THE TEACHERS
By Mohsen Yalfani Adaptation by Shirin Mirzanejad
Exit Theatre Group
♪♪
When did you come home, Majid?
You scared me.
Why don't you make any noise?
Sneaking in like thieves...
That minx won't leave me alone.
She knows I can see her whole house from here,
yet she keeps the curtains open showing off herself.
I think she has a crush on me.
She is asking for it!
Believe me! She marches over there on and on
to lure me by the window.
What can I do? how much can I resist?
I'm a human too, you know!
Is that so?
Then why were you peeping over the curtain?
Come sit down!
Wow, a new book!
Is it from school's library?
School doesn't have this kind of books.
Where do you come by these books, Majid?
These are dangerous stuff. you get us all in trouble.
Think of my sister a little bit!
Come sit down! I need to talk to you.
go on!
You were supposed to keep away from that window.
Did you forget that?
This is a small town. It's our reputation at stake.
Have I done something to undermine it?
She's asking for it! She is the one starting it, I swear!
When we agreed that you come live with us,
you promised your sister that there will be no more of this.
Didn't you, Iraj?
Yes, I did. So what? What do I do now?
Kill myself? Castrate myself?
Will you be happy if I castrate myself?
Why are you talking nonsense?
Do you need to be castrated so you don't harass people?
All I'm saying is that instead of peeping over the curtain
Be a decent person, go knock on her door and talk to her.
You're not a clumsy teenager!
Where is Bita? Wasn't she with you?
No, she had her school club.
She and her clubs!
It was her turn to make dinner.
Wasn't it your turn? She made dinner yesterday.
Do you call that dinner?
I'll show her what dinner means!
Is there any tea? Did you put the kettle?
Be a dear and set it up. I'm gonna do some work out.
My body has gone stiff. I really need to work out.
I need to take care of myself more.
It's a real pity!
You know what?
I've decided to work out for half an hour every afternoon.
I know it's much better in the morning,
but I can't wake up early.
[Azari] Just early enough to make it to school.
Majid! It would be great if we got a pair of dumbbells.
You can't improve well enough without equipment.
Ouch! it cramped! Ouch!
Your're gonna kill yourself.
You'd better to start with hiking.
Wake up early in the morning and go hiking outside town.
I left that one for my retirement, Majid!
Yeah, with the life you're leading,
you will definitely get to retirement, Mr. Iraj!
Get outta here!
The most important part is interest and enthusiasm
which there is plenty of it here.
Where there is enthusiasm, you can do anything.
On the very first session, we even chose a play
and we will start practicing next week.
I just wonder, Amid,
that with all the enthusiasm students have
how is it that there has never been a theatre group in this school?
This is a small town, Bita, no one understands theatre.
I don't get it. What do you mean they don't understand?
Theatre doesn't need understanding.
It's a part of life. It is the life itself.
Anyone who lives, gets a sense of life,
has a purpose in life,
and attributes a meaning to it.
You can show it all in theatre and share it with others.
Here, they start to think of theatre only
when it comes to formal celebrations.
They make it up as a formality to gather people and
then a couple of the superiors give some speech and bore people.
Come on! Aren't you done already?
Don't you guys have anything else to talk about?
I don't get it! What's so important about it that you won't let it go?
-Are you kidding? -No!
I wonder how a teacher could say such a thing.
I wanna ask you something.
Of all things, why are you hung up on drama club?
Why do you think I've become a teacher?
To teach the difference between transitive and intransitive verb
to my students?
Let me tell you dear,
you've become a teacher because you couldn't get another job,
just like other teachers.
Why do you compare others to yourself?
Can't you believe someone's become a teacher out love and interest?
Guys, would you like some water?
Yes, I can.But only If you add some stupidity to that.
What are you saying?
It's alright. Tease all you want. although I'm a newbie,
none of these is new to me.
I know that most teachers don't value their job much.
But I didn't become a teacher out of chance or coercion.
Teaching is not a job to me. It's my life, believe it or not!
But I really believe in the legend that says:
A teacher must burn like a candle and spread the light.
I thought these ideas have gone out of date.
I thought people have become wise enough not to fool themselves and
those around them by these ideas.
Why do you insist on discouraging her right from the beginning?
No dear, I'm just careful,
and she is not the type to be discouraged by my words.
But I've never been fond of these idealized words.
I've always been skeptical about what lies behind them.
What do you think lies behind her words?
I'm not from yesterday, you know!
For the past couple of weeks, there has been talks about assigning the
new educational administrator, who will be receiving an extra 200-300.
Of course Bita's entitled to that. Because she doesn't earn much
and has no overtime pay. But she is barking up the wrong tree.
In order for this to work, you need to grease the principal's palm,
otherwise, gathering students and
forming all kinds of clubs won't work.
Ms. Shojaei, I don't care what you think.
I know you are used to this way of thinking,
but the one thing I never care about is overtime pay
and educational administration.
I'm obliged by duty to be responsible
for my student's educational matters
and I'll do everything in my power for them,
be it with or without overtime pay. That is not my concern.
But tonight's dinner is entirely your concern.
It's getting late and you haven't made anything.
Well, hello to you too!
[Azari] You have no shame!
Well, well, Iraj the champion!
How do you make your arms so muscular?
I know what kind of sport he does!
First, you need to wake up early,
and second, you need to have equipment.
Yes!
Haven't you seen that rascal, Mostafa?
Yeah, he was looking for you in fences market.
Ha Ha Ha!
Why do you wanna know?
He's supposed to come here in the evenings to study together
but the rascal is absent 8 days a week.
Where is Majid? Isn't he home?
Yes, he's in his nook.
[Azari] He's put the kettle. Be a dear and make some tea, please.
I'm sorry, our maid is on leave!
I'm gonna help you out.
So, how's it going, Ms. Shojaei?
Where are you at with your case?
With these zealous colleagues, where did you expect me to be?
They were going to report my absence today.
So you accepted the schedule and went on to your class.
When everybody backs off and take the beating,
what can I do on my own?
So what was all that fuss about?
Didn't you say that unless they change the schedule,
you're not gonna go to your class? What happened?
I said I'm not gonna come to terms with it
and will change it no matter what, and I'm keeping my word.
But all you guys do is keeping your distance and critisizing others.
This new schedule is unfair to all of you,but non of you will speak up.
Here in the flesh, Mr. Abtahi, who doesn't say a word,
he should at least have 17-18 hours of overtime,
but all he gets is 8 hours.
Or Ms. Azadi, she only has 4 hours.How is that?
Ms. Azadi doesn't even want that 4 hours.
I need to have time for other things.
Right! What other things? The drama club?
Yes, drama club, oratory club, journalism club,
debate club, chess club...
Chess club?
HA HA HA!
I honestly wonder why don't you pay any attention to this kind of
activities? While that's the only way we can talk to the students
and have a healthy meaningful relationship with them.
Our hands are tied in the class with a bogus schedule.
Once you start talking more than that, you get all kinds of notices
and reports from administration. But in these activities we are free
to talk to the students about any subject.
Bita, dear! Give me a break! Let me get on with my life. Club!
[Azari] What happened to that damn tea?
