IN THE NAME OF GOD
The Willow Tree
Speak to me ...
I haven't told anyone yet, How long can I endure this?
A day? A week? A month?
Should I worry about myself or them?
Daddy !
If they find out ...
Daddy Yusef !
Could they deal with it?
I found them !
Good, Throw them in, I'm ready
I'm the small one and you're the big one
One, two, three ...
Go !
- I'll win !
- No, I'll win !
- Hurry !
- Yeah ! Go !
- I won !
- What about me?
You got stuck in the middle of the stream
And if you cheated?
I swear to God !
- Are you angry?
- Of course not. It's only a game
Why are you crying then?
I'm not crying, my eyes burn a bit. Let's go
Are we going to the mountains tomorrow, Daddy?
I don't know, Maybe
But you promised we'd go on Friday with Mommy Roya
Well, Yes, but I might have to work tomorrow
Daddy, don't work tomorrow, please
OK, we'll go
Rumi with his tact and sharp mind ...
gave all he had to Shams-e Tabrizi and told him to burn it
Was Shams getting something in return?
As for Rumi, he always bet on love and expected nothing in return
Yusef, please wash Maryam's hands
That's what I'm doing. Where are my eye drops?
Here, on the table
My eyes still burn
Come, I'll help you
Tea's ready
I also did your Excellency's homework
And they say angels are only in Heaven !
Don't be silly !
- When will you get the test results?
- It's not important
- I want to talk to your doctor
- Excuse me, I can't see but I can talk
- I want to be sure
- Of what?
Let me see who ...
Roya !
Don't worry, I'll pick them up
- Thank you, Professor. - You're welcome
When did you get here?
Are you still worried?
I have something to tell you
Have You forgotten all about me?
I'm Yusef
The one You deprived of the beauties of the world and who ever complained
Instead of light and brightness, I lived in darkness and gloom
I didn't protest
I found happiness and peace in this small paradise
Are all these years of hardship not enough ...
that you now want to cause me even more suffering?
Will I come back from this trip to my loving family?
Will this illness bring me to my knees?
To whom should I complain about what you're doing to me?
I beg of you to show me more compassion
Don't take my life away
"This is the Book of Masnavi-I Ma'navi"
This is a prayer, my son
- Pray for me, mother
- May God hear our prayers
Roya
Don't worry
It's time to say goodbye
I've taken care of everything
Mr.Kashani will be waiting for you in Paris. I've told him everything
May God protect you
- Thanks for everything, uncle
- Well, let's go, it's getting late
- Hello, I'm Kashani. I'm glad to meet you. - I'm very glad too
Let's go
- You're very kind. - Don't mention it
I'm glad to finally meet you. I hope your flight wasn't too tiring
No, I'm fine
I hate flying. It's so boring
I've scheduled your medical appointments
You'll be staying in a guesthouse near the hospital
It's very cozy. I'm sure you'll like it
Many Iranians stay there when they come for medical treatment
You've gone to so much trouble. How can I ever thank you?
It's no trouble. Your uncle Mahmoud is like a brother to me
When I was studying here many years ago
Mahmoud helped me. I'm indebted to him
It's best to close the windows at night, it can get very cold
I'm upstairs. If you need anything dial 9. Is that OK?
Yes, don't worry
- Good night
Mr.Kashani, are you aware of Mr.Musavi's condition?
More or less
His condition is extremely serious
The tests taken in Tehran show a cancerous growth under his right eye
probably malignant
Is it life threatening?
Yes, indeed. If the tumor grows we might need to remove his eye
But we can't make a decision before he undergoes a biopsy
Prior to that, we will need some more tests
Should I tell you what to bring back for me?
A beautiful doll
Daddy, we're waiting for your return
This poem is for you :
Colorful butterfly, you're back ...
you sit on the window and admire our pretty garden ...
Hello, friend !
Excuse me, who are you?
My name is Morteza
What are you doing here?
What's wrong?
