1 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:35,080 - Did you say it might take a while? - lt's OK. 2 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,640 - We could phone them. - No, it's OK. 3 00:00:40,160 --> 00:00:43,160 lt could take till tonight, depending on how things go. 4 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:48,000 - lt's a strange story. - Really? 5 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:53,679 Well, it seems that 6 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:56,680 someone has been passing himself off 7 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:00,359 as Mohsen Makhmalbaf, do you know him? 8 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:02,959 - A businessman? - No, not at all. 9 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:05,479 Do l turn left here? 10 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:08,480 He's not a businessman, he's a filmmaker. 11 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:11,799 - Do you know him? - No. 12 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,799 The Cyclist is his latest film. 13 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:17,800 l've no time for the cinema! 14 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:20,880 He's a filmmaker, but his face isn't very well-known. 15 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:25,360 And this guy told a family he was Makhmalbaf. 16 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:30,160 lt's not clear what his intentions were. 17 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:34,160 He chose a few members of this family to be actors 18 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:39,480 and told them their house was ideal 19 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:43,720 as the location for his next film. 20 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:47,040 But no one knows what his intentions really are. 21 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:53,440 l'm a journalist and l'm going there 22 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:57,479 to cover his arrest. 23 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:00,480 - You're a journalist? - For Sorush Magazine. 24 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:03,720 l thought you were a policeman! 25 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:06,919 That's funny! 26 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,679 l was told about this case 27 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,519 and l thought it would make a good story. 28 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:15,520 l'm going to follow this case through to the end. 29 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:18,880 You don't hear of a story like this every day. 30 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,720 Godsends like this only come a couple of times in your career. 31 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:26,399 lt's a hot news item. 32 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,400 Sensational news. The kind of news that boosts sales. 33 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:33,680 lt's what l call an Oriana-style story. 34 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:38,680 By the way, do you know Fallaci? 35 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:39,599 No. 36 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:41,879 Bogdanovich? Edisson? 37 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,359 They're fellow journalists. 38 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,360 They're not my clients! 39 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:51,719 But they're fellow journalists. 40 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:54,720 They write sensational reports. 41 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:59,560 Oriana Fallaci writes some very original articles. 42 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:03,480 She has a gift for finding stories that no one else does. 43 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:08,200 She has a worldwide reputation. 44 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,160 And l'm sure this is a new Oriana-style report. 45 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,560 l must find out if he had any illicit plans 46 00:03:20,920 --> 00:03:23,679 such as stealing from them. 47 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:26,680 l'll know that once he's been arrested, 48 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:30,520 so l'll need you till tonight. 49 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:32,919 - Fine by me. - Good. 50 00:03:32,920 --> 00:03:35,920 Give your boss a call when we get there. 51 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,800 lt's OK, l don't work for them full-time anyway. 52 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:44,159 l'm a retired fighter pilot. 53 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:47,160 l'm one of the ground staff now! 54 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,360 Funny, a pilot working on the ground! 55 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:56,520 That could be a good scoop, too! 56 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:01,639 - Left here? - Yes. 57 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:04,640 - To Lavizan? - Yes, then Hosseinabad Avenue. 58 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:09,800 Lavizan is a nice area. l lived there before the Revolution. 59 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:14,399 l left when the unrest started 60 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,399 at the Lavizan garrison. 61 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:18,279 When the soldiers rioted... 62 00:04:18,280 --> 00:04:21,280 l haven't been back since. 63 00:04:22,280 --> 00:04:25,280 We're going to Javanshir Avenue. 64 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,680 Keep going, l'll ask someone the way. 65 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:32,200 Let's see if this boy can help. 66 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:37,960 - Excuse me. Where's Javanshir Avenue? - l don't know. 67 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:43,400 - He doesn't know. - Ask an adult. 68 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:46,759 Let's ask this man. 69 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,760 Excuse me. Where is Golzar Avenue? 70 00:04:49,840 --> 00:04:52,359 l don't know. 71 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:54,439 - Want a turkey? - No. 72 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:57,440 We're off to see a family who were made turkeys of! 73 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:01,079 How did you hear of this story? 74 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:04,080 A composer friend called me and said strange things were afoot 75 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:08,879 in his friend's house. 76 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:11,880 lt's a strange place to choose. 77 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:15,239 Where's Golzar Avenue? 78 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:18,240 Straight on, then left just after the supermarket. 79 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:22,400 - Straight on, then left? - Yes. 80 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:25,760 Thanks. 81 00:05:26,280 --> 00:05:29,280 This is a once-in-a-lifetime story for a journalist. 82 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:35,560 You can't imagine how impatient l am 83 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:39,920 to see this report on the front page. 84 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:43,639 lt'll cause a sensation. 85 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,479 Everyone in TV and cinema 86 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:49,480 will talk about it. 87 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:51,959 Let me see... 88 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:54,960 First Avenue off Golzar Avenue. 89 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:58,000 Here it is. First Avenue. 90 00:05:58,840 --> 00:06:01,840 That way. 91 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:05,040 ls this it? 92 00:06:07,840 --> 00:06:10,559 Yes, but it's a dead end. 93 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:13,560 lt's strange that this sensational news 94 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:18,039 should come from a dead end! 95 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:20,559 Just my luck! 96 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:23,560 12... 14... 16... 97 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,520 Here it is. What a strange place. 98 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:34,240 - Wait here. - OK. 99 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:47,680 - Yes? - Hello, it's Mr Farazmand. 100 00:06:57,480 --> 00:06:59,719 He might see you from the window. 101 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:02,720 Stay in the car till l call you. 102 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:06,560 Tell the plaintiff to bring his complaint and his lD papers. 103 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,880 - Complaint and papers. - Right. 104 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:26,360 Don't the police have their own vehicle? 105 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:28,999 Yes, they do. 106 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,000 The journalist will have quite a bill to pay. 107 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:37,639 - Smoke? - No, thanks. 108 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:40,640 - Where are you from? - lspahan. 109 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:46,600 Funny... l'm from Tehran and l did national service in lspahan. 110 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:49,959 And you do the opposite! 111 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,960 That's fate! 112 00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:59,520 - Are you from lspahan too? - No, Borujerd. 113 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:06,240 Actually l'm not from lspahan, but a village near Naeem. 114 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:10,840 - Naeem's near Yazd, right? - Yes, my village is Jandagh. 115 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:15,200 - How long do you have left? - l've done one year. 116 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:21,320 l still have two years to do, because l'm not married. 