[Azari] Stop ordering around! Go do you whatever you want.
I haven't had my afternoon tea and I'm cranky. I just asked for a tea.
Why do you keep dampening her spirits?
Can't you bear to see someone doing solid work?
I don't have anything against her. She can do whatever she wants.
But the point is that That's the kind of teacher they like.
Those who keep to themselves and don't give a damn
about what's going on in the office.
If you look closely, you'll see that the got us all apart.
Why? So that we're alone and unable to do anything.
After 7 years of working in Parvin Etesami school,
they kicked me out and replaced me with one of their minions.
Yet, everything's about the same.
Well, suppose we all worked together at the same school, and as you say,
we weren't alone. What do you suppose we'd do?
Stage a coup, occupy the office and take over the power?
You've been reading so much newspaper that you're out of it!
If we were in the same high school, we could unite
and paralyze it when it's necessary.
I don't understand what YOU've got against this state of matters?
What are you up to? What's your ideology?
What's my ideology? why do you wanna know my ideology?
All I'm saying is that we shouldn't let them exploit us.
If there's a catch, they should cut us in on the deal.
She's literally begging for an administrative notice!
But Mr. Amid! If you ask me, forget about Parvin Etesami high school.
Why?
Because they might accuse you of something and make a case that
follows you to the end of the world. I'm telling you!
-Here's the tea. -Great!
The cups are not matching. pick any that suits you.
Here!
Bita, this is pale as corpse's spit. Pour some more tea!
You two are not crippled, bossing around so much! Go do it yourself!
It's perfect. Nothing wrong with it. Thank you!
It's better than Vahab's tea in the school's office, isn't it?
Instead of talking so much, go get something to eat.
She's right. I'm tutoring today and I'm so hungry I can't talk.
I swear upon your both lives,
not a single thing can be found to eat in the house.
You could go shopping groceries and make dinner, too.
Guys! some bread and cheese or biscuits. I'm starving!
[Azari] We've got some biscuits, go get them.
He'll get it right away.
Oh! I had it for lunch. I was so hungry.
-Where are you taking that? - For Majid.
Oh! Is it below his majesty to come drink tea with us?
You're full of it! What are you saying? I'll tell him to come.
Don't bother! we're leaving.
Why don't you say anything to her?
-Me? -Yes, you!
What's there to say? What is wrong?
Didn't you say that they stay up late,
listening to the radio and discussing?
Go announce it all over the town!
Why is it any of your business?
I'm concerned for her.
He's going to get her into trouble in the bloom of her youth.
You be concerned for yourself. She knows better than you and me.
You back him up all you want,
but I'm always skeptical about this kind of people.
And all this for what? If this kind of work could get somewhere,
it would've been there by now. when at least
there was a bunch of decent people among them. Who the hell is he?
You want all people to be like you,
just caring about overtime pay and privileges.
How do you know he's not after that?
What do you think his travels are for? One of these days
he comes back being commissioned as high school principal or head of
administration. I'm sure once they change Bou-Ali's vice principal,
he's gonna be the replacement. You'll see.
Don't worry. They will announce an auction for these positions
and I'm sure you will be the highest bidder.
Come on! Are you gonna fondle each other all day?
Let's get out and have some fun, get some air.
-I'm tutoring today. -There!
Aren't you done with tutoring already?
Let it go! Forget about this pittance.
It's a pity for you to go knock on doors for dimes and nickels.
Why are you so pissed off?
Haven't you find pupils? you had 5 last summer.
Those were my relatives and I didn't charge them.
-Well, these are my neighbors. -Yeah, right!
Come on guys! What are we gonna do?
If that rascal, Mostafa, was here we'd be outta here already.
You know, this doesn't work for you. you need to think of a better plan.
She's right. Like Jalil, have you seen him all tamed and dutiful?
Where is he by the way? He's not around much anymore.
In the afternoon when the school bells ring,
just like a sheep returning from the meadows,
goes straight back home to his wife.
No kidding! I envy that sheep.
But what choice do I have?
Once you go forward and speak up,
and they find out you're a teacher, they get grumpy
and throw a 40Tomans Rock in your way. Who can move it?
If you ask me, 40Tomans wife is no good for living with.
I'm a fan of big bargains. And you need to throw some money at it!
Right.
Guys! Between us as friends, believe me,
most nights I can't fall asleep,
I have too much on my mind.
I keep asking myself, when?
You know what I'm terrified of? That I turn 40-50, and yet
no one would be there waiting for me when I get back home at night.
That I unlock the door, go inside,
an empty home, a dreadfully silent home,
Turn on the lights, put the kettle on and sit there,
No wife, no children, no talk, no noise,
all alone, like an owl.
One goes insane!
You know what's your problem, Iraj?
That you keep moving.
right before you're settled in and recognized,
you put in for transfer and leave town no matter what the cost.
This is a small town. If they don't know you, no one will let you
marry their daughter.
I don't get it. Why do you keep moving?
Why don't you settle down and and get it over with?
Because the honorable people of the town are so kind and considerate,
respect your privacy and leave you be.
What is it? Why are you so upset?
Because you guys start interrogating any chance you get.
Yes, I get transferred every year.
What's wrong with that? Is that a crime?
What's the harm in that?
Why did he blow a fuse?
Because you hit the spot. Every time he's asked about his transfers,
he get's all steamed up about it. Don't ask!
Hello! Hello! Has the evening panel started? What's the agenda?
As usual, nagging and whining.
And there were talks about an auction for
Bou-Ali's vice principal position. How much are you gonna bid?
Please! As long as there are expert brokers like yourself,
who am I to bid?
Amid! Wasn't Jalil with you? He told me he'd come by in the evening.
No, ever since he got married, he doesn't hang out with us as much.
He goes straight back home after school.
Married life's agreeing with him.
Come on, let's go!
[Azari] Where are you going? What about dinner?
I won't be home for dinner.
God forbid we depend on you.
wait, I'm gonna go with you.
I have some shopping to do.
Majid, what do you want for dinner?
Whatever you like. Whatever is easier to fix.
Bye! Bye!
See?
Talking to Leyli Shojei for just a little while
is enough to piss you off.
She doesn't consider anything.
Majid, I'm sick of them.
Sick of them, this situation, this town.
I'm fed up with myself too.
If weren't for my family, I wouldn't stay here.
I'd put in for transfer and leave for Ahwaz, Abadan...
You'd straighten up everything for your family. What happened?
I'm not talking about my parents. They'll manage anyway.
I can send them some money every month.
I'm worried about my sister. I can't leave her like this.
I have to go.
Come visit us anytime. I'm here for you. Bita too.
Don't worry, you're not alone.
Sure! Bye!
Hey, Majid! What's up, bro?
How's it going?
-Why are you so late? -I dropped by home.
-Alright, let's go have a smoke. -OK
You need to take the geraniums inside. It's getting cold at night.
Yes, I take them inside at night.
My wife's filled the house with plants.
The rooms look like a greenhouse.
She's so tasteful.
Too bad our home is too small.
There's room here, bring some of them over.
I don't think She'd agree.
She's so tasteful and handy with everything.
She does all her sewing.
