Hysteria (2025) Movie Script
OK.
One moment.
Let me give you a little bit of context
of what we are doing here.
30 years ago,
there was a fire attack,
a racist fire attack in Solingen,
resulting in the death of five people.
It was a traumatic experience for me
and all the immigrants in Germany.
We all were really afraid and threatened,
in a country we considered our home.
They set everything on fire.
Not only refugee camps,
it was, like,
the homes of these people.
People got killed, like, children,
innocent people.
And the chancellor back then, Helmut Kohl,
did not even attend the funerals.
All these people were left alone,
and...
The way we felt back then,
we foreign people in Germany,
we felt frustration and anger
and loneliness and...
And with this feeling, I want you
to go inside the house and clean up.
But just the way you would do.
No acting. You know what I mean.
- Yeah.
And just react to everything you see there.
Hi, Eli. How's it going?
Good. - Yeah? I think it's good, too.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
I found these extras, you know?
- Yeah?
From refugee center.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Cool.
Intern to set, please.
I have to go downstairs for a second.
- OK. - See you.
We're to go inside and work in teams, right?
Yusuf and Said...
Sound.
- Ready.
Camera running.
And action.
- Action.
Action!
Said, close that.
What do we do with this?
Put it back, Said, I'll do that for you.
Outside.
They burned Qur'an.
A real Qur'an.
For the movie.
It's fire. It destroys everything.
What should we do?
Carry on.
They can't burn a real Qur'an.
Just for a film.
Tell them not to talk about the movie.
- They shouldn't talk about the movie.
Hey, don't talk about the movie, please!
- OK.
Alright?
- Yes. - You sure? - Yes.
Want a chair?
Thanks. Cut!
- Thanks. Cut!
Thank you very much.
That was great.
That's a wrap for you guys.
Good job! Totally awesome! Great.
Hey, are you guys coming?
It was great.
The way you went off like that,
that was terrific.
Our new star!
- Yeah,
really good.
Mustafa?
Elif?
- Yes?
Any idea where the driver is?
- You mean Majid? No.
He's gone.
- What? - Did he say anything?
No.
OK, come with me.
Elif doesn't know where the driver is either.
Do you have a driver's license?
- Yes.
Could you drive the footage for us?
- Yeah, sure. - Or do you still need her?
No, but to Frankfurt?
- No, to our place. Hm? - Yeah.
And could you take the extras
back to the center? - Sure.
And put the cassettes in my cabinet.
When you go in, turn right,
and it's in the room,
on the left, by the window.
You can sleep in the room next to that one.
- OK. - Thanks, guys.
Thank you.
I'll see you at the premiere, guys.
Get them something to eat and drink.
Ask them what they want, look after them.
And when Majid turns up, tell him to call me.
- Will do. - OK.
Lilith, we gotta go.
- OK. - Thanks.
Thank you.
- Thanks for doing this. - Oh, great.
OK.
Right, got it. OK, I'm good, thanks.
OK.
Bye.
- Bye.
Right.
Need a hand?
- Please.
DAD
Mobile
How did you get involved in the project?
- I got an email from my university.
It described the project,
and I was up for it right away.
I think I got the job
because I replied so quickly.
Is Yiit so famous?
I don't think so. I'm not doing this because
of Yiit, but because Lilith is involved.
Me too!
- Yeah? - Yeah.
I love Lilith's films.
Especially "Tarot."
- For real? - You know it?
Sure, I love "Tarot."
It's such a terrific movie.
My prof showed it to me
because he did the sound.
I saw it many times at the movie theater
in my hometown, Kars.
Yeah?
- Yeah. - That's cool.
He's a director, too. In the camp in Italy
I was part of a theater group he organized
with the Goethe Institut.
And I played in his play.
How do you find Yiit's movie?
Really good.
I think it's a really important film.
What about you?
- You know...
I know these kind of movies.
- What do you mean?
It's like...
Yiit, or directors like Yiit.
They make films just so Europe
can have a clean conscience.
Why? What do you mean? - Look, in the movies,
he can only be a victim or a terrorist.
We've had enough of victim clichs.
- No, Mustafa. I think this movie is different.
I was touched by the scene...
- Yes, and you could see today, like...
We were so many people,
everyone had tears in their eyes.
This is what I'm talking about.
Innocent people killed by racists.
What else can you feel
except rage and sadness?
What?
Of course people are going to cry.
It's too cheap.
- No, it isn't.
I think it's very reasonable to do this film.
- Look, Eli.
I'm not religious, OK?
I'm a deist.
To me,
all religions are nothing but theater.
But burning the Qur'an?
Why?
Why do you need such a provocative scandal
for your movie?
Do you want to really tell something?
Or do you want to use it?
Do you want to share something,
or do you want to sell? - No.
I liked what we did today.
OK, we don't have to do it.
No, because... Because this...
It's an exercise we do in theater with Mustafa,
but wait...
- Show me.
This is the salt shaker.
I don't know...
- Yeah, yeah. Take the salt shaker...
Good.
Close your eyes now.
And imagine it.
And feel it. Really feel it.
Maybe it's glass or...
wood.
Can you feel the weight?
- Mm.
Now you have to taste it.
You lift your hand even more.
- Mm-hm.
And you put some salt on your tongue.
This is very difficult.
Yeah?
Put more.
Eli?
- Majid? - Come, we go home.
I must go. Drive taxi.
Elif, no. You can stay here.
Said, here's no bus stop.
- No, maybe I'll go.
I have to bring the cassettes home. - He's not
your dad. - I know... - You can stay. - I know.
I can pick up the van tomorrow or whenever.
Thank you.
- Nice to... - Yeah.
Majid, why did you disappear earlier?
I not want to drive cassette
with insult to Qur'an.
You know dictator Saddam?
He wrote out Qur'an in own blood.
Six hundred pages, five years.
Wrote every day.
God's words, but wrote with bad blood.
Saddam is dead.
What we do with Qur'an now?
Imam said: for purification of Qur'an
it must be burned and buried
in Tigris River. That was respect.
But movie: no respect.
Hello.
- Hi.
No way! No way!
You're Ms Zistermann?
- Yes.
And you've locked yourself out?
- Right. Yes, I lost my bag somewhere.
Three... two... zero.
Super.
- Et voil! - Thank you.
I'll send the bill to you here, OK?
- OK.
SAID
Mobile
I looked everywhere, I'm sorry...
- I don't know either.
Maybe you lost it somewhere else.
OK, then send me Majid's number.
I'll have to call him. - OK.
Wait a sec...
Yes?
- Elif, can you hear me? - Yes.
Hi. - Hi, Lilith.
- How did it go yesterday?
Good.
We had some pizza and stuff.
Say, could you take the van back today?
Sure, I was gonna do that today anyway.
- Good.
Maybe I can do something else for you.
- No, that was it really.
Just put the key in the mailbox, OK?
When you go.
- Will do.
And we'll see you at the premiere. Bye.
KEYS LOST!
Two keys with keychain lost! Please call...
Elif!
Hey. - Hey. - What's up?
- What are you doing?
Why didn't you say you were coming?
I'm in a rush.
I'm sorry I didn't let you know.
I have so much to do.
- Majid's looking for you.
Do you know what he wants?
- I don't know, but...
He's coming. You can ask him.
OK. OK, I'll talk to him.
Majid!
- Hi. - Hi, Elif. Hi, Said.
I need key.
Which key?
- To factory.
I don't have a key to the factory.
- No?
OK. Can we call security?
- Uh... Why?
I wanna get Qur'an out.
Please help me get Qur'an.
I can call Yiit.
We could go to the factory with Yiit.
No, Yiit is Nazi!
Really, he's a Nazi.
- Yiit isn't a Nazi!
Yes, he is. Nazis burn Qur'an.
Yiit burned Qur'an.
Everything OK?
- Why burn doll and not real child?
Qur'an was real.
He director, he know what he doing.
It's huge scandal, you know?
They burn Qur'an today,
tomorrow they burn Muslims.
See? - Yes, I do.
- OK. Help me, please.
I...
- Majid, Abi?
What can she do?
- I know. I just need the keys.
I understand you, but I don't have the key...
You're Turkish.
- My dad's Turkish.
I don't have the key, so what can I do?
I can't help you. - You were there!
Why didn't you do something?
You could've done something.
Look, Eli.
I don't have a problem with you.
I don't have a problem with you.
OK.
- OK. Bye.
That's Majid, huh?
So many people, when they say: "We have
an old copy of the Qur'an, it's all torn out,
and we cannot read it.
What should we do with it?"
Scholars say: "Burn it."
"Ah, you're like the reverend in America
who's humiliating the Qur'an!"
No. He's doing it out of disrespect.
We're doing it out of respect.
Or you can bury it
in a very far, remote place.
And this is also legit nowadays
with paper shredders.
You can put it in one and get rid of it...
MESSAGE
Found keys.
I bring now.
For real?
Awesome! Where did you find them?
I bring. On way.
No need... I can come to you...
No need... I can come to you...
Where are you?
I'm outside. Where?
I can come...
OK! 8 Dblinstrasse.
