Who would have thought that my daily view here...
...would be of a cemetery?
TURKISH PASSION
We should have learned to please, to seduce...
...to deceive...
...to know what is in men...
...to see them coming.
And, in that way, dominate them.
The females of the apes, our first cousins...
Don't say that, I've only had two.
Those females are much more intelligent than their males.
A little.
Like this bit of candy.
And how am I like a female ape?
Are there no stupid apes?
I feel happily stupid, for the moment.
A bad start, Desi.
A clever ape only gives her male the right to mate with her.
That is, screw her.
In the broadest sense of the word.
And pity the poor ape who believes it's her duty and not...
...a pleasure.
Duty is a pleasure for me.
It's easy to see you're going to the altar still a virgin.
Thanks to the bishop.
Your man is delightful. A real Prince Charming.
The best match in this city. And the best looking.
And undoubtedly the most delicate.
But when all's said and done, he's a man.
I say polite things like this to my husband.
"I like your cock...
...you bastard."
"I like it so much."
"Don't come so hard, you'll kill me."
"Yes, like that...
...you son of a bitch."
Things like that, understand?
You think yours won't want to hear them?
You're both so crude!
I don't know why I'm thinking of the holy water font now.
The one that's right behind us.
With eleven indents on the rim and one at each end.
When I was little...
...in your arms, Dad...
...l'd soak my hands in them.
If your mother were here...
How handsome he is!
Marriage...
...is like a blank check.
You can write fabulous amounts on it...
...but it cannot be cashed...
...without the signature of the account holder...
...and that is God.
Today's check has that signature in advance.
Desideria and Ramiro will increase the number of zeros...
...as the need arises, because children will arrive...
...the flower and fruit of marriage...
...because from today...
...they are two "in caro una"...
...in one flesh.
They have the angels' congratulations...
...and the nightingales' applause.
I don't know if I'll be able to show how much I love you.
I don't care, honestly.
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, dear Ramiro,
Happy birthday to you.
Make a wish.
Well done!
First things first.
Be happy, happy, on your birthday.
Ramirito, may God bless you.
May there be peace on your birthday.
And may you have many more.
Come on, children!
Children! Juanito!
Toni!
My Toni loves me so much.
Look at what I've got. And for Juan too.
Kiss, kiss, kiss for Aunt Desi.
Here, take this, my darling.
Go on, and be careful.
You had them, but they're mine.
You're such a mother hen!
As you like kids so much, why don't you have one?
I can't have any.
An obstetrician in Madrid told me so.
- It was time I told you. - What know-it-all...
...dared say that?
They told my grandmother the same and she got a natality award.
They're only guessing.
I'll be godfather to the first three.
You're right.
You end up sick of kids.
Meanwhile, we can lend you ours so you can practice.
Just one week. That's enough.
Two weeks.
- What is all this? - We're going...
...to Turkey and we thought...
I accept.
It's impossible.
Why?
Because we're going too.
A husbands' plot.
What about a toast?
To Turkey?
- To Ramiro. - To Turkey.
Is it true about the doctor?
Yes.
Don't lose heart.
There's something stronger than doctors.
I'll never reproach you for anything.
You're enough to make me happy.
Do you hear?
Yes.
- What is it? - I feel dizzy.
You don't look well.
Girls! Come on!
I can't stand the smell of spices.
Spices? What do you mean?
I was told that Turkey smells of spices, of soup with spices.
- I can smell it now. - I don't smell anything.
I do. And I can't stand it.
Maybe your gynecologist was wrong.
First shot of your expressions in Istanbul.
Don't look so serious.
Arturo, I have your camera.
We are in Byzantium, in Constantinople, in Istanbul.
Welcome.
Constantine VI, Emperor of the East...
...called Asia Minor Anatolia.
It means "the country where the sun is born".
In the glorious era...
...of the Ottoman Empire...
...the West invented the image of a barbarous Turk.
This was adorned with a complaisant...
...tendency towards sensuality. Neither was true.
Europe's idea of us has always fluctuated...
...between fear and enchantment.
Western civilization was born here...
...with Miletus, Anaximander, Heracliteus.
