1 I/E. CAR ON COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT 1
A car on an almost deserted road overlooking the city
whose lights can be seen in the distance.
At the wheel, a MAN, in the passenger seat, his pregnant
WIFE, and in the back, their daughter NILOUFAR. A lively
song by Sadegh Boughi plays on the car radio and Niloufar
sings along at the top of her voice.
A car appears in the distance and the man turns the music
down.
NILOUFAR
No, Dad, please… don’t turn it down!
MAN
Come on, daughter, it’s too loud… it will
bother people!
NILOUFAR
What people? There’s no one here. Mom,
tell him to turn it up!
WOMAN
Turn it up… for once!
Despite his misgivings, the man turns the music up.
NILOUFAR
Dance with me. Believe me, it’s great…
Sing with me! Here we go… Now!
Her mother, happy, and her father, reluctant, sing the
chorus with Nilouf ar.
NILOUFAR
Your hands… Like this… Eo… Eo… Eo… Eo.
Niloufar dances, making hand movements. Her parents do
likewise.
The music becomes more intense. Each time a car passes,
the man watches it attentively, afraid that someone might
catch them like this.
Niloufar seems very happy to see her parents join in. She
is over the moon, shouting for joy, laughing.
All of a sudden, at the height of this little sh ow, the
car hits something. The man brakes sharply. Niloufar and
her mother have trouble keeping their balance. The car
stops. The music continues to play, contrasting with the
ambient silence. The man turns the music off.
WOMAN
What was that?
MAN
I don’t know…
The man gets out of the car. He walks with a limp. The
distinctive sound of his artificial leg is clearly
audible in the silent night.
He reaches the back of the car and looks down. He
immediately glances away, as if he couldn’t bear the
sight of what he sees. We briefly make out the whimpering
of an animal.
The man reluctantly bends down to the animal and pushes
its body to the side of the road.
In the distance, thunder rumbles. Rain begins to fall.
The man straightens up and steps around the car, but he
freezes just before opening the door.
He leans against the car, takes a deep breath, and
finally gets in.
After a few fruitless attempts, the car starts up again
and drives off. The man doesn’t say a word. Heavy silence
settles in the car. No one speaks for a long moment.
The wom an looks at her husband, then at Niloufar. The
latter is frozen in shock. She holds her soft toy tightly
to her chest and huddles up. The woman tries to break the
silence.
WOMAN
Thank God nothing happened to us… Are you
alright, Niloufar, sweetie? Niloufar…
Without saying a word, Niloufar stares at her soft toy
and pushes her mother’s hand away when she tries to reach
out to her. The woman looks at t he man. He is in the same
state as his daughter. The woman turns the music back on.
NILOUFAR
Turn it off…
The woman turns the music off. A moment’s silence.
NILOUFAR
You killed it!
The man and the woman look at each other. She signals to
him to respond.
MAN
It ran out in front of the car! I didn’t
even see it…
WOMAN
It wasn’t his fault… It was an accident!
What is destined to happen happens! If
God placed i t on our path, there has to
be a reason.
NILOUFAR
He killed an animal! What’s that got to
do with God?
WOMAN
It wasn’t deliberate. But if he’d done it
on purpose, you’d be right to ask that.
Outside, the rain grows heavier.
The car starts to make a strange noise. The man, worried,
checks the dashboard controls but doesn’t notice anything
unusual. The car suddenly stops and the man cannot start
it again.
WOMAN
Another problem now!
(turning to the man)
Have you run out of fuel?
MAN
The tank is half-full! I think the spark
plugs must be damp…
The man pulls the lever to open the hood. The woman hands
him a plastic bag.
WOMAN
Here, cover your head with this…
The man puts the plastic bag on his head and gets out of
the car. He examines the engine but cannot see anything
wrong.
MAN
Try to start it up…
The woman turns the key in the ignition several times ,
but the car won’t start. The man looks around. Lights in
buildings on the other side of the road flicker through
the rain. The man comes over to his wife.
MAN
I’ll go get help. Lock the doors…
The woman locks the doors as the man crosses the road. He
goes over to a shed, knocks on the door and waits. After
a while, a voice rings out inside.
OMID (O.C.)
Who’s there?
MAN
Open the door, please. Just for a minute…
The door opens. A young man aged 22, Omid, wearing
overalls, stands in the doorway.
MAN
Hello… Sorry to bother you… My car has
broken down. It won’t start. Do you know
of a mechanic anywhere near here?
OMID
Yes, there’s one not far away. At the
crossroads, turn left. And after a mile
or so, you’ll find a garage that’s open
24 hours.
MAN
The car won’t go that far… If it could,
I’d have gone home… I have my family with
me… Do you have the garage’s number so I
can ask them to come?
OMID
No… I don’t have it.
MAN
Alright… Thank you.
The man turns to go, but Omid, thinking of the family in
the car, stops him.
OMID
Wait a minute, I’ll get some tools, maybe
I’ll be able to help.
The man smiles and shelters beneath an awning as he waits
for him. Omid goes back inside. The room is cramped, with
a mezzanine floor at the far end - the workshop office
accessed via some metal stairs. Omid climbs the stairs
and enters the office.
We discover Vahid, a man in his forties, also in
overalls, caught up in a phone conversation. He seems a
little agitated.
Omid searches in a cupboard and gathers spanners and
screwdrivers. Vahid watches him out of the corner of his
eye.
VAHID
(into the phone)
Listen, I told you to come bac k! It’s not
worth our time!… No, no, it’ll be fine!…
I need the van… My sister’s waiting, I
have to fetch the baby’s things… Rahim,
can’t you understand? Come back…
(to Omid)
Who is it?
OMID
A guy whose car broke down… with his
family in it… I think he lives nearby, at
the edge of the desert. I’ll see if I can
fix it so he can get home.
Omid leaves the office with the tools. As he continues
his phone conversation, Vahid goes over to the window.
VAHID
(still into the phone)
No, Rahim… I’m the one responsible! I
report to the boss… Who is it you
actually work for?… So why are you
wasti ng time? Get back here, I’m waiting…
I’m in a hurry, I’ll see you shortly…
Hurry up!
Vahid hangs up. As he continues to look outside, he calls
someone else on his phone.
We hear his voice as he watches Omid and the man walk
over to the car. The man sits behind the wheel and tries
to start the car while Omid gets to work. The woman and
the girl get out of the car and ask Omid something. He
gestures t o the workshop. They hurry over to use the
bathroom.
Vahid, phone in hand, notices the woman is pregnant and
watches her as she goes over to the bathroom.
VAHID
Hello, Mom?… Please, I said I’d be there
soon… What can I do, the job took longer
than planned… Yes, I know… Have you
eaten? Why not?… I already told you not
to wait for me!… Alright, eat now and
I’ll come to get the baby’s things after
I pic k up the van!… Please, you know it’s
the only vehicle we have and it belongs
to the workshop!… What?… Ah, yes, yes… I
bought it… I’ll bring it… It’s the same
brand, imported!… Okay… See you later…
Bye.
Vahid hangs up and lights a cigarette.
In the meantime, the woman comes out of the bathroom.
Vahid looks at her through the gap in the door. The woman
sits down, apparently overcome by stomach pains. Niloufar
helps her.
We hear the workshop door open. Vahid goes to the far end
of the room but the sound of the man’s artificial leg on
the concrete floor makes him freeze, as if this unusual
noise seemed familiar. He pricks up his ears. Vahid tries
to spot the man, but he can’t. He discreetly steps over
to the door again.
He sees the man come into the workshop, then go over to
his wife and daughter. Vahid looks devastated. He quickly
steps back and presses against the cupboard so as not to
be seen. He takes a deep breath and tries to pull himself
together. All of a sudden, the man calls out to him.
MAN
Vahid… Vahid…
Vahid doesn’t reply.
MAN
Mister Vahid…
Vahid is cornered. He coughs and then answers, but
without showing himself. He alters his voice to reply.
VAHID
Yes?!
MAN
Mister Omid needs the old toolbox.
Vahid heaves a sigh of relief.
VAHID
It’s next to the big machine!
Vahid doesn’t move. He pricks up his ears again. We hear
the man’s steps. Vahid peers at him through a crack in
the door. The man goes over to the machine and takes the
toolbox. He leaves the workshop.
Vahid thinks for a second. He peers out of the win dow.
The man gives the toolbox to Omid who takes a tool from
it and goes back to work.
The man finally manages to start the car. He shakes
Omid’s hand and tries to give him a little money, but
Omid refuses. Omid comes back over to the workshop to
tell the woman and girl that they can go back to the car.
They leave the workshop.
In the meantime, Vahid quickly changes. He removes his
overalls and put s on everyday clothes. Before Omid can
close the workshop door, Vahid hurries down the stairs.
VAHID
Everything okay?
OMID
I did what I could… I think he’ll be able
to get home… But he’ll need it repaired!
VAHID
Give me the motorbike key…
OMID
Mister Vahid, weren’t we supposed to take
the van to fetch the baby things for your
sister?
VAHID
I know, but we’ll see about that later… I
don’t feel up to it this evening… Call me
when Rahim gets back, I’ll tell him where
to take the van.
OMID
Alright…
VAHID
And turn off the outside lights too so
people won’t think we’re open.
Omid hands the motorbike key to Vahid who quickly leaves
the workshop.
2 EX T. ROAD - NIGHT 2
Vahid, on his motorbike, follows the man’s Peugeot. He
keeps a certain distance so as not to be spotted. The
falling rain strikes his face and makes driving
difficult. After passing along several streets and
alleys, the car finally arrives at an isolated house.
Vahid parks the motorbike and hides in a spot where no
one will see him. He takes out his phone and makes a
call.
3 EXT. OUT SIDE THE HOUSE - DAY 3
Still in front of the house, but now at the wheel of a
van, Vahid has fallen asleep. He is woken by the ringing
of his phone. On waking, he feels a pain in his side. A
look of panic comes into his eyes.
He looks at the man’s house. He takes out his phone,
turns on the speaker and puts the phone on the passenger
seat. In the meantime, he looks for his pills in the
glove compart ment.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Buried Doubts
4 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS - DAY 4
At the wheel of the van, Vahid follows the taxi that
stops on a narrow street. The man gets out. He walks
along the deserted, one-way street. Vahid follows.