She's got big plans for the house.
Furniture for guest room, living room, bedroom.
We're gonna need a whole house.
She tells me to let her become a teacher
What's wrong with that?
I don't like it. Everything is in order at home now.
But if she goes to work, it won't be the same.
Besides, the workplace, you know how it is.They have no respect.
No, I don't like it. And what if a baby comes around...
Teaching is no good for her.
Anyway, how are you doing?
Don't you two wanna get your life in order?
Do you wanna get us involved with guest room furniture, Mr. Jalil?
This is no good way to live.
Why do you bring this up every time you're here?
You know my condition very well.
You need to get your act together, Majid!
Your case is still open. They're constantly watching you.
I'm afraid that they will get you in serious trouble.
Since when you've become the granny?
It's over, Majid! There's no use for starting over.
They won and now the game is over. Why do you humiliate yourself?
Why do you bother?
I know you don't like to hear it. But I have to tell you.
Remember that night? Azar 16th, senior year.
Two of the guys brought you back to the dorm late at night.
Your head was gashed and your clothes were torn.
You'd shouted so much you couldn't make a sound.
No one was as fervorous as you were, Jalil.
We were kids back then. It was our age.
Or maybe we needed to test ourselves.
But what came out of it all?
They did whatever they wanted and didn't give a shit about us.
Well, it's our own fault. With that leadership and that method,
you couldn't expect any other outcome.
But whatever we'd do, the outcome would be the same.
The times have changed, Majid. Everything is determined from abroad
Now it's turn for superpowers.
Superpowers! That's really convenient.
This way you neither bother your conscience nor hurt your feelings.
What can the two of us do? How many people can we gather?
100? 1000? 10000? What do we want from this life?
A home, a wife and little bit love and passion.
We must be content, we have no other choice.
We can live our life like this, too, Mr. Majid!
Did you want anything else with me besides preaching on contentment?
I did. There's one more thing. I wanted to borrow some money.
How's your wallet doing?
Not well at all!
In fact, I had the same plan for you.
Are you kidding me? Aren't you guys double-income?
How much do you spend?
Do high prices leave any money behind?
Besides, our living costs are one thing, the side expenses are another
Don't you see? There's a whole army in here everyday!
A whole army? Come on, Majid!
Damn shame it didn't work this time. But you go get fixed, Majid!
♪ Moonlight, a poem by Nima Yushij ♪
♪ Reciting: Ahmad Shamlou ♪
♪ Music: Ahmad Pejman♪
[English translation: Kamran Talattof]
Moonlight's flowing
a worm is glowing
not a breath to break slumber in the eye and yet
the thought of this sleeping bunch
breaks sleep in my watery eyes.
All-seeing, stands with me the dawn
Asking of me
to proclaim to this fallen lot the
happy tiding of its life-giving breath
alas , in my heart a thorn
breaks the hardship of this journey
tender-bodied blossom of the plant that
with love I planted
and with love I watered
alas, breaks in my bosom.
My hands I chafe
and knock at the gate
in vain I linger
that one may answer
the gate and the wall, frail and flaccid,
crumble on my head.
Moonlight's flowing
a worm is glowing
weary of a long journey
stands a lonely man at the village gate,
knapsack on his back
one hand on the knocker, he says to himself
"the thought of this sleeping bunch
breaks sleep in my watery eyes."
♪ ♪
You're gonna catch cold!
Damn water heater's broken.
The water heater! It doesn't work!
I told the repairman to take a look at it. Didn't he come by?
I saw him on my way home. Told him not to.
-Why? -We've got no money.
We don't? why not?
I bought these.
These?
What happened to that money we put aside for you to buy a winter coat?
I just went to check the price. 300 Tomans! It's too expensive.
I don't need it that much. It's not urgent.
What?
You seem to like to be known for all this.
Look, Ms. Azadi doesn't have a coat to wear!
Am I lying?
Same goes for your eating. I told you 100 times to come and have
a hot meal for lunch, but you don't listen.
And when you get back home at night, you seat with these guys
having some bread and cheese or yoghurt.
So what?
See, Ms. Azadi doesn't eat decent food!
Ms. Azadi doesn't think about herself at all!
Ms. Azadi has dedicated her life completely to her students.
I didn't expect that coming from you.
Why do you get upset honey?
I want you to know that your job is so hard
that it doesn't need playing hero.
The hardship of being a teacher is not
in penury, starving or not having a coat.
The hardship is in perseverance and persistence.
If there was a heroism to our job,
It'd be in holding your head high, being patient and persistent,
despite all the troubles, plights, exhaustion and failures.
So that you're not undermined by the burden of this life.
It's not in putting up a show.
Sweetheart! look at me.
Look at me!
What?
You just spent the water heater's repair money on these
and I know we're gonna freeze in the shower.
But what did you buy these for? why do you need them?
-For tomorrow's ceremony. -Tomorrow's ceremony?
-Yes. -what's the occasion?
We're going to hold a valedictory ceremony for Leyli Shojaei.
The guys are coming over tonight to discuss the plan.
-We're gonna beat them real good. -Who do you wanna beat real good?
The head of administration and his gang.
Seems like Leyli Shojaei has got you all play into her hands real bad
She's our colleague after all. We should have her back.
She disagrees with the schedule they gave her
and instead of settling it, they left the matter to human resources.
We shouldn't leave her alone.
Look
This is a bureaucratic dispute.
You're making too big of a deal about it.
It will be resolved by a bureaucratic settlement.
-No, Shojei says she won't settle. -Yeah, right! we'll see!
-So you won't be there? -No
Look, I won't be back tonight.
Tomorrow either, perhaps. But don't tell anyone.
-You're gonna go again? -I'll be back soon.
There's a meet soon and I Should probably go now...
-Can you not go? -I have to, Bita!
Majid! Take care!
It's so cold in here!
As if the heater's off.
Where are the others? They were supposed to be here at 7.
Yes, they will be here by 7.
You drank yourself silly again. You've got no control over it.
And when I tell you, goes in one ear and out the other.
And that crappy food! The cutlet is leftover from last week.
Same with the lamb leg. Have you seen the chicken?
He serves rooster instead.
At least the rib is rather healthy.
I don't give a damn about what you say.
I just needed another shot to take the edge off.
So that I get to that special point.
The point where everything becomes smooth, safe and just fine.
There's a meeting here tonight!
I've never found a soul to drink with in peace.
You back off after drinking 2 shots. You're all afraid of getting drunk.
All of you!
We have families. We're past that. You are too!
You need to get your act together.
You have responsibilities now. You need to act like it.
You need to learn to go straight back home early in the evening.
But you need to learn a lot more than that!
Get off me!
I keep telling myself what the hell have I done?
See how I got myself into this mess for nothing?
Yellow from the word go!
What's taking them so long? Why don't they answer already?
That's how courtship works.
Once you go ahead and present yourself, it's all up the them.
They're asking around. They keep inquiring.
Her father's been asking the head of human resources.
Her mother's been asking the neighbors.
Her uncle's been asking Shojaei. What are they looking for?
Let them ask around. What's gonna happen?
We know they wish this to happen. Now it makes them happy
to make sure about you. Let them be! You don't have anything to hide.
