Lefter: The Story of the Ordinarius (2025) Movie Script
One of the greatest names
in our football history,
Lefter Kkandonyadis,
also known as The Ordinarius,
is coming back home today.
The Ordinarius returns to his country,
and to his team Fenerbahe
after two successful years
with the football clubs
Fiorentina in Italy and Nice in France.
FENERBAHE SPORTS CLUB
- Welcome.
- Thank you.
Lefter, is it true
you rejected Madrid for Fenerbahe?
Let's not put it like that.
I just thanked them for the offer.
What made you turn down such an offer?
Was it for Fenerbahe?
It's Madrid after all.
It was both for my country
and my Fenerbahe.
I've missed them both so much.
From today until the end of time,
I'll be with Fenerbahe.
- Bravo, Lefter!
- Bravo!
- Lefter, can we get one last photo?
- Of course.
- Bravo, Lefter!
- Bravo!
- Lefter, one last question.
- Lefter, look here!
- Lefter, one more question!
- Lefter!
One more photo!
- Lefter, please look here!
- Lefter, over here!
- One more photo!
- Lefter!
LEFTER: THE STORY OF THE ORDINARIUS
It's Lefter!
- Lefter, hey!
- Welcome, sir.
Can we get an autograph?
Hello, ladies. Of course.
- Thank you so much.
- He's so handsome.
- Thank you so much.
- Here.
Here you go. Whose pen was it?
- Have a nice day.
- Thank you so much.
Thank you.
- Welcome, sir.
- Hello.
- Lefter, hey!
- Lefter! Hello, Lefter.
Why did you make me come here?
I have so much work to do.
We could've met after you were done.
I wanted them to meet my beloved friend.
Is that so bad, you grump?
Listen. After the interview,
I'll take you somewhere amazing.
- Let's do that.
- Yeah.
There are things
we need to talk about anyway.
- Like what?
- Like what you've been hiding from me.
- Hey, Lefter.
- Hey there, Halit.
Welcome.
Thank you. My dear friend Hasan.
- Hello. Halit Kvan.
- Hello.
All right, Lefter. We're ready for you.
Football is my life.
I used to sleep with a ball
when I was a kid.
My mother was always going on about it.
"You're the most mischievous boy ever!"
And my father used to tell me
real men didn't chase some ball around.
He never wanted me to play ball.
I'm not mad at all, Lefteri mo...
Your teacher called today.
She told me something interesting.
She said you are great at math.
She told me you solve every problem
but not in the way she taught you.
She said anyone else
would take you for a cheater.
But I did it the way she taught me.
When I was your age,
my father told me I'd be a fisherman.
You know, old times.
There were no schools, no options.
I had no other path.
But you do. And your path is decided now.
But you allow my brother, Dad.
Listen to me.
God gave this gift to you,
not your brother.
You need to study, and study hard.
As I listened to your teacher today,
I pictured you as an engineer.
Or maybe an architect or a professor.
That's what I thought.
Promise me something.
You will put a smile
on poor Hristo's face, eh?
Dad, if I study a lot,
can I play football whenever I want?
Of course you take after me.
I named you Eleftherios.
You wanted him to be free like his name.
You made your own bed, Hristo.
All right, you mule. Here's what we'll do.
You can play a bit on weekends.
- Okay? Is that good?
- Okay.
That's my boy!
I didn't listen to my father, of course.
I kept chasing the ball.
We made balls from our mothers' socks,
even if it meant catching a beating.
Once I stuffed it full
and tied it into a ball,
I'd be golden.
As a kid, the leather ball
was an unattainable dream for me.
See, we were poor.
Fine leather is expensive, obviously.
- Where's Lefter?
- Here we go!
Tell me, Emin.
What's the primary ingredient of a goal?
- How would I know?
- You can answer too.
You all flunked.
- Item one, power!
- What the
Item two, skill.
Item three, confidence.
And last but not least,
just when the goalkeeper least expects it,
a surprise shot!
- Man!
- We're at the beach, Lefter.
- So we won't play ball?
- Let's not.
The lineup!
Tufan, shak, Dimitri, Agop,
Koo, Ali, Emin, Hasan,
and Lefter!
Stop yelling, hsan.
Shut up! Lefter called me here.
I'm your referee. I'm your prime minister!
Watch this, fellas. Hasan!
Catch!
You wouldn't even pass for a goalpost,
let alone a goalie!
- Let's swim!
- Let's go.
- Hasan, get the ball!
- Let's go!
Come on, fellas.
Psst, Lefter!
You scored all the goals again yesterday.
Or was it today?
- Go, go! Here goes Lefter! And he scores!
- Come here, you!
You're the most beautiful girl here.
- Have I told you that?
- Uh-huh.
- Lefter!
- Coming!
You were supposed to come fishing today.
Something come up?
Today, Dad
You know the saying.
A boy makes a promise, but a man keeps it.
Mister goes to the beach
on Saturdays, Dad.
- Yelken Restaurant's paying tonight.
- That's what they said last week.
Kostas didn't give them fish,
so they came around.
Every day we eat what everyone else won't.
Say it again, Eftimia,
so that everyone hears.
Lefter couldn't.
Do you know what the food you scoff at
sells for across the sea?
In wartime too.
Watch what you're saying.
People are battling starvation.
Forgive me, Dad.
I didn't mean that.
One day, everyone will see
how valuable this is.
You'll see. You'll realize I was right.
You don't want to be a fisherman?
You should've studied, then.
Enjoy the food.
I'm going out, Argiro.
NATIONAL DIVISION OVER
FENERBAHE BECOMES THE CHAMPION
Lefteri mo...
Oh, my boy.
You're troubled about your father,
aren't you?
You know how stubborn he is.
Two sides of the same coin.
Just go help out on Monday
and make it up to him.
I'm sure he'll forgive you.
Are you going to Taksim again tomorrow?
Mom, don't.
- I have money. What are you doing?
- Take it. You'll need it.
Don't waste time.
Take the express ferry back.
Come on, get some sleep.
We're starting early tomorrow.
There is one thing we must never forget
as we keep living in the shadow of war.
The father is the head of the home.
The children listen to the father.
The father loves and protects the family.
And the family
loves and respects the father.
Stavrini.
Um There's something really important
I need to tell you tonight.
What is it?
Something as beautiful as you are.
- Thanks.
- Stavrini!
Let's go, sweetheart.
- See you.
- See you.
Lefteri mo...
Dad.
- Have a nice day.
- Have a nice day.
- The priest spoke well.
- Yes.
I hope people understood.
Of course, it's important to understand.
Listening is one thing,
understanding is another.
I heard there's a party
at Madame Sofi's tonight.
Yes.
All your peers have graduated.
I heard Hasan came top of the class.
Proper lad.
Will you be going too?
I go every year, Dad.
As a man
who couldn't even finish primary school.
I have nothing to be ashamed of.
Fair enough.
You've become the island's top scorer.
I couldn't be prouder. Well done.
How did we even start talking about that?
Argiro mo...
Pano! Hey, Pano.
- How are you?
- Why do you care?
- Well, I need to ask you something.
- Yeah?
Beyoluspor is looking
to sign a player, right?
Can you talk to Mr. Gndz?
You think we'd sign you, island baller?
Like the mighty Gndz Kl
would bother vouching for you.
Yeah, right. Stick with being the ball boy
at the Taksim Stadium, all right?
- Hey, island baller.
- What?
He doesn't want you. Stop insisting.
Brother, there are
other teams for you out there.
To hell with it.
But if you still want to go,
take my new leather shoes
so they can see a proper footballer.
Thanks, Dimitri.
Don't mind your brother.
Don't be late tonight.
- Don't you dare be late.
- Oh, I'll see you tonight.
Don't you dare.
TAKSM STADIUM
Uncle Ziya!
Wasn't there a friendly?
Catch your breath first.
- Don't tell me it was canceled.
- It wasn't.
They're inside getting ready, son.
And Maestro Hakk? He's here too, right?
Here they are.
- Let's go, boys!
- Let's go!
Don't wear the blue one.
This looks better on you.
Those fell out of fashion anyway.
I've been telling you to get rid of them.
Ugh! I don't think
any of them look good, Ayten.
I need to look gorgeous
for Lefter tonight.
Don't let him get away.
Don't leave your man open.
- I'm here.
- Now! Shoot!
Easy, man! That's a foul.
akir! Don't be a snake!
Snake? You're out of line.
What if I am?
- Watch your mouth.
- You watch your mouth!
Watch it, or I'll bring you into line!
Stop it, lads!
What's wrong with you boys? What is this?
akir, you're out.
- Captain, please...
- I said you're out, akir!
But, Captain
Let's take him out too so it's fair.
We can't play like that.
- Lads!
- Calm down.
Calm down.
Listen to me.
I swear I'll kick you all out,
go gather ten guys off the street,
and play this game with them.
Young man, come here.
I'm talking to you.
- Me?
- Yes, you.
You want to stay a ball boy? Come.
I'm already in the Islands A team.
Perfect. Come here.
- Me?
- I said come, kid!
akir, take off your jersey
and give it to him.
- You're playing.
- Captain
akir, shut it! Give it to him!
- I'm sorry, akir.
- He won't be playing.
You! Give your jersey to akir.
You're on the other team now.
Man, their shoes are like paddles.
They won't fit you.
We don't have spares either.
I'm used to it. It's okay, sir.
- Can you play in these?
- Yes, I can.
Go get ready then, champ.
Back to your positions, everyone.
Let's carry on! Play fairly!
That's it. I can't go tonight.
Give me that.
As a true fashion icon,
I live for moments like these, honey.
I so wonder what Lefter wants to tell you.
He must be working on his speech now.
If you're this nervous,
who knows what he's like.
- Pass it!
- Over here!
Goal!
Fellas. Fellas, where is that boy?
He'd already left when we got inside.
- Mr. Onnik, a moment, please.
- Yes, Ziya?
The boy you asked about is Lefter.
He was ashamed
to have scored in the presence of Hakk.
He ran away.
I'll take the jersey, Mr. Ziya.
Have a nice evening.
You too.
- Where's Stavrini?
- Where've you been?
- Brother...
- Take it off.
- Pano, stop it.
- Do it.
- Pano!
- What did he do?
Tell him not to touch my clothes again.
He hid them too.
- Where've you been?
- Let's not.
You dirt bag!
Brother!
- Jackass.
- Let's just stop.
He's really upset.
Oh wow, Selim. You two look so chic.
And you look terrible.
Dimitri, just look at him.
There is a smell here.
It smells like
Like fish.
There is this
snobby private school boy smell here.
Oh, was it you two? Must be.
Blah, blah, blah.
Is that what you think, Iranian?
Hey, Dimitri.
You know what?
Your expensive cologne
and my fish smell will match perfectly.
Come here. We have a score to settle.
You look gorgeous.
And you look very handsome.
There are no words
to describe the peace I feel.
You were going to
tell me something, right?
Meet me out back in a bit?
No promises.
How about telling me now?
- Should I?
- Uh-huh.
If I were to ask you one day
to join my life would you?
That's it.
If you want to, of course.
Thank you for the dance.
You didn't answer.
Oh, Ayten!
Stavrini, what happened?
You look horrible!
Did Lefter say something bad?
Tell me. I'll go rip his head off.
No. See, Ayten
He asked
He said, "If I were to ask you one day
to join my life, would you?"