Gods, heroes and the Christian apostles.
The lliad and the Odyssey.
We Turks are Europeans like you. Don't be afraid of us.
Skyscrapers are as much a part of Istanbul...
...as St. Sophia and the Topkapi...
...which you have come to see...
...but the city still has that charm...
...acquired over the centuries. Istanbul lies...
...between two worlds, two seas, two continents, Europe and Asia.
Two of the seven wonders of the world...
She fainted.
She's been feeling odd.
- You're all right, aren't you? - Ramiro?
I'm here, don't worry.
- Are you pregnant? - Be quiet.
You're feeling better.
That's good.
Are you all right?
Calmer?
Will he bite?
Will it hurt when he bites?
My name is Yaman.
It means "the only one".
And I will do anything so that you fall in love...
...with this country.
Turkey is paradise, ma'am.
"From Istanbul to heaven." Don't they say that in Madrid?
Coffee, sherbets, the ottoman...
...the divan and raisins are all Turkish inventions.
And who hasn't heard of, or tasted, Turkish delights?
Our baths, ladies and gentlemen, are famous throughout the world.
When you were still in the Dark Middle Ages...
...we lived in a world of pleasure...
...and voluptuousness.
We are arriving at the hotel.
You can rest, or do whatever you wish...
...because this guide...
...is at your complete and entire disposal.
- How are you? - I'm fine. You see to the cases.
Marcelo!
- Arturo, the camera! - He took it with him.
- Have you got over the dizziness? - Yes.
May I?
Thank you.
Forgive me.
Welcome.
What's your name?
I'm still called Yaman.
- Which means "the only one". - That's right.
- My name is Desideria. - It's a pretty name.
Desi...
Come on.
Laura!
- How are you? - I'm fine.
I won't ask again. We'll give you the all-clear.
You can rest until lunchtime. I don't think they have a siesta.
We have two options. A siesta and a visit to the mosques.
Or the cisterns and mosques and no siesta.
Which do you prefer?
A siesta. What about you?
As you wish.
When the Turks took possession of Constantinople...
...in 1453...
...one of the first actions...
...by the Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror...
...was to bury in this spot the man who had been...
...companion in arms to Mahommed. Eyup-Ul-Ensari.
The mosque and its mausoleum...
...were built in 1458.
And soon they were surrounded...
...by a huge, well-shaded...
...cemetery in which the Ottoman nobles...
...and pious people wanted to enjoy...
...in a posthumous way...
...the benefits of the holy man's proximity.
The light, as you see...
...is reflected in the marble and in the ivory...
...of the ninety nine windows...
...with lattices.
That number corresponds...
...to the ninety nine names of Allah.
Once the capital was conquered...
...Mehmed II ordered a search...
...for the remains of the martyr, and when they had been...
...miraculously identified...
...thanks to the dream or vision of a "shi"...
...he ordered...
...the building of a mosque...
...venerated since then by all Turks.
An earthquake which took place...
...at the beginning of the 18th century...
...caused serious damage...
...and it was rebuilt...
...in the year 1800.
The tomb of Eyup...
...is one of the most interesting monuments...
...in Ottoman Istanbul.
As well as its walls...
...of 16th century ceramics...
...you can observe the strange religious behavior...
...of the Turkish Moslems.
The holy man's tomb...
...is in the innermost of the two patios...
...behind a grill...
...through which the pilgrim can offer his prayers...
...or request...
...a spiritual favor.
Let's take a look.
Those of you who didn't go to the Cisterns...
...can join the repeat visit in an hour's time.
I'm thirsty.
- Will we have a drink? - Sure.
Come on.
How many rolls of film did we bring?
Four.
- And where are the others? - I don't know.
- Want a beer, Desi? - I forgot something, you go on.
"Those who tend the bath will wash you at your pleasure.
Not only the Turks use this, but the Jews and Christians too.
I myself did it every fortnight and felt very well.
One of the things the Turks rightly label us as...
...is dirty.
No man or woman in Spain washes twice in a lifetime."
- When is that from? - 17th Century. Anonymous.
A Spaniard imprisoned by the Turks.
I'm not leaving without trying a bath.