Mostafa! Why didn't you let me have those 2 shots?
What's this misery of having to get married with all this hardship?
Why did you get on with it so late when you're so impatient?
It's alright though. We can ask Shojaei to talk to them.
She's a smooth talker. She seals the deal immediately.
Yes, Shojaei!
Her case is at human resources. She has to leave anytime now.
Don't be so sure. This is one side of the story.
Don't you know what a trickster she is?
The administration's secretary was looking for her today.
Why?
He said he wants to make peace between them.
Hello! How is it?
Well, well! Ms. Bita! Unbreakable be the unity of the teachers?
-What is it? -Placard for tomorrow.
We're gonna put them up on the walls in the hall.
I should make 5-6 more of it.
What are you gonna do tomorrow?
Tomorrow we're gonna bring them to their knees.
To their knees? Whose knees?
The head of administration and his buddies.
We're gonna show them who's the boss.
But Ms. Azadi, placard and such...
I'm saying... It doesn't look good.
Why not? Don't we want to show our unity?
Ms. Azadi, you are so... What do we call it, Iraj? so...
enthusiastic, yes. enthusiastic!
There was another literature teacher here a couple of years back
just like you. He had some odd behavior. He wrote poems.
-Right! -What happened to him?
Nothing. He got married.
No, first he got transferred and then got married.
-His wife committed suicide. -seriously?
So what's your point?
The point is that there are some sensible women in the world.
Oh, You've been bending an elbow again!
Yes, what's wrong with that? I have every right to do so.
[Azari] What's gonna happen?
We have a meeting here tonight. There's a lot to do.
What meeting? You're taking it too seriously.
As if you're gonna break the back of the beast.
Instead of all these, tell me, did you go to her family?
What's their answer?
[Azari] You're driving me up the wall. you've gone nuts!
[Azari] They'll tell us in time. Let it go!
[Azari] They'll tell us!
So much for being my sister!
What are they gonna do? Have you thought about that?
They wanna transfer Shojaei. What does it have to do with us?
Why should we get involved in all this? All they do is scorning us.
They say the graduates come to the high schools
and take away their overtime.
Iraj, why should we put ourselves in danger for them?
Danger? What danger?
Don't you see? They're gonna have a rally tomorrow.
We're gonna get our knuckles wrapped!
Gimme a break! You're taking it too seriously, Mosi!
[Doorbell rings]
-Who is it? -The guys.
-Hi! Welcome! -Hi!
Hi! How are you?
-Hi! -Hi!
-Right on time, as usual! -What can I do? That's how I roll.
What do you mean "how I roll"? Be on time!
Your house is colder than outside. Don't you guys catch cold?
We're thinking of getting a new heater.
Right! It's on the 8th five-year plan.
I think we're gonna have a new heater by the time we retire,
if we will not have died of pneumonia by then.
So you're gonna crash here until then?
It never occurred to me!
Look Amid,
I bought ink and paper. we just need to agree on the slogans.
Wasn't Leyli Shojaei with you? Where's she?
She was, but her car broke. She'll be here soon.
What a beautiful handwriting! Is it yours?
But Amid, I was just telling them,
I don't think it's an easy job putting these up on the wall.
Why not? Just tape it up!
Don't worry! You will be excused.
Well, let's see what to do.
Tomorrow we're gonna surprise them by showing our strength.
We need to show them
nothing could stop the teachers once they're united.
Yes, we should fu... [doorbell rings]
It's Leyli.
-Hi! -Hi!
-Welcome! -Hello comrades!
Guys, I'm so humbled by your kindness. Thank you!
Ms. Shojaei, you made us proud.
After degrading the teachers for so long
someone finally has stood up to them.
You've made us all proud.
Now it's our turn to stand by you and have your back.
I for one am up for being transferred instead of you.
You're the master of transference.
Guys, let's make tomorrow's plan.
What's wrong with the valedictory ceremony we discussed earlier?
We have the school's hall to ourselves.
I talked to some of Ferdowsi's teachers yesterday.
Many of them agreed.
I think it doesn't matter if all the teachers show up.
We open the hall's door and let the students in.
They're all up for it. All that matters is for the hall to be full.
Specially for cheering and chanting. We should make an uproar.
Look, I'm fine with that...
but do you really think that the administration is going to sit aside
and let you do whatever you want?
How's he gonna know about this?
I bet he knows from A to Z about it.
But this is just between us. Who's informed him?
He has eyes and ears everywhere. He's gonna know.
Even so, what's he gonna do?
He might order not to open the hall's door.
Then we do it in the yard.
Or we go in the street, take over the square.
I'm wishing he orders not to open the hall's doors.
Then we make a full report of the matter and release it to the media.
Great! That way it will make some noise.
Why involve the media?
It's not good. They will object.
Object? Who's gonna object?
It's us who's gonna object, not them.
It's the best time
to reveal all their embezzlements and wrongdoings
and scandalize them.
If the media becomes aware of this matter, they will deal with him.
But guys, I'm gonna be honest,
you're way out of it.
He's our boss. We can't face him. And Who's gonna listen to us anyway?
They don't like agitation. If they find out there's something going on
in his department, they'll surely replace him.
I bet it's way more convenient to replace us. Just like you.
She went on like this so much that they transferred her.
Now she can't do a damn thing.
The valedictory ceremony and such is of no use.
Mr. Malek, bro! you're off your head. Blabber all you want!
Yes, I'm off my head, correct.
But you guys are out of your mind.
Take my advice,
There's no good end to this. You're gonna get yourselves in trouble.
Anyone here who pursued this path, went down in flames.
Dear friend, we want to go down in flames. Yes, that's what we want.
Look, guys, hear me out.
These actions might not be of any use, like Mostafa says,
and they might reprimand us or do anything else they're capable of.
But what does it matter?
We are human beings and we must raise our voice.
If you beat up a dog, it's howl deafens you.
Now they've dealt us a mighty blow. Shouldn't we raise our voice?
I'm with her on this.
Thank god we're not dogs, we're humans.
And a human being had better take the blow and keep quiet.
You know why? Because he's gonna receive a harder blow.
See what they've done to us?
They've frightened us so much that we scare each other too.
But I think we'd better get our heads smashed
rather than shutting ourselves up.
Bravo! That's the point.
What's this life we're holding on to?
Let it go. Let those who made it have it.
Let's be daring! Why have we become teachers?
To bargain away our dignity and self-respect to a trivial wage?
If that's being a teacher, how is it different from being a warder?
That's it! Bita! I suggest we leave tomorrow's speech to Bita.
No, I can't. You're better at it.
Where's Majid by the way? Why isn't he here?
That's a great idea. Leave it to Majid.
I don't think he'd agree. He doesn't like to show up in public.
Why didn't he come? Didn't you tell him about tonight's meeting?
-I did. -What did he say?
Nothing, but he didn't show any interest either.
Of course, this kind of work is beneath him.
He doesn't consider us worthy.
Majid is wise enough not to get involved in this childish game.
Childish? How come? You think
it's childish to defend a teacher whose rights've been violated?
Make no mistake!