I don't fully understand what it means.
- What does it mean?
- It means he practically proposed to you.
Psst, Lefter.
I've considered your proposal.
Well
- Actually
- You don't want it. Got it.
Lefter.
I'll not only join your life,
but also join you in what comes after.
Say that again.
I'll join you in life and what's beyond.
You're free to join me wherever.
Just make sure you do.
But
We'll have to figure out the fish stench
once we're married.
Ayten! Lefter!
Maestro Hakk is here, asking for Lefter!
And Mzeyyen Senar
was looking for me the other day.
Come on, hsan.
hsan?
Lefter! Maestro Hakk is here,
looking for Lefter!
He asked where you were,
but I refused to give him your address.
What are you rambling about?
I'm saying Hakk is looking for you!
Maestro Hakk is looking for Lefter!
Lefter.
We'll register you as a year older.
That's easy.
So long as you join us.
Praise be with you.
You took them on nicely, left and right.
Am I right?
Those legs of yours are a godsend.
Come on, take a seat.
We hear Panini from Beyoluspor
is your big brother.
He's fierce on the field.
Yes, he's my big brother.
I hope he won't mind
you joining an Armenian team.
It's hard to find a spot
in an Armenian team as a Rum.
We don't discriminate like that
in our family, sir.
I mean, we
- Here, take some. Fill your pockets.
- But of course...
These are hard to find these days.
I can't give you an answer
before asking my father.
Fill your pockets. Fill them. Take some.
- Of course.
- There you go.
Get his blessing.
But you won't be able to
go back to the island for a while.
You can't get distracted.
All right already. Don't scare the kid.
Son, don't listen to them.
Yes, you'll be away from home for a while.
But you'll be shaping your future.
Right? Look at it that way.
And the Big Three wouldn't let
a well-trained young man go.
And Hakk? Why do you think
Hakk visited the island, huh?
So you've made up your mind?
So I'll be left without you.
Without me?
My daisy.
I'll be just one ferry ride away.
And what difference does it make
as long as I leave my heart here?
Don't be like this. Please.
I will never stand
in the way of your dreams.
I wonder how I'll convince my father.
I'll have a salary too.
They said I was very talented.
I'd like to accept it if you'll allow me.
Allow you?
Who? Me?
I'll have to stay in Istanbul for a while.
You were always stubborn.
You never changed.
I didn't change either.
My son was supposed to
become a professor, but he didn't.
Such is life.
Well, if
If I go, I won't be able to help you out.
You weren't always here.
I don't need anyone,
and certainly not the money you'll bring.
Be a proper man and a decent human being.
I've got nothing else to say to you.
Now leave me alone.
All right, Dad.
Godspeed, son.
Lefter said goodbye to everyone
except his closest friend.
- Mr. Hasan.
- Yes, sir?
Why don't you join us?
Your contribution would be very nice.
No, how could I?
Do join us, Mr. Hasan.
Please come sit with us.
See, Halit, my closest friend here,
has never been to any of my games.
Make sure to take a note.
I guess Mr. Hasan and you
had a disagreement on this.
Let me put it this way, Mr. Halit.
You know how opposing spirits
complete each other?
I think that's what happened
with me and Lefter.
His stubbornness
has often scared me, though.
I mean, it still does.
And finally, I was living my dream.
But from the bench.
Don't run! Hey, slow down!
- That has to be a foul!
- Foul! Ref, come on!
Lefter! Let Lefter in!
- Sit down!
- Mr. Asm!
- Mr. Asm...
- Ref!
Listen. Don't keep the ball for too long.
Make lots of passes, okay?
Create scoring opportunities.
Don't be scared.
Get in there. Go for the ball.
Don't let me down, champ.
Don't worry about Asm. I'll handle him.
Let's go. Let's go, kid.
Come on, be brave. Let's go.
End of the first half!
Go on!
Can't you see him?
Oh, come on! Ref!
That was completely over the top.
- It's surely a foul!
- Stop getting in the way, you sewer rat!
What is that, ref?
Come on, Lefter.
Be brave. Just get in there.
Goal!
See that?
God almighty!
Well done, Onnik. Bravo.
You hit the jackpot again.
Lefter! Good job, kid!
Two full months.
TWO MONTHS LATER
Finally, I had some money.
I was so excited
to be able to do something for my family.
Aren't they beautiful?
Oh, Lefter!
It all looks amazing.
It looks great.
Come on, open your present.
Oh, son.
- Do you like it?
- I love it.
- Wear it whenever.
- Thank you.
- Dad didn't really like the shirt.
- You're wrong.
I'll go check on him.
RUSSIANS CAPTURE GERMAN BASE
Dad.
Never assume that this calamity called war
won't find you, wherever you may be.
When a soul is gone,
it takes from your life too.
The order changes.
It takes from your life.
It keeps going and going.
It never stops.
Everyone is scared of the tax.
What if they come for us too, Dad?
- They won't touch people like us.
- Why's that?
Because poor Hristo
has nothing they can take.
Hristo! Argiro!
They broke into people's houses! Come on!
While challenges brought by World War II
have been felt in our country,
provisions of the military and citizens
are being protected.
In order to protect the people
and those on a fixed income,
the Wealth Tax Law,
which stipulates a one-time tax
on the profits
of asset owners and income earners,
has been unanimously accepted
in our Grand National Assembly of Trkiye.
The tax lists are being posted
in Istanbul and other provinces
Dimitri!
Lefter.
By the decision of the committee,
the ones on the list
must pay their taxes in full
Goodbye, Lefteri mo...
My friend.
Lefter!
I couldn't sleep for days.
I couldn't silence my conscience.
I had to do something.
My biggest wish is
That you accept it as our engagement ring.
- Mom!
- Lefter! My son!
- Mommy!
- Mom!
Something happened to him.
I just know. I can sense these things.
hsan!
Where's Lefter?
- Lefter joined the army!
- hsan!
He joined the army!
At ease! Attention! hsan, attention!
Eftimia! Pano!
- Stavrini!
- He hid it to avoid upsetting you.
He told me to hide it too.
I was meaning to come by earlier.
Well
Lefter hit his head when he was a kid.
That's why he's like this now.
Otherwise, why would he leave
without telling me, right?
I know this is about something else.
He felt bad for the ones who were gone.
He runs when he's sad.
And of course,
he puts his country above all else.
Argiro?
Hristo! Lefter ran away to join the army.
Good for him.
He should hold a rifle for his country
instead of chasing a ball.
- Eftimia!
- Calm down, Mom.
As luck would have it,
my commander was a football fan.
With the team he had me put together,
we won every single local and
military cup or tournament in Diyarbakr
for four years straight.
That's the reason
Diyarbakr will always remember me,
and why I'll always remember them.
There were people in his division
who didn't believe him
when he enlisted
just as he was about to make some money.
They also put him down because he was Rum.
Hasan, whatever happened,
let's keep it to ourselves, okay?
But my adventures as a soldier
brought me to my beloved.
My achievements there
made it to the papers
and caught Fenerbahe's attention.
When I returned,
they called me in for a tryout.
I'll never forget that morning.
They only called me in for a tryout.
It's not a done deal.
No. I'm sure you'll succeed.
I'm worried about Dad.
He has to do it all alone now.
Let's just hope for the best.
Morning, Dad.
Morning. Good morning, sweetheart.
Good morning, sir.
Are you going out, Dad?
Yes. I'll go get some air.
But the doctor said
you should rest at home.
Send the doctor my greetings.
Okay, Dad.
GENERAL HARINGTON CUP
FENERBAHE 2 - GUARDS JOINT 1
FENERBAHE SPORTS CLUB
Come on.
Go, go.
Good job. Get past him.
Bring in the new boy.
Send in the new kid! Striker!
Yes, sir.
Lefter.
Right wing, facing Navy Kamil.
Coach says you shouldn't play the hero.
Let's see what you've got.
Let's go!
Let's do this!
Come on!
Pass him.
Come on. Come here, little boy.
Easy there, Kamil!
That's it!
That was perfect!
Bring the kid to my office.
Welcome, Lefter.
Thank you, sir.
Take a seat.
I won't beat around the bush.
We've discussed it with Coach Molnr too.
We want you to join Fenerbahe.
I heard Beikta also called you.
You considering them?
I couldn't even if I wanted to, sir.
Maestro Hakk plays there.
So?
I wouldn't know what to do with myself
playing alongside him.
I can't match his greatness.
I'd rather pick you anyway.
Because
Fenerbahe is my biggest dream.
In that case, tell me your conditions.
What are they?
I don't want anything.
Just
They said my dad's treatment and medicine
would cost 200 liras.
I can't afford it.
Son
Speaking for myself
and on behalf of Fenerbahe Sports Club,
we will cover your father's treatment.
Don't worry.
Just give me your decision.
I'll pay back all my debt to you.
And I promise you on my honor,
from now on, I will live for Fenerbahe.
NN STADIUM
Dear listeners, Eref efik speaking.
Today, I'm at nn Stadium,
packed to the brim with fans.
The two giants
are minutes away from facing each other.
Stick to the left wing, okay?
Stay midfield, okay? Defend!
Both teams,
whose fans carry
yellow-blue and yellow-red colors,
are making their way to the center circle
for the opening ceremony.
Long live, long live,
long live Fenerbahe!
The three referees take their place
in midfield for the ceremony.
The teams are saluting the fans.
Three times for Turkish football.
Bless you! Bless you! Bless you!
The teams are moving into position
after the ceremony.
Fenerbahe's new signing,
Lefter Kkandonyadis,
has been added to the lineup
by Coach Molnr just today.
The fans are eagerly waiting
for Lefter to showcase his skills.
Fenerbahe starts the match
with the whistle.
Selahattin finds Lefter.
Lefter slips it right through the legs.
He keeps going.
Go, Lefter!
Keep going, Lefter!
He slips past his second opponent as well!
Lefter keeps dribbling past them.
This is unbelievable.
Lefter
Lefter is approaching the penalty area.
He feints.
And he slips by the last defender!
He shoots!
The ball is in the net!
Goal!
Fenerbahe now leads one-nil.
Goal, man!
Goal!
An incredible goal, dear listeners!
Give it to Lefter!
He'll put it in the ledger!
Give it to Lefter
Fans are chanting, "Give it to Lefter,
he'll put it in the ledger!"
Give it to Lefter,
he'll put it in the ledger!
"MOLNR'S TEAM" STARTS THE SEASON STRONG
LEFTER SHINES THROUGH
A cross from the right,
and Lefter heads it in!
It's a goal.
Simply Lefter!
THE YELLOW CANARIES ARE ON A STREAK
A lob from the right.
Lefter volleys it home.
Goal! It's in the net.
An exquisite effort by Lefter.
Coach Molnr emphasized after the game
that he was happy with
Lefter tries another shot!
The ball brushes the post.
Lefter is pounding the ground,
dear listeners.
Fenerbahe's goal machine.
One each from Lefter and Halit.
Lefter shoots!
He scores again!
The team hoists Lefter on their shoulders.
He won them the game.
Fenerbahe scores a whopping seven goals.
The Yellow-Blues nab a historic win
while breaking a seasonal record.
Lefter feints, shoots, and scores!
The ball is in the net.
It's Lefter!
A sublime effort by Lefter!
A goal from Lefter!
Fenerbahe are champions.
The Yellow-Blues
celebrate their eighth league title.
