Drop the frenzy. Just stick to the blue.
Is this it? I've been here before.
So you didn't notice me...
Hah! Stop there. There you go. I don't look at customers with those eyes.
In fact, you're the first...
Hmm. I see.
You want to see the kitchen first? We can make breakfast together.
Sure.
Good morning, guys.
Guys... Meet Ada... Ada... The guys.
Hello... Welcome.
Hi. Take it easy, everyone.
We're going to get ourselves some breakfast over there...
...without getting in anyone's way.
Ada, meet Senol. Senol's our head waiter... Ada.
Nice to meet you.
- Do you need anything, Alper Bey? - No thanks, Senol.
- Omelettes. What do you want in yours? - Everything.
OK. An everything omelette. Right away.
Ladies. Let's get back to work.
OK, we've had a look. It's all over.
Feel free to ask anything you like about the kitchen.
The recipe for carrot and cinnamon cake?
Of course! You're right.
Wait. Its turn will come. I'm hardly going anywhere.
How come you stay so thin when you eat so much?
I burn it off. It's just the way I'm built.
How did you learn to cook?
When I was at primary school... We only kept the kitchen range alight during...
...the day... Because it was warm l always did my homework in there.
My mother was so enthusiastic about cooking, it was fun to watch.
Oh, by the way, my mother's coming to stay from T arsus. Where's your family?
Bursa... I've really neglected them actually.
I reckon I should go and see them at some point.
What is it you like about second-hand books?
That they have a past, a history... I love finding clues about other people.
Notes, phone numbers, odd mementoes slipped between the pages and then...
...forgotten. Their stories... I love thinking about who they belonged to...
I make up new lives in my head, in my dreams...
I sometimes find those things in the records I buy.
So what do you do?
I don't know. I'm more interested in the songs really.
It was my friends in the student house I shared at university...
...who opened my eyes... They said I should open a restaurant...
I kind of liked the idea. So I got my father - he's dead now -
...to sell a couple of fields and then opened this place.
He really had a soft spot for me, bless him.
He was confident I wouldn't go under.
You know one of my happiest moments ever?
Before he died, he came to lstanbul and had something...
...to eat at the restaurant... He looked and said,
Well done. It really was worth me selling up.
Are you crying?
Nothing. It just moved me a bit I guess...
So why don't you have any friends?
Why? I do actually. I don't know. I don't feel a huge need.
I like being alone, I suppose. Or is it me that's difficult or what?
God, I don't know.
Everything's changing, Ada. Everything... Everything I know,
everything familiar looks different... Smells are changing...
Sounds and voices are different...
All since I met you... How can I say?
There's joy everywhere, like a holiday morning.
Wow! That was good... You're really moving ahead with the stories, Alper.
Alper, I want to say something.
Yes?
I... Whatever, it's nothing.
Hello.
Are you at home?
Are you available?
What's going on? God! Don't tell me you're out on a run...
Come in. Come on... I've even poured you a vodka.
We leave our shoes outside, right?
You haven't called for ages.
I was all set to give you a hard time, believe me...
Alper...
What's the matter? Did you get up?
Hmm. I had some water.
And a cigarette.
Alper, you smoke too much.
Come on, Alper... Time to wake up. Alper!
Come on!
Your mother will be here in two hours. Get up.
Good morning.
I've tidied the place up a bit. But you have a look around too.
There's nothing that'll shock the poor woman, is there?
Like what?
Magazines or whatever. Boys stuff.
Things left over from your bachelor days.
- What's the matter? - Nothing.
I was only joking...
Why are you looking at me like that?
We're not about to get married. Don't worry.
Ada, don't be ridiculous. It's not that.
Aren't you behind the times...
You think magazines are still a concept?
Alper... Do you really want me to come?
Yes. What's the problem?
Maybe the woman wants to see you first, to catch up with you.
And I'll suddenly turn up just like that, as soon as she arrives...
You'll turn up later anyway. What's the difference, now or later?
I don't have to turn up at all if you don't want.
Why are you so stressed out this morning?
Who, me? I should be asking you the same thing.
Look, there isn't a problem.
Come along. You'll get to meet each other.
I have to go to work at noon anyway.