117 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:26,759 l'm off to the front soon. 118 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:29,159 - Where? - Kurdistan. 119 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:32,160 - Near Baneh? - Yes. 120 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:36,720 lt'll be over soon. Then you can go home and get married! 121 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:40,839 As long as God grants you good health... 122 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:43,840 - And you? - l'm married. 123 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:46,759 - Any children? - Yes, one. 124 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:49,760 God bless him. 125 00:08:59,880 --> 00:09:02,880 - Mr Abolfazl Ahankhah? - Yes. 126 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:09,280 - ls he armed? - l don't think so. 127 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:58,160 Hang on! l've forgotten my case. 128 00:11:59,560 --> 00:12:02,560 Look, if you tell me the truth... 129 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:07,199 l can help you. 130 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:10,200 To you l'm just a crook. 131 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:13,639 Did he have one? 132 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:15,599 There's no one home. 133 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:18,600 But l really need a tape recorder. 134 00:12:19,760 --> 00:12:22,479 Go to HQ. l'll see you there. 135 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:24,719 - What about the fare? - How much is it? 136 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:27,720 350 tomans. 137 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:32,120 Mr Ahankhah, give me 200 tomans. 138 00:12:36,560 --> 00:12:39,560 Sorry about this. 139 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:45,800 Here. l'll join you at HQ. 140 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:54,319 l have to find a tape recorder. 141 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:57,320 - We don't know them. - l need one. 142 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:02,360 - Yes? - lt was a mistake! 143 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:07,400 They're away. 144 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:19,360 - Yes? - Excuse me, l'm Mr Farazmand. 145 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,800 l'm a journalist and friend of your neighbour, Mr Ahankhah. 146 00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:27,560 l need a portable tape recorder. 147 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:29,799 We don't have a recorder. 148 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:32,800 Thanks anyway. 149 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,240 - Yes? - Excuse me, l'm Mr Farazmand. 150 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:55,040 l'm a journalist and friend of your neighbour, Mr Ahankhah. 151 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:59,600 - l need a tape recorder. - We don't have one. 152 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:03,320 - You don't have one? - No. 153 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:19,400 l'm Mr Farazmand... 154 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:26,239 - Mr Farazmand! - Yes? 155 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:28,759 Here's one. 156 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:31,760 You'll get it back. 157 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:55,400 CLOSE-UP 158 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:59,560 Screenplay: A Kiarostami Based on a true story 159 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:04,040 Appearing as themselves H Sabzian, H Farazmand 160 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:10,600 A Ahankhah, M Ahankhah N M Zanoozi, A M Mohseni 161 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:18,400 and Mohsen Makhmalbaf 162 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:22,920 Photography A R Zarindast 163 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:27,400 Producer A R Zarin 164 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:32,240 Directed and edited by Abbas Kiarostami 165 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:35,560 BOGUS MAKHMALBAF ARRESTED 166 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:39,200 - Who's in charge? - Captain Bashiri. 167 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:41,799 - Can l see him? - l'll call him. 168 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:44,800 Captain! Someone to see you. 169 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:53,959 - Hello, Captain. - Hello. 170 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:56,960 l read in Sorush Magazine that a certain Hossein Sabzian 171 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:01,959 was arrested by your men. 172 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,960 Yes, we have a copy of the magazine. 173 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,519 Do you want to see it? 174 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:11,520 Barati, bring me the magazine. 175 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:14,319 l already read the article, 176 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:17,320 but could you give me some more details? 177 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:21,120 l don't remember. lt was two weeks ago. 178 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:26,080 As you can see, we're very busy here. 179 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:29,440 Could you give me... 180 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:32,480 the address of the house where it happened? 181 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,480 l'll have to check the file. Go get it. 182 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:40,839 - Two weeks ago? - Yes. 183 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:42,719 lt was published recently! 184 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:45,720 One week after it happened. 185 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:50,880 - Was he detained here? - For a few days. 186 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:54,240 What kind of man is he? 187 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:58,560 He claimed to be quite religious. 188 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:05,119 Were you there when he was arrested? 189 00:17:05,120 --> 00:17:07,999 Yes. 190 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:11,000 - Did he resist arrest? - Not at all. 191 00:17:11,120 --> 00:17:14,120 - What kind of man is he? - He surrendered... 192 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:17,800 - Pardon me? - He didn't struggle. 193 00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:21,080 - What kind of man is he? - Not the kind to do such things. 194 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:25,199 What do you mean? 195 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:28,200 He didn't look the kind who plans a fraud. 196 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:33,840 - Not the kind... - Not at all. 197 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,439 l'd like Mr Ahankhah's address. 198 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:40,440 You seem to know a lot about it. His house is... 199 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:45,000 l'll note it down. 200 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:48,200 Number 16, First Avenue off Golzar Avenue in Lavizan. 201 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:55,000 Mr Kiarostami, the people concerned by this case 202 00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:58,880 wish to be presented in a favourable light. 203 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:04,080 Mr Farazmand claimed that the truth would not have come out 204 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:08,679 if it hadn't been for him. 205 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:10,599 That's not true. 206 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:13,600 l knew exactly what was going on and l always had the situation 207 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,159 perfectly under control. 208 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:21,160 l played along with him, so it'd serve as a lesson to my children. 209 00:18:24,120 --> 00:18:27,120 But you're giving me a different version 210 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:31,239 and l'm confused. 211 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:34,240 The report doesn't tell the whole story. 212 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:37,480 What do you mean by that? 213 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:41,000 The article portrays us as simple people. That's not true. 214 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:43,719 What do you mean? 215 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:46,720 l like the movies, but that doesn't mean 216 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:50,720 l'd do what it says in the article. 217 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:53,920 l was glad my mother met Mr Makhmalbaf. 218 00:18:55,400 --> 00:18:57,519 That's a fact. 219 00:18:57,520 --> 00:19:00,520 l thought that meeting him 220 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,599 could've been useful to me, too. 221 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:06,559 l have a degree in civil engineering, 222 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:09,560 but l haven't yet found a job in my field. 223 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:12,159 And my brother, 224 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:15,160 who's a mechanical engineer, sells bread. 225 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:18,079 Mehrdad... 226 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:21,080 l had the choice between art and selling bread. 227 00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:25,959 l chose art. 228 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:28,399 Manuchehrdoesn't sell bread. 229 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:31,400 He's the directorofa bread factory. 230 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:36,719 But Mum, come on... 231 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:39,720 Could you speak Persian? 232 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:43,240 lt's true, my brother didn't do all those studies to sell bread. 233 00:19:46,120 --> 00:19:48,519 When did you graduate? 