OK.
THANKS
After 72 minutes,
the fire was extinguished.
But for five people, help came too late.
Three Turkish women and two children died...
OK! 8 Dblinstrasse:
buzz nl/Zistermann. - OK.
Hey. Thank you for coming.
What's going on?
I don't know. I think...
I completely fucked up.
I think... You know... I lost the keys.
And then... a stranger called me.
And he said that he found the key,
and... he... I gave him the address.
So the address...
He has the keys and the address,
and he can get in anytime now.
I can make mistakes anywhere, but not here.
- I know, but listen. You know what?
Let's just relax one minute...
Can we have a drink, or something?
- Yes, of course.
We'll find a solution, OK?
- Yes. - I promise. - Yes.
Really, I promise. We'll find a solution.
You can take...
You can sit down, I'll come. Wine?
- Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
Wow! Nice library.
Yeah.
We can sit here, if you want.
- Here? Sure.
They have money, huh?
Elif?
- Hm?
You know what I think?
- Hm?
It's just a bad joke.
Some stupid guy from the center maybe.
You know, he saw your poster and your picture
and your number, and he thought...
"That's a cute girl, I'm gonna call her."
It's just a bad joke.
Hm?
When's Yiit coming?
- In...
In three days.
Three days.
- Mm-hm.
OK, well, if you want, I can...
I can stay here.
I can stay until they come back.
Who is it? The stranger?
It's my father.
Oh, wait. Can I see?
I mean, you can answer, if you want.
- No, I don't want to answer. - Sure?
That's your father? - Yeah.
He looks nice. He looks like a nice person.
- Yeah, he is nice. In a way.
In a way?
- I mean, he's nice, very nice.
What do you mean, in a way?
He's not...
He's not...
Sometimes he's too nice.
Don't know what I mean? - No.
For example...
My father opened up a Kebab shop.
He sold everything he had to invest in this.
The Kebab shop was next to my school..
And everyone from school went there.
And my father said: "You're all Elif's friends
and you don't have to pay anything."
And...
when they were back in school then,
they were all making fun of him,
of the stupid Turkish Kebab seller,
because he's so stupid,
he doesn't even notice we're not friends.
You see?
And this is a mentality that they...
they... don't...
They just don't take him seriously, you know?
He gives them...
his heart, his food, his love.
The food.
And then they make fun of him for being
too stupid to notice that we're not friends.
Yeah, but then they are stupid, not him.
Yeah, they are stupid!
- Yeah.
But he's not... he...
He thinks everybody's nice, everybody's
our friend, but they're not our friends.
And my father doesn't understand this.
This is why he's alone.
USE YOUR LAPTOP AS A SPYCAM!
Hey! Get out!
Elif?
Elif, is that you?
Yes, I...
I'm coming!
Sorry, erm...
I didn't mean to scare you, Yiit.
No problem.
I think it was me that scared you, huh?
Where's Lilith?
She's parking the car. You can leave that.
- I thought you were staying away for longer.
That was the plan, but...
Guess what? Someone complained
to the Ministry of Culture,
anonymously, by email,
about the burned Qur'an.
Insane, huh?
- What did it say in the email?
That we're racists if we leave in
the burned Qur'an.
They're calling ME a racist.
Elif!
- Hi.
Hello.
- Hi.
There was a complaint?
More a request.
- How is it a request?
It's a threat: "Many people will be furious
if they see the shot of the burned Qur'an."
Complying means censoring the film, right?
I'll have to ditch
every inch of footage I shot.
We'll talk to them later.
- Absolutely.
But we decide what goes in the film:
not the extras and not the driver.
It's... Sorry, we've talked about nothing
else for the past three days.
And did you have a relaxing time?
- I'm so sorry I'm still here, Lilith.
I wanted... It was all so stressful...
- It's no problem.
I'm sorry. I also thought I could maybe
give you a hand... - It's really no problem.
But are you done in the bathroom?
- Yeah, I'll just clear up in there.
Have you thought about the consequences
of "your battle," as you call it?
It's total bullshit.
That's not what this is about.
What is it about, then?
- It's about a film.
But you suddenly
want to be a "revolutionary"?
It's all about the principle.
As a minority they demand freedom
but they don't grant any when in power.
Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey.
Focus on your art.
You're an artist.
I see how the email's shocked you.
Hi.
- Hi.
Could you make copies of these two keys?
- Sure.
One copy of each?
- Yes.
Do you have any other letters?
- Only what we have there, I'm afraid.
I need exactly this "N,"
but the other way around. Like a Russian "N."
We only have Roman letters.
Just turn it around.
KEYCHAINS
Elif? We're going to the refugee center now.
- Right.
Listen, when you drove the extras home,
did they say anything?
Yeah, they were pretty upset.
- Anyone in particular?
Majid mostly.
OK. Who else?
Mustafa.
- Mustafa?
Is that the young guy
who was making eyes at you?
No. That's Said.
Said's cool. He really likes the movie.
He even defended it to Mustafa.
Mustafa is the man with the black beard.
You know, the kinda artsy-looking guy.
And is it really OK
if I sleep here tonight?
Don't worry, no sweat.
- Thanks.
Buy a train ticket and tell me what it cost.
- OK.
You ready?
- Yes.
My God! Excuse us.
What are you doing?
- Sorry.
We have to finish.
- No, stop this!
Abi, it'll only take an hour.
- Stop it. That's enough!
But... - That's enough! Stop it!
- OK Abi, sorry.
Unbelievable!
Our neighbors go on vacation
and we get all the construction noise?
Come on, we were supposed to be
at your parents' place.
But they're working all hours.
And then they say stuff like: "Sorry, Abi."
They can shove their "Abi" up their ass!
I'm going on my own.
I'm not in the mood for escalation.
I'm calm, OK?
I want to sort it out, too.
Hi.
- Hi.
Lilith?
Hey.
- Ah, Elif. Hey.
Erm...
You want rolls? I'm making breakfast.
Want some coffee too?
- Yes, I'd love some.
Is Lilith awake too?
No idea.
She didn't come home last night.
Elif?
- Yeah?
I wanted to apologize.
- What for?
Well, because...
I was a little loud last night.
- What? Come on.
Yeah?
- No, it's all good. - OK.
Could I talk to you for a minute?
Do you come from a religious family?
Um... no.
Well... my dad found the faith
a couple of years ago.
I see. Islam? OK.
And...
About the Qur'an...
- Mm-hm.
Would your dad be...
offended?
No...
- Hurt or...?
I think he'd be more hurt.
And...
But my dad's on and off with it,
you know?
Right.
Right. Just like the extras.
How do you mean?
We went to the refugee center yesterday
because of the email and...
It completely escalated.
Because of Majid?
- No, he wasn't there. Because of Mustafa.
Because of Mustafa.
He totally flipped out.
He says he doesn't believe,
not even in the Qur'an.
But it's still a scandal for him.
How does that work?
That with the Qur'an really hurt him, right?
But because he can't accept his own truth,
he has to attack the movie.
It's insane.
I'm convinced he wrote the email.
Yeah?
- Sure. When he makes a statement like:
"I don't believe in the Qur'an,"
he can't defend it publicly.
So he has to secretly write an email.
See what I mean?
- Sure. But that's pretty messed up.
I don't want to hurt anybody.
- No, of course not, sure.
Would you cut it out?
- Me? - Yeah.
I wouldn't dare to do a project like this.
Not yet, anyways.
- Yeah, but...
It was your concept. See?
And it worked.
It turned out really well.
And we were all sitting there
with tears in our eyes and goosebumps.
Right?
- Right.
I like it.
Me too.
Lilith?
The courier was here.
Where were you?
- The courier was here.
What courier?
- About the cassettes.
I thought we were driving them to Frankfurt.
- We won't make it in time.
Elif?
- Yes, coming.
Elif?
That can't be. I was here.
Wait, what's the number?
Where were you?
I just went out to get some rolls.
- Great.
What's going on?
Nothing.
- Hi, I'm calling about a delivery.
Yes, 200324.
Yep.
We left a note on the door.
Where did you put the cassettes?
In the cabinet there.
On the left.
- Right. OK.
They're not there.
Look for yourself.
- That can't be.
I'll call back in a minute, OK?
Do you have them?
- No.
Did you give them to the courier?
- Please!
Where were you last night?
Where were you?
- Is this supposed to be a joke?
Please tell me it's a joke!
- I put them in there.
And I put them in here
after the first day of shooting.
I know...
I can't tell you where they are.
I said: "Let's shoot digitally."
But no.
They must be here somewhere.
- And if not?
The set's gone.
Elif.
Elif.
- Yeah? - Sit down a minute, OK?
The cassettes can't have just disappeared.
Let's take a deep breath, OK?
Let's go through the evening
step by step.
After we were done shooting
and you drove off,
I took the cassettes.
- Right.
I drove the extras to the center
and went in with them
because Lilith had asked me to.
And where were the cassettes?
- In the van. - The van? - Yes.
Could you have left them in the van?
- No.
I put everything I had in the van
into the backpack and took it with me.
Later, when I left,
Majid drove me home, here.