The man advances a few steps and is about to cross the
street when Vahid accelerates all of a sudden and hits
the man who falls to the ground. Vahid quickly gets out
of the van and opens the back door.
5 EXT. DESERT OUTSIDE THE CITY - DAY 5
Vahid digs a hole with a shovel.
To one side, a dried-up tree; on the other, the van
parked a few yards from the hole. All around, as far as
the eye can see, arid land.
Vahid goes over to the van, pulls the man out and throws
him to the ground. He drags him over to the hole. The
man, who is conscious now, tries to speak. We can see
that he is in pain. All he can do is make unintelligible
noises. Vahid pushes the man into the hole and starts to
cover him with soil. The man thrashes about, but Vahid
pays no attention. After taking a long breath, he steps
down into the hole and removes the tape from the man’s
mouth. The man twists in pain. Vahid then removes the
sock from his mouth. The man makes the most of this to
breathe and speak.
MAN
Sir, what are you doing? Please, wait a
minute… I’m dying… What did I do?… I have
a wife and children… My wife is pregnant…
Vahid ignores the man’s words and continues to throw soil
in his face.
MAN
No, stop, stop… Is it be cause of that dog
yesterday evening? I swear I felt bad
about it all night… We didn’t sleep… I
made a mistake… I’m sorry… But you don’t
kill someone for running over a dog!
Believe me, it’s not my fault… The dog
ran out in front of the car all of a
sudden. I couldn’t see clearly enough…
Okay?… I admit it… But I didn’t kill
anyone! I beg you, let me go… I’m sick… I
have a child waiting for me at ho me!
Vahid looks calmly at the man. Then he takes the ID card
out of his pocket and reads it.
VAHID
Rashid Shahsavari… So that’s your real
name?
MAN
Yes… My bank card is in the wallet too!
There’s money on the account… The PIN is
1392. Withdraw whatever you want… For the
dog!
VAHID
Eghbal is a better name… It’s shorter and
snappier.
The man freezes all of a sudden. He recognizes this name.
There’s a moment’s silence. Eghbal quickly collects his
wits.
EGHBAL
Who’s Eghbal?
VAHID
Shut up, you son of a bitch… You used to
call me that. You’d say, “If y our mother
hadn’t been a whore, she’d never have
given birth to a shit like you.” And now,
you pathetic jerk, you say you don’t know
who Eghbal is…
EGHBAL
You’re wrong… I swear I’ve never heard
that name before…
VAHID
Don’t play the innocent… Do you think
we’re stupid? You thought blindfolding us
was enough to make you invisible? You
didn’t think we’d recognize you from the
sound your leg makes? Our e yes were
closed, but we haven’t forgotten. We knew
that one day, thanks to that sound, we’d
find you. The sound that haunted my
nights and my days for five years…
EGHBAL
Five years? What do you mean, five years?
I had this accident barely a year ago,
while I was driving… I have all the
medical records. I can show them to you…
I swear, I don’t know who this Eghbal is…
It’s a misunderstanding!
VAHID
You lie so well… You’re all bastards! You
make up these lies to save your skin. But
this is the end, Mister Eghbal!
Vahid picks up the shovel and keeps filling the hole.
Eghbal starts to struggle again.
EGHBAL
You don’t believe me? Look for yourself…
Look at the wound… Is it a wound from
five years ago? I have an appointment to
get the dressing changed later today…
Vahid pauses. Eghbal’s final words seem to have marked
him. Vahid paces up and down, stops and looks at Eghbal
again. He starts pacing again, agitated, then suddenly
hops down into the hole and tries to pull off the
artificial leg. Eghbal screams.
EGHBAL
It’s an artificial limb! Pull my pant leg
up and look…
Vahid tries to pull up his pant leg. He cannot manage it.
In frustration, he takes out a box cutter and tears
Eghbal’s pants. The artificial limb comes loose and a
little blood trickles from the wound.
EGHBAL
Sir, I don’t know what happened to y ou…
An unpaid debt? Honor? But, please, don’t
sacrifice me! I don’t know anything about
it! You have the wrong man…
Vahid looks at him for a moment, then climbs out of the
hole. He goes over to the van and leans against it. He
thinks for a second, takes out a cigarette, lights it and
drags on it. He looks at the hole. He takes another drag
on the cigarette, as if he had just thought of something.
H e stands, opens the van door, takes his phone from the
dash and makes a call.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
The Weight of Revenge
6 EXT. CITY OUTSKIRTS - DAY 6
A long road across the desert. The van arrives in the
city.
7 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS - DAY 7
Vahid looks for a parking space on a busy street. He
parks, quickly gets out of the van, turns the alarm on
and goes over to a bookstore on the other side of the
street.
8 INT. BOOKSTORE - DAY 8
Vahid comes into the bookstore, looks around and ends up
spotting SALAR who sits with his back to him. He goes
over to him.
VAHID
Hello, Salar!
Salar turns and, on seeing Vahid, beams in delight. He
stands to embrace him.
SALAR
Ah, Vahid! What a joy to see you. Are you
keeping well? You’re back here…
VAHID
Thank you… I’m very busy… I’m digging a
hole in the desert with a shovel…
Vah id sits down at his friend’s invitation.
VAHID
Salar, you no longer answer a poor man’s
calls… I know you’re here on Tuesdays, so
I decided to come to see you in person.
SALAR
I was busy… I forgot to call you back.
VAHID
It’s an urgent matter.
SALAR
Forget work. Did you go to see a doctor?
How many appointments have I made for
you… Go to see a doctor… Before, Jughead
was just a nickname, but now, with you
holding your back all the time, you
really do look like a jug.
Vahid shows Eghbal’s identity card to Salar.
SALAR
Who is this?
VAHID
It’s him!
Salar freezes all of a sudden. He pauses, then asks in a
low voice.
SALAR
What have you done?
VAHID
I’ve caught him at last… I hit him with
the van… And now he’s tied up in the
back.
SALAR
Is he still alive?
Vahid nods.
VAHID
I just need you to take a look and
confirm it’s him or not…
Salar stares at him in disbelief, then looks around.
SALAR
Come on.
Vahid follows Salar. They go down the stairs to the
storeroom.
SALAR
What have you done?! Have you thought
about the consequences?
VAHID
I recognized him, I couldn’t let him go
again. All these years, that bastard has
haunted every second of my life. I still
can’t sleep because of him. He took my
life, my youth, my woman… I’m only human,
how much longer could I have held back? I
took him into the desert… I even dug his
grave… But he struggled and told me he
wasn’t Eghbal… That’s why I need you to
come and check, to tell me if it’s him or
not… Then I’ll know what to do if it is
him.
SALAR
I’d never have imagined you falling into
a trap like this… Listen, my friend,
we’re not killers and we won’t inflict on
him what they did to us… We don’t need to
dig his grave… He’ll dig it himself… But
for now he’s the one who has dug your
grave… because he has destroyed the
humanity within you and left only the
urge to destroy and kill!
VAHID
Salar, I don’t really have time to listen
to all that… It’s too late now… I’m not
asking you to do anything… Just come and
see… Tell me if it’s him or not.
SALAR
Even if it is him… It’s best to let him
go. Otherwise, there’ll be no end to it.
Vahid looks at Salar for a moment. He seems to have
understood that his efforts will get him nowhere. He
takes Salar’s hand and hugs him tightly.
VAHID
You h elped me during the worst times,
I’ll never forget that. If you don’t help
me now, I won’t hold it against you. But
I’ve started this now… and I’ll finish it
myself!
Vahid kisses Salar on the shoulder and leaves. As he goes
out, he hears Salar’s voice and, without turning, he
gives a brief wave.
SALAR (O.S.)
Think of yourself! Have you seen the
state you’re in?
9 EXT. OUTSIDE THE BOOKSTORE - DAY 9
Vahid comes out of the bookstore, crosses the street and
walks over to the van. Salar catches up with him before
he opens the van door. He has a piece of paper in his
hand. He gives it to Vahid.
SALAR
Take this… contact this person and go to
see her… Listen to what she tells you.
Salar walks off without saying goodbye. Vahid looks at
the piece of paper. A phone number and the name of a
woman, Shiva, are wr itten on it. Vahid quickly takes out
his phone and calls the number, but there’s no answer.
Thinking he has made a mistake, he punches out the number
again. Still no answer.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Confronting the Past
10 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS - DAY 10
Vahid drives the van through the city, clearly
frustrated. Each time he calls the number, there’s no
answer.
He throws his phone onto the passenger seat in annoyance.
He drives for a moment, lost in his thoughts. That’s when
his phone rings. He brakes sharply and we hear the other
cars screech to a halt behind him. Vahid frantically
looks for his phone, manages to find it and answers as he
gets out of the van.
11 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS - RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT - DAY 11
Shiva photographs the bride and groom. They s trike a pose
in a flowery setting for the occasion. Her phone starts
ringing.
SHIVA
Excuse me, just a moment.
GOLROKH
Beware of my train.
SHIVA
I have to answer.
GOLROKH
No problem.
SHIVA
Hello? Hello Maryam? How are you? Yes,
the whole series is ready. I’ll send it
to you tonight.
Shiva walks away from the couple and heads towards a
garden in the villa. Vahid is there and wants to talk to
her.
SHIVA
I’m sorry… I told you on the phone that I
was busy today, but since Salar sent you…
What’s the problem?
VAHID
Are you the Mrs Biglari who was arrested?
SHIVA
Yes, but what’s the problem?
VAHID
Come outside for a minute and I’ll
explain.
SHIVA
Why can’t you tell me here?
VAHID
Well, it’s a little complicated.
SHIVA
You can see I’m busy today. Alright, wait
for me and I’ll come to see you when I
take a break.
Shiva goes back over to the bride and groom.
VAHID
I’ve found Eghbal.
Shiva freezes, then turns to Vahid.
SHIVA
Who are you?
VAHID
Two or three weeks after your arrest… I
too was arrested, on the same charges as
everyone else: collusion, conspiracy and
propaganda against the regime. I read
your reports and those by Golrokh just
before I was arrested… Just come and take
a look at him and I’ll leave you alone!
SHIVA
He’s here?
Vahid nods. Shiva is rooted to the spot with a look of
fear on her face.
VAHID
Don’t worry, he can’t see or move.
SHIVA
Have you killed him?
VAHID
The bastard is still alive. I’ve put him
in a chest.
Shiva wants to go, but Vahid stops her.
