[hissing]
[rattling]
[somber instrumental music playing]
[woman] Since the creation of the world,
human beings have betrayed everything they hold dear.
And all we did was watch.
We expected…
[wind howling]
…that you would understand
that the Earth is not yours, human.
The Earth does not belong to you.
This is what the Queen of the Snakes told us thousands of years ago.
"Oh, human. Didn't you ever love me?"
But man ignored this.
He fell in love with Shahmaran.
And made her fall in love with him.
Then he killed his beloved one.
With a conscience like an ember,
an unquenchable regret was all that was left behind.
[somber music fades]
Along with unanswered questions.
[insects chirring]
[mysterious music builds slowly]
Is the Earth a better place without humans?
Are human beings always the destroyer,
always the betrayer?
Or is there still some hope for us?
Somewhere along the way,
we did something wrong.
Then we forgot all about it.
But some of us
still feel it inside.
That's why they don't belong in this world.
They can't coexist with life.
[sobbing softly]
[shuddering breath]
What they experience is called
earthly torment.
[water trickling]
[mysterious music fades out]
-[tap squeaks] -[water draining]
[whistle blows]
[whistle blowing]
[train horn blows]
All aboard!
[indistinct chattering]
[exhales deeply]
[laughter and chatter]
[exhales deeply]
-[child whines] -[indistinct chatter]
[hydraulics squeak]
[haunting music plays]
[train horn blows]
[brakes squeaking]
[music fades]
[wind howls]
[train horn blows]
[ethereal music builds]
[wind gusting]
[sharp musical screech]
[music halts]
[insects chirring]
[birds chirping]
Davut Demir?
That's me.
My name's Shahsu.
Why don't you have a seat?
You may want to.
How long have you been living here?
Well, I guess you're right. There's no need for small talk.
So I'm going to be straight with you.
You were the one who abandoned my mother
when she was just a child.
You never came back,
wrote or called.
You, of course, know this already.
I often heard her cry out for you while she slept.
She'd say,
"Daddy, where are you?"
"Why did you leave me?"
The nightmares,
trouble breathing,
all caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, I assume.
I told her many times,
"It's been 40 years already."
"Forget the guy."
And if you can't do that, then we should go find him,
track him down together, and knock on his door.
Confront him.
She said to me,
"No, nobody can find that man."
I was…
going through her things…
when I found your address.
She always knew you were here.
She must have lacked the courage.
[Davut swallows]
So you came here for her?
To confront me?
[scoffs softly]
On the contrary.
I'm here to thank you.
I grew up in a rose garden because of you.
You probably don't even remember this.
But before you left, you dropped a pile of seeds in her hand.
You said, "These are roses, like your name."
"Plant them."
"And I'll return to you before they blossom."
"Then we will grow them together."
[Davut swallows]
My mom planted those seeds, and…
[Shahsu exhales softly]
…took really good care of the flowers.
[soft instrumental music plays]
She kept one of the seeds for years.
To plant it with you.
[chuckling scoff]
In case you ever came back.
Here.
You can plant it on her grave now.
She passed away…
while she was holding this in her hand.
That's all.
[exhales deeply]
[engine turns over]
[sighs]
[chuckles lightly]
Maran!
[engine sputtering]
Maran?
Maran! I saw a woman was at Davut's place.
I'm telling you, this time I'm sure it was her.
Maran?
[engine sputtering]
[ominous music builds]
[stones scraping]
AK HOTEL
[brakes squeak softly]
[man] Breathe.
Breathe.
I can hear you. Yeah.
But I don't understand what you're saying.
You're making it harder with the yelling and swearing, you know.
No, no, would you please… We'll talk about this later.
Hello. Professor, I've just arrived at the hotel.
I'll drop my things off, get ready, and come right over.
Got it. Thank you.
I'm Shahsu Demir, and I have a reservation.
Istanbul.
You read my ID?
Actually, it's my talent.
I can tell… where a person is from
simply by looking at them.
All I need to do is look at them a few seconds, and then…
Shlaps! Elazig.
Shlaps! Ankara.
It's a gift, really, a skill.
Yes. Yes, it is very special. The room has a bathtub, right?
-Agh… -What do you mean, "Agh"?
I called and specifically requested a room with a bathtub.
The "agh" is, uh…
We would love to give you the room you requested.
Uh, but we only have one room with a tub it,
and the guest was supposed to check out today, but he decided to stay.
I'm sorry.
We wish we could give you the room.
We wish we had one in every room, so every guest could enjoy themselves.
But it is really expensive.
-And you know, the doctors say… -Can I just have my key now?
Yes, the key, well, um…
Just one moment.
Um, the key.
[horns honking outside]
[Shahsu] When will that guest be leaving?
Well, ma'am, hopefully tomorrow morning.
How old are you?
I am 35.