I was tired...
- OK.
Did he or anyone else come in?
- No.
Believe me. I'm totally sure
I put the cassettes in this cabinet.
Then where are they?
Lilith?
Lilith?
It's like this: Elif took the extras home,
but she came here with Majid in his car.
With the cassettes?
- Yes. - No.
I brought them here.
- No. They're not here now.
They're not here, right?
- OK, calm down.
We can assume they got lost along the way.
And who's the variable
in this whole story? The extras!
Do you see now
why I was so mad at the center? - Hold on.
First the email,
then the cassettes are gone.
I'm 100% sure they're involved.
- I know, you're right.
And Majid drove her here. Then I'll call Majid.
- Great, do that.
Said! The cassettes from the shoot are gone!
Did you hide them here somewhere?
Hi, Steffi. We have a problem.
The second assistant director lost all
the footage from the last day of shooting.
No clue. She says she brought it here
and then it disappeared.
But don't tell anyone you were here...
OK, I'll send you a list in a minute.
...and that I've lost the keys.
Please.
Important!
Do you think it was Majid?
I talked to Majid. Nothing.
As expected.
I'm just telling you what he said.
Elif?
Hey!
Someone broke in.
My iPad's gone.
The cassettes are missing, too.
Elif, morning.
- Hi.
This is Elif, our second assistant director.
She's staying here for a few days.
- Should she make a statement, too?
Sure.
- Because of the insurance.
Did you hear anything?
No.
I didn't hear anything.
I slept with earplugs...
because of the builders downstairs.
I didn't hear anything.
And when did you last have the cassettes?
Right. Three days ago,
after we finished shooting,
I drove the extras to the center.
- Mm-hm.
And then, um...
I came here and put the cassettes
in the cabinet. - At what time?
Um, in the early hours...
Maybe two or three o'clock.
And the extras live at the refugee center?
- Right.
We'll need the address.
- Sure, no problem.
Can we take a look in there?
- Sure.
Here? - Right, the cabinet.
- Left or right-hand side? - Upper left.
Great, thanks.
Thanks.
- Bye.
Wait.
This should work.
Elif, what are you doing here?
- We have to delete the chat. - What?
The police came today.
They're looking for the cassettes, so...
So it's important that we delete our chat.
What's going on with the cops and the chat?
- Doesn't matter. Can you delete it, please?
No, I... - Said, the police came today
and I don't want them to know I lost the keys.
So delete the chat. - What's with the cops?
- It doesn't matter. Just delete it! - OK!
OK, no problem, alright.
- Yeah? Then give me your cell. - OK.
Yeah...
Yep.
- OK, but what happened?
With the cops? - They came by
and asked a few questions. - Yeah?
Said, come with me, please.
I want to talk to you.
OK, I'll be back in a minute.
- Yeah.
What's going on?
What does that son of a bitch want from me?
- Who? - Yiit.
He gave the cops our names.
What names? - Everyone:
me, Mustafa, Majid, Yunes, Reda.
All our names!
Is he stupid? Fuck him!
They made a fake break-in.
I'm gonna tell the cops he called
and said the cassettes were gone.
Yesterday. I'm gonna tell them.
- I have proof.
I've a video that shows the burglar
in our apartment.
It's the stranger.
- What video?
There's a video of the burglar
in our apartment. - No. - Yes.
There's no stranger, it was Yiit.
He's scared about the Qur'an.
He hid the film
and is trying to make us look guilty.
He's trying to make me look guilty!
- But the video proves it wasn't Yiit.
OK, show me.
- It's at home, I'll send it to you
and you'll see it isn't Yiit.
I don't know who it is, but it isn't Yiit.
Then send the video to me and the cops.
- Yes, I will. OK?
Please, Said.
The video proves it wasn't any of you.
Fuck him.
What happened that evening,
when Yiit and Lilith were here?
Yeah, nothing. Lilith and Yiit...
came to say sorry.
Mustafa was upset and he said...
what Yiit did was like Charlie Hebdo.
And that made Yiit...
It made him so angry and
they were screaming
and insulting each other.
I honestly thought
they were going to fight.
Then Lilith tried to calm them down
and Yiit left.
And Lilith and Mustafa waited here for him.
Elif, believe me, I saw fear on Yiit's face.
Fear and guilt.
They waited there...
Just a sec.
OK, go ahead.
- Hey, Lilith. - Hi.
I got your message. Don't worry.
The police are a little more thorough
about big insurance payouts.
And as your extras aren't registered anywhere,
they're being sought as witnesses.
In case they flee somewhere else.
That's normal procedure, no reason to worry.
- OK. - Yeah.
Thanks, honey. Bye!
- No problem. Bye!
They don't have the cassettes.
- Yeah, but it doesn't matter anymore.
I don't care who has them.
The film is all that matters to me.
I also apologized to Mustafa.
And thanked him for not mentioning
our phone call to the police.
I also asked him if he wanted
to take part in the re-shoot.
This time without a burned Qur'an.
- And?
Do you want to be involved again?
Yes, of course.
You've got a bit more experience now,
and a re-shoot is pretty straightforward.
Maybe you'd like
to be first assistant director.
Sure.
Do you have some time now?
Sure.
She'll show you where it is, OK?
Would you show Majid
where the Qur'an is? - Sure.
Majid Abi.
I'll wait for you here.
Thanks, Lilith.
Careful.
- See you later, Lilith.
Yeah. See you later.
Is it here?
- What name, please? - Elif Doan.
Just a moment, OK?
- OK.
Ah!
It's "Ms Zistermann."
You lied to me, huh?
You're not Ms Zistermann, are you?
No.
- Yeah.
The real Ms Zistermann called me yesterday.
She wanted to know what the bill was for.
I said: "There was a young woman,
she'd locked herself out and I helped her."
And what did Zistermann say?
- Zistermann? - Yeah, what did she say?
Ms Zistermann said: "It's OK,
she's staying with us." - Yeah? - Yeah.
Then there's no problem.
You could've told me that.
I could get into trouble.
I can't open the door for anyone.
NEW RECORDING 17
Hey!
- Hey.
Everything OK?
- Mm-hm.
Um... the key.
I'll be leaving tomorrow.
- Did you buy a ticket already?
Then use my credit card,
it's in the left-hand drawer of my desk.
OK.
BIRDS OF PASSAGE
a film by Mustafa Gngr
OK, we're done.
I'll just explain to you how it works...
So, if someone tries to force the door open,
it'll automatically lock
and stop them from getting in.
At the same time,
an alarm will sound.
You'll hear it
right through the apartment.
And you have 15 seconds
to enter the code via the app.
You'll need to install it.
We've emailed it to you...
ALL RECORDINGS
Then use my credit card,
it's in the left-hand drawer of my desk.
She neither took nor lost the cassettes.
She reeks of ambition.
- No, I think she's discerning.
OK.
Could you see her
as first assistant director?
It would be OK for the re-shoot.
- Why not?
And then we'll do everything again.
And better.
What do you mean?
I got exactly what I wanted. And more.
They were real people in real situations.
Their reactions were real.
How can I recreate that?
- We'll shoot it again.
We'll use the chance to do it better.
Maybe we'll get lucky again.
Give them their Qur'an,
we'll make our movie.
I don't know. It feels wrong.
It just feels wrong.
I'd do it the same.
I'd do it exactly the same as before.
I'm really sorry.
If you're trying to sell this to me
as an example of your "generosity,"
you can forget it.
What you're doing is totally cowardly.
- That's enough now, Yiit. OK?
What?
- I've heard enough.
I'm a coward now?
- Yes.
I just don't want to risk everything
I've worked to create.
I don't care if this is my last film.
- Thanks. - It's about principles...
Do you really think you're tough enough
to defend a burned Qur'an as artistic freedom?
To the entire Islamic world and the Ministry?
And do you really think
you'd ever get a subsidy again afterwards?
Do you think
I'm gonna risk everything I've worked for
for a scene you never planned?
Be grateful the cassettes are gone
and let's just move on.
That's what you think, huh?
- Yes.
Well, I daren't look at you right now
in case I puke.
SAID
Mobile
Said?
Why didn't you send me the video?
You promised to send it to me.
I'm coming over.
- Where are you? - Give me the video now!
Hello?
What's up? - We have to show
the cops the video of the stranger.
We need to prove my innocence.
Let's go.
Said, I'm leaving tomorrow...
I'm leaving...
- Then send me the fucking video.
Said,
I'll be talking to Yiit anyway tomorrow.
I wanted to tell you.
- Don't be stupid.
Come with me... - He destroyed the cassettes,
and he'll say I have them.
Said, he won't do that.
He loves his film too much.
Sure!
- He does! Can't we just...?
Elif, don't be fucking stupid.
This is his revenge for the email, see?
- No way. - Yes.
No way.
Give me the video or I'll make trouble.
I'll make trouble. Really.
I think it was Lilith.
Together with Mustafa.
You really think so?
I saw a script by Mustafa
upstairs in Lilith's desk.
Lilith didn't come home all night.
I don't know where Mustafa was,
but I'm certain he wasn't at the center. Right?