Then she won't be by herself at home either.
OK, no problem. I'll give Sinem a call.
She can take care of the store.
Sorry. I forgot about that.
Let me remind you. I have a job too.
Or is it that you don't want me working?
- Ada... - What?
Mum!
Ah! My son!
Are you tired?
No, son. How could I be? I've been sitting all the way.
The seats in these new buses are like living room armchairs.
- You have any bags to collect? - Have a look for these.
Mum. Give that here. Come with me.
Look, Mum. This is Ada. My friend.
Introduce yourselves. I'll be right back.
Hello there. How are you?
I'm very well, dear. I hope everyone's as polite to you as you are to me!
Well, aren't you pretty, darling. Mashallah! Mashallah!
Your name's Ada, is it? What a lovely name.
Thanks. You're very beautiful too.
But I've got so old now.
You're Alper's friend, huh? What kind of friend? A good friend?
Mashallah! That's lovely.
Are you hungry? We'll have breakfast now.
Then you can have some sleep.
In Alper's apartment? I'll have a sleep of course but aren't you there too?
I mean, living as friends. Right? I don't know, sorry. That's why I'm asking.
Let's say I come and go sometimes.
Oh, good. Come all the time, dear. All the time.
You ve come loaded to the gunnels again.
Don't shake it about like that, son. There are dolma inside.
Oh, Mum...! Come on, let's go.
Muzeyyen Hanim, are you comfortable there? I wish you'd come in the front.
I'm very comfortable, dear. The car's vast inside.
But do stop calling me 'hanim'. Forget all this formal business.
- Just call me Muzeyyen Abla. - OK.
So, Mum... Let's hear it then.
What can I tell you, son? Things are always the same back home.
Your brother and his lot all send you their love.
Come and see the boy one day. Has he grown! But let's hear about you.
How are you? You're the one with the news.
I'm fine. No change.
Well, that's good.
Give those to me, son... Let me put them in the fridge right away...
What a lovely home you have. Mashallah!
It's just like the advertisements...
I said I wasn't tired, but I'm beginning to feel a bit the worse for wear.
Have a little rest if you like while I get breakfast together.
- No, dear. Thanks. - It's up to you.
Where shall I put it?
Ooh! You have two fridges, son! Mashallah!
Which one should I use, I wonder?
Whichever one you want, Mum.
This is your bag, right? With the clothes beside.
Let me take them to your room.
Don't get too much out, dear. They fed us on the bus anyway.
A glass of tea will do me fine.
I'll put some on to brew right away.
Wonderful! I can't stand those tea-bag things you get.
Leave that. I'll do it all.
Look, there's pure olive oil in here. A friend brought it.
We'll pour it over some dried mint and oregano.
It's perfect for dunking bread. Where does he keep his herbs?
They should be there.
So when's this wedding, Mum?
T omorrow evening at eight. In Sisli, they said. Wait.
The invitation's in my bag. The address is written there. Have a look.
So OK, Mum. The place is easy to get to.
You are coming, aren't you, son?
No, Mum. What do I want at a wedding?
You know how claustrophobic those things make me.
Ah! But that's shameful, son.
Your friend from primary school...
OK. We'll see... I've also got a large group to cook for tomorrow evening.
You have to work, huh?
Couldn't you at least make an appearance for five minutes or so?
The thing is, it's a very big group...
Well, if there's work to do, that's different of course.
Suppose we go together? If you'd like to.
Bless you. That's wonderful. Now I won't be on my own there.
Hmm. That's great. Look. I'll take you there.
Then I'll come and pick you up later.
I'll pin some gold on the bride and groom and offer my congratulations.
Thanks.
You're going to wear this? No way. You can't.
It's a perfectly good dress.
- Mum, it's so old-fashioned. - Alper.
Let's get you something nicer here.
I'm not the bride, son!
I'm hardly in any state to wear a ball gown at this age.
Listen. I'm going to work now. You and Ada take yourselves off to the shops.
Ada's an expert at these things. Buy a dress, have a wander around.
And get me a gold coin to give. OK?
Don't go wasting your money, son. What do I need a dress for?
You do, come on. Be beautiful, Muzeyyen Hanim!
Everyone should marvel at you!