VAHID
Listen, I’m not asking you to do
anything… When I came here, I didn’t know
who you were… But as soon as I saw you, I
recognized you…
SHIVA
If you know what he did to us, why are
you still here? Go away…
VAHID
Alright, I’m going… My friends call me
Jughead. Because of all the kicks I
received, I’m always holding my sides
now. I’m not asking you to do anything…
Salar told me that you alone could help
me… All you need to do is see him once
and tell me if it’s him or not.
SHIVA
Listen… I respect Salar, but he made a
mistake giving you my number… It’s none
of my business if you’re a jug now or I
don’t kn ow what… I don’t want to see you
or that bastard… I don’t want to hear
another word… Go on, go now…
Shiva is resolute. She waits for Vahid to leave. Shiva
starts to get angry and steps toward Vahid, speaking to
him in a louder voice.
SHIVA
I told you to leave, you bastard… and
take him with you! Go! I was just
beginning to rid myself of those
memories… Go!
Without waiting for Vahid to react, Shiva goe s back over
to the bride and groom. Vahid calls after her a couple of
times, but Shiva ignores him. He follows her. Shiva
reaches the swimming pool, gets ready and begins to take
photos. Her movements are rapid and edgy. Her behavior
intrigues the others, but no one says anything. She takes
a couple of photos, pauses, then looks at Vahid. She
tries to ignore him, takes another photo, then looks at
him again. She pulls out her phone and makes a call. As
the camera holds on Vahid, we do not hear her voice and
we do not know to whom she is speaking. During her phone
conversation, she walks over to Vahid. We hear the last
few words.
SHIVA
Alright, Salar… I understand… Goodbye.
Shiva hangs up and puts her phone in her pocket.
SHIVA
You’re dumping me in the shit… My hands
are shaking… God damn you, l et’s go see
him.
She joins Vahid and they leave the garden.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
The Identification
12 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS - RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT - DAY 12
They reach the van. Vahid grabs Shiva’s hand, she turns
to him.
VAHID
Don’t say anything inside… Wait until
we’re back out…
SHIVA
Why?
VAHID
It’s wiser! He mustn’t hear your voice.
Vahid calmly opens the van door and climbs in. Shiva
follows him. He opens the chest and lifts the blanket.
Shiva, her eyes staring, watches Vahid.
Eghbal is lying under the b lanket. He has a rag stuffed
in his mouth and a blindfold covering his eyes. Shiva is
petrified. Eghbal squirms and tries to cry out, but all
we hear is a muffled sound.
Shiva observes his desperate movements. Vahid shows
Eghbal’s plastic leg to Shiva. She looks at Eghbal, then
at Vahid before quickly climbing back out of the van.
Vahid puts the blanket back over Eghbal, closes the chest
and climb s out of the van in turn.
SHIVA
Are you sure it’s him?
VAHID
No, I’m not! That’s why I came… So you
could tell me.
SHIVA
Then what?
VAHID
What do you mean?
SHIVA
If it is him… What are you going to do?
VAHID
Let me handle that. I don’t want to cause
you any trouble… I started this and I’m
going to finish it, one way or another…
SHIVA
You dragged me into this craziness and
now you say you don’t want to cause me
any trouble?
VAHID
Forget that… Is it really him?
SHIVA
I can’t say for certain… I never saw the
bastard, I was blindfolded the whole
time…
The bride and groom come out of the garden and walk over
to Shiva. On spotting them, she becomes edgy.
GOLROKH
Shiva dear… Who is this man?… He isn’t
here for…
Shiva goes over to Golrokh and the groom who are at the
garden gate. Golrokh tries to find out who this stranger
is. She thinks that Vahid is a government agent who is
there to threaten them. Shiva wants to take the couple
back into the garden, but Golrokh resists. The groom,
perplexed, steps away from the two women and comes over
to Vahid. He greets him and shakes his hand.
GROOM
Brother, we’re getting married… We came
to my fiancée’s house to do a few photos…
It’s our wedding tomorrow evening… You
understand what I mean… Everything is
booked…
The groom searches in his pockets for some money, but
Shiva calls him back over.
Shiva starts to speak. The camera holds on Vahid and the
others’ voices are incomprehensible. Shiva gestures
frequently toward Vahid and it is clear that she is
explaining everything to the couple. Golrokh slumps to
the ground. The groom takes her in his arms, asking for
water. A few seconds later, a young man brings a glass of
water. The groom tells Golrokh to drink. He splashes her
face too. Shiva tells the young man to go back into the
garden. Golrokh, who seems to have recovered a little,
then rushes over to the van. Vahid is a little confused.
Without paying any attention to him, Golrokh tries to
open the door. Vahid stops her. Shiva and the groom come
over to them. Before they climb into the van, Shiva makes
a gesture to tell them to keep quiet. The two women and
the groom get into the van and close the door. The camera
holds on Vahid, outside. Worried, he glances around and
lights a cigarette.
After a few seconds, Golrokh, Shiva and the groom get
back out. Golrokh seems exhausted. Vahid quickly closes
the door of the van.
GOLROKH
(to Vahid)
Where did you find him?
Vahid looks at Shiva and doesn’t reply. All of a sudden,
the groom grabs Vahid by his collar.
GROOM
Listen, I don’t know who you are or what
your game is. I just know this is too
much for Golrokh… If anything happens to
her, you’ll have to deal with me.
Shiva parts the two men.
SHIVA
Ali, go back inside. I’ll sort this out.
Ali stares furiously at Vahid.
Shiva rais es her voice.
SHIVA
I told you to go…
The groom, seeing that Shiva is serious, takes Golrokh by
the arm and starts to walk away. But Golrokh refuses to
go back to the garden.
SHIVA
(to Vahid)
Sir. Go now… We can’t help you… Do what
you want, but leave us alone.
GOLROKH
That bastard ruined my life, I’m not just
going to let him leave…
She throws her tiny bouquet to the ground.
GOLROKH
Until I know if it’s him or not… I’m not
going to give up.
Golrokh’s gestures and words plunge everyone into
complete silence. They look at each other. Shiva steps
over to Vahid.
SHIVA
I told you to leave and you didn’t… Now
look at the mess you’ve gotten us into!…
It should never have come to this… Right,
let me see him one more time!
Vahid opens the door of the van and Shiva climbs in with
him. Vahid opens the chest again. Eghbal starts to thrash
about. His left leg (the artificial one) is visible
because of his torn pants. Shiva bends down to lift the
other pant leg in order to see something. But she cannot
manage it. She is nervous and her hands shake. Vahid,
seeing how edgy she is, takes a box cutter out of his
pocket and q uickly cuts open the right pant leg. Eghbal’s
other leg is now exposed, revealing a long scar on it. It
seems to be quite old as the flesh has puckered along the
scar. On seeing this wound, Shiva is petrified. She
quickly climbs out of the van. Vahid closes the chest and
gets out in turn. Golrokh and Ali come over to them.
SHIVA
If it’s up to me, I say it’s him alright…
Hamid told me his right leg w as covered
with scars… But…
GOLROKH
But what?
SHIVA
Only Hamid will be able to say for sure
if it’s him or not.
ALI
Shiva, what are you going to do? I’ve
never met Hamid, but I’ve heard bad
things about him… You want to bring him
here?
SHIVA
No, I’m not bringing that madman here…
We’ll go find him!
Ali leads Shiva off to one side.
ALI
Listen, Shiva, you know how it is…
Golrokh has only just recovered… If
any thing happens, we won’t be able to do
a thing for her.
SHIVA
Something has already happened… There’s
nothing we can do about it… If only you’d
stayed in the garden… I know Golrokh
won’t drop it now… We’d better find Hamid
as soon as possible…
VAHID
Who’s Hamid?
Shiva says nothing for a second or two.
SHIVA
He had the most contact with him. He was
under his guard for eleven months! He’s
the only one who’ll be able to recognize
him.
GOLROKH
So what are we waiting for? Let’s go.
Golrokh, determined, wants to get into the van. Ali,
annoyed, steps over to her.
ALI
Golrokh, wait a minute! We’re expected
back at the house.
Golrokh takes out her phone and makes a call.
G OLROKH
Hi, Mom… How’s it going? Mom, Ali and I
are going with Shiva to take a few
photos… Yes… For the wedding… I wanted to
let you know… We’ll be back late… Love
you…
Golrokh hangs up and looks at Ali.
GOLROKH
There, feel better now? Let’s go…
Before they get into the van, Vahid addresses them all.
VAHID
Please turn off your phones and give them
to me.
The other three look at each other, then take out th eir
phones, turn them off and give them to Vahid. He opens
the door and gets into the van. The others climb in after
him. He puts the phones on the dashboard and takes the
wheel. The van drives off.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Tensions in Transit
13 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS DAY 13
Golrokh and Ali are sitting in the back of the van.
ALI
What a photo shoot.
GOLROKH
Come on, we've made a lot.
ALI
What a mess.
GOLROKH
You're always complaining. Enough is
enough.
Ali approaches Shiva and Vahid, who are sitting at the
front of the van. He starts talking to them, but Shiva
reminds him that he mustn't be heard.Shiva and Vahid got
out of the van silently and headed towards the pharmacy.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
A Tense Plan Unfolds
14 INT. PHARMACY - DAY 14
Shiva is talking to the doctor behind the counter. The y
seem to be good friends and the doctor looks happy to see
her. Vahid sits on a bench next to some customers,
waiting. Shiva occasionally gestures toward Vahid and
speaks to him, but we do not hear what they say.
Shiva has convinced the doctor who goes into the small
room behind the counter. Shiva smiles at Vahid. The
doctor comes back after a few seconds with a box. He
explains to Shiva what he i s giving to her, but we still
cannot hear anything.
15 EXT. STREET OUTSIDE PHARMACY - DAY 15
Shiva and Vahid come out of the pharmacy. Shiva carries a
bag. She gives what she has bought to Vahid.
SHIVA
Take these and put them in his ears…
Earplugs… When Hamid is here, we won’t be
able to stop him talking… He’ll mess
things up.
(handing the box of
medication to Vahid)
And we have to put him to sleep too.
VAH ID
Are you sure?
SHIVA
I learned certain things with Hamid… And
the doctor showed me what to do too.
VAHID
Isn’t this likely to kill him right away?
Shiva stops in the middle of the street and looks
insistently at Vahid. He looks away and then notices that
a small crowd has gathered around the van. He runs over.