Long live, long live,
long live Fenerbahe!
FENERBAHE ARE CHAMPIONS!
THE YELLOW-BLUES CELEBRATE THEIR EIGHTH
He can't talk now.
The doctors said maybe one day.
That's exactly what they said.
"Maybe one day."
- Mom, how is he?
- Tonight could be his last.
Dad.
Dad.
Have you heard, Dad?
They loved me at Fenerbahe.
I mean, the whole team.
"You're too much
of a perfectionist, Lefter,"
Coach Molnr said.
And I went,
"I got that from my father, Coach."
I have great news for you.
Your son, Lefter,
got called up to the national team.
Remember when you told me
that you didn't need me?
But I need you so much, Dad.
Oh, my dear father.
I love you so much, Dad.
I love you more than life itself.
Get well, okay?
Well, I know how stubborn you can get.
By all means, do what you desire, but
It'd be great if you got better.
So that you could scold me again, right?
"You can't become a man chasing a ball."
What do you say, Dad?
There lay the great Hristo.
My dear father passed that morning.
That was the day Lefter grew up.
It marked the end of his childhood.
Stavro.
Isn't all this a bit too much
for just three days?
My husband should always look
neat and clean
when he meets his love.
Who do you mean?
The leather ball.
Football is your first love.
And I've agreed to come second.
I wonder if I'm making a mistake.
Maybe I shouldn't help you
look so handsome.
What if I look handsome, huh?
Tell me.
What happens if I look handsome?
Everyone's eyes are on you.
Never mind about them.
You are my first love.
And you will be my last.
Lefter, Lefter!
Dear listeners,
our national team will fly to Athens today
for a friendly match against Greece.
The hot topic of discussion in Athens
ahead of the game has been
that our player Lefter Kkandonyadis
will wear the national jersey
for the first time against Greece.
- The ship came and took Lefter!
- hsan, let me.
The big ship came and took Lefter!
My boy.
Mom, you shouldn't have bothered.
What is all this?
Nothing matches Mom's cooking.
See, I put loads of molasses in there
so you can run faster.
We're all proud of you.
Take good care of yourself there, okay?
ATHENS
Lefter! Lefter, a quick question.
Do you think we will win this game?
Lefter, Lefter!
The Turkish national team
will win this 3-1.
Fikret, kr, and I will score the goals.
Lefter, a few more
The Greece-Trkiye game is about to begin.
The entire country is waiting by the radio
for the game to start.
Boo!
And our national team
steps onto the field, dear listeners.
Turkish spawn!
- Traitor!
- Turkish spawn!
You're no Greek!
There's a strong protest.
Unfortunately, foreign objects
are being thrown.
This is the kind of thing
we don't want to see.
You're supposed to be Greek? Scumbag!
There's a big reaction against Lefter,
rather than our national team.
This is not football.
It can't be. It shouldn't be.
Turkish spawn!
Traitor!
You're supposed to be Greek?
Turkish spawn!
And the match begins with the whistle.
There is a constant roar in the stadium.
The Greek spectators
are constantly protesting
our team, especially our player, Lefter.
Lefter has the ball.
He slips by his opponent.
A long ball to Ahmet.
Ahmet takes on his opponent.
A great cross! Fikret controls the ball.
He shoots, and the ball meets the net,
dear listeners!
Trkiye takes the lead, one-nil.
Fikret passes to Lefter.
Lefter has the ball again.
A quick feint from Lefter.
He charges his opponent.
Another feint, but he gets fouled!
It's a foul!
But the referee signals play on.
Lefter gets up.
We have possession again.
I'm here!
Lefter wants the ball.
sfendiyar.
A long ball from sfendiyar.
It's Lefter. He shoots!
It's in the net! Goal!
Lefter Kkandonyadis!
Our Lefter's first goal
in the crescent-and-star national jersey
hits the back of Greece's net.
In Athens, there's applause on one side
and incessant protests on the other.
The Turkish national team wins 3-1
with goals from Fikret, Lefter, and kr.
The exhibition between Trkiye and Greece
ends in a Turkish victory.
Trkiye defeats Greece 3-1.
The scorers are
Kkandonyadis, Krcan, and Glesin.
UGLINESS AGAINST LEFTER
OUR NATIONAL TEAM DEFEATS GREECE 3-1
Ma'am, look what Lefter said.
What is it?
"I'm elated to have served my country."
Are you okay, Lefter?
Yeah.
"A crow doesn't belong in a rose garden,
nor a nightingale in a dumpster."
That's what Dad used to say.
So where am I now?
Rum spawn in my country,
Turkish spawn here.
What does that make me?
Look.
Athens.
It looks just like Istanbul.
My mom used to tell us.
I didn't believe her.
They always felt different.
It turns out
we're the same.
- But...
- Lefter.
Where do you want to be
when you close your eyes?
That's where you belong.
Remember that.
Okay.
Okay.
- Bon apptit.
- Welcome.
My biggest fan, Manol,
who I told you about,
is our guest tonight.
- Nice to meet you.
- I should add, though.
I'm the biggest ever fan of his.
My pleasure.
Welcome. We're glad to have you.
He's such a jokester.
- I can tell.
- Yeah.
Well What was I saying?
I became his closest friend
in a very short time, Hasan.
For a very long time
Do you mind me not calling you "Mr."?
- Watch Hasan.
- No, that's okay.
That's entirely fine by me, but
But you said you became his closest friend
in a very short period of time.
I would actually love
to hear all the details sometime.
Go ahead.
He can't score without looking at me.
Oh no.
Save your breath.
Hasan skips all my games.
He doesn't even like football.
Don't waste your time.
Well, you heard the man.
I've never been to any of his games.
So he scores
when he's meant to score, Manol.
He does, yeah.
Our Lefter has new friends now.
We have to accept that, right?
Don't worry. Wherever you go, he goes.
You're the truest of friends, man.
Now, that's a statement
I can get behind, Pano.
My dear brother.
Cheers.
So let's raise our glasses
to the great player
who even endures being booed
just so he can do his best.
Only God is great.
If you're talking about the Greece game,
I just represented
my nation against my race, that's all.
Let those who booed carry the shame.
Right, folks?
- That's right.
- Exactly.
Someone once asked Lefter
- Oh no.
- Here we go.
"Where do you aim when you shoot?"
And what did I say?
He said, "The crossbar."
They asked why.
Lefter replied,
"Well, if it hits the crossbar,
the bleachers will go, 'Ah!'"
"If it goes a bit higher,
they will go, 'Whoa'!"
"And if it goes two inches lower"
They'll go, "Goal!"?
Cheers! To Lefter!
Enjoy it, everybody.
Cheers.
- Oh, Manol.
- Is Lefter aware of this anecdote?
You'll have to ask Manol.
He would know whether I am.
You are.
- I am?
- Of course you are.
I must be, then. If you say so.
Mom!
Lefteri mo...
Mom!
Purify me with hyssop,
and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
The earth is the Lord's,
and the fullness thereof
The world and all who dwell therein.
May her memory last.
May God rest her soul.
You can grow up to be a man,
but you'll always
be a child to your mother.
We couldn't separate Lefter
from her grave.
But life does not stop when you stop.
It picks you up
and puts you somewhere else.
Mr. President,
you're giving up on success.
There is no other explanation to it.
It's your duty to replace
those who leave, not mine.
But we're talking about Lefter here, sir.
Lefter will be our first player ever
to be signed abroad for a transfer fee.
The first.
I hope you know what that means
for our team and our country.
Mr. President.
Come in, Lefter.
We were just waiting for you.
You must've heard about it.
Fiorentina wants you.
For a significant fee, of course.
Thirty-five thousand, to be exact.
I was surprised too.
They saw me in Berlin apparently,
at the Germany game.
- When you were sick?
- Yeah.
Two years.
That's like a lifetime.
I've been telling you to come with me.
I can't come now.
You know my mom's situation.
I need to get things in order first.
I can't be away from you
and the island.
Tomorrow, I'll tell them I won't go.
Let's drop the subject.
- No, Lefter.
- Let's just drop it.
Lefter, don't you dare.
You have no path but success now.
You'll go there for us.
I love you so much.
Dear viewers, the Professor Ordinarius
of Turkish football,
Lefter Kkandonyadis,
continues to make us proud
with his remarkable performance
for the renowned Italian team Fiorentina.
Nicknamed "The Football Wizard"
by the Italians,
Lefter didn't let us down
in Europe either.
With the goals he scored
and his unique moves,
he kept carving his way
into the hearts of Fiorentina fans.
This is riveting.
Likewise, he managed to score
a magnificent goal
at the Inter game last month.
Lefter is going to score!
He's going to score now!
Hristo will be so angry!
Lefter is going to score!
Let's watch our Lefter's goal
in the footage from that match.
During a Fiorentina offensive
from the right,
the ball finds our Lefter
in the penalty area.
Lefter beats his opponents one by one
with his unique brand of dribbling
and scores!
Lefter, Lefter!
FLORENCE
Yes, Nice has asked us for Lefter
for a record fee.
The rumors are true.
We'll finalize the details of the contract
at the end of the season.
Lefter will be with us
till the end of the year,
but he'll be wearing
the Nice jersey next season.
Now Lefter would like to say a few words.
Thank you.
Hello.
Fiorentina will always remain
one of the most important milestones
in my football career.
Fiorentina fans
and their love and passion for football
helped me tremendously
in my lonely days in Florence.
I will never forget them.
Thank you for everything.
Those were the days, right?
You already know
what happened after Italy.
- All right. Thank you so much for coming.
- My friend.
So? How was I, huh?
You outshined me, though.
You turned out to be a real gem.
Mr. Hasan steers the conversation
wherever he desires, huh?
Don't you think
you glossed over the Italy part, Lefter?
Whatever you're thinking,
keep it to yourself.
Or was it France?
You're not yourself since you came back.
Don't you think I see that?
Blah, blah, blah.
What have you been implying all day?
I'm not implying anything.
I'm asking it directly.
What are you hiding from us, from me?
Nothing. Stop making things up.
Lefter, enough already.
Sometimes, it's better not knowing
unless it's absolutely necessary.
So yeah, enough already.
On the contrary, the truth is
always better than holding on to a lie.
Besides, since when do we keep secrets
from each other, Lefter?
Why don't you become a poet, Hasan?
Coward.
What did you say?
I called you a coward.
You're such a coward
that you can't even tell me.
Hasan.
Hasan!
Whatever it is you're hiding, handle it.
And stop hurting everyone, Lefter.
TWO YEARS AGO
Oh, it's Lefter the wizard!
- Hey.
- We adore you, Lefter!
Si. Yes, it's me. Hello.
Greetings. Thank you.
What should I tell you now?
Can we take a photo?
Photo? Of course.
- Thanks. Have a nice day.
- Can we get separate autographs?
Have a nice day.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
All right.
It seems you'll have to give
quite a lot of autographs today.
Congratulations on your success.
- May I have your name?
- Meri.
It's so nice to meet you, Meri.
I'm both happy and surprised
to meet someone who speaks my language.
Do you live here in Italy?
No. I work for
a publishing house in Istanbul.
I'm here for a business trip.
Why don't we sit down for a while?
Let me offer you a cup of coffee.
- Please.
- Thank you.
Here. Allow me.
Cheers.
Meri, get inside, please.
How about you stay until the rain stops?
Meri, please.
Close the door.