234 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:51,279 Six months ago. 235 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:54,280 l'm sure you'll soon find a good job. 236 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:58,600 Amir, Hossein and Hushang graduated over a year ago 237 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:03,080 and only Amir got a job for six months. 238 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,400 The factories aren't hiring. They lack raw materials. 239 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,880 l came to talk about Mr Sabzian. 240 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:14,959 Can you tell me anything about him? 241 00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:17,879 - Where is he now? - ln prison. 242 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:20,880 - Where? - Ghasr. 243 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:32,000 - Hello. Mr Sabzian? - Yes. 244 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:35,960 - Detained for? - Attempted fraud. 245 00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:41,920 You have a visitor. 246 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:47,280 - Are you well? - Yes, thanks. 247 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,439 - Do you know me? - Yes. 248 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:55,440 l read a report on you and l decided to come see you. 249 00:21:00,120 --> 00:21:03,120 - ln what magazine? - Sorush. 250 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,999 Apparently you're interested in cinema. 251 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:10,000 As l'm a filmmaker, l wanted to talk to you. 252 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:15,160 - And you are... - Kiarostami. 253 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:18,480 l'm surprised, Mr Kiarostami. 254 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:25,160 l've seen your films. 255 00:21:26,360 --> 00:21:29,360 Can l do anything for you? 256 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:33,840 You could make a film about my suffering. 257 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:38,400 l can't promise anything, but l'd like to talk to you. 258 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:45,840 What did they write about me? That l'm a crook? 259 00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:52,240 Apparently you confessed to attempted fraud. 260 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:57,800 Yes, l did confess. 261 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:02,160 - But l'm not a crook. - Really? 262 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:07,760 Why did you confess you were, then? 263 00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:15,040 Because what l did looks like fraud from the outside. 264 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:18,800 - But what is it really? - l'm interested in cinema. 265 00:22:30,520 --> 00:22:33,520 How long have you been in prison? 266 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:37,920 l'm not sure. 267 00:22:40,720 --> 00:22:43,720 - About three weeks. - When's the trial? 268 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:46,799 l don't know. 269 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:49,800 The courts don't like this kind of case. 270 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:00,959 l'll try to bring your trial forward. 271 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:03,960 l'd be grateful. 272 00:23:04,120 --> 00:23:07,120 l have no more questions, Captain. 273 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:11,400 l have a message for Mr Makhmalbaf. 274 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:13,159 What is it? 275 00:23:13,160 --> 00:23:16,160 Tell him The Cyclist is a part of me. 276 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:20,520 l'll tell him. 277 00:23:22,120 --> 00:23:24,839 lf you'll excuse me... 278 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:26,679 Goodbye. 279 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:29,680 Goodbye. Tell me if you need anything. 280 00:23:32,360 --> 00:23:34,759 - Which block are you in? - Block 5. 281 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:37,760 - Nothing you need? - No. 282 00:23:40,560 --> 00:23:43,560 We came on Tuesday concerning the Sabzian case. 283 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:48,759 l don't remember. 284 00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:51,760 The man who pretended to be Mr Makhmalbaf. 285 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:56,639 l have stacks of files. 286 00:23:56,640 --> 00:23:59,640 l can't remember everyone's name... 287 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:05,200 Could you be more precise? 288 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:08,720 l came on Tuesday. You said you'd speak to Haj Agha 289 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:14,000 and tell us his answer. 290 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:16,679 We'd like to film the trial. 291 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:19,680 That's right, l remember now. 292 00:24:22,840 --> 00:24:25,840 l passed it on to Haj Agha. 293 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:37,240 Excuse me, did you study the Sabzian file? 294 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:43,279 - The one you want to film? - Yes. 295 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:46,039 Yes. 296 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:49,040 We need your authorisation to shoot our film. 297 00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:52,640 We'd like the date of the trial to be brought forward. 298 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:57,000 lt was set for January 19, but we'd like it brought forward. 299 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:02,080 Yes, it was January 19. 300 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:06,560 Why do you want it brought forward? 301 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:09,079 What's the rush? 302 00:25:09,080 --> 00:25:12,080 For our shooting schedule. 303 00:25:12,120 --> 00:25:15,120 We also need a permit... 304 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:19,680 to film in the courtroom. 305 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:23,080 There's nothing about this case that's worth filming. 306 00:25:28,120 --> 00:25:30,199 - Did you study the file? - Yes. 307 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:33,200 This case interests us, because it has a connection... 308 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:36,959 with the cinema. 309 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:39,960 Do you have more interesting cases? 310 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:44,040 We have cases where the charges are more serious. 311 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:48,000 This is a small fraud case 312 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:51,760 concerning the fact that he received 1 ,900 tomans from Mr Ahankhah 313 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:57,520 apparently to take a taxi. 314 00:25:58,840 --> 00:26:01,840 He also passed himself off as Mr Makhmalbaf. 315 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:06,400 Will you allow us to film in the courtroom? 316 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:10,000 Only if the authorities allow it. 317 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:14,320 - That is? - The Department of Justice. 318 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:17,599 lf they OK it, l will. 319 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:20,600 - We have your agreement? - You do. 320 00:26:25,880 --> 00:26:28,880 Scene 1 , Shot 1 , Law Courts, December 10. 321 00:27:01,240 --> 00:27:04,240 Mr Sabzian, do you remember me? We've met before. 322 00:27:06,520 --> 00:27:08,319 Yes, Ghasr Prison. 323 00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:10,399 We'd like to film the trial. 324 00:27:10,400 --> 00:27:13,400 Do you agree to us doing that? 325 00:27:13,960 --> 00:27:15,799 Yes. 326 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,800 Because you're my audience. 327 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:22,039 - Who is? - You are. 328 00:27:22,040 --> 00:27:23,679 Why's that? 329 00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:26,680 - Because of my passion. - Which passion? 330 00:27:27,560 --> 00:27:29,239 Art. 331 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:30,839 Film. 332 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:33,840 We have two cameras, one with a close-up lens. 333 00:27:34,360 --> 00:27:37,199 - Know what a close-up is? - Yes. 334 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:40,200 - The other camera... - No, l don't know. 335 00:27:41,120 --> 00:27:43,799 lt's used to zoom in on things. 336 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:46,800 The other lens, a wide-angle, films the proceedings. 337 00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:52,080 This one stays on you all the time. 338 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,799 When l met you in prison, 339 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,800 you told me you would plead guilty. 340 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:03,880 But certain things are more complex than they seem. 341 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:11,000 This camera is here so you can explain things 342 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:16,400 which people might find it hard to understand. 343 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:21,520 They will begin by reading the charges. 344 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:25,039 lf anything seems unacceptable to you 345 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:27,079 from a legal point of view 346 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:30,080 and you wish to explain, address this camera. 347 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:33,719 OK. 348 00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:35,799 - Are you ready? - Yes. 349 00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:38,800 ln the name of God... 350 00:28:39,960 --> 00:28:42,960 The accused, Mr Hossein Sabzian. 351 00:28:46,040 --> 00:28:49,040 Who are the plaintiffs? 352 00:28:50,040 --> 00:28:53,040 Mr Ahankhah, Mrs Mohseni and Mehrdad Ahankhah. 353 00:28:56,440 --> 00:28:59,440 - Three plaintiffs in all? - Yes. 354 00:28:59,960 --> 00:29:02,960 Before we proceed, l invite the two parties 355 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:09,520 to settle their differences amicably. 