It suddenly jammed
Here, have some walnuts. Let me take a look
Thank you
I saw you when you came in. I'm getting treatment here
This is my 3rd time
- Careful, don't break it. - Trust me ! Nothing to worry about
Have some walnuts, they'll give you strength. Here, have some more
Thanks
A screw is loose. I'll fix it
You think the tape will be alright?
Don't worry
We've got plenty of time here
Do you use tapes for teaching at the university?
I do. But how do you know I teach at a university?
Listen, do you hear the birds? They're heading toward the forest
Behind this guesthouse, there's a forest full of birds
I go there everyday. If you like we can go there today
I'll fix your tape later
Come on, let's go
You haven't told me what brought you here
A stupid little shrapnel, souvenir from the war, is still in my head
It's affecting my sight
Look at all these trees and not a single walnut tree !
- What about willow trees? - Willow trees don't have nuts !
No, but they bring back memories and also bring me luck
How's that?
When I was at the school for the Blind, they gave me a small willow to take care of
We grew up together
Now, it's now much taller than me
There's a big pond over there. Maybe there are some willow
Let's go and take a photo
I have excellent news for you
The biopsy shows that the tumor is benign and presents no danger
That's unbelievable !
There's more. You know that Mr.Musav became blind at the age of 8 ?
Yes
Firework sparks burned both corneas and badly damaged the retinas
That's how he went blind
Yes, but we've noticed both retinas are slightly sensitive to light
This gives us hope
Hope for what?
For Mr.Musavi to partially regain his sight
Is that possible?
Believe me, I'm as surprised as you
I have to tell his family at once
It's better not to give them too much hope
We need more tests before we can attempt cornea transplant. Nothing is certain
I know I was wrong
My biggest mistake was not knowing you well enough
Now I know you didn't cross me off your book of compassion
You didn't forget about me
You're with me and protecting me
If only your goodness could be complete
Now that you've taken my hand, I beg you to lead me all the way
More than anyone else I long for the light
If I come out of this darkness, I'd be with you forever
Who's there?
Is that you, Mr.Morteza?
You devil, I bet you can see me !
That good scent could only be yours
I heard the good news and I'm so happy
Now I understand how this willow tree brings you luck
- Who told you?
- You underestimate me !
- Come, sit down
- let me just pick up the walnuts
What about you? Did you have your operation?
No, this damned shrapnel is hopeless
If they operate on me I may go totally blind
I don't want that. I'd rather go blind slowly, no?
- When is your operation?
- In a few days
- Are you excited?
- I don't know. I'm excited and scared
Scared of not seeing?
Maybe scared of seeing. I've lived in another world for 38 years
I don't know what might happen
Eat this, it's got phosphorus. It's good for your eyes
Thanks
Oh, I nearly forgot
I fixed your tape. Here it is
Thank you so much
And these are the leftovers
I'm all done here. I must leave now
Where to?
Give me another chance, Mister Hunter, I am a fawn born in this mountain
Your bullet pierced my right side, but I am wounded on the left side
You wounded my heart, you wounded my heart
I am Just a fawn, Just a fawn ...
- How is he? - He's OK. He needs to rest now
This is my 57th night away from Iran
But it feels like years since I saw my family
Tomorrow they'll take off my bandages
Will I see?
Will I not see?
Will I be able to see or not?
But I ...
Mother ...
Welcome Professor !
I get dizzy just thinking about all you'll have to see
I can't believe it ! I must be dreaming !
Unbelievable but true !
Puran gave me the news when I was stuck in traffic
I was so happy I opened the window and yelled :
"Hey, people, Yusef can see, my Yusef's eyes can see !''
They must have thought I was crazy !
He gave out sweets to all our neighbors
Uncle Mahmoud only forgot to announce it in the newspapers
Do you remember we used to go to ''Twin Waterfalls'' ?
It's the first thing I want to show you
Look at me, Maryam. I want to take your picture, sweetheart !
Now, get ready Mr.Yusef. Good !
Yusef, I've got thousands of photos of you growing up
I could make a TV series out of them !
Pari, my dear sister-in-law, you haven't taken a single picture of me
My photographer always tells me I could've been a movie star
Mahmoud, you talk too much !