- Where's Desi? - I don't know.
In the toilets, perhaps.
Listen to this about the harem women.
Look.
There's Desi.
"If your appetite is for long marrows, cucumbers...
...or similar fruits, they bring them cut in slices."
Is anything wrong?
No, nothing.
A bit of a turn.
Will we get a doctor?
Desi is uneasy in this country.
Aren't you, Desi?
I'm amazed at you.
Someone's coming.
There is the pirate captain seated in his chair.
Asia on one side.
- On the other... - Seville!
Europe.
And there before him, Istanbul.
Sail on fearlessly, my craft.
No enemy vessel, nor storm, nor calm...
...can alter your course or overcome your valor.
I must be mad.
Slip away in the bazaar tomorrow.
Wait a minute. A photo over there in the alley.
Marcelo, there.
That's it. Stand a bit closer together.
- All right? - Come on!
Right, let's go!
You can come in.
Come and see what a carpet shop is like.
My brother will serve you.
I want to buy cuff links for Ramiro.
I'm going to sneak off.
How did you learn so much so quickly?
Desideria...
You're leaving tomorrow. What will become of me?
Tell me, what?
I love you.
I don't want to be just a silly affair you had in Istanbul.
Yaman...
I want you for ever.
Pass it on, man! Christ, you're an idiot!
How can he do that with the ball?
He's stupid.
I'm pregnant.
Who was it?
I don't know.
It isn't true.
And you said you couldn't.
I lied.
When you lie about that, Desi, you have to take precautions.
Come on.
Let's sit down.
We'll talk.
We could have done it before.
I knew that you knew. We didn't need to talk.
Except for Ramiro, we all knew.
But we thought...
...it was over.
Now I see it isn't.
What will you tell Ramiro?
The truth.
You're crazy.
You can't tell him the truth.
You can't go on living like that.
I have never spoken three sentences to you...
... without referring to this tumultuous feeling...
... which has enslaved me since I first saw you.
I am waiting for Ramiro.
Despite what Laura said, I'm going to tell him the truth.
I've got some news that will please you.
We're going to have a baby.
They were right, you can't trust doctors.
I have something to tell you.
I saw a doctor in Madrid too.
I'm the one who can't have children.
Or both of us.
Although it now seems you can.
What will you do?
That child shouldn't be born.
That may be so. But I'm determined it will be.
Forgive me for saying that.
It's against my beliefs.
Divorce.
Divorce? That would make me the laughing stock of our friends.
- Is that what you want? - I just want to have my child.
Who's the father?
- A Turk? - Yes, a Turk.
Do you realize what you've done?
What has that Turk got?
I'm sure you don't really want to know.
It's you who has to choose.
You'd break with all the child represents?
Yes.
Do you swear?
I prefer my child to be reared...
...in our home.
Then all will stay as it is.
He's lovely.
- How's the mother? - She's really happy.
It was a very quick birth.
Here you are, with Mom.
My love.
Will you love him?
Isn't that lovely?
Yes, it is.
Come to Mommy.
Come to Mommy, lvan.
Ramiro! It's the baby!
My love.
What happened?
Call Don Angel.
There, my love.
At last. My car's broken down and there were no taxis.
- He's hot and he has convulsions. - Let me see. What happened?
We were sleeping and I felt that he was choking.
All right. Prepare a cold bath, quickly.
What is it, doctor?
Why isn't he moving?
What's wrong with my child?
No, it can't be, it can't be.
But why?
Why?
I'm sorry, there was nothing I could do.
Why, God, why?
Why?
My baby.
My God! What a tragedy for poor Desi.
She wants to be alone.
To meet again after so long in such circumstances.
It's a very sad time.
My son...
Your mother is going mad.
She tried to forget and couldn't.
Now she wants to think you are showing her the only way.
The last chance to put some order into her feelings.
It's an appointment I must keep.
I'm leaving you...
...in your little child's grave.
You won't miss me.
I'll miss you.
My baby.
When you come back, I won't be here.
You know why I am going and where.
Just one justification.
I'm mad and I want to listen to my madness.
I renounce any settlement.
Desideria.