He followed us.
Took our photos.
I didn't want to throw them away.
Who?
A fool trying to spread false news.
Some burn artist.
I mean, they're waiting for me to slip up.
And naturally, you got scared.
Scared? Doesn't sound like me.
What would you like to drink?
I have to go.
What if I asked you to stay?
Don't.
Please don't.
I feel another mysterious speech coming.
I have to go.
I can't stay.
I'm married.
Get out!
Get the hell out!
Lefter!
May I get an autograph? I'm a big fan.
Of course.
Here you go.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Have a nice day.
It's Lefter!
Whatever it is you're hiding, handle it.
And stop hurting everyone, Lefter.
Lefter?
Are you okay?
I'm fine. Just fine.
Lefter!
Never seen you smoke before.
Do you even know me?
- Who are you?
- Meri, enough.
- Yes, Lefter! Enough.
- I've never lied to you.
That's what you're holding on to?
- Doesn't that mean something to you?
- No! It doesn't.
I don't want to see your face ever again.
The fairy tale is over.
What are you talking about?
It wasn't a fairy tale.
What we had was real.
You looked so happy with your wife.
And I want you to be.
I've never wished otherwise.
And I won't.
Are you following me?
I did just once.
The day you returned.
I saw you there.
So?
You happened to show me
how happy you were, Lefter.
I'm sure it was a relief.
I'm not unhappy.
I wasn't.
Until I met you.
- So I'm to blame now?
- There's no blame in love.
Stop this nonsense.
Why did you follow me, then?
Don't cross my path again!
Act like a married man!
Had I not acted like a married man,
I'd have come to you long ago.
But know this.
If I went back in time,
I'd relive those three days.
Let me go.
- Lefter, let me go.
- Sh. Stop.
- Lefter.
- Sh.
Meri.
Good morning,
Lefteri mo...
Good morning, Meri mo...
You were sleeping so deeply.
I couldn't bring myself to wake you up.
I'm starving.
My teeth are itching.
Can I take a bite here? Just
MTHATPAA STADIUM
Greetings to all
from Mithatpaa Stadium, dear listeners.
Halit Kvan speaking.
This is the game of the year.
Metin on one side, Lefter on the other.
You know, Metin,
I loved your goal at the game in zmir.
I have to admit, I was incredibly jealous.
I've never seen such a goal.
You're the king.
Because you were there.
Lefter was watching. Of course I'd score.
Your team made
a crucial and invaluable move
by signing you.
Welcome back to Istanbul.
Thank you, Lefter.
This is what we want to see, dear viewers.
Oh, come on.
A snapshot of eternal friendship
among everlasting rivals.
Isn't that right, Basri?
Can Bartu is at it again!
kr!
Come on already, man.
You've recited the entire Quran. Come on.
Turgay, which spot do you want me
to hit when scoring today?
Mind your business, brother.
This is my business. That's why I asked.
- Let's play!
- Let's do this!
- Let's go, let's go!
- Yeah! Come on!
They greet the crowd together
as the fans cheer wildly.
The two captains, Fikret and Turgay,
exchange club banners.
The players are in position.
And the game starts
with the referee's whistle.
Come on. Spread out.
Galatasaray is building up an offensive
towards the seaside goal.
A long ball to Metin.
Metin enters the box.
kr deflects his shot.
How did he not score?
Lefter has the ball now. He's moving fast.
Great show of skill by Lefter.
Lefter. Lefter advances.
He approaches the box from the left.
He shoots! But it's just wide.
Turgay kicks the game back into action.
The Yellow-Reds have the ball.
They find Metin.
Metin Oktay has the ball.
He takes on his opponent.
He shoots and scores.
It's a goal, dear listeners.
You're the king of this game!
The crown less king!
Galatasaray leads one-nil.
Fenerbahe restarts the game
with the kickoff.
A pass to Lefter on the left wing.
He has the ball.
He chips it towards the box,
finding his teammate Basri.
Basri Whoa!
Basri is injured, and badly.
It looked terrible.
The medical team
is being called onto the field.
Hey, Basri.
- You're okay.
- I am.
Looks like Basri will carry on.
That's right.
Bravo, Basri!
Now Fenerbahe has a free kick
towards the goal on the gas house side.
Lefter is on the ball.
Turgay sets up the wall.
Lefter looks towards the goal.
He sends it towards Turgay's right
and scores!
- Goal!
- It's a goal, dear listeners.
Goal by Lefter.
Wait a minute.
The referee has canceled it.
The goal won't stand.
Oh wow! Major objections going on.
Since he hadn't blown the whistle yet,
the referee orders
the free kick to be retaken.
Lefter is behind the ball again.
Turgay sets up the wall once more.
Lefter.
He looks at the goal.
And it's in! Goal!
The ball is in the net, dear listeners.
Lefter Kkandonyadis!
He sends it the other way this time,
past Turgay's left and into the net!
He's not just a professor,
he's Professor Ordinarius!
And the match ends in a 1-1 draw
with incredible goals
from Lefter and Metin on each side.
- Meri, let the door go.
- Go away, Lefter. Leave!
- Let go!
- I said leave!
Let the door go!
I'm not crying. I'm not.
I'm not crying.
I'm not crying.
There's nothing to cry about anyway, Meri.
I'm not crying.
- Meri.
- Leave, Lefter!
Please sit down. Let's talk.
Leave, you idiot!
- You're breaking my heart.
- I'm breaking your heart?
That's not how you break a heart.
This is how!
- Get a hold of yourself.
- How many times has it been, Lefter?
- Pull yourself together.
- Pull myself together?
You got up from the table,
looking right into my eyes,
and left me all alone
in the middle of the restaurant.
What kind of nightmare am I living here?
Meri mou, please.
- "Meri mou"?
- Please.
Meri mou, huh?
Meri mou! How dare you still call me that!
You're in love with football, not with me!
And you
You can't fall in love with anyone.
Because you'll tear through anything
that might hurt your game, right?
You're being ridiculous.
I see everything clearly now, Lefter.
Don't tell Stavrini anything.
There's no need to hurt her for nothing.
The butterfly lives for three days
yet again, right?
Meri the butterfly.
The butterfly!
Snap out of it!
I had to.
I had to leave when I saw the journalists.
We've talked about this.
What have we talked about, Lefter?
Have we talked about
you showing up out of the blue?
Or about how I trusted you again
like the fool I am?
What have we talked about, Mr. Footballer?
You're not listening.
I won't hide us anymore.
Just sit down. Stop already. Just stop.
Just stop.
I've been alone since the day I met you.
I won't come second, Lefter.
Who asked you to?
Who told you
I could keep living like this?
We couldn't stand against fate.
We weren't strong enough.
You're not alone.
We both failed.
That's the only truth.
And you have to do what it takes,
simple as that.
I don't! I don't have to do anything.
I don't want to ruin anyone's life.
- I don't want to be guilty of that.
- You're not guilty of anything.
And you know what?
You love your wife so much, Lefter.
Meri.
Please.
So
Just leave.
It's over.
How's it going, lads?
mer, take this
and share it with your pals.
And you, take your fiance out for dinner.
You're always hanging out here.
Much appreciated, sir.
Don't you tickle me! Come here, you two.
Dear listeners,
we have to interrupt our broadcast
to share some grave news.
A bomb exploded at 00:04 a.m.
in Thessaloniki
TWO WEEKS LATER
in the garden between the house
where the great Atatrk was born
and the Turkish consulate,
shattering the windows
of our revered founder's home
Who would dare touch Atatrk's house?
Impossible.
It's really unbelievable.
Friends, they bombed our Atatrk's house.
- Are we going to stay silent?
- No!
- Boo!
- and it will remain Turkish!
Cyprus is Turkish,
and it will remain Turkish!
The Rum will go away, it's the only way!
The Rum will go away, it's the only way!
- Death to the Rum!
- Death to the Rum!
- Will we succumb to the Greek occupation?
- No!
- Will we succumb to the Rum threats?
- No!
Cyprus is Turkish,
and it will remain Turkish!
The Rum will go away, it's the only way!
Death to the Rum!
Come on!
Stavro.
There's
There's something
I need to talk to you about.
I should've told you long ago.
Forgive me.
Lefter, get back inside now.
- What's wrong, mer?
- Just do it! Right now!
What is it, mer?
The line's dead.
I can't just sit here. I'll go check.
Lefter, maybe you shouldn't.
mer was beside himself.
- They will leave!
- and it will remain Turkish!
Cyprus is Turkish,
and it will remain Turkish!
Cyprus is Turkish,
and it will remain Turkish!
Don't let a single one remain!
Stop lying!
Don't do it! Don't!
Death to the Rum!
What's going on, Lefter?
Lefter.
Mother Mary, come to our aid.
Mother Mary, come to our aid.
There's Lefter's house!
Mother Mary, come to our aid.
Come on, people!
We're going down to the cellar.
Come on!
Hush! This is Lefter's house!
- But it's Lefter from Fenerbahe!
- He's Rum too, people!
- No! Don't do this!
- Come on!
Go ahead.
Here. Watch your step. Come on.
Nothing will happen. It's okay.
Lefter.
Lefter.
Stavrini, just wait here.
Please stay here.
I'm begging you.
- It's okay.
- I'll be right back.
- Lefter.
- Please.
It's going to be okay.
Lefter.
Dad.
You bastards! How dare you?
Quick, catch them! At the back!
- Get them!
- Lefter!
Lefter! Lefter, it's us! Open the door!
Lefter!
My friend.
It's okay.
Calm down.
Commander.
You okay, Lefter?
We We are. We're okay, sir. We're okay.
Stavrini and the kids?
They're okay as well.
They're in the cellar.
They're okay too.
Can you give me their names, Lefter?
It was too dark.
I couldn't tell who they were.
I couldn't see them, sir.
Tell me the truth, Lefter.
I am, sir. I didn't see them.
Lefter.
How is that possible?
I didn't see them, Hasan. I just didn't.
Lefter, look at this place.
They were in your yard. Just talk.
- Captain!
- Lefter, Lefter!
- What's going on?
- Lefter, Lefter!
We're here, Ordinarius!
Did they hurt you, Lefter?
Commander, leave it to us.
We'll handle it.
Get out of the way!
He's no foreigner! He's Lefter!
- Shut up! He's Turkish!
- Stop, hsan.
hsan, they're not the bad guys.
They're with us.
- There was no bomb. It's a lie. No bomb.
- All right.
- It's a lie.
- It is.
- A lie.
- All right.
Mustafa Kemal's home is intact.
- Yes, man.
- No bomb.
- Okay, all right.
- It's a lie. There was no bomb.
No bomb. It's all a lie.
What am I supposed to tell you now?
Thank you. It's much appreciated.
Well, why don't you come in?
We'll be on watch until morning.
You go ahead.
Rula, honey!
Aliki!
My dear boy.
My crazy boy.
I hid this letter here
because I wanted to finish
what I had left unsaid.
And I prayed to God
for you to find it in your direst moment.
I hope that's what happened.
I am too ill. I don't have much time left.
Remember how I looked the other way
whenever you were successful?
I was always secretly proud of you.
I was just as proud as I was angry.
If you were here,
I'd tell you again to be a proper man
and a decent human being.
But you're already a proper man, son.
A decent human being.
You are my son.
I desperately wanted to wear this shirt,
but the stubborn Hristo in me
wouldn't allow it.