He's making fun of me now.
I'll come and pick you up this evening. And we'll go out for dinner.
OK? I've got heaps to do today.
All right. T ake it easy, son. Have a good day.
We can have dinner at your place, right?
I'd like to see it again.
OK, Mum. Sure. Ada, come here a sec.
Look, sorry, Ada.
It's OK. At the end of the day, it's not me who's getting married.
Ada!
What? Alper, you're rushing straight off to work.
Couldn't you have stayed?
Isn't that being shameful to the woman?
She'd only get fed up with me. She'd find all these jobs to do in the house.
She'd clean the place 50 times, she'd cook, I know her.
I'll make up for it this evening.
All right then.
- Get something for yourself too. - Sure.
Really, I'm serious.
Don't be ridiculous, Alper. Go on. Off you go. OK.
Oooh! Look at that! How on earth did they build this place?
Mashallah! You said there's everything here, didn't you?
Shops, restaurants, cinemas, they stick them all together...
...in one place these days.
So as not to tire people out, huh?
You come here, get everything done all at once and go.
That kind of thing... Like an aquarium.
Heavens, it's so crowded! Give me your arm or I'll get lost.
I don't want to be trouble for you later.
Don't say that, Muzeyyen Abla!
There's even a jeweller's, you said, huh? I'm flabbergasted!
Let's get the gold from there, then have a nice cup of coffee.
Bravo! That's just what's needed. Let s treat ourselves, right?
Now we're in lstanbul...
Oh, you lovely girl...
Thanks. Oh!
Yours is big enough to feed a whole family of orphans! Mashallah!
Sit down and let's have a little chat, shall we?
I'm not going to beat about the bush.
And don't go getting embarrassed in front of me.
Think of me as your mother. Do you love my son?
Oh, my beautiful!
We've only just met really. It's been a month or so.
My darling! Knowing that in my old age, I won't worry even if I drop dead!
In all this time, you're the only one he's valued enough to introduce to me.
He's always been completely alone here. How can I explain, dear?
Alper is a bit different really. Strong and silent.
He never shows his affections, never talks, never airs his troubles.
Then there are times when he's downright rude...
He's been like that since he was a small boy.
He never liked crowds. He always wanted to sit in his room.
What do they say? Human nature, that's it.
Some people are like a closed book all the time.
What I'm saying is... Don't be defeated, dear.
Don't turn round half way. Look, in all these years...
...he hasn't once kissed me on the cheek just like that, out of the blue.
I know he loves me. I know it. Know that for yourself too.
Friendships, or what do you call it? Dating?
Whatever. It's hard of course. Work at it, dear. Don't leave him.
These places, big places, they always fool you.
In all the hullaballoo people don't realise they're alone.
Be a voice... A breath of life beside him.
Does it fill up like this every evening?
At this time, it generally does. It's not even particularly full.
Weekends get very crowded.
Mashallah!
That's too much for me, son. They serve everything for giants in lstanbul.
The poor boy's been rushing around like mad since morning.
He must be tired.
Would you like anything else?
No thanks, son. That'll do me. Sit down and rest, darling.
Alper, we had a great day out, your mother and l.
Didn't we, Muzeyyen Abla?
She did a great job taking me around.
We went to Ortakoy. I bought heaps of beads...
For the girls, your nieces.
Great.
From there we went home and dropped off the packages.
Then off we set again, for Ada's store.
I adored those costumes. Don't ask! It makes you feel...
... Iike a child all over again. Look what Ada gave me.
For Murat.
He won't just be thrilled, the rascal. He'll adore it!
- Thanks, Ada. - Well, I hope he enjoys it.
You know what made me laugh most today? They've put exercise...
...machines in those parks. So you see these enormous women on them...
...grabbing the handles and puffing away as though they're running. Like this...
- Oh no! Oh goodness! - Leave it. The guys will handle it.
Has it spilled on you?
Mum, leave it. Senol will handle it.
Mum... MUM!
Alper!
It's no problem at all. I'll take care of it right away.
This sort of thing happens all the time here.
I've given you all this trouble...
Let's take a ferry tomorrow. In the daytime.
We can see something of the Bosphorus.
You haven't mentioned the most important thing.