We don't think we're gonna change the situation for better. No.
We know too that it's a small act,
but at least it's a test, an experience.
And it's through these experiences that we learn the know-how,
test ourselves, know each other.
You guys are way out of it!
Why are you making such a fuss about it? Why are you making trouble?
Why don't you let it end well?
End well? What do you mean?
How do you suggest it ends well?
Didn't you talk to the administration's secretary today?
He called the school this morning.
He said he'd be waiting for you at noon.
suppose he was waiting, so what?
He's the right hand of the administration's head.
and he wants to intervene so they reconcile.
but you guys are messing it up all for nothing.
So you're negotiating with that pander
and don't mention a word to us?
-With whom? The secretary? -Yes.
Shojaei, you rascal!
Now you're playing both sides against the middle?
Damn all the mischief-makers and scoundrels!
That frigging meddler has been after me for the past 3 days
so that I go see the boss. But I gave him the cold shoulder.
And now this is how you reward me. Thank you for nothing!
I'm the patsy here. I'm sacrificing myself for you guys.
And now I have to answer to you too?
I don't want any of it! Neither your damn valedictory ceremony
nor your accusations and taunts.
Why do get upset? No one said anything [to offend you].
We just want to know what was the matter?
What matter?
We wanna find out if you talked to them.
Is that all your trust in me?
Suppose I talked to that guy.
Suppose the boss has sent his meddler to talk to me. So what?
You think I'll give up on my word that easily?
It's been out of hostility and personal grudge
That they've changed my schedule and taken away my overtime,
and I'm not gonna go along with it. I'll stand by my word till the end.
What do you think? You think I'm so naive
to be fooled by a bunch of compliments
and disregard my own word?
Leyli, dear, I apologize.
Guys! This is not right.
Nothing will be done with a distrustful and dubious spirit.
We need to trust each other.
It's not right to listen to the gossip and rumors.
Suppose the secretary's called the school's office.
What are you getting at?
Mr. Malek, If you're against participating in tomorrow's event,
Don't come! No one is forcing you.
How come? What did I say to make you all so furious?
I said now that he is willing, why not go and talk to him?
He says a few words, you say a few words. It's much better this way.
It will be all settled nicely. That's all.
Nicely? This time we don't want it to be settled nicely.
Yes. We want to stop them right here,
so they won't transfer anyone else who disagrees with them.
Let's get to the point.
Majid isn't here.
And since he's not,
you deliver the speech, Bita.
Oh, by the way, I prepared something
for tomorrow, at the end of the ceremony,
after you delivered your speech. I want to even the score with them!
-Great! -I thought I'd read it to you
so I can correct the mistakes if there's any.
Colleagues! Friends!
I think first friends, then colleagues.
I suggest you say colleague-friends.
Colleague-Friends!
I suggest you be bold and say fellow combatants.
That's too harsh.
Let's say: O, educators of children! O, fools of men!
-O, ... -Enough! Don't go overboard!
Colleague-Friends,
Now that the time has come for me to leave my beloved hometown,
this oppressed and poor town,
I'm overwhelmed by mixed feelings.
I'm sad for one reason, and happy for another.
Hear! Hear! Bravo! Bravo! Great!
I'm sad, for I'm leaving my longtime hometown, my lovely birthplace,
and my dearest family, and above all,
my wholehearted devoted comrades.
And I'm happy. I'm happy, for I'm bidding farewell to this town,
whose spirit's been tainted by corruption and injustice.
Long live the poor teacher!
Death to the transferrers!
Guys, I'm not done yet. keep quiet!
We won't be quiet anymore!
Teacher is victorious!
Teacher is heartbroken!
Teacher is penniless!
Teacher is exhausted!
Guys! I want you to correct my mistakes. This speech is crucial.
Salut to pertinacious teacher!
Salut to aggressive teacher!
Salut to moderate teacher!
Salut to agitator teacher!
Salut to struggler teacher!
Salut, Salut!
[Indistinct chatter]
Mostafa: I've been telling you for a week now.
I've been holding everything off just for this loan.
Majid: What do you want me to do now?
Mostafa: Write that recommendation letter so I can get on with my loan.
Majid: You write it, I'll sign.
Mostafa: You want me to write it now? Is that all?
Majid: Not now! Not in this situation.
Mostafa: Situation? What situation?
Majid: We'll talk at school. Mostafa: I want it now.
Put it off for tomorrow and my loan will be postponed.
Majid: Let me talk to Mr. Dabiri. Mostafa: When?
[Indistinct chatter]
Guys, If you'll excuse me,
I have to go grade some papers. I'll be back with you soon.
Enough already!
If someone walks in right now, he'll think he's walked into a funeral.
-Let's do something! -What?
Come on, Iraj, soon to be groom!
Come and do some Lezginka! Don't hide away!
[Azari] Come on Iraj! Dance!
No way! Don't count on me!
This groom to be is the master. Bita, put on the record!
Iraj, we know you've got the jitters. But come and dance.
♪ ♪
Mr. Mostafa Malek will do it on my behalf.
Indeed!
Malek! It doesn’t suit your age kicking like this.
Eat your heart out! Come on, Iraj! Let’s dance!
-What kind of dance is this? -As if you know any better!
-Ouch! -I’m sorry.
-Come on, Iraj! -Move aside! You have no elegance!
Is that it? Give me a break!
I want to drink this...
I want to drink this to two of my best friends
who did a lot for me and I owe them a great deal.
One of them is the one and only Mostafa Malek...
-We’re all fond of him. -Great guy!
The other one is not here
and you might not like her so much. Leyli Shojaei.
-Don’t rain on our parade! -No, really,
She’s done a lot for me.
I’m not talking about other things she did.
True, she shouldn’t have made a deal
with the administration behind our backs.
But she bent over backwards for me.
There must have been something in it for her, too.
I owe her anyway. Cheers!
She didn’t show up here after that night.
Why should she? She used us to get the vice principal position.
What’s this nonsense? Don’t we have anything else to talk about?
Damn being a teacher!
I keep thinking if only we could set up a business
so we could get out of this misery.
There’s no good money in teaching.
But that way, things would change a little bit.
But dear, money is not all.
I think there’s only one thing in this world that can make you happy.
A home and someone who’d be in it waiting for you.
That makes it two, but I totally agree with you.
Being alone sucks.
Say all you want,
but I say money is the only thing that brings happiness.
You guys are like that man who had happiness in his own home
but went looking for it around the world.
Our happiness is in teaching,
but we undermine our job. We don’t prize it at all.
Our job is shaping humans.
And our happiness is in putting our lives and youth into it.
In that sense, I’m the happiest man in the world, but I've no clue.
I’ve been a teacher for six years, I’ve been working hard
and wearing myself out. And in the end, instead of being on rank 5,
I’m on 2.
Being a teacher once was prized and respected.
But now people are respected due to their bank account balance,
not their knowledge.
Have you forgotten what they did to you? In the beginning of the
school year you started the clubs with such enthusiasm,
but then they took it all away from you based on ridiculous excuses
and shut down the whole thing.
Alright, I admit that. But who’s gonna stop all this?
The teachers must do something.
But teachers are not up for it anymore.