My figure is large.
It will look better on you.
Your father, Hristo Kkandonyadis.
CYPRUS IS TURKISH
Hello, ma'am.
Do you know where Meri is? Is she here?
Meri is gone, son.
Gone how? Where did she go?
Please say something.
Is she okay? Where did she go?
She left for zmir this morning.
But I hope...
Don't worry. She didn't get hurt.
Do you have her address?
Can you give it to me?
No, I don't have it.
Please.
I don't have it.
Our beloved Zeki Mren sings for you.
"Your eyes give me life,
yet loving you will be my death."
Let's keep this between us.
All right, Pedro?
Okay, then.
Lefter!
Dear listeners, due to the heavy snow
that started in Istanbul last night,
our game with the world-renowned
Hungarian national football team
has been postponed to a later date.
In the meantime, the Hungarian team
will be hosted in zmir
and will play exhibitions
against the zmir scratch team.
Welcome.
The game got postponed again.
It's not likely to happen
before the snow stops.
Better late than never.
Why are you doing this?
Why do you bother cooking,
knowing I'd come home full?
- It's no bother. I enjoy...
- Don't do it!
Just don't.
Enough is enough.
Stop it.
I'm full.
You're not full.
I know you suffocate without her.
You've tried to hide it.
But I knew all along.
Until I saw your photos together,
I thought maybe it would end someday.
It's easier to just accept it.
If anyone heard, they would condemn me.
But
I don't know any other way.
You and I, we grew up together.
What photos? You're mistaken.
There's no such thing...
Enough, Lefter!
Let me finish.
Please.
You're torturing yourself.
This life thing,
it isn't as long as you think.
This is where we decided to get engaged.
Let's say our goodbyes here.
Let's get a divorce.
No.
I'm not seeing her.
No. I don't even know where she is.
I'm not seeing Meri.
What does it matter?
She stays in your heart.
Meri.
So that's her name. Meri.
I was going to suggest
we look for her together.
But you already found her.
I'm not angry at you, Lefter.
Twelve days of snowfall in Istanbul
has finally come to an end,
and the Hungarian team
flew to Istanbul today.
Hungary's "Golden Team,"
nicknamed "The Magical Magyars"
by the West,
led by their captain Pusks,
steamrolled their opponents,
scoring a total of 23 goals
against the zmir and Ankara teams.
Football is your first love.
And I've agreed to come second.
You're so in love with your wife, Lefter.
You're so in love.
I won't come second, Lefter.
I don't want to see your face ever again.
Turkish spawn!
Let's say our goodbyes here.
Let's get a divorce.
Got a minute for your dear friend?
How did you find me?
It wasn't hard.
Stavrini told me.
She wants a divorce.
My childhood sweetheart told me
she wanted a divorce.
What did you expect?
Must've been hard on her.
I wish she'd slapped me.
A good, heavy slap.
Bam! Just like that.
If a slap is what you need, I'm up for it.
There you go, man.
Come on now.
You need to leave some things to time.
Aren't you mad at me, you grump?
- Huh?
- Oh well.
You have no idea, but
But it doesn't change the fact
that you're a part of me, unfortunately.
The people who used to love me
turned their backs on me overnight.
The boys I gave pocket money to
Have they ever accepted me?
Huh? Or will they stone my house again
if they get the chance?
Quite the conundrum.
Didn't you use to say
these things happen in every society?
- Didn't you?
- No, no.
That was the patriotic son
of the poor fisherman Hristo.
And he'll keep saying it until he dies.
But me?
I'm just some scumbag.
Stavrini knew about it all.
Come on. Get up. Up, up.
Lefter.
Look at me. Come here.
Get some rest, okay?
Pull yourself together.
I'll stay here with you.
And when you wake up tomorrow,
go and do what you do best.
Put it in the ledger again.
Give it to the Rum spawn Lefter,
and the Turkish spawn Lefter
will put it in the ledger!
And it's a goal!
I've turned into hsan.
You wouldn't get it, you Ajam.
I really wouldn't.
But tomorrow is a big day.
I got that right, no?
Yeah.
You know the jersey you love so much?
Wear it.
Get on that field
and do what you love the most.
Play football.
And show the world
how it's meant to be played, Rum boy.
Here we are, dear listeners.
Today marks the most important game
in our country's history of football.
There's a tremendous crowd
at the Mithatpaa Stadium today.
Football fans who have been waiting
at the gates since last night
despite the harsh winter
are now in their seats,
waiting for our national team to arrive.
It's time to announce
the lineup to the press.
Coach, there's still plenty of time.
Can't we wait a little longer?
He must be on his deathbed
if he's not here.
I know. But we don't have much time left.
Dear listeners, our starting lineup
hasn't been announced yet.
But according to our predictions,
our national team will start with
Turgay, Ali Beratlgil,
Ahmet Berman, Concrete Mustafa,
Naci, Nusret, sfendiyar,
Cokun zar, Kadri,
Metin Oktay, and Lefter Kkandonyadis.
Lefter still isn't here.
This is unbelievable.
Give the lineup to the press.
Metin.
Are we in this together, brother?
Do you even have to ask, brother?
No doubt.
But I'll show you after the game.
Let's show the Hungarian defense
Lefter and Metin first, all right?
- All right, brother.
- Let's go!
Trkiye, Trkiye!
Our national team steps onto the field
to a huge cheer.
Today they face Hungary,
the number one team in the world,
and their legendary captain Pusks.
Trkiye, Trkiye!
The teams greet the audience.
Trkiye, Trkiye!
Everything is ready for the match.
Pusks has come to the center
for the kickoff.
The Hungarians start the game.
They go on the offensive right away.
Czibor comes in quickly
from the left wing.
A pass to the famous Pusks.
Naci's tackle is futile.
Pusks enters the box. A powerful shot!
Turgay! Well done, Turgay.
A flying save. Bravo, Turgay.
Right in his chest.
Turgay with a long clearance.
sfendiyar gets the ball.
Lantos defends him.
He moves past.
He's racing down the right wing.
- sfendiyar!
- sfendiyar delivers a cross.
Lefter comes in from the left. A volley!
Goal!
Lefter scores!
Trkiye is up one-nil.
Mithatpaa is on fire, dear listeners!
The clock marks the 41st minute.
Now a long ball to Lefter.
He breaks free from his opponent.
Let's go, Lefter!
A vicious tackle. It's a penalty!
Lefter is on the ground, writhing in pain.
The players and the crowd are anxious.
The medical team enters the field.
- Lefter, are you okay?
- I'm fine.
Lefter says he can continue.
Let's go!
And Lefter stands up to big applause.
He places the ball on the white spot.
He steps back.
The crowd is pulling their hair out.
Everyone holds their breath.
He shoots and scores!
Goal! Lefter nabs a second,
bringing the score to two-nil!
Our national team
storms into the second half.
Metin keeps asking for the ball.
He shoots and scores!
Goal! Metin Oktay!
- Brother!
- Brother!
- We did it!
- We did it, brother!
- We did it, brother!
- Yes, brother!
Metin Oktay scores the third,
making it three-nil!
Trkiye, Trkiye!
And the referee blows the final whistle.
Despite the last-minute goal from Pusks,
we defeat the Hungarians 3-1
with two goals from Lefter
and one from Metin.
Mithatpaa is erupting, dear listeners.
This victory will be written
in golden letters
in the history of our football,
dear listeners.
- Good job, captain.
- Bravo, Metin.
- Well done, Metin.
- Thanks.
Where is Lefter?
TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM DEFEATS HUNGARY 3-1
ZMR
POPULATION: 910,496 - ALTITUDE: 2
I'm coming! One second!
You just finished your bottle, Lefter.
Lefter, hold on, son.
How could you keep this from me, Meri?
I couldn't give birth in Istanbul.
Because if I had stayed
I would have run to you.
Come here, you.
Come here.
Lefter, huh?
You won't be by yourselves anymore.
We're going back to Istanbul together.
FIVE YEARS LATER
This is not love.
Meri, honey, please.
We should have never come back from zmir.
It's all so easy for you!
This is not the Meri I know.
No, this is exactly who Meri is, Lefter!
Can I give you one last hug?
I'm so tired of this.
Me too.
Just leave already.
Our son can't grow up like this.
I can't do this to him.
He's my son too!
Do you have room for my son
for the summer,
and forever for me?
Breakfast is ready. Come on in.
- Daddy!
- Daddy!
Aliki! Rula!
- Daddy!
- You've grown so tall!
Come here.
I missed you two.
I figured we should meet here this time.
Does that mean
you're going to stay with us forever?
Dad, you can rest happy now.
I kept my promise.
HRSTOFS KKANDONYADS
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA
I couldn't become a real professor,
but they call your son The Ordinarius.
I'm 39 years old now.
Time is as ruthless to me
as it is to everyone.
I can't control the ball
the way I want anymore.
But now
It's time now, father.
Greetings to all of you
from Mithatpaa Stadium, dear listeners.
Today, for the first time
in the history of Turkish football,
a player is having a jubilee match.
Our Ordinarius, Lefter,
bids farewell to football today.
Ordinarius, Ordinarius!
He has played
615 games in a Fenerbahe jersey,
and 50 matches with the national team.
He's scored 445 goals in total.
We're saying our goodbyes to Lefter
with tears
alongside the fans at the stadium
and the listeners on the radio.
The Professor Ordinarius
of Turkish football
is lifted onto the shoulders
of both Fenerbahe and Beikta players.
Hristo, are you watching?
Are you seeing this, Hristo?
Lefter, Lefter!
You've waited long enough, my friend.
Give it to Lefter,
he'll put it in the ledger!
Give it to Lefter,
he'll put it in the ledger!
With the classic,
"Give it to Lefter, he'll put it
in the ledger!" from the fans,
he has become a household name
in the history of Turkish football.
The Professor Ordinarius of football,
Lefter Kkandonyadis,
you will be sorely missed
and forever remembered.
Subtitle translation by:
Oktar Bumin Aykutlu
in our football history,
Lefter Kkandonyadis,
also known as The Ordinarius,
is coming back home today.
The Ordinarius returns to his country,
and to his team Fenerbahe
after two successful years
with the football clubs
Fiorentina in Italy and Nice in France.
FENERBAHE SPORTS CLUB
- Welcome.
- Thank you.
Lefter, is it true
you rejected Madrid for Fenerbahe?
Let's not put it like that.
I just thanked them for the offer.
What made you turn down such an offer?
Was it for Fenerbahe?
It's Madrid after all.
It was both for my country
and my Fenerbahe.
I've missed them both so much.
From today until the end of time,
I'll be with Fenerbahe.
- Bravo, Lefter!
- Bravo!
- Lefter, can we get one last photo?
- Of course.
- Bravo, Lefter!
- Bravo!
- Lefter, one last question.
- Lefter, look here!
- Lefter, one more question!
- Lefter!
One more photo!
- Lefter, please look here!
- Lefter, over here!
- One more photo!
- Lefter!
LEFTER: THE STORY OF THE ORDINARIUS
It's Lefter!
- Lefter, hey!
- Welcome, sir.
Can we get an autograph?
Hello, ladies. Of course.
- Thank you so much.
- He's so handsome.
- Thank you so much.
- Here.
Here you go. Whose pen was it?
- Have a nice day.
- Thank you so much.
Thank you.
- Welcome, sir.
- Hello.