356 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:13,680 lf the plaintiffs do not wish 357 00:29:15,000 --> 00:29:18,000 to withdraw their complaint, 358 00:29:18,520 --> 00:29:21,520 we shall begin the trial. 359 00:29:24,760 --> 00:29:27,760 As the head of the family, l am not in a position 360 00:29:30,360 --> 00:29:33,239 to withdraw my complaint. 361 00:29:33,240 --> 00:29:36,240 l've asked my son Mehrdad to talk on our behalf. 362 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:43,280 Very well. Let us begin. 363 00:29:46,680 --> 00:29:49,680 Mr Ahankhah, could you give us your side of the story? 364 00:29:53,560 --> 00:29:56,560 Mr Hossein Sabzian approached our family... 365 00:29:57,240 --> 00:30:00,240 passing himself off as Mr Makhmalbaf... 366 00:30:02,200 --> 00:30:05,200 and was clearly intending... 367 00:30:06,200 --> 00:30:09,200 at best... 368 00:30:09,760 --> 00:30:12,599 to commit fraud... 369 00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:15,600 and at worst, a burglary. 370 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:20,599 He was thwarted... 371 00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:23,600 thanks to my father's vigilance... 372 00:30:24,400 --> 00:30:27,400 and was arrested. 373 00:30:46,640 --> 00:30:49,640 THE CYCLlST 374 00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:00,000 Excuse me, where did you get that book? 375 00:31:01,880 --> 00:31:04,880 Where did you buy that book? 376 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:07,679 ln a bookshop. 377 00:31:07,680 --> 00:31:10,119 Could you give me the address? 378 00:31:10,120 --> 00:31:11,639 You can have it. 379 00:31:11,640 --> 00:31:14,359 No, thank you. l want to buy it. 380 00:31:14,360 --> 00:31:15,679 lt's yours. 381 00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:17,919 l wrote it. 382 00:31:17,920 --> 00:31:20,920 - You wrote it? - Yes. 383 00:31:23,640 --> 00:31:25,239 Are you Mr Makhmalbaf? 384 00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:28,240 - Yes. - Pleased to meet you. 385 00:31:35,520 --> 00:31:38,359 That's very kind of you. 386 00:31:38,360 --> 00:31:41,360 l'll sign it for you. 387 00:31:55,200 --> 00:31:58,200 - Thank you. - You're welcome. 388 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:14,520 How come you use public transport to get around? 389 00:32:17,440 --> 00:32:19,719 Why does that surprise you? 390 00:32:19,720 --> 00:32:22,720 Famous directors usually use their own cars. 391 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:26,800 They don't take the bus. 392 00:32:30,880 --> 00:32:33,759 l often take the bus 393 00:32:33,760 --> 00:32:36,760 to look for interesting subjects. 394 00:32:38,680 --> 00:32:40,239 Did you see my film? 395 00:32:40,240 --> 00:32:43,240 Yes, with my children. l liked it a lot. 396 00:32:44,040 --> 00:32:46,759 - Just once? - Yes. 397 00:32:46,760 --> 00:32:49,760 You have to see it several times to fully understand it. 398 00:32:51,240 --> 00:32:54,240 My children were more interested. 399 00:32:54,400 --> 00:32:55,839 Really? 400 00:32:55,840 --> 00:32:58,279 Yes, my two sons. 401 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:01,239 - They're engineers. - Which was more interested? 402 00:33:01,240 --> 00:33:04,240 The younger one was more enthusiastic. 403 00:33:04,720 --> 00:33:07,720 - He saw it, too? - Yes, we saw it together. 404 00:33:08,160 --> 00:33:11,160 - What did he think about it? - He liked it. 405 00:33:13,120 --> 00:33:16,120 - Did he have any questions? - No. 406 00:33:21,360 --> 00:33:22,879 What does he do? 407 00:33:22,880 --> 00:33:25,880 Both my sons are engineers. The elder one's a mechanical engineer. 408 00:33:31,240 --> 00:33:34,240 He works in a bread factory in Mazandaran. 409 00:33:38,040 --> 00:33:41,040 The younger one 410 00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:45,000 doesn't have a job yet. 411 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:48,760 He helps out at a computing firm. He studied civil engineering. 412 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:54,200 My daughter here just took her university entrance exams. 413 00:33:57,520 --> 00:34:00,520 Oh, she's your daughter, is she? 414 00:34:01,240 --> 00:34:04,240 She has finished her schooling. 415 00:34:04,360 --> 00:34:07,360 What are your son's interests? 416 00:34:07,720 --> 00:34:10,720 He's interested in art and literature. 417 00:34:13,120 --> 00:34:15,519 Has he written any screenplays? 418 00:34:15,520 --> 00:34:17,599 Just for himself. 419 00:34:17,600 --> 00:34:20,600 - He's interested in cinema? - Yes, he is. 420 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:24,600 - And drawing? - Yes, that's his speciality. 421 00:34:27,680 --> 00:34:30,680 So he's interested in art? 422 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:35,160 Very much so. 423 00:34:35,520 --> 00:34:38,520 My sons will be thrilled to hear 424 00:34:38,880 --> 00:34:40,759 l met you. 425 00:34:40,760 --> 00:34:43,359 lf they wish, they can contact me. 426 00:34:43,360 --> 00:34:45,199 What's your address? 427 00:34:45,200 --> 00:34:48,200 lt's on the back, along with the phone number. 428 00:34:51,080 --> 00:34:53,799 Thank you. l'll tell them. 429 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:56,800 Could l have your number? Then, l could call them. 430 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:02,200 Here's some paper. 431 00:35:02,560 --> 00:35:05,560 l have a pen, too. 432 00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:14,360 - Here's your pen. - Thanks. 433 00:35:14,840 --> 00:35:17,079 What's your name? 434 00:35:17,080 --> 00:35:20,080 Ahankhah. 435 00:35:23,480 --> 00:35:26,480 Stop, l want to get off. 436 00:35:27,480 --> 00:35:30,480 - You want to get off? - Yes. Excuse me. 437 00:35:31,000 --> 00:35:34,000 - l hope l'll see you again. - Thank you. 438 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:42,800 What do you mean by ''fraud''? 439 00:35:45,040 --> 00:35:46,919 What exactly did he do? 440 00:35:46,920 --> 00:35:48,999 Well, he passed himself off 441 00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:52,000 as Mr Makhmalbaf, the filmmaker. 442 00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:56,120 He examined all the rooms of the house, 443 00:35:56,920 --> 00:35:59,920 pretending he wanted to film there, 444 00:36:03,120 --> 00:36:06,120 so as to gather information to carry out a burglary. 445 00:36:14,240 --> 00:36:17,240 Mr Hossein Sabzian, you are accused of fraud 446 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:22,999 and attempted fraud. 447 00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:26,000 You are to defend yourself on these two counts. 448 00:36:27,640 --> 00:36:30,640 Do you acknowledge the charges you are accused of? 449 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:36,400 lf you do, explain how you intended to carry them out. 450 00:36:38,440 --> 00:36:40,719 The burglary... 451 00:36:40,720 --> 00:36:43,359 You're not on trial for that. 452 00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:46,360 You are accused of fraud and attempted fraud. 453 00:36:47,840 --> 00:36:50,840 l never intended to defraud anyone. 454 00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:55,800 Legally, it might be an acceptable charge. 455 00:36:58,880 --> 00:37:01,880 But morally, it is not. 456 00:37:03,360 --> 00:37:06,360 This all arose from my love of the arts. 457 00:37:08,320 --> 00:37:11,239 As a child, l often went to the cinema. 458 00:37:11,240 --> 00:37:14,240 l played at making films with my friends. 459 00:37:15,400 --> 00:37:18,159 But as l didn't have the means, 460 00:37:18,160 --> 00:37:21,160 l had to abandon my artistic pretensions. 461 00:37:22,760 --> 00:37:25,760 lt became an obsession. 462 00:37:27,880 --> 00:37:30,880 A crook, however, deliberately changes his appearance. 463 00:37:32,240 --> 00:37:35,240 He comes along in a borrowed car, carrying a briefcase... 464 00:37:37,880 --> 00:37:40,439 so he looks convincing. 465 00:37:40,440 --> 00:37:43,440 l never did that. 466 00:37:43,920 --> 00:37:46,599 That was not my intention. 467 00:37:46,600 --> 00:37:49,600 What was your motive for passing yourself off as Mr Makhmalbaf? 468 00:37:51,960 --> 00:37:53,599 Tell the court. 469 00:37:53,600 --> 00:37:56,600 l admire him, because he... 470 00:37:58,720 --> 00:38:01,720 portrays suffering in his films. 471 00:38:02,680 --> 00:38:05,680 ln fact, he spoke out for people like me, 472 00:38:06,200 --> 00:38:09,200 especially in Marriage ofthe Blessed. 473 00:38:09,680 --> 00:38:12,680 Just like Mr Kiarostami did in The Traveller. 474 00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:16,400 l'm like the little boy in the film who takes photos of people 475 00:38:17,960 --> 00:38:20,719 although his camera isn't loaded, 476 00:38:20,720 --> 00:38:23,720 so he can go to Tehran to see a soccer match. 477 00:38:26,480 --> 00:38:29,480 But he falls asleep and misses the match. 478 00:38:29,800 --> 00:38:32,800 l too have the feeling l missed the match. 479 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:36,960 l know that my actions can't be justified legally, 480 00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:40,360 but my love of art should be taken into account. 481 00:38:40,800 --> 00:38:43,479 You haven't answered the question. 482 00:38:43,480 --> 00:38:46,480 Why did you pass yourself off as Mr Makhmalbaf 483 00:38:47,120 --> 00:38:50,120 if you didn't intend to commit fraud? 484 00:38:51,480 --> 00:38:54,480 Wouldn't you call that fraud? 485 00:38:55,240 --> 00:38:58,240 l liked interpreting this character. 486 00:38:59,600 --> 00:39:02,600 One of the plaintiffs claims that the accused 487 00:39:03,480 --> 00:39:06,039 received 1 ,900 tomans from him. 488 00:39:06,040 --> 00:39:09,040 Tell us about that. 489 00:39:09,360 --> 00:39:12,360 On leaving the house after his first visit, 490 00:39:13,840 --> 00:39:16,399 he saw a motorbike. 491 00:39:16,400 --> 00:39:19,400 He asked me if it belonged to me. 492 00:39:23,600 --> 00:39:26,600 He asked me to give him a lift home. 493 00:39:29,640 --> 00:39:32,640 So l agreed. As we left... 494 00:39:34,040 --> 00:39:37,040 he said that if anything happened to him... 495 00:39:38,480 --> 00:39:41,480 his admirers and his film crew... 496 00:39:42,680 --> 00:39:45,680 would avenge him by coming to our house 497 00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:48,919 and ransacking it. 498 00:39:48,920 --> 00:39:50,079 We laughed at that. 499 00:39:50,080 --> 00:39:53,080 As we rode along... 500 00:39:53,160 --> 00:39:56,160 he answered me as if he were Makhmalbaf. 501 00:39:56,920 --> 00:39:59,920 He talked about his filmmaking. 502 00:40:00,960 --> 00:40:03,960 l asked him a few questions. 503 00:40:06,080 --> 00:40:09,080 He answered my questions 504 00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:13,000 sometimes very intelligently, 505 00:40:13,520 --> 00:40:16,520 sometimes very evasively. 