And they’ve found their way around it.
Just like that scumbag, Leyli.
She’s one of those who found their way through.
She never feels frustrated like us.
While we gather here talking about our misery,
she’s paving her path to success.
[Doorbell rings]
It’s Leyli. I told her to come here.
Please don’t get a rise out of her.
Don’t say anything to upset her.
I don’t wanna see her. Let’s go to the patio.
It’s not right. You shouldn’t go, at least for Iraj’s sake.
Let’s see what she has to say for herself.
How about cleaning up a little bit?
No need, it’s more than enough for her.
Come on in!
I just wanted to talk to you for a bit. Such a bad timing!
-Hello! -Hi, Ms. Shojaei!
How are you, Mr. Malek? You’re all here I see.
Have a seat!
Where’s Majid? Has he locked himself in his nook again?
Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?
I know why. It doesn’t matter.
I didn’t want to come here in the first place.
-I came here because of Iraj. -You are most welcome.
I don’t care what you think.
I’m sure you never bothered to get to the bottom of the matter.
It was very simple, Ms. Shojaei.
The truth was that you broke our deal so you won’t be transferred.
And then you went after them licking their boots, so you eventually
became Bou-Ali’s Vice principal. That’s the bottom of the matter.
That’s it.
If you stay at home wondering what’s going on,
nothing better can be expected.
I wanna ask you something. Have you ever walked in my shoes?
Have you thought about what situation I was stuck in?
It’s a shame for me to be in your shoes.
All you know is chanting a mouthful of idealized words.
That was the case then, too.
I was being sacrificed for nothing and all you did was chanting.
You weren’t concerned with what’s gonna happen to me.
You think it would be all over with transferring me?
They were making a giant case to frame me.
You guys have no clue. It would be bad for you, too.
The police was informed about the valedictory ceremony. Wake up!
Was my name there, too?
I stopped them right then and there.
made them understand that it’s not in their interest either.
Now hear me out. Suppose I’d leave.
Suppose that so called valedictory ceremony would take place.
Of course they never would have let it happen.
So what?
Aside from me being untimely displaced
and my life being messed up and scaring off the others?
I’m serious!
I’d severed all ties and was determined to leave.
But then I thought Why? Was it really worth?
What would I achieve if I’d left?
Don’t they want exactly that? Should I have left so they could mock me?
She’s right. Why should you let yourself be mocked?
One should be realistic and see where the world is headed.
I was going against the flow and that way I’d just humiliate myself.
Because you can’t stop the mainstream, can you?
So you should get along with it.
And I found the way to do it. I took over one barricade.
If we want to do something, it’s through taking over their barricades
not sitting around whining and chanting.
She’s totally right. I agree with her completely.
So much for a legit vouch!
Watch your words!
Now you’re all keeping your distance and supposedly boycotting me.
Well, as you wish! I’m not gonna beg anyone.
But whose loss do you think it’ll be?
We’re living in the same town after all.
Soon there will be the miscellaneous exams.
After that the union fund. There’s gonna be something everyday, right?
We should have each other’s back.
I promise, starting next year,
there will be no bachelor with less than 10 hours of overtime in Bou-Ali
and I’ve thought of something for Bita, too.
[Azari] Why are you looking at me like this?
Did you see how much effort she put into the school clubs?
And in the end they gave all the credit to someone else.
If She comes to Bou-Ali next year
I’ll leave the whole school up to her. How's that?
Now that you’ve become so generous, why don’t you think of something
for the ranking of your buddy, Malek?
Poor guy he’s 3-4 ranks behind.
That audacity! As if she didn’t sell us all out to the department's head.
Take it easy, Mr. Amid, I asked you nicely.
Let him say all he wants.
He’s supposedly taunting me eversince I got here.
I know what’s bothering him.
Everybody knows. It’s your wicked existence.
That’s what we’re used to:
we don’t take other people’s achievements well,
we’re not able to do anything
and once someone shows up willing to do something,
we gather behind her back gossiping. It's not right.
You think you’ve done a miracle becoming the vice principal?
Whatever the case, you’re not capable of it.
Of course I’m not. It’s a shame for me getting positions like you do.
Guys, stop it! What’s wrong with you?
I wanna know who the hell is she to show off and boast like this?
I know what’s biting him.
He couldn’t work out his plan and now he’s upset.
What plan?
Why deny it? Everybody knows that once you meet someone,
you seek to make a match for your sister. You had the same plan for
Iraj, too. But ever since I intervened...
-You have no shame! -Go to hell!
This is no place for your dirty work lady! This is our house.
Whatever you’re here for, get it over with and get the hell out.
You’ve gathered up and become so cocky!
I’m not a child to steep down to your level.
Let’s go!
But remember! I’m gonna do a number on all of you so bad
you won’t forget for the rest of your lives.
Enough, lady! Get out!
I know you too well. I know all of you.
From now on, every single one of you is up against me.
[Azari] A bunch of brats!
[Azari] You're the brat! Go to hell you scumbag!
Audacious scoundrel! All that crap she made up!
They’re all the same.
Once they achieve something, they become cocky and run off the leash.
It’s our own fault. We give them space,
we sit aside and don’t participate in anything.
Then they take the opportunity, take over the situation
and monopolize the privileges and positions.
Let them have it all.
These privileges and positions only suit these thugs and scoundrels.
But why don’t they leave us alone?
why do they make us a means to their own egotism and cockiness?
The best response is ignoring them.
If you stand up to them and get involved,
they’ll see it as jealousy. It’ll be deemed their own success.
The best way is to leave them to their own supposedly fun
and let them do whatever the hell they want.
But what are we to do? Where should we go evading these thugs?
I’m at the breaking point with them.
That’s the problem.
We start to wonder what to do only when we reach the breaking point.
And what do you do when it gets there? You cut loose.
But when you cool off, you’re back to square one,
and also a bit regretful to lose your cool. That's it.
So what choice is there?
Shouldn’t we talk even though we reach the breaking point?
No, my friend, make no mistake.
One who lives in this world and doesn’t reach the breaking point,
is not a human at all.
What I’m saying is that the question you asked is a serious one,
upon which your whole life depends
and you need to put your life on the line for it if necessary.
So you can’t answer that in an emotional state.
Because what’s facing you is a whole, a system,
which also includes us as a small element.
It’s a strong and colossal reality, an ancient deep-rooted reality
encompassing our whole lives.
You need to let your emotions subside,
face the world with patience and mindfulness,
see what you’re capable of and what you want from this world.
Because this very decision may lead you into a war,
a long-lasting tricky war
which only those who’ve reckoned with themselves will survive it.
But why enter this war in the first place?
What does guarantee it’s result? Why enter a war with no certain end?
See? That’s why I’m saying you need to be mindful.
This is another issue you need to get past: Doubt.
There’ve been plenty of people who were at the breaking point
and entered the war.
But then seeing no guarantee,
they became uncertain and disappointed and left the battle.
It’s not only about uncertainty, disappointment and exhaustion.
It’s about feeling responsible.
Why lead people to a path where there’s no guarantee to its success?
How dare we feel to have the right to play with people’s lives?