- Lefter, hey!
- Lefter! Hello, Lefter.
Why did you make me come here?
I have so much work to do.
We could've met after you were done.
I wanted them to meet my beloved friend.
Is that so bad, you grump?
Listen. After the interview,
I'll take you somewhere amazing.
- Let's do that.
- Yeah.
There are things
we need to talk about anyway.
- Like what?
- Like what you've been hiding from me.
- Hey, Lefter.
- Hey there, Halit.
Welcome.
Thank you. My dear friend Hasan.
- Hello. Halit Kvan.
- Hello.
All right, Lefter. We're ready for you.
Football is my life.
I used to sleep with a ball
when I was a kid.
My mother was always going on about it.
"You're the most mischievous boy ever!"
And my father used to tell me
real men didn't chase some ball around.
He never wanted me to play ball.
I'm not mad at all, Lefteri mo...
Your teacher called today.
She told me something interesting.
She said you are great at math.
She told me you solve every problem
but not in the way she taught you.
She said anyone else
would take you for a cheater.
But I did it the way she taught me.
When I was your age,
my father told me I'd be a fisherman.
You know, old times.
There were no schools, no options.
I had no other path.
But you do. And your path is decided now.
But you allow my brother, Dad.
Listen to me.
God gave this gift to you,
not your brother.
You need to study, and study hard.
As I listened to your teacher today,
I pictured you as an engineer.
Or maybe an architect or a professor.
That's what I thought.
Promise me something.
You will put a smile
on poor Hristo's face, eh?
Dad, if I study a lot,
can I play football whenever I want?
Of course you take after me.
I named you Eleftherios.
You wanted him to be free like his name.
You made your own bed, Hristo.
All right, you mule. Here's what we'll do.
You can play a bit on weekends.
- Okay? Is that good?
- Okay.
That's my boy!
I didn't listen to my father, of course.
I kept chasing the ball.
We made balls from our mothers' socks,
even if it meant catching a beating.
Once I stuffed it full
and tied it into a ball,
I'd be golden.
As a kid, the leather ball
was an unattainable dream for me.
See, we were poor.
Fine leather is expensive, obviously.
- Where's Lefter?
- Here we go!
Tell me, Emin.
What's the primary ingredient of a goal?
- How would I know?
- You can answer too.
You all flunked.
- Item one, power!
- What the
Item two, skill.
Item three, confidence.
And last but not least,
just when the goalkeeper least expects it,
a surprise shot!
- Man!
- We're at the beach, Lefter.
- So we won't play ball?
- Let's not.
The lineup!
Tufan, shak, Dimitri, Agop,
Koo, Ali, Emin, Hasan,
and Lefter!
Stop yelling, hsan.
Shut up! Lefter called me here.
I'm your referee. I'm your prime minister!
Watch this, fellas. Hasan!
Catch!
You wouldn't even pass for a goalpost,
let alone a goalie!
- Let's swim!
- Let's go.
- Hasan, get the ball!
- Let's go!
Come on, fellas.
Psst, Lefter!
You scored all the goals again yesterday.
Or was it today?
- Go, go! Here goes Lefter! And he scores!
- Come here, you!
You're the most beautiful girl here.
- Have I told you that?
- Uh-huh.
- Lefter!
- Coming!
You were supposed to come fishing today.
Something come up?
Today, Dad
You know the saying.
A boy makes a promise, but a man keeps it.
Mister goes to the beach
on Saturdays, Dad.
- Yelken Restaurant's paying tonight.
- That's what they said last week.
Kostas didn't give them fish,
so they came around.
Every day we eat what everyone else won't.
Say it again, Eftimia,
so that everyone hears.
Lefter couldn't.
Do you know what the food you scoff at
sells for across the sea?
In wartime too.
Watch what you're saying.
People are battling starvation.
Forgive me, Dad.
I didn't mean that.
One day, everyone will see
how valuable this is.
You'll see. You'll realize I was right.
You don't want to be a fisherman?
You should've studied, then.
Enjoy the food.
I'm going out, Argiro.
NATIONAL DIVISION OVER
FENERBAHE BECOMES THE CHAMPION
Lefteri mo...
Oh, my boy.
You're troubled about your father,
aren't you?
You know how stubborn he is.
Two sides of the same coin.
Just go help out on Monday
and make it up to him.
I'm sure he'll forgive you.
Are you going to Taksim again tomorrow?
Mom, don't.
- I have money. What are you doing?
- Take it. You'll need it.
Don't waste time.
Take the express ferry back.
Come on, get some sleep.
We're starting early tomorrow.
There is one thing we must never forget
as we keep living in the shadow of war.
The father is the head of the home.
The children listen to the father.
The father loves and protects the family.
And the family
loves and respects the father.
Stavrini.
Um There's something really important
I need to tell you tonight.
What is it?
Something as beautiful as you are.
- Thanks.
- Stavrini!
Let's go, sweetheart.
- See you.
- See you.
Lefteri mo...
Dad.
- Have a nice day.
- Have a nice day.
- The priest spoke well.
- Yes.
I hope people understood.
Of course, it's important to understand.
Listening is one thing,
understanding is another.
I heard there's a party
at Madame Sofi's tonight.
Yes.
All your peers have graduated.
I heard Hasan came top of the class.
Proper lad.
Will you be going too?
I go every year, Dad.
As a man
who couldn't even finish primary school.
I have nothing to be ashamed of.
Fair enough.
You've become the island's top scorer.
I couldn't be prouder. Well done.
How did we even start talking about that?
Argiro mo...
Pano! Hey, Pano.
- How are you?
- Why do you care?
- Well, I need to ask you something.
- Yeah?
Beyoluspor is looking
to sign a player, right?
Can you talk to Mr. Gndz?
You think we'd sign you, island baller?
Like the mighty Gndz Kl
would bother vouching for you.
Yeah, right. Stick with being the ball boy
at the Taksim Stadium, all right?
- Hey, island baller.
- What?
He doesn't want you. Stop insisting.
Brother, there are
other teams for you out there.
To hell with it.
But if you still want to go,
take my new leather shoes
so they can see a proper footballer.
Thanks, Dimitri.
Don't mind your brother.
Don't be late tonight.
- Don't you dare be late.
- Oh, I'll see you tonight.
Don't you dare.
TAKSM STADIUM
Uncle Ziya!
Wasn't there a friendly?
Catch your breath first.
- Don't tell me it was canceled.
- It wasn't.
They're inside getting ready, son.
And Maestro Hakk? He's here too, right?
Here they are.
- Let's go, boys!
- Let's go!
Don't wear the blue one.
This looks better on you.
Those fell out of fashion anyway.
I've been telling you to get rid of them.
Ugh! I don't think
any of them look good, Ayten.
I need to look gorgeous
for Lefter tonight.
Don't let him get away.
Don't leave your man open.
- I'm here.
- Now! Shoot!
Easy, man! That's a foul.
akir! Don't be a snake!
Snake? You're out of line.
What if I am?
- Watch your mouth.
- You watch your mouth!
Watch it, or I'll bring you into line!
Stop it, lads!
What's wrong with you boys? What is this?
akir, you're out.
- Captain, please...
- I said you're out, akir!
But, Captain
Let's take him out too so it's fair.
We can't play like that.
- Lads!
- Calm down.
Calm down.
Listen to me.
I swear I'll kick you all out,
go gather ten guys off the street,
and play this game with them.
Young man, come here.
I'm talking to you.
- Me?
- Yes, you.
You want to stay a ball boy? Come.
I'm already in the Islands A team.
Perfect. Come here.
- Me?
- I said come, kid!
akir, take off your jersey
and give it to him.
- You're playing.
- Captain
akir, shut it! Give it to him!
- I'm sorry, akir.
- He won't be playing.
You! Give your jersey to akir.
You're on the other team now.
Man, their shoes are like paddles.
They won't fit you.
We don't have spares either.
I'm used to it. It's okay, sir.
- Can you play in these?
- Yes, I can.
Go get ready then, champ.
Back to your positions, everyone.
Let's carry on! Play fairly!
That's it. I can't go tonight.
Give me that.
As a true fashion icon,
I live for moments like these, honey.
I so wonder what Lefter wants to tell you.
He must be working on his speech now.
If you're this nervous,
who knows what he's like.
- Pass it!
- Over here!
Goal!
Fellas. Fellas, where is that boy?
He'd already left when we got inside.
- Mr. Onnik, a moment, please.
- Yes, Ziya?
The boy you asked about is Lefter.
He was ashamed
to have scored in the presence of Hakk.
He ran away.
I'll take the jersey, Mr. Ziya.
Have a nice evening.
You too.
- Where's Stavrini?
- Where've you been?
- Brother...
- Take it off.
- Pano, stop it.
- Do it.
- Pano!
- What did he do?
Tell him not to touch my clothes again.
He hid them too.
- Where've you been?
- Let's not.
You dirt bag!
Brother!
- Jackass.
- Let's just stop.
He's really upset.
Oh wow, Selim. You two look so chic.
And you look terrible.
Dimitri, just look at him.
There is a smell here.
It smells like
Like fish.
There is this
snobby private school boy smell here.
Oh, was it you two? Must be.
Blah, blah, blah.
Is that what you think, Iranian?
Hey, Dimitri.
You know what?
Your expensive cologne
and my fish smell will match perfectly.
Come here. We have a score to settle.
You look gorgeous.
And you look very handsome.
There are no words
to describe the peace I feel.
You were going to
tell me something, right?
Meet me out back in a bit?
No promises.
How about telling me now?
- Should I?
- Uh-huh.
If I were to ask you one day
to join my life would you?
That's it.
If you want to, of course.
Thank you for the dance.
You didn't answer.
Oh, Ayten!
Stavrini, what happened?
You look horrible!
Did Lefter say something bad?
Tell me. I'll go rip his head off.
No. See, Ayten
He asked
He said, "If I were to ask you one day
to join my life, would you?"
I don't fully understand what it means.
- What does it mean?
- It means he practically proposed to you.
Psst, Lefter.
I've considered your proposal.
Well
- Actually
- You don't want it. Got it.
Lefter.
I'll not only join your life,
but also join you in what comes after.
Say that again.
I'll join you in life and what's beyond.
You're free to join me wherever.
Just make sure you do.
But
We'll have to figure out the fish stench
once we're married.
Ayten! Lefter!
Maestro Hakk is here, asking for Lefter!
And Mzeyyen Senar
was looking for me the other day.
Come on, hsan.
hsan?
Lefter! Maestro Hakk is here,
looking for Lefter!
He asked where you were,
but I refused to give him your address.
What are you rambling about?
I'm saying Hakk is looking for you!
Maestro Hakk is looking for Lefter!
Lefter.
We'll register you as a year older.
That's easy.
So long as you join us.
Praise be with you.
You took them on nicely, left and right.
Am I right?
Those legs of yours are a godsend.
Come on, take a seat.
We hear Panini from Beyoluspor
is your big brother.
He's fierce on the field.
Yes, he's my big brother.
I hope he won't mind
you joining an Armenian team.
It's hard to find a spot
in an Armenian team as a Rum.
We don't discriminate like that
in our family, sir.
I mean, we
- Here, take some. Fill your pockets.
- But of course...
These are hard to find these days.
I can't give you an answer
before asking my father.
Fill your pockets. Fill them. Take some.
- Of course.
- There you go.
Get his blessing.