Fuck!
BLOCK CALLS
Lilith, could you come over?
I know who has the cassettes.
That was the night the cassettes were stolen.
And the new video is from last night.
It's the same person.
PUT IN TRASH
What?
Do you want it to come out?
We're making a film about racism
and a stranger breaks in here at night
and steals the footage
because a Qur'an was burned?
But there was no break-in, it was Yiit!
- You reckon?
I don't see any cassettes in his hand?
It could have been anyone.
DELETE TRASH
You should get a move on.
Your taxi will be here soon.
Thanks.
Bye!
- Bye, Lilith.
I'll call you, OK?
- Yeah.
That should cover it, right?
- Yep. - Thanks.
Hi.
I'm not going
until this has been sorted out.
I think you owe these people an apology.
- OK.
Yeah, great idea.
We should've done it earlier.
Come in, guys.
Er, Yiit, could you make some tea?
Sit down.
We're sorry the police came to the center.
We really didn't want to involve
anyone who was innocent.
Said, we're sorry.
But I suggest we forget what's happened
and move on.
Yes, we can do that.
- OK.
But who has the cassettes?
I think Elif left them at your place
or in the van.
Or someone got rid of the cassettes
for an insurance scam.
What are you trying to say?
That you two would profit from that
and none of us here would.
You knew I'd lost the keys.
You knew I'd think
someone had broken in.
That means?
- You were so sure I would obey you
you didn't even tell me
about the fake burglary.
You were so sure I'd lie for you.
One or both of you staged the whole thing.
And you two got me mixed up in it,
like a dog! - Hang on a sec.
We didn't know you'd lost the key.
- Yes. you did!
You called the lockout service, Lilith.
Yeah, he said he opened the door for you.
- Right.
But I thought you'd left the key at home.
- You both knew I was here. - No.
And you acted all innocent.
You knew it the whole time.
Anyway, I don't wanna be your assistant
director, and I'm done with you both.
Yiit, I have a video of you
sneaking into my room that night.
Yes, I was there.
Because Said sent me...
- You were in my room!
Yes, to talk to you
because Said sent me a weird video.
But the cassettes weren't in your room.
Then why delete the video?
Why not tell the cops the truth
if you were so sure I'd stolen the cassettes?
- To protect you!
Elif!
In both cases
it would've been your negligence.
I have to think of the movie too.
There'll be no insurance payout
if they find out you lost the key
or left the cassettes unsupervised in the van.
- Or do you want to pay?
Enough conspiracy theories.
- Right.
Why didn't you just call me
and tell me what had happened?
It was...
It was probably all too much for you, right?
All the stress after the shoot?
We should've brought the cassettes here
ourselves. - Right. Maybe that was my bad.
Yeah, I'm sorry.
But despite all that,
we're not angry with you or anything.
Sorry...
Could we say something, too?
Yes, of course.
I don't have the cassettes.
You took nothing, saw nothing?
Yesterday, you didn't send me...
any perverse videos?
Video?
- Yesterday, to my cell.
He was here, right?
Yeah?
- You didn't know?
Our neighbor told us.
- No, I don't know nothing.
Said?
- Hm? - Is that true?
Were you here or not?
- Yes, he was.
Just for one night. I saw him out
the next day. He didn't have the cassettes.
And you didn't send me this video?
What is it?
- You know what it is.
Said? Did you do that?
It's an old theatrical joke.
It's nothing.
Do you think that's funny, Majid?
- Did he do that?
I'd like to see the video.
- Me too.
That isn't this place.
- Where else? He was here.
He was here, made the video,
then stole the cassettes.
When did you make this video?
- What's the video got to do with anything?
No idea. But it seems
that we and the film are the victims
of two hormone-driven teens
who can't control their emotions.
It's a joke... - You'd prefer it if your film
was destroyed by a huge Muslim conspiracy?
To your TikTok video, yes.
- Don't be such a prude.
Stop being so childish.
This isn't childish.
Let's take a look at all the facts now.
One of them ratted us out
to the Ministry of Culture.
And because I refused to be censored,
they stole the cassettes.
We didn't rat anyone out. OK?
And we don't have the cassettes either.
No one cares about your film.
Great! I was waiting for you to chip in.
Thanks.
Keep your mouth shut, buddy.
If it wasn't you, it was Said.
- It wasn't me.
She asked me to come here
because this guy called you.
Wait, wait... What guy?
The stranger.
- What stranger?
Tell him.
Look, I lost the keys.
Then a stranger found them and broke in here.
- Which keys?
Do you mean the keys
you gave us yesterday? - Yes.
The stranger found them and came here.
You didn't lose the keys.
- I put up flyers. You know I put up flyers.
What flyers? - Said, you know
I'm telling the truth. Say something, please.
Yeah, she's a liar. That's what I say.
- I'm not...
I was with my friends, and you called me.
Because she was afraid of this stranger.
And I came here just to help her...
- Said...
It was a trick.
She lured you here...
- No, no.
No! Really, I'm telling the truth.
No, I put up flyers everywhere!
- Elif...
I put them up 'cause I was looking for the keys...
- Then what are these keys?
New ones that I had made.
I lost the originals.
Why don't you tell the truth?
Why you not say make new keys?
I...
We didn't see each other anymore,
and you just asked me to delete our chat.
Elif has lost. Right?
Elif lost the tapes and made up a story.
This stranger.
Majid, it's OK if you smoke,
but please do it by the window.
OK, sorry.
Said, I smoke now, then you tell truth, OK?
You say nothing. - I am telling the truth.
Tell the truth!
- Hey, there's to be no violence here!
Why did you hit him?
He's embarrassing us here.
- My God!
Are you OK?
No, they've been using the boy
to draw attention from themselves.
They got rid of the cassettes.
They're trying to blame it all on the boy.
Everything OK?
- Yeah.
Said innocent. He done nothing.
It was girl. You know?
Know how I know?
I drive home. She sit behind me
and use me like a chauffeur.
This princess.
Arrogant. Stuck up nose.
I chauffeur 20 years at home.
I know this face.
She done it. Said innocent.
I'm sorry.
I didn't want to send the video.
I didn't want to.
Everyone was treating me like shit.
You didn't want
to send the video.
He said I was a star then
treated me like a criminal.
We helped with the film
and what do you do?
You burned the Qur'an
and then you got scared.
And then you made your own film disappear.
OK, call the police.
- You call them.
I will.
- No!
No, fuck the police!
Why not?
- No cops!
Maybe she's not lying.
Maybe this stranger is there.
I think so, too. Calm down.
- Lilith!
The police came to our home, not yours.
He could've been deported or go to prison!
You just set everything up.
There's no crime.
It's you.
You just needed it for the insurance.
And you needed someone to blame.
The insurance doesn't
need anyone to blame.
Then it was for his ego.
We'll tell the police that you
called us the day before the break-in
and then asked for the tapes.
As if the police would believe any of you.
Wow!
What the fuck?
What?
This is your cellphone?
So?
Why's it connected to our Wi-Fi?
You've been here before?
- Yes, for an audition.
Since when have you done auditions here?
- It just sort of happened.
You wanna produce him?
We just talked about stuff.
You wanna produce the
man who stole our film?
I don't have your fucking film.
- Hey!
Say, does anyone think this film
isn't a total piece of shit?
You know nothing about us. OK?
You just have a Turkish name
and you use it.
What are you talking about?
- What am I talking about?
You burn the Qur'an
and have no idea
what it means for these people
that you're telling their stories...
- I didn't know about the Qur'an, OK?
Make your own film.
- Are you serious?
Not everyone has white privilege.
Dude...
We'd both get frisked at the border.
Properly.
We checked Wikipedia: dad a famous
professor, mom a theater director?
Look where you live...
- You might also have read, jerk,
that they fled from assholes like you.
Us too.
Do we make films like this?
You can only make films about
your own experience? - Not now.
The way you live and speak...
Maybe it's better your film's gone.
Really? OK, I'm done with all this.
Come back!
OK, here you go.
Here, for you. A gift from me.
Take them. It's your film now.
We darkies should stick together.
Do what you want with it.
I don't care, I wash my hands of it.
Are these the scenes?
The footage from
the first day, you moron!
Hey! - You want to destroy our film?
- I don't give a shit.
I'm done with it, go ahead.
- Yeah, good idea.
You want to produce him?
Enjoy!
This is our subject. This is our film.
What is your subject? Victimhood.
Go ahead and make a victim movie.
Knock yourself out!
- I'll do that. My pleasure.
Dude, what are you doing?
Stop it! - Stop!
Stop! What's the idea?
You wanna destroy our lives?
May Allah curse your film!
Oh my God!
Shit!
- Majid, what are you doing?
What have you done?
Shit!
The door's locked!
Yiit! Yiit!
Everybody out! Out!
My film!
- It's mine!
Let go! It's my film!
Let go!
It won't open!
- What did you do!
Hold this! What was the code? Fuck!
Lilith, what was the code?
Open the door! Open the fucking door!
Oh God!
What was the code?
- Let me out!
Hello?