506 00:40:19,600 --> 00:40:22,239 l just thought that he didn't want 507 00:40:22,240 --> 00:40:25,240 to expand on every aspect of his filmmaking. 508 00:40:26,040 --> 00:40:29,040 Then he said he'd had an interesting idea for a film. 509 00:40:30,240 --> 00:40:33,240 He said, ''Two people are on a motorbike... 510 00:40:33,520 --> 00:40:36,520 ''and one loses his wallet.'' 511 00:40:36,720 --> 00:40:39,720 l asked if that had happened to him 512 00:40:41,400 --> 00:40:43,879 and he said yes. 513 00:40:43,880 --> 00:40:46,880 As he got off, he said he needed some money. 514 00:40:48,080 --> 00:40:51,039 l thought that, to get home, 515 00:40:51,040 --> 00:40:54,040 he'd need 50 or 100 tomans. 516 00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:58,040 But he said that he needed to buy something costing 1 ,500 tomans. 517 00:41:04,560 --> 00:41:06,559 When l gave him the money, 518 00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:09,560 he said he needed another 500, that 2,000 would be perfect. 519 00:41:10,080 --> 00:41:13,080 l kept 50 back... 520 00:41:13,880 --> 00:41:16,880 because l needed some myself. 521 00:41:19,640 --> 00:41:22,639 And l gave him the rest. 522 00:41:22,640 --> 00:41:25,399 He put it in his pocket. 523 00:41:25,400 --> 00:41:28,400 Then he said that the screenplay 524 00:41:29,000 --> 00:41:32,000 that he had conceived finished like that... 525 00:41:32,280 --> 00:41:35,280 One of the two men, the one with some money, 526 00:41:36,760 --> 00:41:39,760 lent some to the one who had lost his money. 527 00:41:40,480 --> 00:41:43,480 And it was the start of a great friendship. 528 00:41:46,760 --> 00:41:49,760 l was delighted to have met a director 529 00:41:51,080 --> 00:41:54,080 who was humble enough to borrow money off me. 530 00:41:55,400 --> 00:41:58,400 - Did you receive 1 ,900 tomans? - Yes. 531 00:41:58,720 --> 00:42:01,679 Did you need the money or was it... 532 00:42:01,680 --> 00:42:03,719 just to test his generosity? 533 00:42:03,720 --> 00:42:05,479 l did need the money. 534 00:42:05,480 --> 00:42:08,239 Does that justify your actions? 535 00:42:08,240 --> 00:42:09,319 No. 536 00:42:09,320 --> 00:42:12,320 With the court's permission, tell us the reason for your behaviour 537 00:42:14,680 --> 00:42:17,680 and why you chose to pass yourself off as Makhmalbaf. 538 00:42:19,400 --> 00:42:22,400 Being Makhmalbaf was very difficult. 539 00:42:24,280 --> 00:42:27,280 Why's that? You yourself decided to be him. 540 00:42:27,880 --> 00:42:30,880 lt was hard for me... 541 00:42:32,040 --> 00:42:35,040 to assume his identity. 542 00:42:39,520 --> 00:42:42,520 lt wasn't easy to be believable doing that. 543 00:42:42,920 --> 00:42:45,239 - What? - Being Makhmalbaf. 544 00:42:45,240 --> 00:42:48,240 lt was hard to play the part of a director. 545 00:42:50,280 --> 00:42:53,280 But it gave me self-confidence. 546 00:42:56,360 --> 00:42:59,360 And l won their respect. 547 00:43:01,680 --> 00:43:04,680 - Whose respect? - The members of the family. 548 00:43:07,240 --> 00:43:10,240 They did everything l told them. 549 00:43:11,400 --> 00:43:14,400 lf l'd asked them, say, to move a cupboard, 550 00:43:15,480 --> 00:43:18,480 or to cut down a tree, they would have done it. 551 00:43:18,760 --> 00:43:21,760 Before that, l'd never been able to get my views across. 552 00:43:24,520 --> 00:43:27,520 People were reluctant to do what l said. 553 00:43:28,360 --> 00:43:31,360 But then, by acting like this famous person, 554 00:43:32,680 --> 00:43:34,759 l made them all obey me. 555 00:43:34,760 --> 00:43:37,760 When l left the house and l had to accept the money 556 00:43:40,040 --> 00:43:43,040 to buy something for my son 557 00:43:45,640 --> 00:43:48,640 and pay for my trip home, l realised... 558 00:43:51,320 --> 00:43:54,320 that l was still a poor guy who couldn't even support his family 559 00:43:55,880 --> 00:43:58,880 and who lived in a godforsaken place. 560 00:44:00,360 --> 00:44:03,360 When l woke up the next day 561 00:44:04,960 --> 00:44:07,960 and still had no job, 562 00:44:09,000 --> 00:44:12,000 l understood nothing had changed. 563 00:44:12,360 --> 00:44:15,360 lt was hard to go on playing this part. 564 00:44:16,760 --> 00:44:19,760 lt was very hard to pretend to be someone else. 565 00:44:20,840 --> 00:44:23,840 But at the same time, l liked it... 566 00:44:25,600 --> 00:44:28,600 above all, because they respected me 567 00:44:30,120 --> 00:44:33,120 and supported me morally. So l really got into the part. 568 00:44:34,320 --> 00:44:37,320 l started to believe l actually was a director. 569 00:44:38,080 --> 00:44:41,080 l really felt it. 570 00:44:41,880 --> 00:44:44,880 l wasn't acting any more. 571 00:44:45,480 --> 00:44:48,480 l really became this new character. 572 00:44:51,440 --> 00:44:54,440 But when l left that place 573 00:44:55,720 --> 00:44:58,720 and went home at the end of the day, 574 00:44:59,560 --> 00:45:02,560 l had to shed my character and that was hard for me. 575 00:45:05,200 --> 00:45:07,559 Did the money make it easier 576 00:45:07,560 --> 00:45:10,560 for you to go on playing this role? 577 00:45:11,800 --> 00:45:14,800 Yes, a director cannot be poor. 578 00:45:15,640 --> 00:45:17,959 He must have money. 579 00:45:17,960 --> 00:45:20,960 He cannot be so poor 580 00:45:23,400 --> 00:45:26,400 that he is unable 581 00:45:28,680 --> 00:45:31,680 to give his family 582 00:45:32,680 --> 00:45:35,679 the means to get by with dignity. 583 00:45:35,680 --> 00:45:38,519 That's why it was so hard for me 584 00:45:38,520 --> 00:45:41,520 to go on with my role as director the next few days. 585 00:45:44,120 --> 00:45:47,120 On the other hand, they trusted me 586 00:45:48,680 --> 00:45:51,680 and their trust gave me confidence. 587 00:45:52,840 --> 00:45:55,840 lt gave you confidence that he lent you money? 588 00:45:55,880 --> 00:45:58,439 Yes, when he lent me money, 589 00:45:58,440 --> 00:46:00,439 l realised 590 00:46:00,440 --> 00:46:03,440 that he was convinced that l was a director. 591 00:46:05,560 --> 00:46:08,560 You didn't intend to give it back? 592 00:46:12,360 --> 00:46:14,999 l did, but... 593 00:46:15,000 --> 00:46:18,000 l didn't know how l could go about doing it. 594 00:46:22,360 --> 00:46:25,360 On top of that... 595 00:46:25,400 --> 00:46:28,400 he was so keen on acting in a film 596 00:46:30,160 --> 00:46:33,160 that l would've loved to have the means to make one. 597 00:46:35,640 --> 00:46:38,640 We began to have doubts the following Thursday. 598 00:46:41,240 --> 00:46:44,240 He insisted we all go see the film The Cyclist. 599 00:46:44,760 --> 00:46:47,760 He said we could discuss the film, that it'd serve 600 00:46:50,280 --> 00:46:52,519 as a point of departure 601 00:46:52,520 --> 00:46:55,520 for our film, The House ofthe Spider. 602 00:46:56,520 --> 00:46:59,520 The Cyclist was on at two cinemas. One was near our house. 603 00:47:01,320 --> 00:47:04,320 But he wanted us to go 604 00:47:05,080 --> 00:47:08,080 to the one that was a long way from our home. 605 00:47:09,560 --> 00:47:12,560 He claimed that it was showing 606 00:47:12,680 --> 00:47:15,399 a less censored version of the film, 607 00:47:15,400 --> 00:47:18,400 so we had to see it in this cinema. 608 00:47:18,720 --> 00:47:21,720 That's one of the things that started us thinking. 609 00:47:22,680 --> 00:47:25,680 When we pointed out that we didn't have a car, 610 00:47:26,480 --> 00:47:29,239 he said that it didn't matter. 611 00:47:29,240 --> 00:47:31,959 He even asked a friend of ours 612 00:47:31,960 --> 00:47:34,279 to take his father's car. 613 00:47:34,280 --> 00:47:37,280 He said that he wouldn't come with us. 614 00:47:38,720 --> 00:47:41,720 Otherwise his admirers would bother us outside the cinema. 615 00:47:44,840 --> 00:47:47,639 Mr Sabzian, did you hear that? 616 00:47:47,640 --> 00:47:50,039 Spite is a veil to conceal art. 617 00:47:50,040 --> 00:47:51,199 What? 618 00:47:51,200 --> 00:47:54,200 Spite is a veil to conceal art. 619 00:47:54,920 --> 00:47:57,920 l should like to ask Mr Ahankhah... 620 00:47:59,080 --> 00:48:02,080 who accuses me of intent to burgle his house... 621 00:48:05,160 --> 00:48:07,799 You are not accused of that. 622 00:48:07,800 --> 00:48:10,800 He merely mentioned it in passing. lt's not on record. 623 00:48:12,280 --> 00:48:15,280 So disregard that. 624 00:48:16,280 --> 00:48:18,759 They claimed that you 625 00:48:18,760 --> 00:48:21,760 were part of a gang 626 00:48:22,920 --> 00:48:25,920 who were planning a burglary. 627 00:48:26,240 --> 00:48:28,879 l categorically deny that. 628 00:48:28,880 --> 00:48:31,880 They thought you wanted to force them out of their house 629 00:48:33,640 --> 00:48:36,640 so your accomplices could go in and steal their possessions. 630 00:48:39,240 --> 00:48:42,240 - Was that your intention? - No. 631 00:48:43,240 --> 00:48:46,240 But you admit you wanted to misappropriate Makhmalbaf's name. 632 00:48:49,320 --> 00:48:50,839 Yes. 633 00:48:50,840 --> 00:48:53,840 As he has explained, and you confirmed, 634 00:48:55,160 --> 00:48:58,160 he had no intent to steal anything. 635 00:48:58,560 --> 00:49:01,560 But it isn't clear why he wanted 636 00:49:02,320 --> 00:49:05,320 the whole family to go to the cinema. 637 00:49:05,960 --> 00:49:08,960 lf you don't mind, l'd like him to explain 638 00:49:09,080 --> 00:49:12,080 his motives for doing this. 639 00:49:16,240 --> 00:49:19,239 l wanted them to see the film 640 00:49:19,240 --> 00:49:21,959 so that they would acquire 641 00:49:21,960 --> 00:49:24,960 a greater interest in the cinema 642 00:49:26,440 --> 00:49:29,440 and have more respect for me as a director. 643 00:49:32,040 --> 00:49:35,040 l wanted them to see me 644 00:49:36,520 --> 00:49:39,520 as a director who is aware 645 00:49:41,080 --> 00:49:44,080 of people's sufferings and difficulties. 646 00:49:48,000 --> 00:49:51,000 A director who is modest enough 647 00:49:52,120 --> 00:49:55,120 to mingle with ordinary folk. 648 00:49:56,560 --> 00:49:59,560 l wanted to make them forget the idea that a film director 649 00:50:02,120 --> 00:50:05,120 is different from other people. 650 00:50:05,960 --> 00:50:08,960 A director should have humility. 651 00:50:11,000 --> 00:50:14,000 l wanted them to realise 652 00:50:14,440 --> 00:50:17,440 that a true artist 653 00:50:17,600 --> 00:50:20,600 is someone who is close to the people 654 00:50:21,400 --> 00:50:24,400 and is prepared to go to the cinema with them. 655 00:50:25,160 --> 00:50:28,160 But as they didn't accept my proposition, 656 00:50:31,040 --> 00:50:34,040 l suggest they go on their own. 657 00:50:34,920 --> 00:50:37,920 l went there by bus 658 00:50:39,480 --> 00:50:42,480 and when l arrived in front of the cinema, 659 00:50:43,560 --> 00:50:46,560 l saw that they were already there. 660 00:50:47,240 --> 00:50:49,799 They hadn't seen me... 661 00:50:49,800 --> 00:50:52,800 l went up to them and l said... 662 00:50:53,000 --> 00:50:56,000 that l'd been waiting for them a long time. 663 00:50:57,440 --> 00:51:00,440 They asked me how l'd come. 664 00:51:01,000 --> 00:51:04,000 l told them l'd been careful not to be recognised 665 00:51:06,000 --> 00:51:09,000 because people would have crowded round me 666 00:51:10,080 --> 00:51:12,159 to ask for autographs. 