In the end, when we hit the impasse,
-which is always the case- who’s gonna be accounted for it?
How can we look people in the eye
who trusted us with their lives and we failed them?
So you’re saying we should sit around doing nothing?
I’m saying forget about these optimistic naive dreams.
How long are you going to fool yourselves?
The world is not changeable, it’s an inevitable presumption,
it has its own laws and it will change on its own,
neither of us can change it.
How many times should one try?
How many times should one’s life and dignity be disparaged,
and sacrifice oneself in an unequal battle? Let it go!
Those who were wiser, more discerning and more experienced
have already tried and failed.
Stop struggling with yourselves and your fates.
What do you expect from this world?
So what should we do? Bear with it and carry on?
Why do you call it bearing and compromising?
why don’t you say contentment and decency?
Why don’t you say deliverance and high-mindedness?
This is our fate. Why not accept it?
Those who are short-tempered, lose their cool and
speak of war and struggle.
But those who are content and high-minded, bear with it.
No, slow down! Don’t you think that you can deceive yourself
or convince anyone with these words.
If you’re not willing, you can snuggle in your cozy nest
and not enter this conflict.
But be respectful towards the words you use.
Contentment and decency is not holding on to
your petty trivial share and disregarding what you don’t have.
It’s rather ignoring that triviality and giving up this pitiful fate.
And these excuses are just meant to cover up fear,
fear of the duty that you’re denying and a fate which is not
in accordance with your expectations and anticipations of life,
because it ends in a bloody death.
[Azari] What happened Iraj?
Did you seal the deal?
So you’ve got wedding jitters!
You were never so fainthearted, bro!
Tell us what happened.
Did you set a date for the wedding?
[Azari] Why are you not talking? Tell us what’s going on.
What did you expect? I failed once again.
What do you mean? So the whole deal is off?
Yes. They sent back the ring.
She wants to continue her education.
But why? They’d agreed.
Did you get nasty on the prenuptial settlements?
No, these two were there. We accepted whatever they suggested.
They raised the settlement twice and we didn’t say a word.
We compromised on everything. And this is how it ends!
How indecent! Why didn’t they say so in the first place?
I’m gonna teach her a good lesson on education! They can’t humiliate me.
[Indistinct cursing and chatter in Azari]
You’re a teacher, not a hooligan, yelling like this.
Come sit down. Sit here.
It's nothing!
It doesn’t matter.
It’s OK.
I piss on being a teacher.
I wish I was a warder, a sweeper, so I wouldn’t be humiliated so much.
You don’t consider anything, Iraj.
So they don’t let you marry their daughter,
do you need to disrespect everything and say whatever comes to your mind?
Yes, I don’t consider anything, what else do you expect?
Who has been considering me?
I’ve been a teacher for 15 years.
I was half-grown when they sent me to the country side,
to a no-go village, 15 years just like that.
Now what am I left with? Look at my life!
It’s worse than the life of a conscript soldier.
I don’t dare rent a place of my own lest I get transferred again
and I’ve become a burden to you guys.
Have we committed a crime becoming teachers?
Don’t we have rights? Aren’t we humans?
How much misery? How much wandering?
And their high expectations!
They do whatever the hell they want but when it comes to us,
everything's forbidden because ‘It’s not appropriate for a teacher’.
It’s not a job being a teacher.
It’s a disaster, it’s leprosy, it’s a curse upon us!
Let it go. Don’t think about it.
It will pass, just like everything else.
I’m gonna quit and become a worker, a porter, a vendor.
Whatever it is, it’s more honorable than being a teacher.
My life is not out for grabs.
[Azari] Iraj, come on, Let's go get some air. Come on dear.
We'll be back.
I can’t believe he was crying. A carefree guy like him...
Did it really mean that much to him?
One can take only so much.
Anyone in his place would do much worse than he did.
Why? What’s the deal? What’s he done?
Don’t you know anything?
I just know that there are some rumors around him.
And apparently those rumors caught the ears of the girl’s family.
But what’s the story?
A few years back when he was in another town,
one of his students' family sued him,
accused him of some stuff and made a case.
Later the case was closed without conviction.
But the rumors remained.
Since then, poor guy has been transferring from town to town.
Everyone in this town has known the story for a while now.
That’s the problem with small towns.
Your rumors proceed you.
But is it true?
I don’t know.
Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But that doesn’t matter.
When you’re a teacher, it’s just enough to be accused.
Then you’re branded and you can hardly get rid of it.
But what if it’s not true? That’s too cruel.
Yes, it is. But then again, it’s cruel even if it is true.
♪ ♪
[Doorbell rings]
♪ ♪
-Amid! Hi! -Hi!
Welcome! It's been so long.
-How are you? -I'm fine.
-Here. -Thank you. You shouldn't have.
-I've missed you. -Me, too.
Let me make some tea.
Did Iraj leave for good?
Yes, As soon as they accepted his request for transfer,
he grabbed his stuff and left quietly.
He should have stayed with you while you’re alone.
we don’t know how long ‘a while’ is gonna take.
He wanted to stay with me though. I insisted that he leaves.
It was too uncomfortable for him here.
Any news on Majid yet?
No, nothing.
I don’t know where they’re keeping him
or when it’s going to be his trial.
No one gives me a straight answer.
All I’m doing is going from one prison to another,
I don’t even know if he’s alive...
Why do you go alone? Why don’t you tell us to go with you?
It makes no difference.
Iraj would go with me when he was still here.
But there wasn’t much he could do, either.
What have you been up to?
I put in for transfer today.
Where did you finally pick?
Ahwaz, But I’m not sure yet.
Sometimes I fancy up north, with all those forests and the rain.
First you need to see if they’ll agree.
Of course.They’ll stamp my request ‘Rejected’ and file it the archives.
And they won’t give damn that a poor fellow wasted
his best years of youth here to get nothing.
Even if they agree, what’s the point?
What good is it gonna do?
I don’t know. I just wanna go.
Take off and go some place far away,
where there’s no crowded classrooms,
no vicious poor students, no grades,
no ranking, no salary, no overtime,
no tutoring, no family...
I just wanna go, somewhere far away
to a forest, to an island,
set myself free, free and unbound,
without any worries and concerns...
what?
Why are you looking at me like this? Is it childish?
No, not childish at all, rather beautiful and poetic.
But there’s no time for being poetic.
We have no time for thinking of that lost paradise.
Our time is limited. We have a great deal to do...
Yes, I can see that.
Where did you come by these?
They’re Majid’s.
-Didn’t they confiscate his books? -They did, but not all of them.
You mean you hid them?
That night when he left and didn’t come back,
I knew something’s up.
So I put them in a suitcase and took it out of the house overnight.
I just left some of them as a bum steer.
Have you any idea how dangerous it is?
You think I’d let them get their hands on these books?
Do you know how hard are they to come by?
How many lives have been put on the line for these books?
They barged in like a wild cattle herd, all armed.
They turned the house upside-down and smashed everything.
Just for a bunch of books?
Not just that. They were looking for other things too.
-Did they find anything? -No, just those books I left.
What are you gonna do with these?
I think these are a good starting point.
At first I thought There’s something to be done through teaching.