Well, hello !
Look at me for a second
I'm Uncle Mahmoud. The kid from Hassan Abad
And as you all know, a great guy !
Hello ! Welcome. So glad to see you
Do you know who this is?
Hello, Mr.Yusef ! We're all so happy for you
It's Puran, my wife !
Hello
Come in all of you, I'm so pleased
Roya, come and visit, alright? I'll be waiting
- Goodbye, Yusef. - Goodbye
Come again, Yusef
This is our neighborhood, Darakeh. We're almost home
- Where are we? - About 200 meters from the bakery
- can you stop? - What for?
Just stop
You're going the wrong way ! It's the street on your left
- Guess where I am? - Where Are you?
I'm here, here ...
Why are you looking at me like that?
Don't you want to change your clothes?
Of course ...
I feel a bit cold
Where are you, Mommy? Come, I'm scared
I'm here, honey
I'm scared
It's just thunder, darling. Don't be scared, I'm here
Daddy Yusef !
Run !
Wait for us !
Wave to him !
Hit him !
Take this, Maryam
Hit him !
See, I hit you too !
What color is this?
Yellow
Yes ! And this one?
White
Good ! And this?
Black
No, it's purple
Is it purple?
You're right
- Do you know how fishes drink water? - No, I don't
Some new fishes drink like this
The old ones drink like this
I like this one !
- Be careful, Yusef. - Don't run, Maryam. Stop !
I bet you can't catch me !
I'm telling you to stop, you little rascal !
Stop, Maryam !
Granny, we're coming !
Mahmoud
Yusef, my dear, come ...
I want to serve the food I vowed to give
Forgive me, Mr.Yusef
My sister Pari is driving me crazy
She feels too shy to give you her thesis herself
Please take a look at it. It's very important to her
Tell her that I'll read it to Yusef myself and get his comments quickly
Thanks so much
Mommy ! Come ! Auntie Pari is here
Give me the pictures, Mommy
It was Pari. She brought the pictures
Let me see them first ! Pari was in a hurry
I asked her to come in but she was late for her music class
Just look at this cute little Maryam !
Look how nice this place is !
Yes, it's very nice
Look at this one ! It's pretty
Auntie Pari is filming here
Yes
- Why is she filming?
- So we remember these Good moments ...
Well, Mr.Kazemi, Mr.Keshavarz? Should I order this one?
- This one's fine. Order it. - Yes, it's just fine
You too. Very good. Thanks
Let's go, Uncle
Ladies and gentlemen, you'll have to excuse me
Mr.Amiri, I'm going to the workshop
- I'm so glad you came to see me, Yusef. - Thank you, Uncle
Let me show you my workshop. We'll have a good cup of tea
You'll see how we make jewelry. I'm sure you'll enjoy it
I've planted shoots for the children at the School for the Blind
By spring we'll give a prize to the owner of the tallest tree
- How about that? - That's good
The University called again today
They want to know whether you'll be teaching next term
I haven't made up my mind yet. I might change jobs
And do what?
I don't know
Anything but the University
Why don't you come to the school? They could use your experience
Come with me tomorrow
Forget it !
- Letters from the University
- OK
I'm so glad you changed your mind
The teachers and the children will be so happy
They certainly need your experience there
Mr.Abbas, come here, please
Hello
Mr.Abbas, please ask some of the children to take these pots inside
Who's there?
- The garden won't be cold?
- No darling, not anymore
Hello, my dear Roya, this is Pari
Are you there?
I know you're very busy these days ...
but I wanted to know whether Mr.Yusef has read my thesis ...
and what he thinks of it?
I wanted to come and talk to him but somehow I feel shy
I can't look into his eyes, It,s a strange feeling
Roya, I'll be so thrilled if one day I could discuss my thesis ...
many other things with him
Please tell him that I'm in a hurry
Love and kisses till I see you
Oh ! There's a concert by the Mowlana group, I wanted you and Yusef to ...
- Have you counted the pots?
- Yes
- How many are there?
- Four
But there are more than four !