Cars screech to a halt. He reaches the van and sees that
a street musician and a few other people are singing a
festive song just in front of the van. He opens the door
and finds Ali searching in the glove compartment. Ali
notices Vahi d.
ALI
Hey, don’t you have any cash in here to
give them so they’ll leave us in peace?
We’re really getting ourselves noticed
here…
Vahid searches his pockets and finds a bill that he gives
to him. Ali hands it to the musician. Shiva and Vahid get
into the van and they set off again.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Confrontation on the Streets of Tehran
16 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS - DAY 16
The city is full of life. As they drive, Shiva tells
Vahid which streets to take.
SHIVA
Take that street…
Vahid stops the van. Shiva points to Hamid who is talking
to a group of people on the other side of the street.
Shiva gets out of the van and walks towards the man on
the other side of the road.From inside the van, all three
watch the scene unfold. Shiva makes her way through the
traffic. She speaks to the man before he loses his temper
with her. They argue, but we cannot hear what the y are
saying. He pushes her and she falls to the ground. She
quickly gets up and forces him to follow her, grabbing
his hand to cross the road again, towards the van.
HAMID
Okay, I’m sitting down! What is it?
GOLROKH
Let’s go somewhere quiet to talk…
HAMID
What for? I’m already here… Tell me what
you want…
ALI
Hamid, this is serious!
HAMID
Don’t you give me that!
SHIVA
Hamid, stop being do childish… Shut up
for a minute and tell us where we can
find a quiet spot!
In the face of Shiva’s commanding tone, Hamid falls
silent. He takes a deep breath and turns to Vahid.
HAMID
Go to the corner of the street and turn
right…
Vahid starts the van up.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Tension on the Rooftop
17 EXT. CARPARK - DAY 17
The van enters a multi-story carpark and stops on the
quiet top level. Ali and Shiva are keeping a close eye on
Hamid who seems ready to run. Vahid opens the chest.
Eghbal is unconscious.
Hamid looks attentively at Eghbal. Everyone awaits his
reaction. He first examines Eghbal’s left leg and
artificial limb, then he closes his eyes and touches his
right leg. Hamid opens his eyes, then moves his hand up
the torn pant leg to look at the older scars on the right
leg. The oth ers hold their breath. Hamid freezes, then
suddenly removes the blindfold from Eghbal’s eyes and,
cursing, attacks the unconscious man. The others try to
hold him back, but Hamid strikes Eghbal several times.
Vahid quickly closes the chest. The other three try to
control Hamid who goes wild. Ali finally manages to
neutralize him at the back of the van. Hamid is breathing
heavily. He seems to have reached a decision.
HAMID
I’m gonna chop him to bits… Let go of me,
you scumbag… Let go of me! I’m not gonna
leave that bastard alive… Let go of my
hand… I’m gonna kill him… Let go of me…
SHIVA
(shouting)
Hamid! Stop! I swear, if you don’t calm
down, I’ll throw you out!
HAMID
Shiva, he’s a total asshole… He always
told me he took it out on guys like us
because he lost his leg in Syria… It’s
him, the fucking bastard… I’ve been
running my hand over that leg of his in
my nightmares for years. It’s him, the
filthy bastard! Let go of me!
SHIVA
Sit down! First, we have to be sure,
then…
HAMID
Sure of what?… I’m telling you it’s him…
Have you spoken to him?
VAHID
I spoke to hi m. Before we put him out.
HAMID
You’re an idiot. What were you expecting?
A confession? If we give him the chance,
he’ll send us all to the gallows! I know
bastards like him. They just have to open
their mouths and, using no end of tricks,
they dump us in the shit…
GOLROKH
He has to talk. Until he talks, I won’t
let anyone touch him.
HAMID
I know how to make him talk.
Hamid moves toward Eghbal, but Vahid grabs his arm.
VAHID
Stay back… Until he confesses, no one has
the right to touch him!
HAMID
Ah… What an idiot… How many people have
one artificial leg and the other covered
with scars like that?
SHIVA
Don’t talk to him like that! He’s a
friend of Salar’s… Salar Sarang!
HAMID
Why’s he hesitating then? His friends are
like him! They hesitated…
Hamid pounces on the chest and, before the others can
stop him, he starts yelling. The others look around,
concerned by the racket that Hamid is making. They grab
hold of him and push him out of the van. Hamid tries to
get closer to the chest by every means possible, but Ali,
Vahid and Shiva push him out of the van again. Ali and
Vahid get out too. Hamid struggles with them. Shiva and
Golrokh stay in the van and lock the door. Vahid and Ali
grab Hamid and drag him into a corner of the carpark.
They squat down between the cars. All of a sudden, TWO
CARPARK SECURITY GUARDS, middle-aged men with walkie-
talkies in hand, come over and look at them, both
surprised and calm. Silence falls. Vahid and Ali let go
of Hamid and stand. Hamid, panting, stares at the
security guards. The silence lingers for a few more
seconds.
SECURITY GUARD #1
Were you searching him?
Vahid is the first to collect his wits. He brushes the
dust from his clothes.
VAHID
No, we’re just joking around!
ALI
Do we look like we were searching him?
Ali holds his hand out to Hamid.
ALI
Get up…
Hamid reluctantly takes Ali’s hand and stands, brushing
down his clothes. Shiva gets out of the van with her
camera, accompanied by Golrokh, an d comes over to them.
SHIVA
Hello… What’s going on? Is there a
problem?
SECURITY GUARD #1
(pointing to Golrokh’s
wedding dress)
Is this another joke?
SHIVA
What joke? We’re working!
SECURITY GUARD #2
So that’s your job, searching people?
SHIVA
No, sir… I’m a photographer. I do wedding
photos. We brought this couple up here to
take photos. For the view…
SECURITY GUARD #1
What view?
SHIVA
Come and see… You have the whole city at
your feet up here! It’s as if you could
take in the whole of Teheran in one look!
Shiva leads the two security guards over to the edge of
the roof and shows them the city below.
SHIVA
Beautiful, isn’t it?
They don’t seem to find the view particularly beautiful.
SECURITY GUARD #2
You can’t see the city… All you can see
is dust!
SHIVA
Yes, but I can put whatever I want in the
background with the computer…
SECURITY GUARD #1
Such as?
SHIVA
Such as Tehran without dust… or the
mountains… plains… forests… Anything the
happy couple wants!
SECURITY GUARD #1
So you lie to people?
SHIVA
The bride and groom are real… But the
backgro unds are often fake!
Shiva steps over to Golrokh and Ali.
SHIVA
Come on! Let’s get started!
Shiva gets Golrokh and Ali to pose as she takes photos.
Vahid and Hamid look on. The security guards also look at
Golrokh with undisguised pleasure. Golrokh feels uneasy
beneath their gaze.
SHIVA
There… That’s it… We can go…
Golrokh, Ali, Shiva, Vahid and Hamid get into the van in
silence. The security guards continue to look at them
calmly. One of them steps over to Shiva, sitting in the
front passenger seat, and signals to her to lower her
window.
SECURITY GUARD #1
Before, newlyweds were more respectful!
SHIVA
Meaning?
SECURITY GUARD #2
(to his colleague)
For my wedding, I gave away enough money
to buy a house, I swear.
Hamid leans toward the window from the back seat. He
hasn’t heard the conversation.
HAMID
Gentlemen, what’s the problem? What is it
you want?
SECURITY GUARD #1
Your friend seems very edgy! That’s not
good on a wedding day!
SHIVA
He’s a bit sick. He doesn’t feel well…
(turning to the others)
Guys, do you have any cash on you?
VAHID
I gave all mine to that musician.
Hamid and Ali don’t have any cash either.
SHIVA
I’m sorry, I’ll pay you for your trouble
next time…
SECURITY GUARD #1
Do you have a bank card?
SHIVA
Yes…
The security guard suddenly takes an EPT out of his
pocket.
SECURITY GUARD #1
If I may…
He enters a sum and holds the terminal out to Shiva.
SECURITY GUARD #1
There you go…
Shiva looks at the terminal’s display.
SHIVA
Don’t you think that’s too much?
SECURITY GUARD #1
Your joke was too much as well… It really
looked like you were searching him.
SECURITY GUARD #2
It’s the same every time… When it’s for
us, it’s always too much!
SHIVA
Alright then, fine…
Shiva enters her PIN.
SHIVA
(to Vahid)
Let’s go, it’s getting late!
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Tensions on the Tehran Street
18 EXT. TEHRAN - BUSY STREET - DAY 18
They park. Vahid quickly gets out and opens the van’s
door.
VAHID
Everyone get out now, come on, please…
They all look at each other in surprise.
HAMID
Huh?
VAHID
I’m sorry to have taken up your time… But
I don’t need you anymore. Please… I’ll
take care of the rest… I don’t want to
bother you with my problem anymore.
HAMID
So i t’s your problem now?
VAHID
Let me finish this… I’m not moving from
here until you go… It’s up to you.
HAMID
I won’t give up until I see his corpse!
And, if you want, you can bring beds and
sleep here, be my guests!
Ali stands and gets out.
GOLROKH
Where are you going?
ALI
He’s right! We have other things to do.
GOLROKH
Ali, do you realize what you’re saying?
ALI
He’s right…
(pointing to Vahid)
He found him, he captured him… He has the
right to decide his fate…
GOLROKH
You really want to go?… Fine, go then!
ALI
I’m not going without you. Are you
feeling okay, Goli?
GOLROKH
Of course I’m not feeling okay!
ALI
Imagine it is him! What do you plan to do
with him?
Golrokh looks away without answering.
ALI
It’s a trap, Golrokh! Let it go… The
further you take this, the deeper into it
you’ll get. In the end, you’ll all drown!
Please, Golrokh … Come on, let’s leave.
Let’s pretend that everything today never
happened!
Ali holds his hand out to Golrokh.
GOLROKH
It all happened years ago. It has to end
one day! And it was written that day is
today! This is very important for me,
it’s personal… If you want to go, just
go.
ALI
We’re getting married. We mustn’t have
personal problems anymore.
GOLROKH
So it’s nothing more than a personal
problem now?… Let me tell you this… If
this scumbag doesn’t talk, you’ll see my
corpse at my wedding tomorrow.
Golrokh si ts down on the chest where Eghbal is hidden.