No Qur'an was used or burned
during the making of this film.
One moment.
Let me give you a little bit of context
of what we are doing here.
30 years ago,
there was a fire attack,
a racist fire attack in Solingen,
resulting in the death of five people.
It was a traumatic experience for me
and all the immigrants in Germany.
We all were really afraid and threatened,
in a country we considered our home.
They set everything on fire.
Not only refugee camps,
it was, like,
the homes of these people.
People got killed, like, children,
innocent people.
And the chancellor back then, Helmut Kohl,
did not even attend the funerals.
All these people were left alone,
and...
The way we felt back then,
we foreign people in Germany,
we felt frustration and anger
and loneliness and...
And with this feeling, I want you
to go inside the house and clean up.
But just the way you would do.
No acting. You know what I mean.
- Yeah.
And just react to everything you see there.
Hi, Eli. How's it going?
Good. - Yeah? I think it's good, too.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
I found these extras, you know?
- Yeah?
From refugee center.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Cool.
Intern to set, please.
I have to go downstairs for a second.
- OK. - See you.
We're to go inside and work in teams, right?
Yusuf and Said...
Sound.
- Ready.
Camera running.
And action.
- Action.
Action!
Said, close that.
What do we do with this?
Put it back, Said, I'll do that for you.
Outside.
They burned Qur'an.
A real Qur'an.
For the movie.
It's fire. It destroys everything.
What should we do?
Carry on.
They can't burn a real Qur'an.
Just for a film.
Tell them not to talk about the movie.
- They shouldn't talk about the movie.
Hey, don't talk about the movie, please!
- OK.
Alright?
- Yes. - You sure? - Yes.
Want a chair?
Thanks. Cut!
- Thanks. Cut!
Thank you very much.
That was great.
That's a wrap for you guys.
Good job! Totally awesome! Great.
Hey, are you guys coming?
It was great.
The way you went off like that,
that was terrific.
Our new star!
- Yeah,
really good.
Mustafa?
Elif?
- Yes?
Any idea where the driver is?
- You mean Majid? No.
He's gone.
- What? - Did he say anything?
No.
OK, come with me.
Elif doesn't know where the driver is either.
Do you have a driver's license?
- Yes.
Could you drive the footage for us?
- Yeah, sure. - Or do you still need her?
No, but to Frankfurt?
- No, to our place. Hm? - Yeah.
And could you take the extras
back to the center? - Sure.
And put the cassettes in my cabinet.
When you go in, turn right,
and it's in the room,
on the left, by the window.
You can sleep in the room next to that one.
- OK. - Thanks, guys.
Thank you.
I'll see you at the premiere, guys.
Get them something to eat and drink.
Ask them what they want, look after them.
And when Majid turns up, tell him to call me.
- Will do. - OK.
Lilith, we gotta go.
- OK. - Thanks.
Thank you.
- Thanks for doing this. - Oh, great.
OK.
Right, got it. OK, I'm good, thanks.
OK.
Bye.
- Bye.
Right.
Need a hand?
- Please.
DAD
Mobile
How did you get involved in the project?
- I got an email from my university.
It described the project,
and I was up for it right away.
I think I got the job
because I replied so quickly.
Is Yiit so famous?
I don't think so. I'm not doing this because
of Yiit, but because Lilith is involved.
Me too!
- Yeah? - Yeah.
I love Lilith's films.
Especially "Tarot."
- For real? - You know it?
Sure, I love "Tarot."
It's such a terrific movie.
My prof showed it to me
because he did the sound.
I saw it many times at the movie theater
in my hometown, Kars.
Yeah?
- Yeah. - That's cool.
He's a director, too. In the camp in Italy
I was part of a theater group he organized
with the Goethe Institut.
And I played in his play.
How do you find Yiit's movie?
Really good.
I think it's a really important film.
What about you?
- You know...
I know these kind of movies.
- What do you mean?
It's like...
Yiit, or directors like Yiit.
They make films just so Europe
can have a clean conscience.
Why? What do you mean? - Look, in the movies,
he can only be a victim or a terrorist.
We've had enough of victim clichs.
- No, Mustafa. I think this movie is different.
I was touched by the scene...
- Yes, and you could see today, like...
We were so many people,
everyone had tears in their eyes.
This is what I'm talking about.
Innocent people killed by racists.
What else can you feel
except rage and sadness?
What?
Of course people are going to cry.
It's too cheap.
- No, it isn't.
I think it's very reasonable to do this film.
- Look, Eli.
I'm not religious, OK?
I'm a deist.
To me,
all religions are nothing but theater.
But burning the Qur'an?
Why?
Why do you need such a provocative scandal
for your movie?
Do you want to really tell something?
Or do you want to use it?
Do you want to share something,
or do you want to sell? - No.
I liked what we did today.
OK, we don't have to do it.
No, because... Because this...
It's an exercise we do in theater with Mustafa,
but wait...
- Show me.
This is the salt shaker.
I don't know...
- Yeah, yeah. Take the salt shaker...
Good.
Close your eyes now.
And imagine it.
And feel it. Really feel it.
Maybe it's glass or...
wood.
Can you feel the weight?
- Mm.
Now you have to taste it.
You lift your hand even more.
- Mm-hm.
And you put some salt on your tongue.
This is very difficult.
Yeah?
Put more.
Eli?
- Majid? - Come, we go home.
I must go. Drive taxi.
Elif, no. You can stay here.
Said, here's no bus stop.
- No, maybe I'll go.
I have to bring the cassettes home. - He's not
your dad. - I know... - You can stay. - I know.
I can pick up the van tomorrow or whenever.
Thank you.
- Nice to... - Yeah.
Majid, why did you disappear earlier?
I not want to drive cassette
with insult to Qur'an.
You know dictator Saddam?
He wrote out Qur'an in own blood.
Six hundred pages, five years.
Wrote every day.
God's words, but wrote with bad blood.
Saddam is dead.
What we do with Qur'an now?
Imam said: for purification of Qur'an
it must be burned and buried
in Tigris River. That was respect.
But movie: no respect.
Hello.
- Hi.
No way! No way!
You're Ms Zistermann?
- Yes.
And you've locked yourself out?
- Right. Yes, I lost my bag somewhere.
Three... two... zero.
Super.
- Et voil! - Thank you.
I'll send the bill to you here, OK?
- OK.
SAID
Mobile
I looked everywhere, I'm sorry...
- I don't know either.
Maybe you lost it somewhere else.
OK, then send me Majid's number.
I'll have to call him. - OK.
Wait a sec...
Yes?
- Elif, can you hear me? - Yes.
Hi. - Hi, Lilith.
- How did it go yesterday?
Good.
We had some pizza and stuff.
Say, could you take the van back today?
Sure, I was gonna do that today anyway.
- Good.
Maybe I can do something else for you.
- No, that was it really.
Just put the key in the mailbox, OK?
When you go.
- Will do.
And we'll see you at the premiere. Bye.
KEYS LOST!
Two keys with keychain lost! Please call...
Elif!
Hey. - Hey. - What's up?
- What are you doing?
Why didn't you say you were coming?
I'm in a rush.
I'm sorry I didn't let you know.
I have so much to do.
- Majid's looking for you.
Do you know what he wants?
- I don't know, but...
He's coming. You can ask him.
OK. OK, I'll talk to him.
Majid!
- Hi. - Hi, Elif. Hi, Said.
I need key.
Which key?
- To factory.
I don't have a key to the factory.
- No?
OK. Can we call security?
- Uh... Why?
I wanna get Qur'an out.
Please help me get Qur'an.
I can call Yiit.
We could go to the factory with Yiit.
No, Yiit is Nazi!
Really, he's a Nazi.
- Yiit isn't a Nazi!
Yes, he is. Nazis burn Qur'an.
Yiit burned Qur'an.
Everything OK?
- Why burn doll and not real child?
Qur'an was real.
He director, he know what he doing.
It's huge scandal, you know?
They burn Qur'an today,
tomorrow they burn Muslims.
See? - Yes, I do.
- OK. Help me, please.
I...
- Majid, Abi?
What can she do?
- I know. I just need the keys.
I understand you, but I don't have the key...
You're Turkish.
- My dad's Turkish.
I don't have the key, so what can I do?
I can't help you. - You were there!
Why didn't you do something?
You could've done something.
Look, Eli.
I don't have a problem with you.
I don't have a problem with you.
OK.
- OK. Bye.
That's Majid, huh?
So many people, when they say: "We have
an old copy of the Qur'an, it's all torn out,
and we cannot read it.
What should we do with it?"
Scholars say: "Burn it."
"Ah, you're like the reverend in America
who's humiliating the Qur'an!"
No. He's doing it out of disrespect.
We're doing it out of respect.
Or you can bury it
in a very far, remote place.
And this is also legit nowadays
with paper shredders.
You can put it in one and get rid of it...
MESSAGE
Found keys.
I bring now.
For real?
Awesome! Where did you find them?
I bring. On way.
No need... I can come to you...
No need... I can come to you...
Where are you?
I'm outside. Where?
I can come...
OK! 8 Dblinstrasse.
OK.