... I wanted to know whether Mr.Yusef has read my thesis ...
and what he thinks of it?
I wanted to come and talk to him but somehow I feel shy
I can't look into his eyes, It,s a strange feeling
Roya, I'll be so thrilled if one day I could discuss my thesis ...
and many other things with him ...
The symbolic language of the mystics existed long before Hafez ...
... a subtle interaction between sensibility and vision ...
... Poetry draws on inner feelings to create visual images ...
... the encounter with Shams brought out the inner soul of Rumi ...
and the exaltation in his works ...
.. My eyes opened to see the beloved and I thank God for that ...
.. I am a fool, without your kindness, I can do nothing ...
Daddy ! The flowers are blooming. Come and see !
I was worried sick ! Where were you?
Worried about what?
I shouldn't worry?
Stop playing the role of a mother !
I'm all grown up now. I'm 45 years old
Roya !
I'm sorry
- Hello
I'd like to see Pari Azarnoush
You can't right now. They're practicing
- When will It be over?
- An hour
Thanks
Be careful not to fall down
Hello, my darling
I missed you so much !
Is something the matter?
No, nothing's the matter
I'm going to Kashan with Maryam
- By yourselves?
- Yes
Has something happen in Kashan?
No, don't worry. I just have to go
What's happened?
Hello mother, where's everybody?
I came to ask you the same question
What's happened? Where are they?
Do you really care?
What a question, mother ! Of course it matters
I don't think so. If it was important to you, they'd be here and not in Kashan
Kashan?
Why didn't Roya say anything?
Did she need to?
What are you talking about?
Yusef, what are you doing with your life?
What life?
Does anyone understand how much I've suffered all these miserable years ...
without saying a word?
Everyone felt sorry for me
You, my wife, everyone around me
I don't need anyone anymore
I want the life I'm entitled to
I've lost the best years of my life
Look around and see what I've got
Do you call this a life?
A handful of nothing?
Four trees and a house I thought was a little paradise?
I'm sick of this paradise. I want to live my own life
Yes, I want to live my way !
Can you understand that? Can you?
Mother !
Mr.Yusef, she isn't home
- Hello - Hello
- Where is she? - Haven't you heard?
What?
Last night your mother wasn't feeling well
Mrs. Kokab and the neighbors took her to the hospital
Hospital? Which hospital?
I'll ask my daughter
You've got to turn your life around
What do you really want to do?
You need to think of your family, your sick mother
You can't go on like this !
If you want to start a new job or invest in something
I can give you whatever you need
Why not work with me? Who'd be better than you?
For months now you've been sitting at home ...
avoiding work, life and university
You've been given a new life. Take advantage of it !
Greetings, Mr.Yusef ! I really miss you
I wanted so much to see you again
Tell me what's worth seeing and I'll tell you what's not worth seeing
Eversince I've practiced not seeing, I've seen many wonderful things
Guess what? I found a forest full of walnut trees
I'd like to take you there sometime, We'd eat our fill of walnuts
How much have you been seeing? Are your eyes satisfied?
So many questions to ask !
Did you see the willow tree?
I'd like to know if it still brings you luck?
I'm sending you the photo I promised so you know that I always think of you
Your friend, Morteza
His eyes show no reaction to light
It might be a rejection of the cornea transplant
Is there any hope, Doctor?
We must conduct more tests
- I'm not staying here ! - Relax, Yusef
- I want to get out of here ! - Everything is going to be alright
- I don't want to stay here. - Please, calm down
Please get me out of here !
Get me out of here
Let's go to Kashan with Puran and Pari
We'll go see Roya and Maryam
Disagreements are a part of life
I promise you everything will be alright. You mustn't lose hope
I talked to the doctors. I'll send you abroad
I'll pay whatever it takes so you can see again
Where are you going? You'll get run over by a car !
Wait ! Tell me where you're going?
Wait ! You'll get hit by a car !
Let go of me ... Go away !
Where are you going? Yusef !
My God
I am asking you ...
for another chance ...
to start a new life
Ripped by : Mahmoud Said