Where is Yaman?
Yaman.
Yaman Dunbar.
Orteisar.
- Orteisar? - Orteisar.
Thank you.
It's me.
It's me. It's me.
Wait, wait.
Wait, I don't want you to move. That's it, stay like that.
That's it.
I like to feel you like that.
Inside me.
Not moving.
Yaman...
We had a child.
He died recently.
Will we have more?
I want you to forget everything.
I want you to be another woman.
But will we have more?
Of course.
If God wishes.
Your God or mine?
They both have to wish it.
Even if they don't.
It's a wedding.
The wedding is tomorrow.
Today the bride says good-bye to her friends. Want to go?
Yes, of course.
We must buy a gift.
You must go on your own.
I'm not allowed in.
Come on.
Come in. This is your house, ma'am.
I know it smells of spices.
That offends the educated western sense of smell.
But what can I do? I'm Turkish.
This is what smells.
That's how I live!
I'm alone.
You were alone.
If you go up on the roof, there's a wonderful view.
I don't want to go up on the roof.
I'm not alone anymore. I'm not alone anymore.
More.
Sign here.
Right, that's all in order. Good-bye.
Thanks. So long.
Good morning.
Hello.
I would like information on how to get a residence visa.
How long are you staying in Turkey?
Indefinitely.
- And your occupation? - I'm a housewife.
And your husband?
He's in Spain. I'm living with a Turk.
There's no problem renewing your passport...
...but to live here you need a residence certificate.
Check with your Turkish friends...
...but in theory you need a justifiable occupation here.
Want a lift?
- I'm going a long way. - No matter.
I think he said we've to be at the airport before 5.00...
...but I'm not sure.
Do you speak Turkish?
I should make an effort.
It's a big effort, believe me.
You've been very kind. Thank you.
Hey!
What do I call you?
I'm sorry, Desideria makes it difficult to tell you something...
...in confidence.
Friends call me Desi.
All right, Desi.
If you need anything, I'm at the Consul...
...in the mornings.
What could I need?
You live in Turkey...
...with a Turk, and in this neighborhood.
I think you're going to need something.
- I hope you're wrong. - So do I.
I'm Paulina Orozco.
You're wrong, Paulina Orozco.
I won't need you.
I can accept this other life because I have a god.
A god to adore.
And every day, every night, he gives me a piece of heaven.
What's is this? Have you gone crazy?
Why are you dressed like that?
I want my master to come into me.
I love you.
I love you more than I can ever express.
That's enough.
Stop it!
I want to make love with you naturally and happily...
...not as if it were a tragedy!
Not like this.
You're over-excited. I can't handle it.
Come here.
Please.
I love you, I love you.
I love you, I love you, I'll do anything you ask.
Me, mama of Yaman.
Son, daughter.
You?
Me?
Me, Yaman's whore.
I don't understand a word.
Your mother?
Yes.
These are my children.
I thought she might be your wife.
Careful. She's my mother.
Now I find out you have a wife and two children.
You could have guessed.
What am I doing in Istanbul?
I don't speak the language, I'm living beside a cemetery...
...waiting for a lover who is another woman's legal husband!
I am separated, legally separated.
When I began to love you I already had a family.
You kept it very quiet.
I have to have them a few weekends!
What's wrong?
What do you want?
You're burning up.
Are there any aspirins here?
They're horrible.
A woman lived here before.
Not Yaman's wife.
Are you jealous?
Hello, I'm back.
Your lover is back.
What's this?
Three hairpins.
Whose are they? I found them here.
I never said you were my first woman.
But I want to be the last!
This isn't the best way to do it.
Have they eaten?
Yes, they've had dinner.
And an aspirin...
...and a lullaby so they'd sleep.
- I'm going to go mad! - Calm down.
Calm down.
Go and meet him.
I said to be nice to him. He's very powerful.
How could you?
Why is it so hard for you to oblige him and oblige me?
Don't you even care if that idiot fucks me?
I've misunderstood you or you've misunderstood me.
I understood you perfectly, Desi, and you, me.
Why?
Hello.
Don't pay haulage.
Paulina, it's urgent.
Check it out and I'll call you back.