THANKS
After 72 minutes,
the fire was extinguished.
But for five people, help came too late.
Three Turkish women and two children died...
OK! 8 Dblinstrasse:
buzz nl/Zistermann. - OK.
Hey. Thank you for coming.
What's going on?
I don't know. I think...
I completely fucked up.
I think... You know... I lost the keys.
And then... a stranger called me.
And he said that he found the key,
and... he... I gave him the address.
So the address...
He has the keys and the address,
and he can get in anytime now.
I can make mistakes anywhere, but not here.
- I know, but listen. You know what?
Let's just relax one minute...
Can we have a drink, or something?
- Yes, of course.
We'll find a solution, OK?
- Yes. - I promise. - Yes.
Really, I promise. We'll find a solution.
You can take...
You can sit down, I'll come. Wine?
- Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
Wow! Nice library.
Yeah.
We can sit here, if you want.
- Here? Sure.
They have money, huh?
Elif?
- Hm?
You know what I think?
- Hm?
It's just a bad joke.
Some stupid guy from the center maybe.
You know, he saw your poster and your picture
and your number, and he thought...
"That's a cute girl, I'm gonna call her."
It's just a bad joke.
Hm?
When's Yiit coming?
- In...
In three days.
Three days.
- Mm-hm.
OK, well, if you want, I can...
I can stay here.
I can stay until they come back.
Who is it? The stranger?
It's my father.
Oh, wait. Can I see?
I mean, you can answer, if you want.
- No, I don't want to answer. - Sure?
That's your father? - Yeah.
He looks nice. He looks like a nice person.
- Yeah, he is nice. In a way.
In a way?
- I mean, he's nice, very nice.
What do you mean, in a way?
He's not...
He's not...
Sometimes he's too nice.
Don't know what I mean? - No.
For example...
My father opened up a Kebab shop.
He sold everything he had to invest in this.
The Kebab shop was next to my school..
And everyone from school went there.
And my father said: "You're all Elif's friends
and you don't have to pay anything."
And...
when they were back in school then,
they were all making fun of him,
of the stupid Turkish Kebab seller,
because he's so stupid,
he doesn't even notice we're not friends.
You see?
And this is a mentality that they...
they... don't...
They just don't take him seriously, you know?
He gives them...
his heart, his food, his love.
The food.
And then they make fun of him for being
too stupid to notice that we're not friends.
Yeah, but then they are stupid, not him.
Yeah, they are stupid!
- Yeah.
But he's not... he...
He thinks everybody's nice, everybody's
our friend, but they're not our friends.
And my father doesn't understand this.
This is why he's alone.
USE YOUR LAPTOP AS A SPYCAM!
Hey! Get out!
Elif?
Elif, is that you?
Yes, I...
I'm coming!
Sorry, erm...
I didn't mean to scare you, Yiit.
No problem.
I think it was me that scared you, huh?
Where's Lilith?
She's parking the car. You can leave that.
- I thought you were staying away for longer.
That was the plan, but...
Guess what? Someone complained
to the Ministry of Culture,
anonymously, by email,
about the burned Qur'an.
Insane, huh?
- What did it say in the email?
That we're racists if we leave in
the burned Qur'an.
They're calling ME a racist.
Elif!
- Hi.
Hello.
- Hi.
There was a complaint?
More a request.
- How is it a request?
It's a threat: "Many people will be furious
if they see the shot of the burned Qur'an."
Complying means censoring the film, right?
I'll have to ditch
every inch of footage I shot.
We'll talk to them later.
- Absolutely.
But we decide what goes in the film:
not the extras and not the driver.
It's... Sorry, we've talked about nothing
else for the past three days.
And did you have a relaxing time?
- I'm so sorry I'm still here, Lilith.
I wanted... It was all so stressful...
- It's no problem.
I'm sorry. I also thought I could maybe
give you a hand... - It's really no problem.
But are you done in the bathroom?
- Yeah, I'll just clear up in there.
Have you thought about the consequences
of "your battle," as you call it?
It's total bullshit.
That's not what this is about.
What is it about, then?
- It's about a film.
But you suddenly
want to be a "revolutionary"?
It's all about the principle.
As a minority they demand freedom
but they don't grant any when in power.
Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey.
Focus on your art.
You're an artist.
I see how the email's shocked you.
Hi.
- Hi.
Could you make copies of these two keys?
- Sure.
One copy of each?
- Yes.
Do you have any other letters?
- Only what we have there, I'm afraid.
I need exactly this "N,"
but the other way around. Like a Russian "N."
We only have Roman letters.
Just turn it around.
KEYCHAINS
Elif? We're going to the refugee center now.
- Right.
Listen, when you drove the extras home,
did they say anything?
Yeah, they were pretty upset.
- Anyone in particular?
Majid mostly.
OK. Who else?
Mustafa.
- Mustafa?
Is that the young guy
who was making eyes at you?
No. That's Said.
Said's cool. He really likes the movie.
He even defended it to Mustafa.
Mustafa is the man with the black beard.
You know, the kinda artsy-looking guy.
And is it really OK
if I sleep here tonight?
Don't worry, no sweat.
- Thanks.
Buy a train ticket and tell me what it cost.
- OK.
You ready?
- Yes.
My God! Excuse us.
What are you doing?
- Sorry.
We have to finish.
- No, stop this!
Abi, it'll only take an hour.
- Stop it. That's enough!
But... - That's enough! Stop it!
- OK Abi, sorry.
Unbelievable!
Our neighbors go on vacation
and we get all the construction noise?
Come on, we were supposed to be
at your parents' place.
But they're working all hours.
And then they say stuff like: "Sorry, Abi."
They can shove their "Abi" up their ass!
I'm going on my own.
I'm not in the mood for escalation.
I'm calm, OK?
I want to sort it out, too.
Hi.
- Hi.
Lilith?
Hey.
- Ah, Elif. Hey.
Erm...
You want rolls? I'm making breakfast.
Want some coffee too?
- Yes, I'd love some.
Is Lilith awake too?
No idea.
She didn't come home last night.
Elif?
- Yeah?
I wanted to apologize.
- What for?
Well, because...
I was a little loud last night.
- What? Come on.
Yeah?
- No, it's all good. - OK.
Could I talk to you for a minute?
Do you come from a religious family?
Um... no.
Well... my dad found the faith
a couple of years ago.
I see. Islam? OK.
And...
About the Qur'an...
- Mm-hm.
Would your dad be...
offended?
No...
- Hurt or...?
I think he'd be more hurt.
And...
But my dad's on and off with it,
you know?
Right.
Right. Just like the extras.
How do you mean?
We went to the refugee center yesterday
because of the email and...
It completely escalated.
Because of Majid?
- No, he wasn't there. Because of Mustafa.
Because of Mustafa.
He totally flipped out.
He says he doesn't believe,
not even in the Qur'an.
But it's still a scandal for him.
How does that work?
That with the Qur'an really hurt him, right?
But because he can't accept his own truth,
he has to attack the movie.
It's insane.
I'm convinced he wrote the email.
Yeah?
- Sure. When he makes a statement like:
"I don't believe in the Qur'an,"
he can't defend it publicly.
So he has to secretly write an email.
See what I mean?
- Sure. But that's pretty messed up.
I don't want to hurt anybody.
- No, of course not, sure.
Would you cut it out?
- Me? - Yeah.
I wouldn't dare to do a project like this.
Not yet, anyways.
- Yeah, but...
It was your concept. See?
And it worked.
It turned out really well.
And we were all sitting there
with tears in our eyes and goosebumps.
Right?
- Right.
I like it.
Me too.
Lilith?
The courier was here.
Where were you?
- The courier was here.
What courier?
- About the cassettes.
I thought we were driving them to Frankfurt.
- We won't make it in time.
Elif?
- Yes, coming.
Elif?
That can't be. I was here.
Wait, what's the number?
Where were you?
I just went out to get some rolls.
- Great.
What's going on?
Nothing.
- Hi, I'm calling about a delivery.
Yes, 200324.
Yep.
We left a note on the door.
Where did you put the cassettes?
In the cabinet there.
On the left.
- Right. OK.
They're not there.
Look for yourself.
- That can't be.
I'll call back in a minute, OK?
Do you have them?
- No.
Did you give them to the courier?
- Please!
Where were you last night?
Where were you?
- Is this supposed to be a joke?
Please tell me it's a joke!
- I put them in there.
And I put them in here
after the first day of shooting.
I know...
I can't tell you where they are.
I said: "Let's shoot digitally."
But no.
They must be here somewhere.
- And if not?
The set's gone.
Elif.
Elif.
- Yeah? - Sit down a minute, OK?
The cassettes can't have just disappeared.
Let's take a deep breath, OK?
Let's go through the evening
step by step.
After we were done shooting
and you drove off,
I took the cassettes.
- Right.
I drove the extras to the center
and went in with them
because Lilith had asked me to.
And where were the cassettes?
- In the van. - The van? - Yes.
Could you have left them in the van?
- No.
I put everything I had in the van
into the backpack and took it with me.
Later, when I left,
Majid drove me home, here.