Silence falls. Everyone waits for Vahid’s reaction. Ali
sits down next to Golrokh and takes her in his arms.
Vahid, who is still outside the van, lights a cigarette
and leans against the door. He thinks, as if he were at a
dead end. Shiva gets out of the van and comes over to
Vahid.
SHIVA
Can you spare a cigarette?
Vahid holds his pack out to her. Shiva ta kes one, slips
it between her lips and Vahid lights it for her. Shiva
pats Vahid’s hand gently to thank him and signals to him
to close the door. Vahid understands and closes it. After
a couple of drags on the cigarette, Shiva looks at him
again.
SHIVA
So, what do you plan to do now?
VAHID
Quite frankly, I’m not sure.
SHIVA
Do you always do this? Act before you
think?
VAHID
What do you mean?
SHIVA
Nothing, it’s just that you get carried
away… you make hasty decisions… But the
good thing is you then calm down and turn
logical… You know, Vahid, I didn’t intend
to come with you.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Tensions on the Road
19 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS - DAY 19
The van heads along the streets. Golrokh and Ali are
still sitting on the chest, Shiva in the front passenger
seat. Vahid drives. Hamid is huddled up in the back of
the van. He moves toward Shiva and stands between the
driver and passenger seats. He talks to Shiva, this time
without shouting.
HAMID
I thought you’d quit smoking… But, with
all this, I guess you can’t resis t a
cigarette…
Shiva and Vahid exchange a meaningful look. Shiva makes a
move to stand and change seats, but Hamid stops her.
HAMID
Stay there, I have something to say to
you… Listen, Shiva. Is it a problem for
you he hasn’t confessed? Let’s find
somewhere out of the way and I’ll get you
a confession in next to no time, it’ll
put all your minds at rest.
SHIVA
Using your usual method for obtaining a
con fession, I presume?
HAMID
If you want, I can even buy him a meal!
And offer him a warm shower so he feels
better!… I mean, come on!… They hanged me
by my feet! I didn’t see the sun for
three months… I could no longer tell day
from night… And now you feel sorry for
them?
SHIVA
So there’s no difference between you and
them? He tortured you, so you have to
torture him too, is that it? It’s one
hellish, u nstoppable chain of events?
HAMID
Why are you pretending not to understand?
You kidnapped someone… you tied him up…
you knocked him out!
VAHID
I should never have gotten you involved…
but I had no other option… I didn’t know
what else to do.
HAMID
Now, you have to act! If this guy walks
away from this, we’re all concerned!
SHIVA
He didn’t see us! He was blindfolded all
the time.
VAHID
I think he saw me. He knows where I work
too.
Silence falls and lingers for a moment.
SHIVA
Thanks a lot! When you took our phones… I
thought you knew what you were doing.
VAHID
I couldn’t know things would go this far!
All of a sudden, the van stops. Vahid tries t o start it
again several times, in vain. They all look at each
other.
HAMID
Your van seems to be in a bad way too.
20 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS - DAY 20
Vahid, Hamid, Golrokh and Ali push the van along the
streets, beneath the mocking gaze of passersby.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Wedding Confusion at the Gas Station
21 EXT. GAS STATION - DAY 21
The van is on the gas station forecourt and Vahid is
filling the tank. A PUMP ATTENDANT takes the nozzle from
him.
PUMP ATTENDANT
Are you the groom? You can’t do this on
your wedding day… Give me that.
VAHID
No, I’m not the groom.
PUMP ATTENDANT
Never mind! You’re all guests!
Congratulations…
All of a sudden, the door of the van opens and Golrokh
leans out to throw up. Vahid rushes to her.
VAHID
Are you okay?
GOLROKH
It’s nothing…
Vahid peers into the van. The others are all holding
their noses as yellow liquid trickles over the floor of
the van from the chest where Eghbal is hidden. Vahid
turns to the pump attendant who has finished.
PUMP ATTENDANT
Don’t forget the tip… I hope the two of
them will be very happy. Is it your
sister’s wedding?
VAHID
No!
PUMP ATTENDANT
Ah, you’re the groom’s bro ther then!
Vahid hesitates for a second and then, to bring the
discussion to an end…
VAHID
Yes.
PUMP ATTENDANT
It’ll cost a little more then!
VAHID
I don’t have any cash on me.
PUMP ATTENDANT
If I may…
The pump attendant holds an EPT out to him as Vahid turns
to the others who are still holding their noses and
making the best of a bad situation.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Tensions Under the Bridge
22 EXT. QUIET SPOT UNDER A BRIDGE - DAY 22
The van has stopped on a waste lot. The chest is empty.
Ali is cleaning the inside of the van while Hamid, Shiva
and Golrokh wait a short distance away. Hamid drags on
his cigarette and steps over to Shiva.
HAMID
(gesturing to Vahid a short
distance away)
How long have you known him?
SHIVA
I met him today!
HAMID
Tell me the truth! Who is this guy?
SHIVA
…
HAMID
Why did you all trust him so easily?
GOLROKH
He said he was a friend of Salar’s!
SHIVA
Salar gave him my number!
HAMID
So as soon as someone turns up saying
he’s a friend of Salar’s, you believe
every word he says?
SHIVA
We haven’t all done a course in paranoia
like you!
HAMID
No need for a course! He’s clearly one of
them!
GOLROKH
Oh, co me on…
HAMID
Why is he so quiet? Look at the way he
acts! He knows a lot about us now and
he’ll bring us down!
SHIVA
What do you mean?
HAMID
He’s worming information out of us!
GOLROKH
So where does Eghbal fit in?
HAMID
He’s part of the whole scheme!
Shiva and Golrokh look at Hamid as if they were having
doubts. Ali finishes cleaning the van.
Vahid comes back, carrying the unconscious Eghbal on his
back and carefully lays him in the chest. He takes the
dirty rags, steps out of the van and walks off to throw
them away. All of a sudden, Vahid falls to the ground.
The other four rush over to him. Vahid presses his hand
to the small of his back, he is in pain.
ALI
What’s wrong?
VAHID
My kidneys… Give me some water.
Hamid stands and runs back to the van. The others help
Vahid to his feet. Ali and Shiva take Vahid’s arms and
support him. All of a sudden, we hear the van start up.
Everyone turns. Ali and Shiva run toward the van that
begins to pull away, and Ali manages to jump in at the
last second. Shiva remains standing there, watching the
van that circles the dusty plot of waste land while Ali
fights with Hamid behind the wheel. In the end, the van
collides with a mound of earth and stops.
Vahid falls to the ground, twisting in pain.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Desert Dusk: A Choice of Action
23 EXT. DESERT - DUSK 23
We are in the same desert as in scene 6.
Everyone is sitting some distance away from the hole.
Vahid is on the van’s step smoking a cigarette. Hamid
stands and steps over to the grave, looking into the
empty hole.
HAMID
Maybe the dose was too strong and it
killed him.
SHIVA
No, I check ed… we just have to wait.
HAMID
How much longer?
SHIVA
Until he comes round.
HAMID
What difference does it make?
ALI
He has the right to know why we captured
him!
HAMID
Ah, Mister Silent Majority speaks at
last… You didn’t say anything until
seeing which way the wind was blowing so
you could go along with it, of course…
People like you think they’re the Gandhis
and Mandelas, and they see us as the
Hitlers and Mussolinis… You don’t get it…
if this guy survives, he won’t spare us…
Don’t you realize that?!
He turns to Vahid and addresses him directly.
HAMID
You id iot, this guy heard your voice…
He’ll find you in a split second,
whatever hole you hide in, and he’ll tear
you apart…
He looks at Shiva as he gestures to Vahid.
HAMID
You think this guy will never give in…
that he’ll never give your names… but
he’ll betray you all the first chance he
gets!
He turns to Ali again.
HAMID
You think you’re right…
GOLROKH
(interrupting him)
Why do you say none of us understands ?
Everyone has the right to their opinion!
HAMID
Ah, here we go, you always have to be
right… Mrs Golrokh, its high time you
realized… You think I don’t know
anything… But I found out all there is to
know about your dear father-in-law… Do
you know how your rich boy husband’s
father climbed so high overnight?
GOLROKH
How long are you going to keep thinking
like a child?… Why do you continually
find way s to sully people? Aren’t you
ever going to grow up?
SHIVA
Golrokh… calm down! Don’t let him get to
you.
GOLROKH
I don’t see why I should calm down…
remain calm, to be depressed day and
night and zombify myself with meds… no,
enough… Mister Vahid, I don’t know who
you are or who you aren’t… what I do know
is that you want to know why I’m here…
I’m here because, after prison… this
bastard spread the rumor that I had
collaborated with them… When Shiva to ld
me that Eghbal was in the car, I decided
to come along to make him confess that I
never betrayed anyone, that I never caved
in… I decided to come so that before
saying “I do”, Ali would hear everything
I went through. Ali, in jail, I was
blindfolded when they took me out of the
cell. They took me to the gallows… I
heard a woman ask, “Do I let her fall?”
Then I heard a broken voice answer her,
“ Yes, let her fall. But she’s young, make
sure her neck breaks right away so she
doesn’t suffer too much…” I waited for
hours for them to lower the lever and put
me out of my misery… until I heard that
voice again, “Take her down, she needs to
be married first before we cast her into
hell”… They thought an executed virgin
would go straight to heaven, and they
didn’t want to do me that honor… After I
got out, they kept harassing me with
phone calls and threats… I was waiting
for the right moment to tell you all
that, Ali, so that if ever anyone
threatens you in any way whatsoever… or
calls you, you’ll know the truth… you’ll
be aware of everything… Hamid, do you
really want to hang me here, now, when
they didn’t even do it?
HAMID
Such fine compliments from a bride… you
turn me into a supporter of the regime
now.
GOLROKH
No, I know you’ll never collaborate with
them… but you’ll gain nothing if you
carry on like this.
HAMID
I’ll manage to prove who’s behind all
this…
Ali cries out all of a sudden.
ALI
Stop, Hamid! That’s enough…
HAMID
Shut up, you! You’ve never been locked up
in a room, blindfolded, with that
bastard!
ALI
Listen… I’ve respected you all this time…
but I have to react to that.
HAMID
I got my answer long ago. When they were
dragging me from one cell to another,
your daddy was receiving foreign currency
and selling it on the black market to
secure a prosperous future for his little
boy! But you’ll see, one day all those
people will have to explain themselves!