Yes?
What happened?
Where are you now?
Calm down.
I feel like killing someone.
- Have you got your passport? - No, it's at home.
Go and get it, then come to the consulate.
- I've got no money. - Don't worry, I'll sort it out.
So long.
Arturo stayed at the hotel.
That way, you and I can talk.
Oh, Laura!
I'm mortally wounded.
Humiliated, offended.
Come on, Desi, come on.
Stop that nonsense.
He was just a good lay.
You're here now.
You must try to forget.
You've got me. You've got your friends.
We'll help you.
I'll ring Arturo.
We've arrived.
Yes.
I warn you, Desi.
Don't tell me I've changed, I know I have.
I've changed.
Marriage is...
...very serious.
I must tell you that.
I'm not married to Ramiro, I'm married to Yaman.
I can't deny the obvious.
That you'll spend your life dying of love for the Turk.
What if I do?
- Hello, Desi. - How are you, Arturo?
Arturo and I could be intermediaries.
All may not be lost with Ramiro.
But you must be willing.
Look, I will never be me without Yaman!
What does that Turk have?
He's got eyes like this.
And other things...
...you can imagine. Other things...
...I dream about every night.
That's me, I'm a slut. I shout like an animal...
...when I'm fucked.
And now...
...please, leave me alone.
Leave me alone.
I want to rest for a while.
You're crazy, Desi.
- What's it to be? - An orgeat, please
Coming up.
- What can I get you? - I'll have beer.
Anything else?
- I'll have tonic. - Lemonade for me.
Bored?
I'm contemplating.
That isn't yes or no. Will you join us?
I'm fine here.
I'm lvan. And you?
Desideria.
Desirée?
Desideria. But call me Desi.
- Here you are. - Thank you.
Where are you going to?
- Or coming from? - Now, from Istanbul.
Why were you there?
I'm married to a Turk.
Really?
To a Turk?
Well, it's been a pleasure. I'd like to hear more...
...about him but... - Don't go.
Why?
I'm not on the game.
That's obvious.
Are you leaving?
Forgive me.
Why?
I had to know how a man who wasn't Yaman...
...would make love to me.
The Turk?
And now I know.
- It was very nice but... - But?
A few hours after we met, I'm a whore.
A whore tied for life to her pimp.
Where were you?
In Madrid.
What should I do with you?
I've come back.
You can kill me if you want.
I should throw you out, put you in the street.
Put cold water on your face.
Do you love me?
I just can't decide.
Don't hurry. Take your time.
- When are you leaving? - On Tuesday.
Well, let's see.
To begin with...
...I think you should eliminate a few of them...
...the ones that you like least.
But don't hurry.
Can I come in now?
Yes, come in.
Definitely not that tie.
No, I'm all dressed up.
So what?
A kiss...
A kiss in Spain...
...is a sign of love.
It can never lie.
Thank you.
The Virgin of the Pillar says...
...that she doesn't want to be French.
She wants to be the captain of the Aragonese troops.
Translate.
The Virgin of the Pillar wants to be, not French...
...but captain of the Aragonese troops.
In France, we have enough virgins like that.
In France, we have a lot of virgins.
If all Frenchmen are like you, there won't be that many.
If all Frenchmen are like you, that would surprise her.
But my kiss of love...
...isn't for just anyone.
A kiss...
Fuck, stop kicking my foot.
Am I not doing it right?
It's getting late for Yaman.
He gets up early...
...to open his lovely shop in the bazaar.
We'll leave when you want.
You're not taking Desi. She's the queen of the evening.
The queen of the evening!
I beg you to stay and enjoy the evening...
...with the very same ease...
...as I leave you with.
I will tell Alain, my secretary...
...to visit you tomorrow at the bazaar.
I'm sure we'll reach an agreement.
Could you take Blanche and Alain to their hotel?
With pleasure.
The Turks are very pleasant.
Don't think I work in such conditions with just anybody.
Don't think I cheat on Yaman with just anybody.
- Yaman... - Where are you?
At Paulina's place.
Are you sure?
Absolutely.
I'm looking at her.
- Why didn't you call before? - I wasn't sure you'd be there.