I was tired...
- OK.
Did he or anyone else come in?
- No.
Believe me. I'm totally sure
I put the cassettes in this cabinet.
Then where are they?
Lilith?
Lilith?
It's like this: Elif took the extras home,
but she came here with Majid in his car.
With the cassettes?
- Yes. - No.
I brought them here.
- No. They're not here now.
They're not here, right?
- OK, calm down.
We can assume they got lost along the way.
And who's the variable
in this whole story? The extras!
Do you see now
why I was so mad at the center? - Hold on.
First the email,
then the cassettes are gone.
I'm 100% sure they're involved.
- I know, you're right.
And Majid drove her here. Then I'll call Majid.
- Great, do that.
Said! The cassettes from the shoot are gone!
Did you hide them here somewhere?
Hi, Steffi. We have a problem.
The second assistant director lost all
the footage from the last day of shooting.
No clue. She says she brought it here
and then it disappeared.
But don't tell anyone you were here...
OK, I'll send you a list in a minute.
...and that I've lost the keys.
Please.
Important!
Do you think it was Majid?
I talked to Majid. Nothing.
As expected.
I'm just telling you what he said.
Elif?
Hey!
Someone broke in.
My iPad's gone.
The cassettes are missing, too.
Elif, morning.
- Hi.
This is Elif, our second assistant director.
She's staying here for a few days.
- Should she make a statement, too?
Sure.
- Because of the insurance.
Did you hear anything?
No.
I didn't hear anything.
I slept with earplugs...
because of the builders downstairs.
I didn't hear anything.
And when did you last have the cassettes?
Right. Three days ago,
after we finished shooting,
I drove the extras to the center.
- Mm-hm.
And then, um...
I came here and put the cassettes
in the cabinet. - At what time?
Um, in the early hours...
Maybe two or three o'clock.
And the extras live at the refugee center?
- Right.
We'll need the address.
- Sure, no problem.
Can we take a look in there?
- Sure.
Here? - Right, the cabinet.
- Left or right-hand side? - Upper left.
Great, thanks.
Thanks.
- Bye.
Wait.
This should work.
Elif, what are you doing here?
- We have to delete the chat. - What?
The police came today.
They're looking for the cassettes, so...
So it's important that we delete our chat.
What's going on with the cops and the chat?
- Doesn't matter. Can you delete it, please?
No, I... - Said, the police came today
and I don't want them to know I lost the keys.
So delete the chat. - What's with the cops?
- It doesn't matter. Just delete it! - OK!
OK, no problem, alright.
- Yeah? Then give me your cell. - OK.
Yeah...
Yep.
- OK, but what happened?
With the cops? - They came by
and asked a few questions. - Yeah?
Said, come with me, please.
I want to talk to you.
OK, I'll be back in a minute.
- Yeah.
What's going on?
What does that son of a bitch want from me?
- Who? - Yiit.
He gave the cops our names.
What names? - Everyone:
me, Mustafa, Majid, Yunes, Reda.
All our names!
Is he stupid? Fuck him!
They made a fake break-in.
I'm gonna tell the cops he called
and said the cassettes were gone.
Yesterday. I'm gonna tell them.
- I have proof.
I've a video that shows the burglar
in our apartment.
It's the stranger.
- What video?
There's a video of the burglar
in our apartment. - No. - Yes.
There's no stranger, it was Yiit.
He's scared about the Qur'an.
He hid the film
and is trying to make us look guilty.
He's trying to make me look guilty!
- But the video proves it wasn't Yiit.
OK, show me.
- It's at home, I'll send it to you
and you'll see it isn't Yiit.
I don't know who it is, but it isn't Yiit.
Then send the video to me and the cops.
- Yes, I will. OK?
Please, Said.
The video proves it wasn't any of you.
Fuck him.
What happened that evening,
when Yiit and Lilith were here?
Yeah, nothing. Lilith and Yiit...
came to say sorry.
Mustafa was upset and he said...
what Yiit did was like Charlie Hebdo.
And that made Yiit...
It made him so angry and
they were screaming
and insulting each other.
I honestly thought
they were going to fight.
Then Lilith tried to calm them down
and Yiit left.
And Lilith and Mustafa waited here for him.
Elif, believe me, I saw fear on Yiit's face.
Fear and guilt.
They waited there...
Just a sec.
OK, go ahead.
- Hey, Lilith. - Hi.
I got your message. Don't worry.
The police are a little more thorough
about big insurance payouts.
And as your extras aren't registered anywhere,
they're being sought as witnesses.
In case they flee somewhere else.
That's normal procedure, no reason to worry.
- OK. - Yeah.
Thanks, honey. Bye!
- No problem. Bye!
They don't have the cassettes.
- Yeah, but it doesn't matter anymore.
I don't care who has them.
The film is all that matters to me.
I also apologized to Mustafa.
And thanked him for not mentioning
our phone call to the police.
I also asked him if he wanted
to take part in the re-shoot.
This time without a burned Qur'an.
- And?
Do you want to be involved again?
Yes, of course.
You've got a bit more experience now,
and a re-shoot is pretty straightforward.
Maybe you'd like
to be first assistant director.
Sure.
Do you have some time now?
Sure.
She'll show you where it is, OK?
Would you show Majid
where the Qur'an is? - Sure.
Majid Abi.
I'll wait for you here.
Thanks, Lilith.
Careful.
- See you later, Lilith.
Yeah. See you later.
Is it here?
- What name, please? - Elif Doan.
Just a moment, OK?
- OK.
Ah!
It's "Ms Zistermann."
You lied to me, huh?
You're not Ms Zistermann, are you?
No.
- Yeah.
The real Ms Zistermann called me yesterday.
She wanted to know what the bill was for.
I said: "There was a young woman,
she'd locked herself out and I helped her."
And what did Zistermann say?
- Zistermann? - Yeah, what did she say?
Ms Zistermann said: "It's OK,
she's staying with us." - Yeah? - Yeah.
Then there's no problem.
You could've told me that.
I could get into trouble.
I can't open the door for anyone.
NEW RECORDING 17
Hey!
- Hey.
Everything OK?
- Mm-hm.
Um... the key.
I'll be leaving tomorrow.
- Did you buy a ticket already?
Then use my credit card,
it's in the left-hand drawer of my desk.
OK.
BIRDS OF PASSAGE
a film by Mustafa Gngr
OK, we're done.
I'll just explain to you how it works...
So, if someone tries to force the door open,
it'll automatically lock
and stop them from getting in.
At the same time,
an alarm will sound.
You'll hear it
right through the apartment.
And you have 15 seconds
to enter the code via the app.
You'll need to install it.
We've emailed it to you...
ALL RECORDINGS
Then use my credit card,
it's in the left-hand drawer of my desk.
She neither took nor lost the cassettes.
She reeks of ambition.
- No, I think she's discerning.
OK.
Could you see her
as first assistant director?
It would be OK for the re-shoot.
- Why not?
And then we'll do everything again.
And better.
What do you mean?
I got exactly what I wanted. And more.
They were real people in real situations.
Their reactions were real.
How can I recreate that?
- We'll shoot it again.
We'll use the chance to do it better.
Maybe we'll get lucky again.
Give them their Qur'an,
we'll make our movie.
I don't know. It feels wrong.
It just feels wrong.
I'd do it the same.
I'd do it exactly the same as before.
I'm really sorry.
If you're trying to sell this to me
as an example of your "generosity,"
you can forget it.
What you're doing is totally cowardly.
- That's enough now, Yiit. OK?
What?
- I've heard enough.
I'm a coward now?
- Yes.
I just don't want to risk everything
I've worked to create.
I don't care if this is my last film.
- Thanks. - It's about principles...
Do you really think you're tough enough
to defend a burned Qur'an as artistic freedom?
To the entire Islamic world and the Ministry?
And do you really think
you'd ever get a subsidy again afterwards?
Do you think
I'm gonna risk everything I've worked for
for a scene you never planned?
Be grateful the cassettes are gone
and let's just move on.
That's what you think, huh?
- Yes.
Well, I daren't look at you right now
in case I puke.
SAID
Mobile
Said?
Why didn't you send me the video?
You promised to send it to me.
I'm coming over.
- Where are you? - Give me the video now!
Hello?
What's up? - We have to show
the cops the video of the stranger.
We need to prove my innocence.
Let's go.
Said, I'm leaving tomorrow...
I'm leaving...
- Then send me the fucking video.
Said,
I'll be talking to Yiit anyway tomorrow.
I wanted to tell you.
- Don't be stupid.
Come with me... - He destroyed the cassettes,
and he'll say I have them.
Said, he won't do that.
He loves his film too much.
Sure!
- He does! Can't we just...?
Elif, don't be fucking stupid.
This is his revenge for the email, see?
- No way. - Yes.
No way.
Give me the video or I'll make trouble.
I'll make trouble. Really.
I think it was Lilith.
Together with Mustafa.
You really think so?
I saw a script by Mustafa
upstairs in Lilith's desk.
Lilith didn't come home all night.
I don't know where Mustafa was,
but I'm certain he wasn't at the center. Right?