SHIVA
You can pray for that day to come!… But,
believe me, your justice isn’t the right
one either.
HAMID
Don’t talk to me about justice, you’ll
make me puke! You dumped me when I had
nothing left. What became of all your
fine promises… “Together fo rever…”
SHIVA
I didn’t leave you because you had no
money left. You never had money anyway. I
left you because you couldn’t rid
yourself of your rancor and hate… I left
you because you could no longer tell the
difference between friends and enemies,
and you still can’t…
HAMID
Stop. You want me to tell you all what
your problem is? You’re scared… scared of
consequences, scared they’ll come back to
haun t you! So let me deal with it… it’ll
be for the best, even for you… you’ll get
your revenge!
( ORE)
(MORE)
H MID (CONT’D)
HAMID CONT’D)
(speaking to them all)
And you’ll avoid any violence.
SHIVA
It’s not violence I have a problem with,
but crime.
HAMID
How come you still don’t understand?… I’m
telling you, this is war, it’s kill or be
killed…
(turning to Ali)
Ali, Mister Silent Majority, try to
understand… Come on, let’s throw him in
his grave!
ALI
Look, you’ve said what you had to say.
Out of respect for Golrokh, I haven’t
said anything. But this silent majority
you talk about… it remembers history
well… The religious leaders arrived
brandishing the slogan of paradise, now
they start their morning prayer with
executions… And you tell us we have to
kill and bury him?
HAMID
Listen to me, I’m not promoting violence
here… I’m preventing barbarity… The only
language they understand is that of the
strongest… But you’re acting as if you
s till hoped you could change them…
SHIVA
Who said they were going to change? If
they could, they would have already… I’m
saying there has to be a fair trial,
that’s all.
HAMID
What fair trial?!… Where?… When?… Now
that the courts are in their hands… They
pass death sentences in the courtrooms
every minute… Do you think they’ll ever
judge their own one day? You must be
dreaming!… A fair trial, that will come
once we’re victorious, not for now…
SHIVA
If you carry on acting like this, you’ll
only make things worse.
Silence falls.
Ali gently takes Golrokh by the arm and leads her off to
one side. We do not hear their conversation, but it looks
as if Ali is trying to comfort her.
Shiva walks over to the dried-up tree, sits and leans
against it.
Hamid goes over to the van and looks at Vahid who has
remained silent all this time, sitting on the step,
smoking a cigarette and observing the scene. Vahid’s
serious expr ession discourages Hamid from coming any
closer. He gazes at him for a second, looks away and
stares at Shiva. He walks over to her and lights a
cigarette.
HAMID
(to Shiva)
Looking at you there, in that position,
against this tree, it reminds me of that
play Waiting for Godot that you took me
to see. Why won’t you listen to me?
You’ve never listened to a word I say…
but listen to me now at least… I’m
telling you again, this is a trap! That
guy is with state security!
SHIVA
It doesn’t matter now, the damage has
been done.
HAMID
Why is he refusing to let me check if
Eghbal is alive or dead?
SHIVA
That’s obvious… No one here trusts you!
HAMID
Thanks a lot!
SHIVA
You really want to kill him? You’re
obsessed by revenge, that’s the problem…
Eghbal “killed” you so you then try to
kill him!
HAMID
Yes, he “killed ” me… He and people like
him killed off the five best years of my
life… And those of hundreds of others
too. How many years in all? In fact,
killing this man just once is too little…
the others like him should be punished
too and, if there are any left
afterwards, they’ll know what’s what.
SHIVA
I have no problem with punishment… but at
the right time… Hamid, killing won’t
solve anything! The problem isn’t these
people themselves, the problem is the
system that gives them unlimited power…
In a system like that, if you kill him,
don’t you think they’ll simply put
another man in his place?… No, Hamid,
even if they put an angel of justice in
his place… it would still be the same
problem !
HAMID
The same old speeches all over again…
What system are you talking about? They
created that system, you know.
SHIVA
Those people would behave differently in
another system. The problem isn’t people…
it’s the system… You confuse the system
with a few submissive people…
HAMID
Submissive?… Remember, this guy wanted to
marry Golrokh off before hanging her. Why
turn a blind eye to that? The guy
believ ed body and soul in the hell where
he wanted to send Golrokh…
All of a sudden, Hamid stands and raises his voice to
speak to everyone.
HAMID
All you do is talk, nothing but talk…
It’s been going on for almost half a
century… Aren’t you fed up of talking?
It’s easy for you to label me. You find
excuses for yourselves. But you never do
anything because you’re scared of the
consequences. Why can’t you u nderstand
that this guy is a filthy, worthless rag…
however often you wash him, he’ll never
be clean.
Shiva stands and walks over to Hamid with fire in her
eyes.
SHIVA
You really want to kill him? That’s
exactly what he wants, someone to put an
end to his cursed life… so that the next
regime will be based on murder… the same
endless cycle… Is that really what you
want for the future of your country and
your people?!… Come on then, let’s go
kill him together… Come on!
Shiva grabs Hamid’s hand and leads him over to the van.
Vahid stands. He stares at Shiva. Go lrokh and Ali come
over too. They stay at the door and watch what happens
inside the van.
Shiva is still holding Hamid’s hand. She climbs into the
van, goes to the back of it, searches for a few seconds
and finds a crowbar. She uses it to break open the chest.
Eghbal lies inside, still unconscious. Shiva hands the
crowbar to Hamid.
SHIVA
Come on… You can kill him with this.
Hamid, hesitant, takes the c rowbar and stares at Shiva.
SHIVA
If you really think that killing guys
like him is the answer… If you don’t do
it, I will.
She lays her hand on the crowbar. They are both touching
it now. Total silence reigns. The other three look at
Hamid and Shiva in disbelief. The atmosphere is heavy
with astonishment and wariness. All of a sudden, a phone
rings. The ringing sounds even louder in this silence.
Va hid is the first to react. He goes to the front of the
van and opens the glove compartment, but the ringing
doesn’t seem to be coming from one of the phone stored
there.
ALI
It’s coming from the chest…
Vahid goes to the chest. He searches Eghbal’s pockets.
But he doesn’t find anything. The phone keeps ringing. He
finally finds it under a blanket. It’s an old Nokia.
Vahid stares incredulously at the p hone.
VAHID
I didn’t know he had this one too… His
other phone is in the glove compartment.
Vahid looks at the others and is about to answer the
phone.
SHIVA
Don’t answer it!
They wait and, after a few seconds, the ringing ends. But
then the phone starts ringing again.
VAHID
Forget it, it’s best to answer…
Vahid alters his voice as he answers the phone.
VAHID
Yes… Hello…
Vahid listens. We make out the confused voice of a little
girl who seems to be crying and pleading. Vahid listens
for a moment, then hangs up.
SHIVA
Who was it?
VAHID
His daughter! His wife is pregnant… She
said her water broke… and that she
fainted in the kitchen!
HAMID
I said it before and I’ll say it again…
It’s a trap!
ALI
What?!
HAMID
They know their colleague has been
kidnapped and they’re setting a trap for
us!
VAHID
I don’t think it’s a trap… A child
couldn’t lie that well! I’m going. You
can all do what you want.
Vahid gets in behind the wheel. The others look at him.
SHIVA
(to the oth ers)
What about you?
GOLROKH
I think he’s telling the truth… I’m going
with him…
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Desperate Pleas
24 EXT. OUTSIDE EGHBAL’S HOUSE - NIGHT 24
The van arrives at Eghbal’s house. Everyone looks
attentively at the place and its surroundings, but they
don’t spot anything suspicious. They drive slowly past
the house. The van turns onto a street a little further
along and stops.
Total silence reigns.
ALI
If it were a trap, they’d already have
stopped us.
The phone rings again.
SHIVA
Put it on speaker…
Vahid answe rs the phone and turns the speaker on. The
little girl’s voice, crying and pleading, echoes around
the van.
NILOUFAR (O.S.)
Daddy, were are you? Mommy won’t wake up…
Please, hurry… Mommy’s dying… Daddy,
hurry… Daddy… Daddy, why aren’t you
saying anything? Mommy’s dying… Daddy…
Please, say something…
Vahid can’t stand the sound of this voice any longer and
hangs up. He does a U-turn in the van and dri ves up to
the house. He parks in the same spot as at the start of
the film and hurriedly gets out.
SHIVA
Hold on… I’m coming with you…
Vahid turns to the others.
VAHID
If we take too long or if you see
anything suspicious, leave right away…
Don’t wait for us.
Vahid and Shiva hurry over to the house. They reach the
door. After hesitating for a second, they ring the bell.
Shortly after, Niloufar’s tearful and choked voice is
heard over the intercom.
NILOUFAR (O.S.)
Yes?
VAHID
Hello, sweetie… I’m a friend of your
daddy’s. I’ve come to help… He told me
that your Mommy wasn’t well… Can you let
me in?
NILOUFAR (O.S.)
But where’s my daddy?
VAHID
He had to work… He couldn’t come. That’s
why he sent me… It’s late… Open the door,
sweetie.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
A Tense Night Drive
25 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS - NIGHT 25
The woman is lying in the van on the chest where Eghbal
is hidden. Hamid, Ali and Golrokh, worried, stare at her.
Vahid drives. Shiva is in the passenger seat. She turns
and looks at the back of the van. Golrokh has Niloufar in
her arms and comforts her. Shiva looks at Vahid and
speaks to him in a whisper.
SHIVA
We need to think about what we do when we
reach the hospital.
VAHID
No need to go in! We drop her at the ER
and leave.
SHIVA
Are you making fun of me or do you really
take everything so lightly?… Someo ne has
to go with her… Hospitals will never
accept her without someone to accompany
her…
VAHID
Accompanying her isn’t the problem… I can
accompany her… The problem is, there are
loads of cameras there… We have to be
sure that no one but me will be seen. And
you have to talk to Niloufar… We don’t
have all the information we need to fill
out the forms…
Shiva gets out of the passenger seat and goes to sit next
to Niloufar. Vahid watches them in the rearview mirror.
Just then, the van runs over a pot-hole.
NILOUFAR
Sir, please, slow down…
Vahid looks away from the rearview mirror to focus on the
road.
The street is calm in the Tehran night.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Bureaucratic Barriers
26 INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT 26
Niloufar and Vahid are at the hospital reception desk,
with the little girl’s pregnant mother on a stretcher
next to them. A HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST fills out a file on
the other side of the counter.