Wait, you're older than me?
Where did I put the key, let me see…
Ah! Thank you.
[Shahsu sighs]
[door creaking]
Thank you.
[door creaking]
-[indistinct shouting outside] -[Shahsu sighs]
[door creaks]
[sighs]
[water running]
[indistinct chatter outside]
[siren wailing in distance]
Before all the blood rushes to my head,
can you just finish? Hmm?
I'm tired of holding this damn pose.
I can't even tell if you're looking at me.
So the girl has left, correct?
Yes, but I can find her.
Go find her, then.
She has arrived.
May our path be blessed.
And what do we do now? Is it time for a sacrifice or what?
[man singing] ♪ Pick them up ♪
♪ Pick them up ♪
♪ Pick them up, pick… ♪
As-salamu alaykum. I am exhausted.
But look at these pretty things that I picked for you just outside.
Just look at how beautiful they are. You will say, "Very good job, Salih."
"They're wonderful. I will cherish them."
Just look, they recently blossomed too.
Just save your praise for when my wife gets here later.
I want her to know her husband was capable of this.
You know her, so ungrateful.
A woman is supposed to say, "Good job, my love. They are beautiful…"
Sir?
What's that?
Sir, are you okay?
My granddaughter…
[overlapping chatter]
[woman] Shahsu?
-Welcome. -Hello, Professor.
My apologies. I'm late.
Don't worry. It's all good.
-Is your presentation ready? -Yes, it is.
Great, let's go.
You're the only assistant able to get here on such short notice.
-I'm so grateful and it's nice to see you. -Don't mention it.
I had a personal matter to attend to, so in the end it worked out.
[overlapping chatter]
Good afternoon.
All right, Shahsu, good luck.
Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Shahsu Demir.
[overlapping chatter continues]
And I'm here to save you all.
[student] What, are you serious? Save us?
Yes, you heard me.
"I am your savior."
"For you,
I would lay down
my life."
What do you think of when I say this to you?
[student 2] Welcome aboard, Professor!
[laughter and chatter]
Today's lecture
is about the savior complex.
You may have also heard it called the messiah complex.
To put it briefly,
when a person willingly sacrifices their own comfort,
their well-being,
and desires for the sake of others.
In the most extreme cases, they sacrifice their own life for others,
all due to a disproportionate sense of responsibility to help them.
This is what we call the messiah complex.
Even if helping means hurting someone else,
saviors can't stop themselves.
One of the worst parts is the sense of power
that comes from the effect of helping others.
It can completely change how the savior perceives the world.
It creates an illusion.
"Please help me."
"I can't."
"No way."
You won't ever hear them saying these kinds of things.
They don't know how to ask for help.
They will continue trying to save others,
even when it is dangerous for them to do so.
And they feel absolutely terrible when they fail.
They often feel… like everything is their fault.
As if everything fell apart because of them and their actions.
When, in fact,
most of the time,
we have no real control over anything.
Do you agree?
That was perfect.
The kids loved you.
I wish you were here every day.
I want to talk to you about that. With the dean's approval,
I'm beginning a project on various types of bonds.
-Oh, yeah? -Yeah.
I have approval for one more thing.
An assistant.
-Hmm? -Oh, Professor…
I will talk to your professor in Istanbul.
It's just for a semester.
-I don't know… -Come on!
At least take a look at the project.
This will be a great addition for your PhD.
This is a win for both of us.
Come on, just think about it. For me?
-Okay, I'll consider it. -Thank you.
[exhales sharply]
-Salih. -Huh?
He really hasn't moved at all?
No, dear, not an inch. He's been staring at the wall for hours.
-My God. -Yeah.
Hey, sir?
Are you hungry? I made soup.
[woman exhales]
[dog barking]
He got up.
-Did he not hear me at all? -He's not talking either.
We need to find that girl and talk to her immediately.
How do you even know it's a girl?
What does it even matter if it's a boy or girl?
All right, stay calm.
Shh…
Where is he going now?
[footsteps approaching]
[man humming quietly]
I'd like my key, please.
Wow, welcome back, ma'am.
Really? "Ma'am"?
Yeah.
Just, welcome back, then.
Sure, whatever. Can I get the key to my room?
Of course.
Here you go.
Hold on a sec. There's someone here to see you.
[melancholy music builds]
Why are you here?
How did you find me?
You are mistaken.
You think that
your mother didn't confront me.
You said she lacked courage.
[Davut sighs]
You're wrong.
-[insects chirring] -[owl hooting]
You're really not gonna introduce yourself to her?
[inhales]
[owl hoots in distance]
[sighs softly]
Don't you think it's a bit early to talk about this?
Well, I'd want to know if I were you.
Don't be silly. I'm on your side, of course.
But,
I don't know,
many people have high hopes for you.
Dad and Bike, Diba,
everyone.