Fuck!
BLOCK CALLS
Lilith, could you come over?
I know who has the cassettes.
That was the night the cassettes were stolen.
And the new video is from last night.
It's the same person.
PUT IN TRASH
What?
Do you want it to come out?
We're making a film about racism
and a stranger breaks in here at night
and steals the footage
because a Qur'an was burned?
But there was no break-in, it was Yiit!
- You reckon?
I don't see any cassettes in his hand?
It could have been anyone.
DELETE TRASH
You should get a move on.
Your taxi will be here soon.
Thanks.
Bye!
- Bye, Lilith.
I'll call you, OK?
- Yeah.
That should cover it, right?
- Yep. - Thanks.
Hi.
I'm not going
until this has been sorted out.
I think you owe these people an apology.
- OK.
Yeah, great idea.
We should've done it earlier.
Come in, guys.
Er, Yiit, could you make some tea?
Sit down.
We're sorry the police came to the center.
We really didn't want to involve
anyone who was innocent.
Said, we're sorry.
But I suggest we forget what's happened
and move on.
Yes, we can do that.
- OK.
But who has the cassettes?
I think Elif left them at your place
or in the van.
Or someone got rid of the cassettes
for an insurance scam.
What are you trying to say?
That you two would profit from that
and none of us here would.
You knew I'd lost the keys.
You knew I'd think
someone had broken in.
That means?
- You were so sure I would obey you
you didn't even tell me
about the fake burglary.
You were so sure I'd lie for you.
One or both of you staged the whole thing.
And you two got me mixed up in it,
like a dog! - Hang on a sec.
We didn't know you'd lost the key.
- Yes. you did!
You called the lockout service, Lilith.
Yeah, he said he opened the door for you.
- Right.
But I thought you'd left the key at home.
- You both knew I was here. - No.
And you acted all innocent.
You knew it the whole time.
Anyway, I don't wanna be your assistant
director, and I'm done with you both.
Yiit, I have a video of you
sneaking into my room that night.
Yes, I was there.
Because Said sent me...
- You were in my room!
Yes, to talk to you
because Said sent me a weird video.
But the cassettes weren't in your room.
Then why delete the video?
Why not tell the cops the truth
if you were so sure I'd stolen the cassettes?
- To protect you!
Elif!
In both cases
it would've been your negligence.
I have to think of the movie too.
There'll be no insurance payout
if they find out you lost the key
or left the cassettes unsupervised in the van.
- Or do you want to pay?
Enough conspiracy theories.
- Right.
Why didn't you just call me
and tell me what had happened?
It was...
It was probably all too much for you, right?
All the stress after the shoot?
We should've brought the cassettes here
ourselves. - Right. Maybe that was my bad.
Yeah, I'm sorry.
But despite all that,
we're not angry with you or anything.
Sorry...
Could we say something, too?
Yes, of course.
I don't have the cassettes.
You took nothing, saw nothing?
Yesterday, you didn't send me...
any perverse videos?
Video?
- Yesterday, to my cell.
He was here, right?
Yeah?
- You didn't know?
Our neighbor told us.
- No, I don't know nothing.
Said?
- Hm? - Is that true?
Were you here or not?
- Yes, he was.
Just for one night. I saw him out
the next day. He didn't have the cassettes.
And you didn't send me this video?
What is it?
- You know what it is.
Said? Did you do that?
It's an old theatrical joke.
It's nothing.
Do you think that's funny, Majid?
- Did he do that?
I'd like to see the video.
- Me too.
That isn't this place.
- Where else? He was here.
He was here, made the video,
then stole the cassettes.
When did you make this video?
- What's the video got to do with anything?
No idea. But it seems
that we and the film are the victims
of two hormone-driven teens
who can't control their emotions.
It's a joke... - You'd prefer it if your film
was destroyed by a huge Muslim conspiracy?
To your TikTok video, yes.
- Don't be such a prude.
Stop being so childish.
This isn't childish.
Let's take a look at all the facts now.
One of them ratted us out
to the Ministry of Culture.
And because I refused to be censored,
they stole the cassettes.
We didn't rat anyone out. OK?
And we don't have the cassettes either.
No one cares about your film.
Great! I was waiting for you to chip in.
Thanks.
Keep your mouth shut, buddy.
If it wasn't you, it was Said.
- It wasn't me.
She asked me to come here
because this guy called you.
Wait, wait... What guy?
The stranger.
- What stranger?
Tell him.
Look, I lost the keys.
Then a stranger found them and broke in here.
- Which keys?
Do you mean the keys
you gave us yesterday? - Yes.
The stranger found them and came here.
You didn't lose the keys.
- I put up flyers. You know I put up flyers.
What flyers? - Said, you know
I'm telling the truth. Say something, please.
Yeah, she's a liar. That's what I say.
- I'm not...
I was with my friends, and you called me.
Because she was afraid of this stranger.
And I came here just to help her...
- Said...
It was a trick.
She lured you here...
- No, no.
No! Really, I'm telling the truth.
No, I put up flyers everywhere!
- Elif...
I put them up 'cause I was looking for the keys...
- Then what are these keys?
New ones that I had made.
I lost the originals.
Why don't you tell the truth?
Why you not say make new keys?
I...
We didn't see each other anymore,
and you just asked me to delete our chat.
Elif has lost. Right?
Elif lost the tapes and made up a story.
This stranger.
Majid, it's OK if you smoke,
but please do it by the window.
OK, sorry.
Said, I smoke now, then you tell truth, OK?
You say nothing. - I am telling the truth.
Tell the truth!
- Hey, there's to be no violence here!
Why did you hit him?
He's embarrassing us here.
- My God!
Are you OK?
No, they've been using the boy
to draw attention from themselves.
They got rid of the cassettes.
They're trying to blame it all on the boy.
Everything OK?
- Yeah.
Said innocent. He done nothing.
It was girl. You know?
Know how I know?
I drive home. She sit behind me
and use me like a chauffeur.
This princess.
Arrogant. Stuck up nose.
I chauffeur 20 years at home.
I know this face.
She done it. Said innocent.
I'm sorry.
I didn't want to send the video.
I didn't want to.
Everyone was treating me like shit.
You didn't want
to send the video.
He said I was a star then
treated me like a criminal.
We helped with the film
and what do you do?
You burned the Qur'an
and then you got scared.
And then you made your own film disappear.
OK, call the police.
- You call them.
I will.
- No!
No, fuck the police!
Why not?
- No cops!
Maybe she's not lying.
Maybe this stranger is there.
I think so, too. Calm down.
- Lilith!
The police came to our home, not yours.
He could've been deported or go to prison!
You just set everything up.
There's no crime.
It's you.
You just needed it for the insurance.
And you needed someone to blame.
The insurance doesn't
need anyone to blame.
Then it was for his ego.
We'll tell the police that you
called us the day before the break-in
and then asked for the tapes.
As if the police would believe any of you.
Wow!
What the fuck?
What?
This is your cellphone?
So?
Why's it connected to our Wi-Fi?
You've been here before?
- Yes, for an audition.
Since when have you done auditions here?
- It just sort of happened.
You wanna produce him?
We just talked about stuff.
You wanna produce the
man who stole our film?
I don't have your fucking film.
- Hey!
Say, does anyone think this film
isn't a total piece of shit?
You know nothing about us. OK?
You just have a Turkish name
and you use it.
What are you talking about?
- What am I talking about?
You burn the Qur'an
and have no idea
what it means for these people
that you're telling their stories...
- I didn't know about the Qur'an, OK?
Make your own film.
- Are you serious?
Not everyone has white privilege.
Dude...
We'd both get frisked at the border.
Properly.
We checked Wikipedia: dad a famous
professor, mom a theater director?
Look where you live...
- You might also have read, jerk,
that they fled from assholes like you.
Us too.
Do we make films like this?
You can only make films about
your own experience? - Not now.
The way you live and speak...
Maybe it's better your film's gone.
Really? OK, I'm done with all this.
Come back!
OK, here you go.
Here, for you. A gift from me.
Take them. It's your film now.
We darkies should stick together.
Do what you want with it.
I don't care, I wash my hands of it.
Are these the scenes?
The footage from
the first day, you moron!
Hey! - You want to destroy our film?
- I don't give a shit.
I'm done with it, go ahead.
- Yeah, good idea.
You want to produce him?
Enjoy!
This is our subject. This is our film.
What is your subject? Victimhood.
Go ahead and make a victim movie.
Knock yourself out!
- I'll do that. My pleasure.
Dude, what are you doing?
Stop it! - Stop!
Stop! What's the idea?
You wanna destroy our lives?
May Allah curse your film!
Oh my God!
Shit!
- Majid, what are you doing?
What have you done?
Shit!
The door's locked!
Yiit! Yiit!
Everybody out! Out!
My film!
- It's mine!
Let go! It's my film!
Let go!
It won't open!
- What did you do!
Hold this! What was the code? Fuck!
Lilith, what was the code?
Open the door! Open the fucking door!
Oh God!
What was the code?
- Let me out!
Hello?
No Qur'an was used or burned
during the making of this film.