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
What’s the patient’s name?
NILOUFAR
Azam… Azam Pourniyaz!
HO SPITAL RECEPTIONIST
And her platelet count was 39?
NILOUFAR
Yes…
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
Your father doesn’t say much.
NILOUFAR
He’s not my father, he’s my uncle.
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
So where’s your father?
NILOUFAR
He’s at work… He couldn’t come. He sent
my uncle.
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
That’s not right, sweetie. Your father
has to sign the consent form.
NILOUFAR
Well, I can sign it.
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
You have a signature?
NILOUFAR
No… Can my uncle sign?
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
No, sweetie… Call your father and tell
him to come here.
NILOUFAR
He can’t!
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
Sweetie, there’s nothing more urgent than
this. He has to come and sign it.
NILOUFAR
Give me the form then, I’ll sign it.
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
You don’t have a signature…
NILOUFAR
Then my uncle can sign, can’t he?
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
No, sweetie… Call your father and tell
him to come.
The woman on the stretcher seems to be suffering. Vahid
keeps an eye on her.
VAHID
M adam, excuse me… This woman is dying…
Are you waiting for her husband to come
here to collect her corpse?
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
Sir, it’s the law! If anything goes wrong
during the operation, who will take
responsibility?
VAHID
I will! Just let me sign…
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
You don’t even have any ID with you!
VAHID
What if I’d found this woman on the
street and brought her here… Would you
have waited fo r her to die before
admitting her?
As Vahid begins to raise his voice, a DOCTOR, a file in
his hand, comes over to him.
DOCTOR
What’s going on here, sir?
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
The patient’s accompanying adult doesn’t
have any ID papers! I can’t admit them!
VAHID
She’s in a critical condition… Look at
her! I didn’t have time to fetch any
papers.
DOCTOR
What’s your relationship to the patient?
VAHID
I…
NILOUFAR
He’s my uncle!
The doctor rapidly examines the pregnant woman and then
turns to the receptionist.
DOCTOR
Mrs. Soltani, admit her right now… They
can bring us the ID papers later.
(to his staff)
Get this patient to the surgical unit
immediately. It’s urgent !
VAHID
Thank you.
DOCTOR
You’re welcome. Is it her second child?
NILOUFAR
Yes…
DOCTOR
What a bright little girl…
(to Vahid)
How old is she?
NILOUFAR
My mommy is forty!
DOCTOR
Not the ideal age to give birth.
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
Young lady… Tell me your father’s full
name…
NILOUFAR
Rashid Shahsavari…
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
And how old is your father?
NILOUFAR
Fifty. He’s ten years older than Mommy!
HOSPITAL RECEPTIONIST
Such precision! Sir, please sign here…
Hey, angry uncle… I’m talking to you…
Sign here… And pay this bill too… As soon
as that’s done, we’ll take her to the
delivery room…
Vahid is still in shock. He signs the document. He takes
the bill. Vahid tells Niloufar to stay there and walks
over to the cashier’s counter in the hallway. He stands
there. He looks at the bill, then takes out his bank
card. He hesitates for a second.
Genres:
["Drama","Medical"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
A Night in the Waiting Room
27 INT. HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - NIGHT 27
Vahid and Niloufar are sitting outside the surgical unit.
Niloufar eats a sandwich and drinks soda.
NILOUFAR
You’re not eating?
VAHID
I already ate. I’m full. Go on, eat…
A little time passes…
VAHID
Niloufar, can I ask you something? Will
you tell me the truth?
NILOUFAR
Yes.
VAHI D
Don’t you have an uncle, an aunt, a
grandmother or any family? Why didn’t you
call someone to help you?
NILOUFAR
Daddy doesn’t want that! He gets angry!
Daddy says that whatever happens, he’s
the only one I should call. And Mommy’s
family and friends live in the provinces.
A NURSE comes over to them.
NURSE
Congratulations… The baby’s born. He’s
beautiful and healthy…
NILOUFAR
Is Mommy okay?
NURSE
Yes, sweetie. She’s fine too…
NILOUFAR
Can I see her?
NURSE
You can’t see her just like that. You
have to pay. Is he your uncle?
NILOUFAR
Yes…
NURSE
Is he generous?
NILOUFAR
What?
NURSE
It’s a tradition. You shouldn’t have come
empty-handed…
VAHID
(to Niloufar)
Stay here, I'll be right back.
Vahid goes out.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Trust and Tensions
28 EXT. STREET NEAR THE HOSPITAL - NIGHT 28
Vahid reaches the van. He opens the door a nd hands the
pastries to the others.
VAHID
The baby’s born. It’s a boy… His mother’s
doing well…
HAMID
Good news…
(ironic)
Mission accomplished.
VAHID
Does anyone have cash?
SHIVA, ALI & GOLROKH
Not me…
SHIVA
Why do you need cash?
HAMID
Maybe for the nurse’s tip…
SHIVA
Forget it… Let’s go… You did what you had
to do.
VAHID
I have to go back to the little girl.
SHIVA
Then what?
VAHID
Do you have your bank cards on you?
They all answer yes, except for Hamid.
VAHID
There’s an ATM over there… But two
hundred tomans is the most you can
withdraw. If we take out two hundred
each, that should be enough…
They all look a t each other.
VAHID
We’ll have all this sorted in a couple of
minutes and then we can go.
HAMID
I don’t have a bank card or cash… I’ll
stay right here… As for you lot, go ahead
and do your good deeds!
They all look at each other. It’s obvious that no one
trusts Hamid to stay alone with Eghbal.
VAHID
I have to lock the van…
HAMID
Ah, so that’s how it is!
(to Shiva, Golrokh and Ali)
You don’t trust me either…
S HIVA
Locking the van will reassure us.
HAMID
(with a bitter smile)
Even when they’re not around, they manage
to destroy trust and friendship! Their
corpse is rotting humanity!
GOLROKH
Come with us then…
HAMID
To celebrate that kid’s birth?
SHIVA
Hamid… It’s just a baby! Why are you
reacting like this?
HAMID
Because I’m sure he’ll become a criminal
like his father. Think of the children of
all those women forced to miscarry in
Evin! They were bab ies too! But why
bother… just let things happen all over
again.
Hamid gets out of the van. He turns to look at the
others.
HAMID
You’ll be kicking yourselves a day or two
from now.
(gesturing to Eghbal)
He’ll say he did his duty… After all, in
every war, there’s collateral damage…
That’s what we were, collateral damage.
But, this time, you can only blame
yourselves for you negligence! So go
ahead, play Gandhi, write slogans for
human rights and we’ll see what happens!
I’m out of here.
Hamid walks away from the van without another word,
beneath the annoyed gaze of the other four.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
A Somber Farewell
29 EXT. NEAR THE ATM - NIGHT 29
Vahid, Shiva, Golrokh and Ali have gathered around the
ATM. Apart from Shiva, they all have money in their
hands. Shiva takes some bills from the ATM and gives them
to Vahid. He counts the money .
SHIVA
Is that enough?
VAHID
Yes! Thank you very much.
(opening the box of pastries
and offering it to them)
Enjoy one of these at least.
They take a pastry each, a little reluctantly.
VAHID
Go now. I think I’m going to stay here a
while, it could take some time.
SHIVA
What are you going to do?
VAHID
I don’t know… I’m really sorry I spoiled
the day for all of you. I hope I’ll make
up for it some day. Goodbye.
Vahid starts to walk away, then turns and calls out to
Shiva.
VAHID
Shiva…
Shiva goes over to Vahid.
VAHID
If anything happens, don’t worry. Tell
the others I’ll die without denouncing
anyone. Goodbye.
Vahid goes into the hospital with the box of pastries and
the money in his hand while the others watch him go.
30 INT. HOSPITAL - DAY 30
Vahid enters the maternity unit. He looks around and
spots Niloufar asleep on a chair.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Loyalty in the Shadows
31 EXT. STR EET NEAR THE HOSPITAL - NIGHT 31
Vahid arrives back at the van and sees Shiva leaning
against it.
VAHID
You didn’t leave?
SHIVA
I wasn’t going to abandon you halfway.
VAHID
Maybe you stayed because you don’t trust
me…
SHIVA
I don’t know… Maybe it’s because of the
promise I made Salar too.
Vahid opens the van door. Shiva climbs in first, then
Vahid follows, taking his place behind the wheel.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Confrontation and Confession
32 EXT. TEHRAN - STREETS OUT OF THE CITY - NIGHT 32
Vahid drives the van through Tehran. Shiva sits at his
side, staring at the road ahead. From time to time, she
looks at Vahid. He o ccasionally glances at her too. All
of a sudden, Eghbal’s groans are heard from the chest.
Shiva turns to the back of the van. Vahid looks in the
rearview mirror. A cell phone starts ringing. They look
at each other. Shiva realizes that it’s her phone. She
looks at the screen, then turns to Vahid.
Vahid goes to the back of the van and opens the chest. He
lifts Eghbal out. As he pulls the other man out of the
van, he is overcome by pain again. He fights it. He gets
out of the van and Eghbal pounces on him. They both fall
to the ground, Eghbal on top of Vahid. Vahid tries to
break free, but Eghbal holds him down on the ground and
hits him. Vahid seems unable to breathe. Eghbal hits him
again. All of a sudden, something flashes out of the
darkness and strikes Eghbal’s head. He freezes and
coll apses. Vahid collects his wits. He turns and sees
Shiva, furious, still holding the shovel that she just
used to hit Eghbal.
VAHID
What are you doing?! Don’t hit him…
You’ll kill him…
Shiva seems to come to her senses all of a sudden. She
first looks around, then stares at the shovel in her
hand. She seems shocked by what she has done. She tosses
the shovel aside and helps Vahid who has trouble
stand ing. With some difficulty, they drag Eghbal over to
the side of the road.
VAHID
I think he’s still alive.
Shiva leans down over Eghbal. Blood trickles from the
spot where she hit him.
VAHID
Is he alive?
Shiva nods and comes back over to Vahid. They sit down
for a second to recover.
VAHID
I’d never have thought you’d do that…
SHIVA
Why not?
VAHID
You always say violence is bad, and now
you hit him with a shovel.
SHIVA
Doing all you can to avoid violence and
being a coward are different. If I hadn’t
hit him, he’d have killed you…
Vahid looks at her for a moment. He stands and goes back
over to Eghbal. He tries to drag him over to the road.