667 00:51:12,160 --> 00:51:15,160 What would you have done if someone had taken you for Makhmalbaf? 668 00:51:20,760 --> 00:51:23,760 lf it had been outside the cinema, 669 00:51:24,160 --> 00:51:27,160 l'd have tried not to attract attention, but l sensed... 670 00:51:29,280 --> 00:51:32,280 Would you have followed him 671 00:51:32,320 --> 00:51:35,320 and been his Makhmalbaf as well? 672 00:51:38,520 --> 00:51:40,879 l think l would have. 673 00:51:40,880 --> 00:51:43,880 How long after his visit to your house was he arrested? 674 00:51:46,560 --> 00:51:48,839 When he left us on the Tuesday, 675 00:51:48,840 --> 00:51:51,840 he said he liked me 676 00:51:52,160 --> 00:51:55,160 and that he wanted to give me the lead role 677 00:51:55,880 --> 00:51:58,880 in his next film. 678 00:52:00,840 --> 00:52:03,840 He added that he'd be back to see us. 679 00:52:06,080 --> 00:52:09,080 He said he'd come to lunch that Thursday. 680 00:52:11,360 --> 00:52:14,360 And that soup was his favourite dish. 681 00:52:16,320 --> 00:52:19,320 How long after you met was he arrested? 682 00:52:20,720 --> 00:52:23,720 And on what grounds? 683 00:52:24,160 --> 00:52:27,160 He came to our house three times in four days. 684 00:52:27,840 --> 00:52:30,719 On the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 685 00:52:30,720 --> 00:52:33,720 Describe the circumstances that led to his arrest. 686 00:52:35,680 --> 00:52:38,680 Actually, my father suspected him from the start. 687 00:52:41,760 --> 00:52:44,760 He talked it over with Mr Mohseni. 688 00:52:45,520 --> 00:52:48,239 The description he gave 689 00:52:48,240 --> 00:52:50,999 corresponded to Mr Sabzian. 690 00:52:51,000 --> 00:52:54,000 Mr Mohseni, you've been following all this from the outset. 691 00:52:55,360 --> 00:52:58,360 Everything has happened 692 00:52:59,240 --> 00:53:02,240 as l anticipated it would. 693 00:53:04,160 --> 00:53:06,959 But Mehrdad said 694 00:53:06,960 --> 00:53:09,960 there was no reason to suspect him. 695 00:53:10,240 --> 00:53:13,240 Fortunately, something happened yesterday 696 00:53:13,680 --> 00:53:16,680 which convinced him that he wasn't Makhmalbaf. 697 00:53:16,920 --> 00:53:19,920 Yesterday, the so-called Makhmalbaf 698 00:53:20,320 --> 00:53:23,320 came to rehearse with the children. 699 00:53:24,160 --> 00:53:27,160 Mehrdad arrived with a newspaper. 700 00:53:28,600 --> 00:53:31,600 And he said, ''Congratulations, Mr Makhmalbaf!'' 701 00:53:32,640 --> 00:53:35,640 He was confused and didn't know what to say. 702 00:53:36,160 --> 00:53:39,160 The newspaper said that a prize 703 00:53:40,800 --> 00:53:43,800 had been given to The Cyclist 704 00:53:43,880 --> 00:53:46,399 at the Rimini Festival. 705 00:53:46,400 --> 00:53:49,400 But he didn't seem to know anything about it. 706 00:53:51,280 --> 00:53:52,959 He got out of it 707 00:53:52,960 --> 00:53:55,960 by saying that this prize was for the music of the film. 708 00:53:58,560 --> 00:54:01,560 - He was thinking of Fajr Festival. - Probably. 709 00:54:03,680 --> 00:54:06,680 They continued their rehearsals. 710 00:54:06,920 --> 00:54:09,920 But Mehrdad was convinced that it wasn't Makhmalbaf. 711 00:54:12,960 --> 00:54:14,759 But sometimes 712 00:54:14,760 --> 00:54:17,760 the director doesn't hear of these things right away. 713 00:54:18,960 --> 00:54:21,960 No, the newspaper said Mr Makhmalbaf 714 00:54:22,400 --> 00:54:25,400 had sent a wire to the festival. 715 00:54:27,480 --> 00:54:30,480 So he had to know about the award. 716 00:54:32,720 --> 00:54:35,720 They continued the rehearsals, then went to the cinema. 717 00:54:36,440 --> 00:54:39,440 As we left the cinema, he expressed the wish 718 00:54:40,480 --> 00:54:43,480 to come home with us and spend the night at our house. 719 00:54:44,760 --> 00:54:47,760 He came home and spent the night here. 720 00:54:48,480 --> 00:54:51,480 The next day, at around six am, 721 00:54:52,120 --> 00:54:55,120 l heard him talking with Mehrdad. 722 00:54:57,280 --> 00:55:00,280 He said he wanted to go... 723 00:55:00,680 --> 00:55:02,719 mountain climbing. 724 00:55:02,720 --> 00:55:05,720 Mehrdad was sure he wouldn't come back. 725 00:55:08,120 --> 00:55:11,120 But he lent him his coat so he wouldn't catch cold. 726 00:55:13,680 --> 00:55:16,680 We thought we'd never see him again, but luckily... 727 00:55:18,000 --> 00:55:21,000 or unluckily... he phoned 30 minutes ago. 728 00:55:22,880 --> 00:55:25,880 He asked Mehrdad to go to town to pick him up. 729 00:55:28,720 --> 00:55:31,720 So off he went and they'll be here any moment now. 730 00:55:34,000 --> 00:55:36,119 Like l told you, 731 00:55:36,120 --> 00:55:39,120 my friend knows artistic circles very well. 732 00:55:40,480 --> 00:55:43,480 l hope this man really is Makhmalbaf. 733 00:55:43,640 --> 00:55:46,640 Excuse me. l can hear a motorbike coming. 734 00:56:34,200 --> 00:56:37,200 - Hello. How are you? - Fine, thanks. 735 00:56:38,560 --> 00:56:41,560 - My friend, Mr Mohseni. - Pleased to meet you. 736 00:56:41,760 --> 00:56:44,760 Do sit down. 737 00:56:46,880 --> 00:56:49,880 - How are you? - Fine, thank you. 738 00:56:51,120 --> 00:56:54,079 l hope you had a good night's sleep. 739 00:56:54,080 --> 00:56:55,679 l didn't. 740 00:56:55,680 --> 00:56:58,479 - No? - l didn't sleep at all. 741 00:56:58,480 --> 00:57:01,480 l'm sorry you didn't find our house comfortable. 742 00:57:04,440 --> 00:57:07,440 One often sleeps badly in someone else's place. 743 00:57:11,080 --> 00:57:14,080 And yet a sage feels at home anywhere. 744 00:57:17,320 --> 00:57:19,599 l'm no sage. 745 00:57:19,600 --> 00:57:22,600 You look like one though. 746 00:57:24,520 --> 00:57:27,239 Appearances can be deceptive. 747 00:57:27,240 --> 00:57:30,240 Mr Makhmalbaf, have you eaten? 748 00:57:30,320 --> 00:57:32,999 l had a big breakfast. 749 00:57:33,000 --> 00:57:36,000 But l'll gladly join you. 750 00:57:38,280 --> 00:57:41,280 At the weekend, our children get up late 751 00:57:43,120 --> 00:57:45,759 and just have lunch. 752 00:57:45,760 --> 00:57:48,279 But l can make you an omelette. 753 00:57:48,280 --> 00:57:51,280 No, l'm not really hungry. 754 00:57:52,120 --> 00:57:55,120 Whether you're a sage or not, all we can offer you is an omelette. 755 00:57:58,320 --> 00:58:00,399 That's fine. 756 00:58:00,400 --> 00:58:03,400 Make him an omelette. 757 00:58:05,880 --> 00:58:08,880 Do you often go up in the mountains, Mr Makhmalbaf? 758 00:58:11,640 --> 00:58:13,399 Sometimes. 759 00:58:13,400 --> 00:58:16,400 But this morning, when l looked at the mountains, 760 00:58:18,920 --> 00:58:21,920 l felt the urge to get closer to nature. 761 00:58:24,280 --> 00:58:26,839 Being close to nature 762 00:58:26,840 --> 00:58:29,840 lifts the burden of worries from your breast. 763 00:58:32,720 --> 00:58:35,720 One must be in touch with nature... 764 00:58:38,200 --> 00:58:41,200 ''l asked the Muse why she was hiding. 765 00:58:41,680 --> 00:58:44,680 ''She replied, 'lt's you who are hiding.''' 766 00:58:45,080 --> 00:58:48,080 We are the slaves of a mask which hides our true face. 767 00:58:50,480 --> 00:58:53,480 lf we manage to free ourselves of this, the beauty of truth will be ours. 768 00:58:56,120 --> 00:58:59,120 This morning l wanted to go up in the mountains to study myself. 769 00:59:01,000 --> 00:59:04,000 Nature is a mirror in which we can study ourselves. 770 00:59:05,240 --> 00:59:08,240 lf you like nature so much, you should live a natural life. 771 00:59:15,320 --> 00:59:18,320 Mehrdad, you don't look as if you're ready for rehearsals. 772 00:59:19,960 --> 00:59:22,960 l'm waiting for the others. 773 00:59:23,560 --> 00:59:25,359 You're wasting my time. 774 00:59:25,360 --> 00:59:27,479 Have your meal. 775 00:59:27,480 --> 00:59:30,480 What do you see as being unnatural about me? 776 00:59:30,520 --> 00:59:33,520 That's not what l meant. 777 00:59:33,720 --> 00:59:36,720 l just wanted to stress the fact that most people rest on a Friday. 778 00:59:41,920 --> 00:59:44,920 When there's work to be done, it doesn't matter what day it is. 779 00:59:47,680 --> 00:59:50,399 We have so little time... 780 00:59:50,400 --> 00:59:53,400 That's why l always give priority to my work. 781 00:59:56,960 --> 00:59:59,960 Rest comes later. You never know what tomorrow will bring. 782 01:00:04,000 --> 01:00:07,000 You can't predict the future. Even the immediate future. 783 01:00:10,000 --> 01:00:13,000 That's why we must try to make the most of the opportunities that come our way. 784 01:00:17,200 --> 01:00:20,200 That's what l'm doing. 785 01:00:20,480 --> 01:00:23,399 lt's rare you get the opportunity to work. 786 01:00:23,400 --> 01:00:26,400 You can't always choose when to rest. 787 01:00:27,840 --> 01:00:30,840 That's why l don't stop working 788 01:00:31,520 --> 01:00:34,520 on a Friday or during the summer. 789 01:00:35,400 --> 01:00:38,400 l love my work and l have to finish it before l can rest. 790 01:00:40,600 --> 01:00:43,600 There are so many days in the week 791 01:00:44,240 --> 01:00:47,240 when we are unable to work. 792 01:00:48,640 --> 01:00:51,640 l'm prepared to work day and night 793 01:00:52,000 --> 01:00:55,000 as long as your boys maintain their enthusiasm. 794 01:00:58,720 --> 01:01:01,720 But l sense that their interest is fading. 795 01:01:03,320 --> 01:01:06,320 l can't imagine why it is, though. 796 01:01:06,880 --> 01:01:09,880 Mehrdad has done some very good work, 797 01:01:10,080 --> 01:01:13,080 but he seems to be becoming less motivated. 798 01:01:15,480 --> 01:01:17,559 Who knows? 799 01:01:17,560 --> 01:01:19,679 l'd like to know why. 800 01:01:19,680 --> 01:01:22,680 lf he had stayed as keen as at the beginning... 801 01:01:25,280 --> 01:01:28,280 l'd have worked day and night. 802 01:01:30,120 --> 01:01:33,120 lt would've been no problem. 803 01:01:44,480 --> 01:01:47,480 Yes? Come in. 804 01:01:49,280 --> 01:01:52,280 - lt's Mr Farazmand. - Excuse me. 805 01:02:05,120 --> 01:02:08,120 - How are you? - Fine, thank you. 806 01:02:09,840 --> 01:02:12,679 l hope l'm not disturbing you. 807 01:02:12,680 --> 01:02:14,239 Not at all. 808 01:02:14,240 --> 01:02:17,240 - This is Mr Mohseni. - How do you do? 809 01:02:18,560 --> 01:02:21,560 - Mr Makhmalbaf. - Pleased to meet you. 810 01:02:22,080 --> 01:02:25,080 Please sit down. 811 01:02:26,080 --> 01:02:29,080 How do you do, Mr Ahankhah? 812 01:02:30,400 --> 01:02:33,400 l hope l'm not interrupting. 813 01:02:36,800 --> 01:02:39,800 - Can l have a word? - Of course. 814 01:03:14,240 --> 01:03:16,799 Can we start the rehearsals? 815 01:03:16,800 --> 01:03:19,800 l'll be right with you. 816 01:06:01,600 --> 01:06:04,600 Mr Ahankhah, l need a tape recorder. 817 01:06:04,880 --> 01:06:07,679 Mr Farazmand needs a tape recorder. 