But that’s not enough. We should seek a profound solution.
But what can be done with these books?
This is a drop from an ocean of experience.
The experience of people like us who were seeking a solution,
not to find the lost paradise, but at least to destroy this hell.
You know, for me it seems like someone who has a cane in his hand,
trying to fight a mountain, in darkness.
I know what you mean.
In the beginning it really seems that difficult.
But The one who’s fighting is a human being,
who has intelligence and reason, understands, recognizes, knows,
and is able to learn from the hardships
and become experienced through failures.
But being all alone in this battle, what is going to be the outcome
except getting buried under the pile of defeats?
No, Amid. We’re not alone. Majid was not alone.
No one is going to be buried.
There are thousands of people like us, seeking.
Now darkness has fallen. But we're gonna find each other eventually.
After all these talks, all these experiences, we can’t let
the same worthless trivial life devour and assimilate us.
And that lost paradise is just a drag on us,
a means of fooling ourselves.
There’s no paradise, never has been.
And freedom can’t be found in the forest, the river or on an island...
True, But what do you suggest we do?
That we sit here reading books
until the word gets out and one day a bunch of agents
barge in on us like a wild cattle herd
and make us disappear into thin air?
Is that what you gathered from all this we talked about?
Isn’t it true? Didn’t the same happen to Majid?
You really think all he was doing was sitting in his room reading?
No, it’s been a while that less and less people believe in only that.
Reading is just the ABCs of this.
And then what?
What are a couple of incompetent people like us capable of?
No, Amid, we’re not that incompetent.
I’ve got some clues which can lead us in time.
If you’re not so impatient, I’ll tell you all about it.
At least all I know.
And there’s a great deal which we need to learn...
[Doorbell rings]
-Hi, Jalil! -Hi!
-Long time no see! -You haven't been around much.
-Where have you been? -Around. How are you doing?
Not so well. I’m busy with the house all day.
You wouldn’t want to lay eyes on the walls around the house
and the landlord wouldn’t listen.
So I got busy painting the walls on my own.
Now It’s become bearable and I’m in a 400-500 Tomans debt.
What have you been doing? Weren’t you at miscellaneous exams?
No, I was in no mood for that. And basically I'm not a fan. Because of
all their go-betweens, asking and begging, not to mention the
gentlemen’s collusions, recommendations and favoritism.
But still, it’s kind of an entertainment.
All kind of interesting people go to take the exam
and you get some money out of it in the end.
Haven't you heard from Majid?
Not yet.
I’m gonna Bring some tea to drink with those sweets.
Thank you.
How many times did I tell him not to do it and he didn’t listen!
Now look at his wife, all alone, what’s she gonna do?
Bita is an independent woman. She can manage.
And we’re around too, we've got her back.
By the way,
you called the school this morning. Did you wanna talk to me?
Yes, I’ve found a pupil for you.
-Who is it? -It’s my wife.
-Your wife? -Yes,
She wants to take the teacher training exam. She should’ve taken
it last year after getting her high school diploma.
How come? You said you didn’t like it for her to become a teacher.
There are so many things we don’t like, but life is difficult
and you can’t deal with it with a teacher’s salary of rank 2,
you don’t have the right not to like many things,
or take your preferences and sensitivities so seriously.
Anyway, tell me if there’s anything I can do to help.
Thanks. Actually there is something. I need some money.
When do you need it?
Right now. It’s OK if you don’t have it. I can get it somewhere else.
I’ll take care of it in a couple of days.
Thanks a lot.
-Here you are! [Doorbell rings]
-Thank you.
-Hello! Expecting company? -Hi! Sure! Welcome!
Did you finally leave your cattle alone to come and see us?
Is that what you meant by a lucrative business?
They’ve worn me out, Amid!
The herding business is not going too well.
There’s too much trouble.
I’m not cut out for this.
Last night one of my lambs died.
-I'm so sorry! -My condolences!
Thanks. Is the exams’ schedule out yet?
I’m gonna have that big one.
By the way, are you guys going tomorrow?
-What’s tomorrow? -You don’t know? I thought you knew.
It’s Leyli’s wedding. She’s sent invitations for you too.
It’s only the formal ceremony tomorrow.
The wedding reception is going to be in two months.
Damn, it’s too hot!
How audacious! Are you going?
Not even to her funeral!
I’m not in the mood.
I’ve already made myself clear.
It’s gonna be your loss. You’re gonna miss a a great feast.
The hell with her feast!
You guys keep nagging. That’s not the way to live.
You should take it easier. Besides,
you can decide not to go to her party,
what are you gonna do about her school?
Her school? Since when she owns a school?
Starting next year, she’s gonna be the principal in Bou-Ali.
The official order has been issued.
That scoundrel has very well found her way through.
The hell with her! We don’t care!
What are you up to, Malek? Where are you with your studies?
Life and business won’t leave any room for that.
I remember you’d sworn to go to the university no matter what
and beat all the bachelors.
Yes, but honestly, I’ve been jaded since Iraj left.
Poor fellow, how they disparaged him and made him skip off!
I think I’d better start learning English.
I studied a bit a couple of years back, but I gave it up.
French is good, It’s a perfect language.
How do you know? Do your goats talk to you in French?
Aren’t you gonna cut me some slack, Abtahi?
I say let’s get out.
We’re fine here.
Shouldn’t you go home?
No, I can go home late.
My mother-in-law is visiting for a few days.
In fact, I don’t feel like going home.
How about the movies? What’s on?
The same nonsense.
I say let’s get out and see what to do next.
I agree 100%. You should come too.
With you the gang of criminals? No, thanks!
I have some chores to do.
Come on! Let’s go get some air.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Life’s too short.
Why are you insisting? Leave her be.
We had to tell you. But if you stay home and regret it, that’s on you.
I’ve got some stuff to do.
You can do it later.
It’s gonna be gloomy at nightfall if you stay home.
Don’t worry!
I have so much to do that I won’t even notice the nightfall.
Let’s go! What are you waiting for?
I’m not going, either.
You’re not? Didn’t you hear what he said?
It’s gonna be gloomy at nightfall if you stay home.
It’s gonna be gloomy with you guys, too.
How long are we gonna cover up our despair and misery by this?
-Alright. As you wish. -Let's go.
-Are you going already? -Yes.
-Drop by anytime. -Sure!
-Call me if you need anything. -I will.
-Bye! -Bye!
♪ The tree frog, a poem by Nima Yushij ♪
♪ Reciting: Ahmad Shamlou ♪
♪ Music: Ahmad Pejman ♪
[English translation: Shirin Mirzanejad]
Arid has gone my land
adjacent to the neighbor’s tillage.
Though they say: ”weeping in the nearby shore
are the mourners among mourners”
O, the harbinger of cloudy days, the tree frog!
When’s the rain falling?
On a rig that is not in fact a rig
inside my dismal shack
with not a shred of joy in it
and the row of the canes on my room’s wall
is cracking out of dryness
-like lovers’ hearts when parted-
O, the harbinger of cloudy days, the tree frog!
When’s the rain falling?
A tribute to the combatant teachers of Iran
English translation by Shirin Mirzanejad