The shopping mall. Alper, we got your mother a beautiful suit today.
Like I said, my family's in Bursa, Muzeyyen Abla.
Have you ever been to Bursa?
I haven't had the chance, darling. It's a beautiful place.
That's what I always hear. I've driven through a few times but...
- I'll take you one day. - God willing...
There's always traffic like this, even at this time of day. You're so lucky.
You get peace and quiet in a place like Tarsus.
This city's almost uninhabitable these days.
You should see T arsus then. You'd love it.
Look, even if Alper can't make it, you come.
I'll be expecting you any time.
Mum, let's drop Ada home first.
And when we get home you can go straight to bed.
You must be tired after today, both of you...
Ada, I'll come and pick you up in the morning again around nine or ten. OK?
- OK. - For breakfast.
Oh goodness, I've spoiled your routine.
Shame on you, Muzeyyen Abla. Don't think that!
I go home all the time anyway.
I could have curled up and slept anywhere, son.
It's OK, Mum. It's not a problem.
Ah! Mum, I'm making up the bed for you. What are you doing?
I won't sleep in it, son. I'm fine here. It's plenty big enough.
I can't turf you out of your own bed. It's light here too. Look. Much nicer.
How's my brother? My nephews and nieces?
They're all fine.
I miss them a lot.
I know you do. Why wouldn't you?
Mum...
Darling?
It's so hard, Mum...
What's hard, darling?
We're proud of you, son.
You've got yourself established here without help from anyone else...
Mum...
Yes, darling?
It's hard, Mum... So hard.
What's hard, darling?
Have we had a bit to drink?
A bit.
So did you buy the flowers before drinking or after?
What does it matter?
A lot.
First I decided to buy them, then I had a drink, then I bought them.
I drank in my room. Fast. In a blue frenzy. Mum's asleep at home.
I came to give you the flowers.
I went all the way to the Flower Passage thinking there wouldn't be...
...any florists open at this time. I got them from you know, the kids there.
I want to say sorry, give you a kiss and go.
If Mum wakes up at home, she'll get scared being on her own.
I love you.
But if you'd been sober, l wouldn't have been able to say that.
Now go. Quick.
Mum! It's us! We're back!
We're going to take a gypsy boat today.
What's that, dear?
You get on at Bebek. And you wander up and down the entire coast.
I mean, it's something like a Bosphorus cruise.
Alper...
Erdem...
How are you doing? Welcome.
- Wow. - What are you up to?
Fine... I brought you the wedding witness.
Muzeyyen Abla, hello! How are you?
Congratulations.
I'm not going to be able to stay.
I have a function on at the restaurant tonight. A large group.
Well, business, you know.
Do you pin it here?
- Let me give this to you. - Whatever. OK.
- I wish you happiness. - I wish you'd stay.
I'd have really loved to.
I have a lot of guests. I must go.
Do you Nalan Hanim, Erdem Bey, as your partner in marriage?
- I do. - Applause.
Do you Erdem Bey, accept Nalan Hanim, as your partner in marriage?
- I do. - Bravo!
I hope it's your turn next, dear.
Look after Ada. Don't hurt her... Don't ever think of leaving her.
Ada is the most precious gift God has given you all your life.
Remember that... That's all I have to say.
I'm hungry... Remember that pot of dolma we finished the other day?
Your mum went to the trouble of making more the other morning...
...before we went on the boat trip, you know.
She said, I've put them in the small fridge.
You want some too? Well, don't if you ask me. Let me eat the lot.
Ask for some if you like. If I eat them all, I'll probably wind up in hospital.
It happened a few times when I was little.
My aunt made a potful like this and put it away in the fridge.
My Mum and my aunts were all asleep...
Having a midday nap... The heat! It was summer anyway.
I came back from playing... In the street.
I sat down and polished off the lot. With bread and stuff as well.
I mean, I couldn't stop myself... Then I got this incredible stomach ache.
- The pain was killing me... - Ada... I want to break up.
I'm thinking why I'm not in the slightest bit surprised. Huh?
I knew actually.
I mean, I tried to scare you but I imagine it was a waste of time.
But why do people cry so much over things they already know. Right?
Well, OK. I won't cry.