Shiva tries to help. Vahid signals to Shiva not to touch
Eghbal. He moves the other man to a more suitable spot.
Vahid comes back over to the van, takes a bottle of water
and pours a little on Eghbal’s face. He removes Eghbal’s
earplugs and gives him a little water to drink. Eghbal
drinks and catches his breath. After a few groans, he
begins to sp eak.
EGHBAL
Why are you doing this to me… For God’s
sake, I have a wife and children… Tell
me! Why?
Shiva steps forward to attack Eghbal, but Vahid stops her
and signals to her to keep quiet. Shiva is forced to
speak in a whisper.
SHIVA
It’s him… That voice, it’s that bastard’s
voice…
Vahid gestures to her to be quiet, then turns to Eghbal.
VAHID
Even the way you talk hasn’t changed… Do
you remember how y ou’d hit me and then
swear on Seyed al-Shuhada how sorry you
were? Look what you did to me, you
bastard. What had I done?
(MORE)
VAHID (CONT’D)
With a few workers worse off than me, we
simply asked for what was owed to us, our
pay for our work. We told you we didn’t
even have bread. What did we say to make
you destroy us? I used to slave away from
dawn to dusk in the heat of the date
factory, struggling to bring home a bit
of bread, and you turned me into a guy
who really wants to kill someone. I hit
you on purpose, then I dug a grave for
you. You filthy piece of shit.
EGHBAL
What’s all that to do with me?
VAHID
Stop, you idiot. Lying won’t help you. If
I hadn’t had my doubts earlier, you’d be
under a ton of earth. But now I’m sure
you’re that bastard.
EGHBAL
I can tell you’re not a killer… This
morning, your voice reeked of death… Now,
it’s no longer the sound of death I hear.
If I was who you claim I am, you’d
already be dead… untie m e…
VAHID
I’ve been dead since you put the noose
around my neck and knocked the chair
over… When I pissed my pants and fell to
the floor, you split your sides laughing…
The guy standing in front of you has been
one of the living dead for a long time
now. Remember when you opened the cell
door laughing and told me my fiancée was
dead and that I’d need to find another?
You heartless bastard, I died rig ht then
on hearing she killed herself because of
you, you damn savage. Now it’s time to
make your last requests.
EGHBAL
I don’t have any idea what you’re talking
about… I have a wife and children, why
should I do what you say?
Really? When you made the wives and
children of prisoners weep and beg at the
prison to force them into making false
confessions, did you know what a wife and
children meant th en? It’s up to you.
(MORE)
C N D
(CONT’D)
If you don’t want to send a last message
to your family, to your daughter and your
son, fine, don’t do it.
EGHBAL
My son? I told you you were wrong. I only
have a daughter. You’ve been dragging me
around all day for nothing… Just to spout
this nonsense to me.
VAHID
Your son was born today.
EGHBAL
My son?!… How do you know that? Maybe…
VAHID
I drove your wife to the hospital myself.
EGHBAL
What did you do to her? I swear to God,
if you hurt her…
VAHID
Shut up. Your daughter Niloufar called
your phone to say that her mother wasn’t
well and that she had fainted in the
kitchen. I drove them to the hospital.
She was lying on that chest where you
were hidden. They’re both fine.
EGHBAL
Did you see my son?
VAHID
I saw him.
Silence falls. Vahid looks at Shiva. Until Eghbal starts
speaking.
EGHBAL
Let me reassure you. You’re not a killer…
If you were, you’d never have taken my
wife and daughter to the hospital… Now, I
know you’re not sure if I’m Eghbal or
not… because you’ve fallen prey to guilt…
You want to hear it from my mouth… So
listen carefully… I’m not saying this
because I’m scared of dying… But because
you helped my wife… I’m saying it to pay
my debt to you, so I owe you nothing
anymore… I’m Eghbal… T he real Eghbal…
Everything I did was a religious
obligation.
O E)
(MORE)
EGHBAL (CONT’D)
I did it all to preserve religion and the
system… I’ll sacrifice everything I have
to preserve the system… Just as I
sacrificed my leg in Syria for the goals
of the regime. Because the imam said that
preserving the regime is a greater
obligation than the life of the Supreme
Guide. Now, you want the children you
smack to write the al-Baqarah surah for
you? For a few coins of your pittance
that was delayed a few days, they should
ruin everything and offer the country to
the enemy to endanger the security of the
regime? I don’t know who you are, or what
you’re saying… But I have nothing to do
with the law or the government… For me,
the Master and the regime are all that
matter. If you claim I did those things,
then they were necessary. There’s no red
line when it comes to preserving the
regim e. If it was your right, fine, if
not God Himself will reward you.
VAHID
What a surprise. You talk just like ISIS.
They kill innocents too and say that if
they were guilty, fine, if not, they’ll
be martyrs in heaven.
EGHBAL
Think what you like… Do whatever you
want. If I return home alive and you
haven’t hurt my wife and children and, as
you claim, you helped them, I’ll forgive
you. I’ll forget about today. And if I
die, I’ll reach my goal of becoming a
martyr. That’s all… I won't say another
word.
Shiva, who has been calm until now, suddenly throws
herself at Eghbal.
SHIVA
Fine, I’ll help you reach that goal. I’ll
make you a martyr right now.
Shiva hits Eghbal several times. She grabs him and drags
him over the ground with his arms tied behind his back.
SHIVA
Bring the spade. We’re going to make th at
hole a little bigger.
Vahid freezes for a second and stares at Shiva in
surprise. At a signal from Shiva, he helps her to drag
Eghbal along.
EGHBAL
Who are you? How many of you are there?
SHIVA
Shut up. You said you wouldn’t utter
another word… Isn’t it your goal to
become a martyr? Well, I’m the angel of
death, here to make your dream come true.
You ISIS bastard, you think we’re going
to let you go so you can make fun of us
and make hundreds of others as unhappy as
we are?
Eghbal tries to speak several times, but he falls silent
under Shiva’s onslaught. She and Vahid pretend to dig the
hole. They throw several spadefuls of earth over Eghbal.
He keeps asking what they are doing. But there’s no
reply, only the sound of digging. Eghbal is terrified. He
wants to speak, but Shiva comes over to him and grips his
chin fir mly.
SHIVA
Your mouth should only open to express
your regrets. If I hear anything but
regrets, I’ll hit you with this shovel. I
don’t want your mouth bleeding when I
cover you with soil, so the earth doesn’t
get dirty. Understand?
EGHBAL
But…
SHIVA
Nothing but regrets. DOn’t say anything
else. One dead scumbag is the same as the
next.
When Eghbal tries to speak, Shiva strikes his mouth with
the back of her hand.
SHIVA
Carry on…
The sound of digging continues.
SHIVA
This bastard keeps talking about what he
did. He thinks he’s still at the
interrogator’s desk.
(MORE)
SHIVA (CONT’D)
Yes, you’re for Islam and the regime,
unbound wealth is leaving this country
and its our fault again… You think the
country belongs to you? You piece of
shit. You have a finger in every pie.
Remember when you looked at my private
photos and you asked me how many dollars
I’d been paid to remove my veil? Remember
when you took money out of my pocket
saying, “Here’s the money. Take your
clothes off t oo”? And you want to die a
martyr?
EGHBAL
In the name of God, I…
Shiva strikes Eghbal in the face with the shovel and he
starts sobbing in pain.
SHIVA
If the voice of this martyr hadn’t sensed
death approaching, you’d understand that
my voice is full of revenge…
EGHBAL
(in a gentle tone)
Alright… alright, I’m sorry. Just let me
see my son once.
SHIVA
If you don’t see your son and you die a
martyr… your rewa rd will be even greater.
EGHBAL
Didn’t you say I was supposed to express
regret? Well, I did.
SHIVA
No, you have to say it out loud. Remember
how you used to say you needed to speak
in such a way that your voice would mark
the prison walls? Now, you have to speak
loud enough for your voice to mark the
sky and the earth.
As Shiva pretends to be about to throw him into the hole,
he speaks out loud and hi s sobbing becomes more intense.
EGHBAL
I’m sorry. I’m sorry. By Syed al-Shuhada,
I’m sorry, that’s enough now… Who do you
think I am?… I’m like you.
(MORE)
EGHBAL (CONT’D)
I was just trying to make a living too…
They imposed that task on me like a
religious duty… At first, I really
suffered when I hurt you… but, little by
little, it became normal for me. When you
refused to confess, I thought you were
making fun of me. Like when I was little,
others made fun of me and hit me… People
always told me how useless I was… or
they’d say, “Are you that stupid?” That’s
when I began to hate myself… I started to
hurt myself physically… You can find the
traces on my body… Now, after what I’ve
done… I don’t even recognize who I am
anymore… I lost my soul in that room and
the things that I did still haunt me…
They appear before my eyes all the time…
For the love of God, leave me alone…
Don’t remind me of anything… I’m sorry…
I’m sorry.
Shiva throws the shovel to the ground next to him. She
walks over to the van. She takes out a cigarette, lights
it and drags on it. She seems unable to smoke. She tosses
the cigarette aside, gets into the van and slams the door
shut. Silence falls. Vahid moves a little, seems to be
about to say something, but realizes that it’s no use. He
takes the box cutter and Eghbal’s papers out of his
pocket. He looks at them for a long moment. He leaves
them near Eghbal.
VAHID
Your papers and a box cutter are to your
right… so you can free yourself… It’ll
take you fifteen minutes to walk to the
main road and find a car there…
He takes the shovel, walks over to the van and climbs in.
The van vanishes into the night.
33 I/E. STREETS AND VAHID’S MOTHER’S HOUSE - DAY 33
A number of children and adults carry baby things to the
van. Vahid is outside h is mother’s house, loading the
things into the van. Omid helps him. They carry the
cradle together and put it in the van. It’s the final
item.
VAHID
Omid, lock everything up now. I’ll just
check we haven’t forgotten anything.
HAMID
Sure, Mister Vahid.
Vahid goes over to the house. The camera follows from
behind. As he starts to climb the stairs, a squeal of
brakes is heard, followed by shouts and Omid’s protests.
Vahid freezes without turning around, without even
looking back. After a few seconds, the sound of Eghbal’s
limping, artificial step, which we heard at the start of
the film, comes closer and closer until reachi ng a peak
of intensity.