818 01:06:07,680 --> 01:06:10,680 - A portable tape recorder. - We don't have one. 819 01:06:11,520 --> 01:06:14,520 - What about your neighbours? - l'll ask them. 820 01:06:16,480 --> 01:06:19,480 Let him finish his meal. 821 01:06:20,800 --> 01:06:23,800 - Don't let them take him away. - Don't worry, he'll be back. 822 01:06:59,200 --> 01:07:02,200 ls this your first offence of this kind? 823 01:07:03,960 --> 01:07:06,960 Yes, it's the first. 824 01:07:07,160 --> 01:07:10,160 - Yet l heard that... - People take me for Makhmalbaf. 825 01:07:10,920 --> 01:07:13,920 - So it's not the first time. - People have taken me for him 826 01:07:15,840 --> 01:07:18,840 and l did nothing to correct them. 827 01:07:19,040 --> 01:07:22,040 Do you regret what you did? 828 01:07:22,360 --> 01:07:25,360 Yes... l know that justice must be done. 829 01:07:27,800 --> 01:07:30,800 But l regret having toyed with their feelings. 830 01:07:31,800 --> 01:07:34,800 That's the only reason l'm ashamed. 831 01:07:35,320 --> 01:07:38,320 Deep down, l never had the slightest intention of stealing from them. 832 01:07:40,680 --> 01:07:43,680 l'm sorry for what l did, but not for the time l spent in prison. 833 01:07:45,560 --> 01:07:48,560 Prison is good for good people and bad for the wicked. 834 01:07:51,000 --> 01:07:54,000 lt teaches good people a lesson but the wicked get worse. l repent. 835 01:07:56,600 --> 01:07:59,039 - Been to prison before? - Never. 836 01:07:59,040 --> 01:08:02,040 - What is your trade? - l worked for a printer. 837 01:08:02,720 --> 01:08:05,720 Why did you search every room 838 01:08:07,000 --> 01:08:09,319 in their house? 839 01:08:09,320 --> 01:08:12,320 l was playing the part of a director. 840 01:08:13,800 --> 01:08:16,800 l said that we'd do the shot from such and such an angle... 841 01:08:18,600 --> 01:08:21,279 Have you ever worked in film? 842 01:08:21,280 --> 01:08:22,679 No. 843 01:08:22,680 --> 01:08:25,680 But l've read books on the subject. 844 01:08:26,040 --> 01:08:29,040 Screenplays and books about how to direct films. 845 01:08:30,600 --> 01:08:33,600 l went through the motions of rehearsing scenes. 846 01:08:35,520 --> 01:08:38,520 You also asked them to cut the trees in the garden. 847 01:08:41,120 --> 01:08:44,120 l said that for the scenes we'd shoot in the garden, 848 01:08:46,520 --> 01:08:49,520 the trees would obscure the view of the house 849 01:08:50,680 --> 01:08:53,680 and Mr Ahankhah agreed to cut them down. 850 01:08:54,680 --> 01:08:57,680 Then, l said that we could use other angles. 851 01:09:00,760 --> 01:09:03,760 Was the idea of filming in the house 852 01:09:04,680 --> 01:09:07,680 yours or theirs? 853 01:09:08,000 --> 01:09:10,599 Mine, but they liked the idea, too. 854 01:09:10,600 --> 01:09:13,600 Did you intend to ask them for money for the production? 855 01:09:15,160 --> 01:09:17,559 - To produce the film? - Yes. 856 01:09:17,560 --> 01:09:20,560 l put forward a project to them. 857 01:09:21,400 --> 01:09:24,400 lf l'd had the money, l would have shot it. 858 01:09:25,880 --> 01:09:28,880 They seemed to want to get involved 859 01:09:29,800 --> 01:09:32,439 in a film project. 860 01:09:32,440 --> 01:09:35,440 l never thought it would turn out the way it did. 861 01:09:38,400 --> 01:09:40,959 He repents of his faults. 862 01:09:40,960 --> 01:09:43,960 l wish to ask the plaintiffs 863 01:09:44,560 --> 01:09:47,559 if they would agree to pardoning him. 864 01:09:47,560 --> 01:09:50,560 Of course, his offence is punishable by law. 865 01:09:51,600 --> 01:09:54,600 But their pardon could be considered as extenuating circumstances. 866 01:09:57,320 --> 01:10:00,320 l would have pardoned him if he had been honest. 867 01:10:02,600 --> 01:10:05,600 But when l hear him, l get the impression he is still acting. 868 01:10:07,400 --> 01:10:10,119 He's still playing a role, 869 01:10:10,120 --> 01:10:13,120 even if it's a slightly different one. 870 01:10:13,560 --> 01:10:16,119 lnstead of playing Makhmalbaf, 871 01:10:16,120 --> 01:10:19,120 he is playing a sentimental person. 872 01:10:19,160 --> 01:10:22,160 l'd like Mr Farazmand to tell us 873 01:10:24,520 --> 01:10:27,520 about the various people who contacted him about this man. 874 01:10:29,640 --> 01:10:32,279 Do you have new evidence? 875 01:10:32,280 --> 01:10:35,280 Yes, l do. l've been following the case. 876 01:10:36,080 --> 01:10:39,039 What is the title of the article you wrote? 877 01:10:39,040 --> 01:10:41,519 ''Bogus Makhmalbaf Arrested.'' 878 01:10:41,520 --> 01:10:43,319 Bogus Makhmalbaf? 879 01:10:43,320 --> 01:10:46,320 When the paper came out, l received a lot of phone calls. 880 01:10:50,520 --> 01:10:53,520 One of them was from a woman l haven't been able to find since. 881 01:10:56,880 --> 01:10:59,880 She said that a man who claimed to be Makhmalbaf 882 01:11:01,680 --> 01:11:04,680 had promised to give her a part in his film. 883 01:11:05,880 --> 01:11:08,880 He had even promised to marry her. 884 01:11:11,240 --> 01:11:14,240 She wanted to file a complaint and l told her 885 01:11:16,520 --> 01:11:19,520 she should come to the trial to tell her story. 886 01:11:21,440 --> 01:11:23,479 But she refused. 887 01:11:23,480 --> 01:11:26,480 l also got a call from a printer's 888 01:11:27,880 --> 01:11:30,880 saying that the accused had misappropriated funds, 889 01:11:33,840 --> 01:11:36,840 such as keeping the money from a delivery of paper. 890 01:11:39,480 --> 01:11:41,239 Well, Mr Sabzian... 891 01:11:41,240 --> 01:11:44,240 Concerning the lady's phone call... 892 01:11:46,280 --> 01:11:49,239 Since you're single now, you could've... 893 01:11:49,240 --> 01:11:52,240 l deny everything and l am prepared to confront her. 894 01:11:55,240 --> 01:11:58,240 l worked as a salesman 895 01:11:58,800 --> 01:12:01,559 for a trading company. 896 01:12:01,560 --> 01:12:04,560 l'd call on clients 897 01:12:05,440 --> 01:12:08,440 and show them my samples. 898 01:12:10,880 --> 01:12:13,880 The day l met Mrs Ahankhah 899 01:12:15,160 --> 01:12:18,160 l was short of money 900 01:12:18,680 --> 01:12:21,680 and l'd left home without eating any lunch. 901 01:12:23,960 --> 01:12:26,960 When Mrs Ahankhah took me for Makhmalbaf, 902 01:12:27,920 --> 01:12:30,920 l thought that l could perhaps go 903 01:12:32,560 --> 01:12:35,560 and have lunch at her house. 904 01:12:36,960 --> 01:12:39,960 l only did it to have a meal. 905 01:12:40,360 --> 01:12:43,360 l would like to add... 906 01:12:44,440 --> 01:12:46,599 an important fact. 907 01:12:46,600 --> 01:12:49,600 On the day l was arrested, 908 01:12:50,640 --> 01:12:53,640 l had written Mr Ahankhah's address 909 01:12:54,840 --> 01:12:57,840 in my notebook and l wrote next to it 910 01:12:59,240 --> 01:13:02,240 ''The Last Tragedy''. 911 01:13:02,320 --> 01:13:04,839 - You knew... - l sensed it. 912 01:13:04,840 --> 01:13:07,840 l sensed the end was coming and l wrote it down. 913 01:13:08,600 --> 01:13:11,600 My tragic end. l'm sure they read it at Police HQ. 914 01:13:13,280 --> 01:13:16,280 l knew that l'd be arrested because of the money 915 01:13:17,280 --> 01:13:20,280 that l'd received and because l'd spent the night there. 916 01:13:22,200 --> 01:13:25,200 But l couldn't stop myself 917 01:13:26,720 --> 01:13:29,720 going back to that house. 918 01:13:29,960 --> 01:13:32,960 - Why? - l loved playing that part. 919 01:13:33,320 --> 01:13:36,320 l enjoyed playing the part of Makhmalbaf 920 01:13:36,680 --> 01:13:39,680 and arousing their respect and admiration. 921 01:13:41,000 --> 01:13:44,000 lt did my morale a lot of good. 922 01:13:44,360 --> 01:13:47,360 l also thought they'd give me some financial support. 923 01:13:49,320 --> 01:13:52,320 But that day when he came to pick me up on his motorbike, 924 01:13:53,800 --> 01:13:56,519 l felt ill at ease. 925 01:13:56,520 --> 01:13:59,520 But l decided to go with him nevertheless. 926 01:14:00,840 --> 01:14:03,840 As l arrived that last day, l knew l'd be arrested. 927 01:14:05,960 --> 01:14:08,960 When l phoned Mehrdad to fix an appointment with him 928 01:14:12,040 --> 01:14:15,040 at Hosseinabad Square, l knew it was a trap. 929 01:14:17,800 --> 01:14:20,800 When Mehrdad arrived at the square, he was astonished to see 930 01:14:23,080 --> 01:14:26,080 that l was waiting for him, which confirmed my suspicions. 931 01:14:29,000 --> 01:14:32,000 l made a note of it and they read it 932 01:14:33,680 --> 01:14:36,079 at Police HQ. 933 01:14:36,080 --> 01:14:39,080 - Where is this notebook? - l tore out the page. 934 01:14:39,840 --> 01:14:42,840 l tore it out, because l thought it was all over. 935 01:14:45,640 --> 01:14:48,640 When did you realise your pretence had been discovered? 936 01:14:51,080 --> 01:14:54,080 On the last day. During the evening l spent with them, 937 01:14:55,880 --> 01:14:58,880 l saw a film magazine lying around. 938 01:15:00,680 --> 01:15:03,680 lnside was a photo of Makhmalbaf. 939 01:15:04,680 --> 01:15:07,680 He was directing one of his actresses 940 01:15:08,160 --> 01:15:11,160 in a scene from Marriage ofthe Blessed. 941 01:15:11,880 --> 01:15:14,880 l sensed that they had bought this film magazine, 942 01:15:16,440 --> 01:15:19,440 because there was this photo in it. 943 01:15:20,280 --> 01:15:23,280 They wanted to see how l'd react. 944 01:15:23,840 --> 01:15:25,879 They showed me the photo 945 01:15:25,880 --> 01:15:28,880 and said to me, ''You were more handsome 946 01:15:30,920 --> 01:15:33,920 ''when you were young, Mr Makhmalbaf''. 947 01:15:34,120 --> 01:15:37,120 l said to them that l was much younger then. 948 01:15:37,840 --> 01:15:40,840 At that moment, l sensed that they were suspicious. 949 01:15:42,440 --> 01:15:45,440 But l soon convinced myself 950 01:15:46,760 --> 01:15:49,760 that they didn't know l wasn't Makhmalbaf. 951 01:15:54,440 --> 01:15:57,440 How far did you want to take this? 952 01:16:04,680 --> 01:16:07,680 As far as they were... 953 01:16:09,480 --> 01:16:12,039 prepared to go. 954 01:16:12,040 --> 01:16:15,040 When he came to our house on the Thursday, 955 01:16:15,360 --> 01:16:18,319 he had grey hair. 956 01:16:18,320 --> 01:16:21,320 But on the photo, Makhmalbaf's hair was black. 957 01:16:22,800 --> 01:16:25,800 l didn't ask him why, but he said that his hair 958 01:16:26,960 --> 01:16:29,960 had once been black and it was now grey. 959 01:16:33,520 --> 01:16:36,520 When he returned that Saturday, he had dyed his hair. 960 01:16:39,120 --> 01:16:41,879 How does he explain that? 961 01:16:41,880 --> 01:16:44,639 My mother, who is right here, 962 01:16:44,640 --> 01:16:47,439 can confirm that l dyed my hair 963 01:16:47,440 --> 01:16:50,440 a long time before this whole episode began. 964 01:16:53,680 --> 01:16:56,680 l wanted to look a bit younger. 965 01:16:58,480 --> 01:17:00,679 You are young. 966 01:17:00,680 --> 01:17:03,680 l've been dyeing my hair for a long time, 967 01:17:04,080 --> 01:17:07,080 and it wasn't for the reason that was suggested here. 968 01:17:08,160 --> 01:17:11,119 - Are you married? - Yes. 969 01:17:11,120 --> 01:17:14,120 - You have a family? - l'm divorced. 970 01:17:14,280 --> 01:17:16,959 Why is that? 971 01:17:16,960 --> 01:17:18,799 l was poor and out of work. 972 01:17:18,800 --> 01:17:21,079 - Any children? - Two. 973 01:17:21,080 --> 01:17:24,080 - Where are they? - l have one, my wife the other. 