Why did you run after me then so persistently? Huh?
Why? You knew it wouldn't work, you knew you couldn't do it. So why?
WHY?.
Fuck you...! Fuck you...!
Who did I kiss here just a minute ago? WHY?.
Don't be ridiculous. I'm not about to hit you. Are you out of your mind?
There's just one thing you should know. I... I don't deserve you, Ada.
I never have deserved you.
Maybe you feel bad now but when you find the right person in life...
...you'll thank me.
Can't one of you come up with something different?!
Which film is that from...
Is it the Red Crescent that feeds you these son-of-a-bitch lines from 1980s
American teen films? T o come to the rescue at tough moments like these.
I was being quite sincere.
Ada... I've experienced a lot of things.
I've wasted a lot of things...
Myself... Life... Everything...
I'll never get over it now.
I'm living with contaminated blood.
I don't want to be a part of anyone's life...
I don't want anyone to be a part of mine...
That's the way I am, the way I was born. There's no reason.
Don't look for one. If only there was a reason, if only I knew it and could...
...change things...
You were the most beautiful thing in my life.
Remember that...
If it's any help to you at all...
Yes. It really helps. Thanks.
I want to say something and then I'll go.
You're in snow, about to freeze to death.
Sleep seems so sweet but you don't realise you've died.
Senol!
Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you... Happy Birthday dear boss...
Happy Birthday to you...
- Alper Bey... - Come here, Senol.
If it's OK with you, I'd like to have a glass of wine with you this evening.
Wow! Nice surprise. What's the occasion? At last!
Tonight is different. Because it's a special evening for me.
So fill them up then! What's with the thimbleful? Look how stingy you are!
You've made me a rich man like that...
Shame on you, Abi! That's not the reason. You know I don't drink a lot.
Sorry, I called you Abi, there all of a sudden.
Of course you did. Anyway, I have my suspicions.
You have some blue English blood in you, right?
The truth will out soon enough... So what are we celebrating?
Gamze is pregnant. We're going to have a baby.
Wow! My little father! My man! I'm really happy for you, Senol.
Thanks. Thanks, Abi.
Hey, hang on a second. I'm being an idiot here.
What does that make me then? An Amca?
Yes... Alper Amca.
God, it feels like only yesterday. I'd just opened this place.
You walked in and said you'd come about the job ad...
...and could you speak to the boss please.
When I said I was the boss, you didn't believe me and...
...Iooked at me in that English way of yours.
Umm, Alper Abi... I want to thank you very much for everything.
On behalf of everyone here...
You've been very good to us, very generous...
We owe you a lot. I want you to know that.
Oh God! Come on! Don't be ridiculous.
Of all wines, you had to open this one tonight, huh?
Look at the news, look at the wine.
You'd expect a Bordeaux or something.
Stingy...
What's this here? What's this? Vrrrmmm... It's coming... We're flying!
We're flying!
Alper Amca, we're going to the cinema, aren't we?
Are you kidding, handsome young man?
Ice Age, right?
Ice Age... How many lce Ages is this now?
Hmm... A year younger than you.
Hello! My name's Bobo. After breakfast I'll be yours.
What's your name?
Mithatcan!
Come on, Mithatcan.
- lce Age. - Yes, lce Age.
Look, we got the tickets earlier on. You'll give them to collector.
- OK? - Fine.
Good. Smart thing.
We'll be inside.
Dad! Dad! Isn't Alper Amca coming? Alper Amca... Alper Amca!
He'll be along, son. In a bit.
Hi there, Alper. How are you?
Hello... Ada... It's kind of a surprise, this...
Oh God.
I called you a few times.
Your numbers have changed of course...
I moved to England... Got married.
Really...?
I'm very happy for you... Your husband?
Hakan... He works for a company there. I've kept on my business...
We opened another store there... That's how things look now.
That was Senol's son presumably. Right?
He's cute... Mashallah...
Look. This is my daughter... Elif... She's three.
What a sweetie! She's lovely.
- Bless her! - Thanks...
I grabbed the chance to come over while I could.
Both to go see my parents in Bursa, and catch up with Sinem.
I go back tomorrow morning.
I left Elif there with her father and au pair...