But you won't be able to
go back to the island for a while.
You can't get distracted.
All right already. Don't scare the kid.
Son, don't listen to them.
Yes, you'll be away from home for a while.
But you'll be shaping your future.
Right? Look at it that way.
And the Big Three wouldn't let
a well-trained young man go.
And Hakk? Why do you think
Hakk visited the island, huh?
So you've made up your mind?
So I'll be left without you.
Without me?
My daisy.
I'll be just one ferry ride away.
And what difference does it make
as long as I leave my heart here?
Don't be like this. Please.
I will never stand
in the way of your dreams.
I wonder how I'll convince my father.
I'll have a salary too.
They said I was very talented.
I'd like to accept it if you'll allow me.
Allow you?
Who? Me?
I'll have to stay in Istanbul for a while.
You were always stubborn.
You never changed.
I didn't change either.
My son was supposed to
become a professor, but he didn't.
Such is life.
Well, if
If I go, I won't be able to help you out.
You weren't always here.
I don't need anyone,
and certainly not the money you'll bring.
Be a proper man and a decent human being.
I've got nothing else to say to you.
Now leave me alone.
All right, Dad.
Godspeed, son.
Lefter said goodbye to everyone
except his closest friend.
- Mr. Hasan.
- Yes, sir?
Why don't you join us?
Your contribution would be very nice.
No, how could I?
Do join us, Mr. Hasan.
Please come sit with us.
See, Halit, my closest friend here,
has never been to any of my games.
Make sure to take a note.
I guess Mr. Hasan and you
had a disagreement on this.
Let me put it this way, Mr. Halit.
You know how opposing spirits
complete each other?
I think that's what happened
with me and Lefter.
His stubbornness
has often scared me, though.
I mean, it still does.
And finally, I was living my dream.
But from the bench.
Don't run! Hey, slow down!
- That has to be a foul!
- Foul! Ref, come on!
Lefter! Let Lefter in!
- Sit down!
- Mr. Asm!
- Mr. Asm...
- Ref!
Listen. Don't keep the ball for too long.
Make lots of passes, okay?
Create scoring opportunities.
Don't be scared.
Get in there. Go for the ball.
Don't let me down, champ.
Don't worry about Asm. I'll handle him.
Let's go. Let's go, kid.
Come on, be brave. Let's go.
End of the first half!
Go on!
Can't you see him?
Oh, come on! Ref!
That was completely over the top.
- It's surely a foul!
- Stop getting in the way, you sewer rat!
What is that, ref?
Come on, Lefter.
Be brave. Just get in there.
Goal!
See that?
God almighty!
Well done, Onnik. Bravo.
You hit the jackpot again.
Lefter! Good job, kid!
Two full months.
TWO MONTHS LATER
Finally, I had some money.
I was so excited
to be able to do something for my family.
Aren't they beautiful?
Oh, Lefter!
It all looks amazing.
It looks great.
Come on, open your present.
Oh, son.
- Do you like it?
- I love it.
- Wear it whenever.
- Thank you.
- Dad didn't really like the shirt.
- You're wrong.
I'll go check on him.
RUSSIANS CAPTURE GERMAN BASE
Dad.
Never assume that this calamity called war
won't find you, wherever you may be.
When a soul is gone,
it takes from your life too.
The order changes.
It takes from your life.
It keeps going and going.
It never stops.
Everyone is scared of the tax.
What if they come for us too, Dad?
- They won't touch people like us.
- Why's that?
Because poor Hristo
has nothing they can take.
Hristo! Argiro!
They broke into people's houses! Come on!
While challenges brought by World War II
have been felt in our country,
provisions of the military and citizens
are being protected.
In order to protect the people
and those on a fixed income,
the Wealth Tax Law,
which stipulates a one-time tax
on the profits
of asset owners and income earners,
has been unanimously accepted
in our Grand National Assembly of Trkiye.
The tax lists are being posted
in Istanbul and other provinces
Dimitri!
Lefter.
By the decision of the committee,
the ones on the list
must pay their taxes in full
Goodbye, Lefteri mo...
My friend.
Lefter!
I couldn't sleep for days.
I couldn't silence my conscience.
I had to do something.
My biggest wish is
That you accept it as our engagement ring.
- Mom!
- Lefter! My son!
- Mommy!
- Mom!
Something happened to him.
I just know. I can sense these things.
hsan!
Where's Lefter?
- Lefter joined the army!
- hsan!
He joined the army!
At ease! Attention! hsan, attention!
Eftimia! Pano!
- Stavrini!
- He hid it to avoid upsetting you.
He told me to hide it too.
I was meaning to come by earlier.
Well
Lefter hit his head when he was a kid.
That's why he's like this now.
Otherwise, why would he leave
without telling me, right?
I know this is about something else.
He felt bad for the ones who were gone.
He runs when he's sad.
And of course,
he puts his country above all else.
Argiro?
Hristo! Lefter ran away to join the army.
Good for him.
He should hold a rifle for his country
instead of chasing a ball.
- Eftimia!
- Calm down, Mom.
As luck would have it,
my commander was a football fan.
With the team he had me put together,
we won every single local and
military cup or tournament in Diyarbakr
for four years straight.
That's the reason
Diyarbakr will always remember me,
and why I'll always remember them.
There were people in his division
who didn't believe him
when he enlisted
just as he was about to make some money.
They also put him down because he was Rum.
Hasan, whatever happened,
let's keep it to ourselves, okay?
But my adventures as a soldier
brought me to my beloved.
My achievements there
made it to the papers
and caught Fenerbahe's attention.
When I returned,
they called me in for a tryout.
I'll never forget that morning.
They only called me in for a tryout.
It's not a done deal.
No. I'm sure you'll succeed.
I'm worried about Dad.
He has to do it all alone now.
Let's just hope for the best.
Morning, Dad.
Morning. Good morning, sweetheart.
Good morning, sir.
Are you going out, Dad?
Yes. I'll go get some air.
But the doctor said
you should rest at home.
Send the doctor my greetings.
Okay, Dad.
GENERAL HARINGTON CUP
FENERBAHE 2 - GUARDS JOINT 1
FENERBAHE SPORTS CLUB
Come on.
Go, go.
Good job. Get past him.
Bring in the new boy.
Send in the new kid! Striker!
Yes, sir.
Lefter.
Right wing, facing Navy Kamil.
Coach says you shouldn't play the hero.
Let's see what you've got.
Let's go!
Let's do this!
Come on!
Pass him.
Come on. Come here, little boy.
Easy there, Kamil!
That's it!
That was perfect!
Bring the kid to my office.
Welcome, Lefter.
Thank you, sir.
Take a seat.
I won't beat around the bush.
We've discussed it with Coach Molnr too.
We want you to join Fenerbahe.
I heard Beikta also called you.
You considering them?
I couldn't even if I wanted to, sir.
Maestro Hakk plays there.
So?
I wouldn't know what to do with myself
playing alongside him.
I can't match his greatness.
I'd rather pick you anyway.
Because
Fenerbahe is my biggest dream.
In that case, tell me your conditions.
What are they?
I don't want anything.
Just
They said my dad's treatment and medicine
would cost 200 liras.
I can't afford it.
Son
Speaking for myself
and on behalf of Fenerbahe Sports Club,
we will cover your father's treatment.
Don't worry.
Just give me your decision.
I'll pay back all my debt to you.
And I promise you on my honor,
from now on, I will live for Fenerbahe.
NN STADIUM
Dear listeners, Eref efik speaking.
Today, I'm at nn Stadium,
packed to the brim with fans.
The two giants
are minutes away from facing each other.
Stick to the left wing, okay?
Stay midfield, okay? Defend!
Both teams,
whose fans carry
yellow-blue and yellow-red colors,
are making their way to the center circle
for the opening ceremony.
Long live, long live,
long live Fenerbahe!
The three referees take their place
in midfield for the ceremony.
The teams are saluting the fans.
Three times for Turkish football.
Bless you! Bless you! Bless you!
The teams are moving into position
after the ceremony.
Fenerbahe's new signing,
Lefter Kkandonyadis,
has been added to the lineup
by Coach Molnr just today.
The fans are eagerly waiting
for Lefter to showcase his skills.
Fenerbahe starts the match
with the whistle.
Selahattin finds Lefter.
Lefter slips it right through the legs.
He keeps going.
Go, Lefter!
Keep going, Lefter!
He slips past his second opponent as well!
Lefter keeps dribbling past them.
This is unbelievable.
Lefter
Lefter is approaching the penalty area.
He feints.
And he slips by the last defender!
He shoots!
The ball is in the net!
Goal!
Fenerbahe now leads one-nil.
Goal, man!
Goal!
An incredible goal, dear listeners!
Give it to Lefter!
He'll put it in the ledger!
Give it to Lefter
Fans are chanting, "Give it to Lefter,
he'll put it in the ledger!"
Give it to Lefter,
he'll put it in the ledger!
"MOLNR'S TEAM" STARTS THE SEASON STRONG
LEFTER SHINES THROUGH
A cross from the right,
and Lefter heads it in!
It's a goal.
Simply Lefter!
THE YELLOW CANARIES ARE ON A STREAK
A lob from the right.
Lefter volleys it home.
Goal! It's in the net.
An exquisite effort by Lefter.
Coach Molnr emphasized after the game
that he was happy with
Lefter tries another shot!
The ball brushes the post.
Lefter is pounding the ground,
dear listeners.
Fenerbahe's goal machine.
One each from Lefter and Halit.
Lefter shoots!
He scores again!
The team hoists Lefter on their shoulders.
He won them the game.
Fenerbahe scores a whopping seven goals.
The Yellow-Blues nab a historic win
while breaking a seasonal record.
Lefter feints, shoots, and scores!
The ball is in the net.
It's Lefter!
A sublime effort by Lefter!
A goal from Lefter!
Fenerbahe are champions.
The Yellow-Blues
celebrate their eighth league title.
Long live, long live,
long live Fenerbahe!
FENERBAHE ARE CHAMPIONS!
THE YELLOW-BLUES CELEBRATE THEIR EIGHTH
He can't talk now.
The doctors said maybe one day.
That's exactly what they said.
"Maybe one day."
- Mom, how is he?
- Tonight could be his last.
Dad.
Dad.
Have you heard, Dad?
They loved me at Fenerbahe.
I mean, the whole team.
"You're too much
of a perfectionist, Lefter,"
Coach Molnr said.
And I went,
"I got that from my father, Coach."
I have great news for you.
Your son, Lefter,
got called up to the national team.
Remember when you told me
that you didn't need me?
But I need you so much, Dad.
Oh, my dear father.
I love you so much, Dad.
I love you more than life itself.
Get well, okay?
Well, I know how stubborn you can get.
By all means, do what you desire, but
It'd be great if you got better.
So that you could scold me again, right?
"You can't become a man chasing a ball."
What do you say, Dad?
There lay the great Hristo.
My dear father passed that morning.
That was the day Lefter grew up.
It marked the end of his childhood.
Stavro.
Isn't all this a bit too much
for just three days?
My husband should always look
neat and clean
when he meets his love.
Who do you mean?
The leather ball.
Football is your first love.
And I've agreed to come second.
I wonder if I'm making a mistake.
Maybe I shouldn't help you
look so handsome.
What if I look handsome, huh?
Tell me.
What happens if I look handsome?
Everyone's eyes are on you.