974 01:17:24,800 --> 01:17:27,800 - Who looks after him? - My mother. 975 01:17:28,120 --> 01:17:31,120 - Where is your mother? - Right here. 976 01:17:31,200 --> 01:17:34,200 - Where? - At the back, wearing a black veil. 977 01:17:34,760 --> 01:17:37,760 - Are you Mr Sabzian's mother? - Yes. 978 01:17:38,080 --> 01:17:41,080 Do you know why he divorced his wife? 979 01:17:42,760 --> 01:17:45,760 - Why? - He works for a printer off and on. 980 01:17:46,720 --> 01:17:49,720 He's often out of work. Our house is small. After he married, 981 01:17:51,840 --> 01:17:54,840 they got a room of their own. 982 01:17:56,320 --> 01:17:59,320 After seven years, his wife started complaining 983 01:18:00,440 --> 01:18:03,440 that there was no future for her in our house. 984 01:18:04,800 --> 01:18:07,800 He said that if she wasn't happy, 985 01:18:09,840 --> 01:18:12,840 the best thing would be to divorce. 986 01:18:13,120 --> 01:18:16,120 They agreed she'd keep one child and me the other. 987 01:18:16,920 --> 01:18:19,920 He lives with me. When he has work, 988 01:18:21,440 --> 01:18:24,440 he supports his family as best he can. 989 01:18:25,600 --> 01:18:28,600 He's never been in trouble before. 990 01:18:28,760 --> 01:18:31,760 Why didn't you try to get bail for him? 991 01:18:32,320 --> 01:18:35,320 l went to see the officer in charge. 992 01:18:35,760 --> 01:18:38,760 l also asked to see Mr Ahankhah. But they said they'd handle it. 993 01:18:41,480 --> 01:18:44,480 Every time l feel sad in prison, 994 01:18:46,880 --> 01:18:49,880 l think of the verse in the Koran which says, 995 01:18:52,080 --> 01:18:55,080 ''To remember God is the best consolation for a troubled heart''. 996 01:19:02,080 --> 01:19:05,080 l feel the need, when l'm depressed or overcome by worries, 997 01:19:07,400 --> 01:19:10,400 to express the anguish in my soul, 998 01:19:11,680 --> 01:19:14,680 all my sorrows 999 01:19:15,600 --> 01:19:18,600 that no one wants to hear about. 1000 01:19:20,440 --> 01:19:23,440 And then, l come across a good man 1001 01:19:25,640 --> 01:19:28,640 who portrays all my sufferings 1002 01:19:29,320 --> 01:19:32,320 in his films, and makes me want 1003 01:19:33,840 --> 01:19:36,840 to see them over and over again. 1004 01:19:37,640 --> 01:19:40,640 A man with the courage to portray people 1005 01:19:40,720 --> 01:19:43,279 who play with others' lives, 1006 01:19:43,280 --> 01:19:46,280 the rich who are indifferent to the needs of the poor... 1007 01:19:48,680 --> 01:19:51,680 simple needs which are mainly material. 1008 01:19:53,120 --> 01:19:56,120 That's why this book brought me consolation. 1009 01:19:59,160 --> 01:20:02,160 lt speaks of things l'd have liked to express myself. 1010 01:20:03,800 --> 01:20:06,800 Now, having played this part, do you think 1011 01:20:08,920 --> 01:20:11,920 you are a better actor than a director? 1012 01:20:13,400 --> 01:20:16,400 lt's not for me to say. 1013 01:20:17,680 --> 01:20:20,399 l think l prefer being an actor. 1014 01:20:20,400 --> 01:20:23,400 l think l could express 1015 01:20:24,320 --> 01:20:26,879 all the bad experiences l've had 1016 01:20:26,880 --> 01:20:29,880 and all the suffering l have felt deep down inside me. 1017 01:20:31,760 --> 01:20:34,760 l like to think that l could 1018 01:20:35,040 --> 01:20:37,879 get these feelings across 1019 01:20:37,880 --> 01:20:40,599 through my acting. 1020 01:20:40,600 --> 01:20:43,600 Are you not acting for the camera right now? 1021 01:20:46,200 --> 01:20:49,079 What are you doing now? 1022 01:20:49,080 --> 01:20:52,080 l'm speaking of my suffering. 1023 01:20:52,120 --> 01:20:55,120 That's not acting. 1024 01:20:55,320 --> 01:20:58,320 l'm speaking from the heart. 1025 01:20:59,960 --> 01:21:02,959 For me, art... 1026 01:21:02,960 --> 01:21:05,960 is the extension of what you feel inside. 1027 01:21:07,000 --> 01:21:08,959 Tolstoy said, 1028 01:21:08,960 --> 01:21:11,960 ''Art is a sentimental experience 1029 01:21:12,320 --> 01:21:15,320 ''that the artist develops in himself and shares with others''. 1030 01:21:17,720 --> 01:21:20,519 l think that my experiences of hardship 1031 01:21:20,520 --> 01:21:23,520 and suffering can give me the grounding l need 1032 01:21:24,880 --> 01:21:27,880 to be a good actor. 1033 01:21:28,440 --> 01:21:31,440 That way l act well and l express 1034 01:21:33,600 --> 01:21:36,600 my inner reality. 1035 01:21:40,600 --> 01:21:43,600 Why did you pretend to be a director, rather than become an actor? 1036 01:21:51,360 --> 01:21:54,360 Playing the part of a director is a performance in itself. 1037 01:22:00,120 --> 01:22:03,120 To me, that's acting. 1038 01:22:03,800 --> 01:22:06,800 - What part would you like to play? - My own. 1039 01:22:07,920 --> 01:22:10,920 You are playing your own part. 1040 01:22:16,160 --> 01:22:19,160 Mr Sabzian, you have heard 1041 01:22:20,240 --> 01:22:22,679 the charges against you. 1042 01:22:22,680 --> 01:22:25,680 Say whatever you think might help your case. 1043 01:22:26,560 --> 01:22:29,560 l ask Mr Ahankhah's honourable family to forgive me. 1044 01:22:31,600 --> 01:22:34,600 l'm not asking to be spared the sentence l deserve. 1045 01:22:35,680 --> 01:22:38,399 l need their pardon 1046 01:22:38,400 --> 01:22:41,239 to soothe my conscience. 1047 01:22:41,240 --> 01:22:44,240 l ask the court to forgive me if that is possible. 1048 01:22:44,760 --> 01:22:47,760 Do you promise never to do it again? 1049 01:22:48,320 --> 01:22:50,399 l promise. 1050 01:22:50,400 --> 01:22:51,839 The accused... 1051 01:22:51,840 --> 01:22:54,479 Please forgive him. 1052 01:22:54,480 --> 01:22:55,999 Sit down. 1053 01:22:56,000 --> 01:22:59,000 My son is a descendant of the Prophet. For his sake... 1054 01:23:00,640 --> 01:23:03,640 please forgive him. 1055 01:23:03,880 --> 01:23:06,880 ln view of his young age, 1056 01:23:06,960 --> 01:23:09,960 the fact that he has a family to support, 1057 01:23:13,200 --> 01:23:16,200 that he has no record, 1058 01:23:16,880 --> 01:23:19,880 and that he promises never to do it again, 1059 01:23:21,200 --> 01:23:24,200 l would ask the plaintiffs to forgive him if they can. 1060 01:23:25,680 --> 01:23:28,680 But as l said before, 1061 01:23:29,600 --> 01:23:32,600 their pardon could only be considered as extenuating circumstances. 1062 01:23:35,920 --> 01:23:37,919 ls this the case? 1063 01:23:37,920 --> 01:23:40,519 l am willing 1064 01:23:40,520 --> 01:23:43,520 to withdraw my complaint in the hope that Mr Sabzian 1065 01:23:44,440 --> 01:23:47,440 may become a useful member of society. 1066 01:23:48,160 --> 01:23:51,160 Now l know he regrets what he did, 1067 01:23:52,080 --> 01:23:55,080 if my son Mehrdad is in agreement, 1068 01:23:56,440 --> 01:23:59,440 l will withdraw my complaint. 1069 01:24:03,640 --> 01:24:06,640 His actions are the result 1070 01:24:06,960 --> 01:24:09,959 of the social malaise and unemployment. 1071 01:24:09,960 --> 01:24:12,879 But this is not the place to debate that. 1072 01:24:12,880 --> 01:24:15,880 He is therefore not the only one to blame. 1073 01:24:17,080 --> 01:24:20,080 Unemployment can lead to delinquency. 1074 01:24:21,480 --> 01:24:24,480 l am certain, after he has been freed, 1075 01:24:24,520 --> 01:24:27,520 if he finds a proper job, he will lead an honest life. 1076 01:24:31,560 --> 01:24:34,560 That's why l too withdraw my complaint. 1077 01:24:44,560 --> 01:24:46,319 We've lost him! 1078 01:24:46,320 --> 01:24:48,839 He didn't wait in the right spot. 1079 01:24:48,840 --> 01:24:50,639 l can't see him. 1080 01:24:50,640 --> 01:24:53,640 We can't redo this shot! 1081 01:24:54,000 --> 01:24:57,000 - l can see him. - Yes, he's behind the taxi. 1082 01:24:57,520 --> 01:24:59,799 - l see him. - Me, too. 1083 01:24:59,800 --> 01:25:02,639 We've no sound! 1084 01:25:02,640 --> 01:25:05,079 What on earth's going on? 1085 01:25:05,080 --> 01:25:08,080 lt comes from Mr Makhmalbaf's lapel mike. 1086 01:25:09,520 --> 01:25:11,919 lt's old equipment. 1087 01:25:11,920 --> 01:25:13,919 There's a loose wire in it. 1088 01:25:13,920 --> 01:25:15,839 lt's 15 years old. 1089 01:25:15,840 --> 01:25:18,840 The sound's back! 1090 01:25:20,040 --> 01:25:22,159 Will it last long? 1091 01:25:22,160 --> 01:25:25,160 We can't do anything. 1092 01:25:25,520 --> 01:25:28,399 Are you Mr Sabzian? 1093 01:25:28,400 --> 01:25:30,479 How are you? 1094 01:25:30,480 --> 01:25:33,480 Don't cry. 1095 01:25:34,480 --> 01:25:36,879 There's no need to cry. 1096 01:25:36,880 --> 01:25:39,880 When were you released? 1097 01:25:40,240 --> 01:25:43,240 Let me look at you. 1098 01:25:48,160 --> 01:25:51,160 When were you released? Look at me. 1099 01:25:53,520 --> 01:25:56,520 Let's go. 1100 01:25:56,760 --> 01:25:59,159 This way. 1101 01:25:59,160 --> 01:26:00,879 You OK? 1102 01:26:00,880 --> 01:26:03,599 - Where are you going? - The Ahankhahs'. 1103 01:26:03,600 --> 01:26:05,079 l'll take you. 1104 01:26:05,080 --> 01:26:06,959 Had you seen me before? 1105 01:26:06,960 --> 01:26:09,519 - ln the film. - Which film? 1106 01:26:09,520 --> 01:26:11,759 Marriage ofthe Blessed. 1107 01:26:11,760 --> 01:26:14,760 Do you prefer being Makhmalbaf or Sabzian? 1108 01:26:17,200 --> 01:26:20,200 l'm tired of being me. 1109 01:26:24,240 --> 01:26:27,240 l'll get the motorbike. 1110 01:26:29,200 --> 01:26:32,200 Hold that for me. 1111 01:27:05,760 --> 01:27:08,760 How long were you in prison? 1112 01:27:13,680 --> 01:27:16,680 When you met that woman in the bus... 1113 01:27:26,360 --> 01:27:29,360 ln your opinion... 1114 01:27:30,080 --> 01:27:32,239 That's very true. 1115 01:27:32,240 --> 01:27:35,240 Now l see what that means. 1116 01:27:56,720 --> 01:27:59,119 Do you want to buy some flowers? 1117 01:27:59,120 --> 01:28:02,120 Count your money. 1118 01:28:02,640 --> 01:28:05,640 Be careful with your money. 1119 01:28:09,920 --> 01:28:12,920 Here, take this. 1120 01:28:20,880 --> 01:28:23,880 Not yellow ones. 1121 01:28:23,960 --> 01:28:26,960 Pick a different colour. 1122 01:28:28,400 --> 01:28:31,400 Red's better. 1123 01:30:09,920 --> 01:30:12,920 - Yes? - Hello, it's Mr Sabzian. 1124 01:30:13,920 --> 01:30:16,920 - Who? - Sabzian. 1125 01:30:18,120 --> 01:30:21,120 Makhmalbaf. 1126 01:30:29,120 --> 01:30:32,120 - Yes? - lt's Mr Makhmalbaf. 1127 01:30:32,200 --> 01:30:35,200 - Hello. Come in. - Hello. 1128 01:30:44,000 --> 01:30:47,000 What's the date, Hossein? 1129 01:30:48,960 --> 01:30:51,839 The 3rd. 1130 01:30:51,840 --> 01:30:53,959 When did you come here first? 1131 01:30:53,960 --> 01:30:56,960 40 days ago. 1132 01:31:04,160 --> 01:31:07,160 - Hello. - Hello, how are you? 1133 01:31:10,720 --> 01:31:13,039 - You know Mr Sabzian. - Yes, indeed. 1134 01:31:13,040 --> 01:31:16,040 Please forgive me, Mr Sabzian. 1135 01:31:17,720 --> 01:31:20,720 Mr Sabzian has changed. Please see him in a new light. 1136 01:31:23,520 --> 01:31:26,520 l hope he'll be good now and make us proud of him. 1137 01:33:25,480 --> 01:33:28,479 Subtitles by J Miller and S Farsi 1138 01:33:28,480 --> 01:33:31,480