If you show them that they're wrong,
maybe they'll give all this up.
Just introduce yourself.
Don't worry.
They'll believe what they want to believe.
You know what? Sometimes I wish they were right.
Wouldn't it be nice to actually believe in something for once?
Hmm? [swallows]
But I do believe in something.
-Oh, yeah? -Mm-hmm.
And what exactly is it that you believe in, huh?
In vino veritas.
[chuckles softly]
My turn.
-[Maran chuckles] -Mmm. Mm-hmm.
[both chuckling]
[animal calling]
[mysterious music playing]
[exhales deeply]
[sighs]
[Davut] You are mistaken.
You think that your mother didn't confront me.
You said she lacked courage.
You're wrong.
[exhales]
-[people chattering] -[horns honking]
"I've had this gut feeling, Dad,
for what feels like forever."
"A voice inside my head calling out to me."
"Like there's some place I need to go,
but I don't know where."
"Nightmares, dreams, and sleep talking have been with me all of my life."
[breathes deeply]
"My medication has no effect on me anymore."
"I'm lost inside my mind."
"I'm scared, Dad."
"What if Shahsu turns out to be like me?"
[exhales]
[ominous rumbling builds]
Mom?
Have you been sleepwalking again, Mom?
Mom?
-[gasps] -[sharp pitch]
[breathing shakily]
[both whimpering]
[breathing shakily]
-[screams] -[gasps]
-[panting] -[light clamor outside]
Hey, is the room with the bathtub available yet?
Oh, the room.
It's still occupied.
It's Hidirellez tonight, and the guy wants to stay.
Tomorrow, hopefully.
Okay, is there a swimming pool, or maybe a Turkish bath somewhere around here?
We have the best of them, but everywhere is closed for Hidirellez.
You should enjoy the festival, though. After all, you've come all this way.
Perhaps there's a river, or some sort of lake.
Someplace with water for me to take a swim?
Yes, there is one.
A lake. Um…
-Oh. -Yeah.
-Show me where it is, on this map. -Right.
Can you zoom in?
Yes, just zoom right over there, please.
Right here. It's a great place. You'll be very happy. And you can swim,
however you like, and it's safe to go alone.
You can jump in and splash all you want.
It's a spectacular place.
It's one of my… favorites.
Mm-hmm.
[birds chirping]
[mysterious music plays]
[sighs]
[exhales deeply]
[haunting music builds]
[wind gusting forcefully]
Hey!
[music fades out]
I'm talking to you, yes.
You're the only other person around here.
What are you even doing here?
Well, I come here every morning. This is my spot.
[chuckles lightly]
Well, this morning I got here first.
I know.
My clothes got blown away. Could you grab them, please?
Please, sir.
[soft instrumental music plays]
Are you going to keep staring?
Are you Shahsu?
I am.
And who are you?
Why are you here?
Excuse me…
Who are you again?
I'm Maran.
I'd like more of an introduction than just your name.
Right.
Maran Behruzoglu.
I live here.
I don't believe in coincidence.
Really? Is that right?
Nice to meet you, Shahsu.
Have a good day, Shahsu.
[scoffs]
What are you doing, Dad?
What's that?
Why'd you send her down to the lake?
So, you met her?
Stop this, now.
I didn't send anyone anywhere.
Maran!
[ominous music builds]
Diba?
Diba.
Diba!
Maran?
Maran.
-Sit down, let's talk about this. -Diba?
What's going on?
Did you send Shahsu to the lake?
[chuckling] Oh, she was at the lake?
Diba.
I swear to God, I didn't send her.
What's going on?
[Diba chuckles softly]
Look,
I'm gonna say this for the last time.
You're dreaming, all right.
Everyone is free to believe in whatever they want.
I respect that.
But I don't belong in that dream.
I don't want to be a part of this. Do you understand?
Forget about me.
Okay?
Enough.
I don't want to break your hearts, all right.
Is that clear?
Don't look at me like that.
I swear, I didn't do anything wrong.
No one did anything, Maran.
There is only one explanation for this encounter.
[Maran scoffs softly]
It's fate.
[energetic music playing]
[people clapping in rhythm]
[reveler whistling]
[revelers ululating]
[woman] Half snake, half human.
Part love,
part lies.
You think these are just fairy tales.
Or prophecies.
But no.
These lands are sacred, consecrated.
Love will bring back Shahmaran,
and Shahmaran will bring back love.
Would you like to try it?
Well, thank you. But no, thank you.
No to love, or the necklace?
[chuckles] You're a good salesperson,
but I don't believe in these kinds of fairy tales.
So, have a good night.
[woman] Hold on, hold on.
I'm not selling. It's a heartfelt gift.
You obviously don't know what happens when you believe.
You'd give it a try if you did.
You're right. It's what they call a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Huh?
You said I don't know what happens… when I believe.
