
Come on, stop lying. It reeked when I came in.
And there was ash on the floor.
Remember that day when we smoked together?
I thought you smoked here, too.
Listen to me!
When I turn my back, you take advantage of it.
Didn't I tell you to flush the toilet, for instance.
- No, you didn't. - Do I have to tell you this?
At your age, haven't you learned yet?
When you're a guest, you have to be a bit careful.
I'm not home for a day and you shit everywhere.
I've got lots of worries, and now I have to clean your shit?
Listen...
No more smoking in the kitchen, either. I've given up.
OK.
What do you think?
I bought it for my nephew.
Isn't it great?
What about the ship job?
Nothing definite yet. I'm waiting for some final word.
- When will you know for sure? - I don't know.
I keep running after jobs.
They all say they'll let me know in a few days.
Will you go back home, if you don't find a job?
No way.
So what the hell will you do?
If I return to the village now, I'll never get out.
And there's no work at the factory. Life in the village is not for me.
So what are your plans?
Turn that fucking thing off. I'm asking you something here.
Could you get me a job at the tile factory?
Sure, they're just waiting for you.
Do you think the recession hasn't hit here too?
Maybe they need a guard, or something like that.
A guard? Two days alone here, and look what happened.
You have no credentials.
What work could you do if they did hire you?
Plant beans, work as a steward or what?
Come on, Mahmut. Don't be so hard on me.
I just want you to ask them. I'd do the same for you.
I've never asked them for anything.
This town has changed you.
Listen kid, ever heard of pride?
You can't just throw it on the rubbish heap.
What would you lose by trying?
You don't know shit. You're running off at the mouth.
You think it's that easy?
I've taken photographs for them for ten years.
And I didn't even get a discount
for the tiles on the balcony.
You come in from the county and look for someone with pull.
You don't worry about learning any skills.
You start looking for a cousin, an MP or whoever.
You want it all on a platter.
I did everything by myself here.
I came to Istanbul without a cent.
You hop on a bus without making any plans,
and you become a burden.
That fucking mouse doesn't leave the kitchen.
We get caught, but that fucker doesn't.
Turn it off!
- Do you have any Sezen Aksu music? - No.
Who's that "Bach" on all those CDs over there?
What are you looking for?
A watch. Have you seen it?
What kind?
A silver pocket watch.
- No, I haven't seen it. - Are you sure?
I'm positive.
If I had, I would tell you. Why wouldn't I?
Where did you keep it?
In the middle drawer of my desk.
When did you put it there?
Just a month ago.
I used it as a prop on my last shoot.
I swear, I haven't seen it.
Maybe you put it somewhere else,
or gave it to a friend.
Forget about it. It's not that important.
Of course it's important.
Just drop it. OK? Fuck it.
Hello?
Mahmut, hi, it's me, Nazan.
Hi Nazan, how are you?
We're leaving tomorrow and I wanted to say goodbye.
Tomorrow? That's so soon.
Yeah, on the 9 o'clock plane.
We may never see each other again.
I wanted to thank you again
for signing the paper.
Forget about it. It was nothing.
Can you hold for a second?
OK, we can talk now.
When I left that day, I had a terrible feeling.
I don't want to leave feeling like this.
I was a bit distant towards you because of my emotions.
But after all these years there's no need for that.
It doesn't matter. Forget it.
Nazan, listen...
I think Orhan's coming. I have to hang up.
All right...
What were you going to say?
I'll tell you some other time.
Take care.
OK. Bye.
Bye.
I swear I never saw it.
- Enough, I said! - I didn't even know where it was.
Stop going on about it! I don't want to hear about it anymore.
God, what a character!
Leave it. The janitor will deal with it tomorrow.
It will be squeaking like this all night.
What can we do? Can you handle it?
Yes, I can. But how can I get it unstuck?
No need to. Put the whole thing in a plastic bag.
Close it and throw it out with the rubbish.
Alive like that?
What else can we do?
For Ebru