We might come back at New Year, all of us together.
I'd say come and have a coffee with us but I guess you're going to the cinema.
How are you? How's everything going?
Have you still got the restaurant and stuff?
I'm fine... Very good. Everything's on track.
I'm not fine at all, Ada. I've never forgotten you...
I never thought this would happen. I'm nothing.
Everything's a pile of shit.
Are you really over it or are you getting revenge...?
You're smiling... Is it real? I never thought it would be like this.
Right after we split up I felt light as a bird...
I thought I'd done both you and me a favour...
Until the smallest thing messed me up completely...
That day, a miniscule hairclip of yours laughed at me.
It was that morning that I realised I'd lost you...
...and so many other things. You'd never be there again...
I'd never have this with anyone else...
Life kept laughing at me.
I saw similar faces to yours...
...felt similar smells...
...heard similar voices.
Or I felt so. I don't know.
You know what? That tiny hairclip you lost one day...
...but never knew where... It's still in my pocket.
I'm fine. Really good.
They turned your store into an estate agent's.
Right. Sinem said.
I walked past there the other day... I had things to do over that way.
No, Ada. That was a lie... I sometimes go to have a look at that street.
And I imagine everything is like it once was. I just stand there.
I imagine you're sitting inside and still creating little heroes...
I delude myself... I try to console myself, Ada.
How's your mother? Is she OK?
She's fine... The same as ever... Raising the grandkids. She comes to
visit now and again. I go down there sometimes. That kind of thing...
I miss Muzeyyen Abla. Really... I was supposed to go and visit her.
But it was never meant to happen, I guess.
It was right after you I went to see her. T o the house you were born in.
T o the town you spent your childhood in, my love.
I took a short trip with your mother, into your past...
I made her vow never to tell you... Good for her.
She's kept her word.
I saw the house you grew up in...
The bed you slept in, my love. I imagined you and your childhood...
You were there and you didn't yet know you'd meet me one day.
You lay across my lap. I told you a story... You grew up...
A story in my head...
You know how I loved that... Then I wrote us a happy ending...
I sat with you in that house... We said nothing.
You sat beside me in silence. That was the end. It was another life.
It was just you and me. You looked at me...
Blue and unfrenzied. We said nothing.
Another happy ending in another life...
We deserved that... Our story is there somewhere.
It'll stay with me forever. Because that was the only way I could go on.
So a person's smell always stays the same... I was surprised.
I took something of yours away with me. A 45 single. Arda Karde's Fairytales.
If you go back home one day, you'll never know how that record went
missing. And Muzeyyen Abla won't tell you.
We won't let you have that satisfaction.
I still got your record.
But you don't know it...
And when I close my eyes, it's you I have in my arms...
...not anyone else... And you don't know it.
Oh God. It's seven.
Yes. The 7 o'clock showing's started. Hurry or you'll be late.
No, I'm not going in. It's a kids film.
I'd get bored. I have other plans anyway.
They're more tempting, I guess.
Hmmm. So there's someone waiting, huh?
There is actually. Yes.
Great. I'm glad about that.
No... There's no one out there. I was lying.
I know, my love. There's no one. There never will be.
You'll just borrow other people's kids, lives and bodies.
T o be returned later... And you'll always be alone.
Well, if you'll excuse me then...
Goodbye... T ake care.
You too.
Oh, by the way, you were going to give me the recipe...
...for carrot and cinnamon cake.
Oh right. Damn!
I found the recipe. In a cookbook. I made it. We enjoyed eating it...
It wasn't as good as yours, of course. But it will be. I mean, there's hope.
I'm determined. I'm going to crack it.
Congratulations in advance.
Goodbye. T ake care.
Goodbye.
I wish time would stop. That you'd be sitting there forever looking at me
just so. I wish we could stay like this... That it would never end...
I'd like so much to be able to tell you this... There are so many things...
...in fact, that I haven't been able to tell you... Anyway...
Goodbye, Ada...
Goodbye, my love...
You'd never have believed in fate either
And you were supposed to be someone
Who could never cause hurt or be heartless
I wish you happiness, my love
May life smile on you even if I am not there
On your head be it
You leave behind a pair of crying eyes
Dedicated to its audience