That's actually called a self-fulfilling prophecy.
You start to act in a specific way because you believe something is going to happen.
And then because you acted that way the whole time,
the thing you believed in actually ends up coming true.
Just like
me buying this silly necklace from you.
All right, I'll take it.
[hissing rises and fades]
Here, hope it's enough.
I'll let you know if it comes true.
[festive music playing]
[tune slows and fades out]
[new tune playing]
-Would you like some lemonade? -[Shahsu] Yeah, I'll have some.
-Sir? -We've only just arrived, sir.
-Salih. -What?
-I think that's her over there. -You sure about that?
[vendor] Enjoy.
Thank you very much.
I hope you're enjoying that.
-Thank you? -Listen, big-city girl.
We both work for Papa Davut.
I'm Salih, and this is… my woman.
I mean, my wife, Medine.
It's nice to meet you. Can I help with something?
Papa Davut sits quietly at his table all day.
As if he's glued to his chair.
-I know it's none of our business… -No, it isn't. You've got that right.
It actually kind of is our business. We are like a family.
We are all from Hurriyet, the most dangerous neighborhood around here.
There are a lot of kids, but it's not a good place for them to grow up.
Once you're there it's hard to get out.
[Salih] And there's nothing you can do if you're born there.
[Medine] So yeah, we're lucky Papa Davut helped us to get out of there.
We learned everything we know from him.
Our manners, you know, the work, and the land.
-Can you guess what else he taught us? -[Shahsu] What, love?
He taught you to love, didn't he?
That's very nice. It's a great story.
But please, save it for your children.
I don't really care at all.
-I can take her, you know. -Mm.
Will you calm down, Medine?
Please. I don't like her either.
[upbeat music playing]
[people clapping in rhythm]
-[song ends] -[overlapping chatter]
[mid-tempo tune playing]
[ethereal tones shimmering]
[sharp hissing echoes]
[hushed voices echoing]
[crackling]
[tense music builds]
[roaring flame burst]
[roaring]
[revelers exclaiming]
[distant shouts and screams]
Somebody help me!
[coughing]
Please, help me!
-[sizzling] -[gasps]
[coughing]
[gasping]
[coughing]
[coughs]
[ominous warbling]
-[insects chirring] -[birds chirping]
[dogs barking in distance]
[owl hooting]
[kettle clatters]
Good morning.
Tea?
What am I doing here? What happened?
Go ahead. Tell me.
What happened? How am I here?
I don't know.
You were here when I woke up.
-I thought maybe-- -You thought what?
That I suddenly decided to sleep here?
Why would I do that?
[insects buzzing]
[engine sputtering]
[engine whirring harshly]
Hey!
Hey! I'm talking to you.
[engine stops]
What happened last night? Why did you bring me here?
We were at Hidirellez. I heard a sound. Then the fire started.
And I was stuck in the middle of it.
You came and then brought me…
Why the hell did you bring me here? Huh?
Answer me.
You came and saved me.
You pulled me out of the fire.
Didn't you do that?
Do you want to take a seat? Maybe some water?
I don't.
What's going on with you?
Listen.
I'm not in the mood to play.
I'm asking you a simple question here.
Did you save me from the fire last night or not?
I was at the festival. That's true, yeah.
And I saw you there.
But that's it, we didn't talk.
And after that, I left.
But I would.
If you were ever stuck in a fire…
I would save you.
I'd do the same for anyone.
I don't know if you're telling the truth.
But I'll find out.
I'm not letting this go, all right.
[engine sputtering, cranking]
[engine turns over]
You have a spare room?
Okay.
That was more than I expected.
That fire was no simple sign. It's the first omen.
Hold on a minute.
So it is true, then? Huh?
-Shahsu's the girl we've been expecting? -Mm-hmm.
I knew it.
I knew it from the very first time I saw her.
Nobody can tell the truth to Shahsu. Do you hear me?
Stay away from her.
Leave her alone.
What does it matter? She will learn anyway.
It has already started, Maran.
That fire was the first omen.
The rest will follow soon.
Accept it. You were chosen long before you were born.
And if I don't?
You have to… accept your reality.
Your family and your people are counting on you.
So you're telling me to choose.
What are you talking about?
If I don't do as you say, I'd be denying my heritage.
And if I do?
Shahsu, what happens to her?
It's love. What's wrong with true love?
By deceiving her, giving her a responsibility she's unaware of…
Stealing her life…
Is that love?
So how would you have it, then?
[Bike] What's that got to do with this?
Huh?
Actually, I'd like to hear that.
If given the chance, what would you choose?
Hmm?
Not being the chosen one.
[sister chuckles lightly]
[somber music builds slowly]
[continues chuckling softly]
[toilet flushes]
[intense music builds]
[music fades out]
[theme music plays]
[uptempo music plays]
[music ends]