Come soon.
I love you.
I love you too.
What's all this?
A gift.
Shouldn't I...
...accept it?
Come.
Take it off.
Don't you like it?
Of course I do.
Are you going to hit me?
What is it with you?
You never understand.
Come.
I want you to know who fucks you best.
You must do me another favor.
A very big favor.
Yes. Yes.
I'm sure you can help me.
All right?
Give him this envelope.
Will I speak...
...bad French, or bad Spanish?
I can understand French.
There is...
...money missing.
- Miss or Mrs.? - Miss.
Lots of dollars.
I don't know if Yamin... Is that his name?
No, Yaman.
...knows the risks.
He's been playing with fire.
My organization doesn't like lies or swindles.
Will you have to make up what is missing?
I think you don't know everything that bastard does.
Is he your friend?
Your lover?
Do you know him well?
He's my lover.
And he's a very good lover.
Let me explain.
He does business with us.
Your good lover is very clever.
Very clever.
Too clever.
But sometimes...
...he thinks we're fools.
Want a snort?
No, thank you.
Well.
As I was saying...
He's very clever. He exports his best carpets...
...soaked with that white powder...
...which you have just refused.
And how did he get so clever?
He arranges it so that some carpets...
...not all, just the odd one, so that we don't notice...
...get lost en route. Do you understand?
That's it.
Are you comfortable?
I hope your erotic tastes aren't dreadful.
Don't worry.
I am humble.
Let's see.
Get dressed.
You're very pretty.
I like you very much.
Provided...
...you don't give it to your pimp...
...choose a gift.
Mademoiselle has found a hidden treasure.
If you like it, take it.
Wait.
It's called Desire.
It belonged to a beautiful lady. You're taking...
...one of my dearest heirlooms.
Please.
A pistol without bullets is of no use.
They are very small bullets.
If you ever want to use it on your Yaman...
...fire at close range...
...right at his head.
Open up.
Don't go in there.
What's wrong?
If I ever kill Yaman, I'll marry you.
Look, my friends.
Reinforcements.
Shit!
I wasn't expecting you until tonight, or tomorrow.
Why give to others what only I deserve?
Kiss me.
Hurry up, Alain.
Got a cigarette?
Yaman.
See you at Ali Pacha's cafe.
- We're all going. - I'm meeting Denis...
...at six o'clock.
Now I'll see if you really love me.
This isn't a funeral, Desi. It's a party, a celebration.
What's wrong?
Can't you see I want to be alone with you?
Love is like trade.
A good lover must fulfill two obligations.
First, never lose, keep what you have.
Second, never stake everything on one card.
You mustn't risk love in its entirety.
You must keep some reserves, just in case.
If you don't do that, you become the other person's slave.
And believe me, the other person becomes sick of his slave.
How long have you known that whore?
I want you to drink...
...let yourself go, live and let live.
Love is a game which brightens our lives.
To really do that, its caresses must last.
It must pervade everything, just as a perfume does.
Beneath that silk, you both have...
...breasts which are swelling...
...hearts which are racing, breathing which is agitated...
...contractions which you are beginning to feel somewhere.
Love is always there to be discovered...
...especially with more than two.
Behind the knees...
...a groin, the smoothness of an inner thigh...
...the smoothness of the phallus...
...a curl of hair, armpits, cheekbones, lips.
You see? Blanche responds...
...even knowing I don't love her.
Why not ask her what she does to understand life?
Why are you so serious? I don't want to steal your husband.
It's just a game.
How long have you been sleeping with this bitch?
You're unbearable, Desi, darling.
With or without your help...
...l'm going to ride that bitch tonight.
Go away, and let this be the last time I see you.
We must leave discreetly.
You must take me to a friend's house.
She has to get away.
Desi has to get away.
Get a doctor!
Good-bye, my desires.
Good-bye, children I can never have.
Good-bye, friends I didn't love.
Good-bye, lovers who denied me friendship.
Everything is over.
I don't know in which world I belong.
It all comes down to the same.
A humming which, from now on...
... will mark my hours of solitude.
It will be sweet to die from this memory...
... although I don't know