Never mind about them.
You are my first love.
And you will be my last.
Lefter, Lefter!
Dear listeners,
our national team will fly to Athens today
for a friendly match against Greece.
The hot topic of discussion in Athens
ahead of the game has been
that our player Lefter Kkandonyadis
will wear the national jersey
for the first time against Greece.
- The ship came and took Lefter!
- hsan, let me.
The big ship came and took Lefter!
My boy.
Mom, you shouldn't have bothered.
What is all this?
Nothing matches Mom's cooking.
See, I put loads of molasses in there
so you can run faster.
We're all proud of you.
Take good care of yourself there, okay?
ATHENS
Lefter! Lefter, a quick question.
Do you think we will win this game?
Lefter, Lefter!
The Turkish national team
will win this 3-1.
Fikret, kr, and I will score the goals.
Lefter, a few more
The Greece-Trkiye game is about to begin.
The entire country is waiting by the radio
for the game to start.
Boo!
And our national team
steps onto the field, dear listeners.
Turkish spawn!
- Traitor!
- Turkish spawn!
You're no Greek!
There's a strong protest.
Unfortunately, foreign objects
are being thrown.
This is the kind of thing
we don't want to see.
You're supposed to be Greek? Scumbag!
There's a big reaction against Lefter,
rather than our national team.
This is not football.
It can't be. It shouldn't be.
Turkish spawn!
Traitor!
You're supposed to be Greek?
Turkish spawn!
And the match begins with the whistle.
There is a constant roar in the stadium.
The Greek spectators
are constantly protesting
our team, especially our player, Lefter.
Lefter has the ball.
He slips by his opponent.
A long ball to Ahmet.
Ahmet takes on his opponent.
A great cross! Fikret controls the ball.
He shoots, and the ball meets the net,
dear listeners!
Trkiye takes the lead, one-nil.
Fikret passes to Lefter.
Lefter has the ball again.
A quick feint from Lefter.
He charges his opponent.
Another feint, but he gets fouled!
It's a foul!
But the referee signals play on.
Lefter gets up.
We have possession again.
I'm here!
Lefter wants the ball.
sfendiyar.
A long ball from sfendiyar.
It's Lefter. He shoots!
It's in the net! Goal!
Lefter Kkandonyadis!
Our Lefter's first goal
in the crescent-and-star national jersey
hits the back of Greece's net.
In Athens, there's applause on one side
and incessant protests on the other.
The Turkish national team wins 3-1
with goals from Fikret, Lefter, and kr.
The exhibition between Trkiye and Greece
ends in a Turkish victory.
Trkiye defeats Greece 3-1.
The scorers are
Kkandonyadis, Krcan, and Glesin.
UGLINESS AGAINST LEFTER
OUR NATIONAL TEAM DEFEATS GREECE 3-1
Ma'am, look what Lefter said.
What is it?
"I'm elated to have served my country."
Are you okay, Lefter?
Yeah.
"A crow doesn't belong in a rose garden,
nor a nightingale in a dumpster."
That's what Dad used to say.
So where am I now?
Rum spawn in my country,
Turkish spawn here.
What does that make me?
Look.
Athens.
It looks just like Istanbul.
My mom used to tell us.
I didn't believe her.
They always felt different.
It turns out
we're the same.
- But...
- Lefter.
Where do you want to be
when you close your eyes?
That's where you belong.
Remember that.
Okay.
Okay.
- Bon apptit.
- Welcome.
My biggest fan, Manol,
who I told you about,
is our guest tonight.
- Nice to meet you.
- I should add, though.
I'm the biggest ever fan of his.
My pleasure.
Welcome. We're glad to have you.
He's such a jokester.
- I can tell.
- Yeah.
Well What was I saying?
I became his closest friend
in a very short time, Hasan.
For a very long time
Do you mind me not calling you "Mr."?
- Watch Hasan.
- No, that's okay.
That's entirely fine by me, but
But you said you became his closest friend
in a very short period of time.
I would actually love
to hear all the details sometime.
Go ahead.
He can't score without looking at me.
Oh no.
Save your breath.
Hasan skips all my games.
He doesn't even like football.
Don't waste your time.
Well, you heard the man.
I've never been to any of his games.
So he scores
when he's meant to score, Manol.
He does, yeah.
Our Lefter has new friends now.
We have to accept that, right?
Don't worry. Wherever you go, he goes.
You're the truest of friends, man.
Now, that's a statement
I can get behind, Pano.
My dear brother.
Cheers.
So let's raise our glasses
to the great player
who even endures being booed
just so he can do his best.
Only God is great.
If you're talking about the Greece game,
I just represented
my nation against my race, that's all.
Let those who booed carry the shame.
Right, folks?
- That's right.
- Exactly.
Someone once asked Lefter
- Oh no.
- Here we go.
"Where do you aim when you shoot?"
And what did I say?
He said, "The crossbar."
They asked why.
Lefter replied,
"Well, if it hits the crossbar,
the bleachers will go, 'Ah!'"
"If it goes a bit higher,
they will go, 'Whoa'!"
"And if it goes two inches lower"
They'll go, "Goal!"?
Cheers! To Lefter!
Enjoy it, everybody.
Cheers.
- Oh, Manol.
- Is Lefter aware of this anecdote?
You'll have to ask Manol.
He would know whether I am.
You are.
- I am?
- Of course you are.
I must be, then. If you say so.
Mom!
Lefteri mo...
Mom!
Purify me with hyssop,
and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
The earth is the Lord's,
and the fullness thereof
The world and all who dwell therein.
May her memory last.
May God rest her soul.
You can grow up to be a man,
but you'll always
be a child to your mother.
We couldn't separate Lefter
from her grave.
But life does not stop when you stop.
It picks you up
and puts you somewhere else.
Mr. President,
you're giving up on success.
There is no other explanation to it.
It's your duty to replace
those who leave, not mine.
But we're talking about Lefter here, sir.
Lefter will be our first player ever
to be signed abroad for a transfer fee.
The first.
I hope you know what that means
for our team and our country.
Mr. President.
Come in, Lefter.
We were just waiting for you.
You must've heard about it.
Fiorentina wants you.
For a significant fee, of course.
Thirty-five thousand, to be exact.
I was surprised too.
They saw me in Berlin apparently,
at the Germany game.
- When you were sick?
- Yeah.
Two years.
That's like a lifetime.
I've been telling you to come with me.
I can't come now.
You know my mom's situation.
I need to get things in order first.
I can't be away from you
and the island.
Tomorrow, I'll tell them I won't go.
Let's drop the subject.
- No, Lefter.
- Let's just drop it.
Lefter, don't you dare.
You have no path but success now.
You'll go there for us.
I love you so much.
Dear viewers, the Professor Ordinarius
of Turkish football,
Lefter Kkandonyadis,
continues to make us proud
with his remarkable performance
for the renowned Italian team Fiorentina.
Nicknamed "The Football Wizard"
by the Italians,
Lefter didn't let us down
in Europe either.
With the goals he scored
and his unique moves,
he kept carving his way
into the hearts of Fiorentina fans.
This is riveting.
Likewise, he managed to score
a magnificent goal
at the Inter game last month.
Lefter is going to score!
He's going to score now!
Hristo will be so angry!
Lefter is going to score!
Let's watch our Lefter's goal
in the footage from that match.
During a Fiorentina offensive
from the right,
the ball finds our Lefter
in the penalty area.
Lefter beats his opponents one by one
with his unique brand of dribbling
and scores!
Lefter, Lefter!
FLORENCE
Yes, Nice has asked us for Lefter
for a record fee.
The rumors are true.
We'll finalize the details of the contract
at the end of the season.
Lefter will be with us
till the end of the year,
but he'll be wearing
the Nice jersey next season.
Now Lefter would like to say a few words.
Thank you.
Hello.
Fiorentina will always remain
one of the most important milestones
in my football career.
Fiorentina fans
and their love and passion for football
helped me tremendously
in my lonely days in Florence.
I will never forget them.
Thank you for everything.
Those were the days, right?
You already know
what happened after Italy.
- All right. Thank you so much for coming.
- My friend.
So? How was I, huh?
You outshined me, though.
You turned out to be a real gem.
Mr. Hasan steers the conversation
wherever he desires, huh?
Don't you think
you glossed over the Italy part, Lefter?
Whatever you're thinking,
keep it to yourself.
Or was it France?
You're not yourself since you came back.
Don't you think I see that?
Blah, blah, blah.
What have you been implying all day?
I'm not implying anything.
I'm asking it directly.
What are you hiding from us, from me?
Nothing. Stop making things up.
Lefter, enough already.
Sometimes, it's better not knowing
unless it's absolutely necessary.
So yeah, enough already.
On the contrary, the truth is
always better than holding on to a lie.
Besides, since when do we keep secrets
from each other, Lefter?
Why don't you become a poet, Hasan?
Coward.
What did you say?
I called you a coward.
You're such a coward
that you can't even tell me.
Hasan.
Hasan!
Whatever it is you're hiding, handle it.
And stop hurting everyone, Lefter.
TWO YEARS AGO
Oh, it's Lefter the wizard!
- Hey.
- We adore you, Lefter!
Si. Yes, it's me. Hello.
Greetings. Thank you.
What should I tell you now?
Can we take a photo?
Photo? Of course.
- Thanks. Have a nice day.
- Can we get separate autographs?
Have a nice day.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
All right.
It seems you'll have to give
quite a lot of autographs today.
Congratulations on your success.
- May I have your name?
- Meri.
It's so nice to meet you, Meri.
I'm both happy and surprised
to meet someone who speaks my language.
Do you live here in Italy?
No. I work for
a publishing house in Istanbul.
I'm here for a business trip.
Why don't we sit down for a while?
Let me offer you a cup of coffee.
- Please.
- Thank you.
Here. Allow me.
Cheers.
Meri, get inside, please.
How about you stay until the rain stops?
Meri, please.
Close the door.
He followed us.
Took our photos.
I didn't want to throw them away.
Who?
A fool trying to spread false news.
Some burn artist.
I mean, they're waiting for me to slip up.
And naturally, you got scared.
Scared? Doesn't sound like me.
What would you like to drink?
I have to go.
What if I asked you to stay?
Don't.
Please don't.
I feel another mysterious speech coming.
I have to go.
I can't stay.
I'm married.
Get out!
Get the hell out!
Lefter!
May I get an autograph? I'm a big fan.
Of course.
Here you go.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Have a nice day.
It's Lefter!
Whatever it is you're hiding, handle it.
And stop hurting everyone, Lefter.
Lefter?
Are you okay?
I'm fine. Just fine.
Lefter!
Never seen you smoke before.
Do you even know me?
- Who are you?
- Meri, enough.
- Yes, Lefter! Enough.
- I've never lied to you.
That's what you're holding on to?
- Doesn't that mean something to you?
- No! It doesn't.
I don't want to see your face ever again.
The fairy tale is over.
What are you talking about?
It wasn't a fairy tale.
What we had was real.
You looked so happy with your wife.
And I want you to be.
I've never wished otherwise.
And I won't.
Are you following me?
I did just once.
The day you returned.
I saw you there.
So?
You happened to show me
how happy you were, Lefter.
I'm sure it was a relief.
I'm not unhappy.
I wasn't.
Until I met you.
- So I'm to blame now?
- There's no blame in love.
Stop this nonsense.
Why did you follow me, then?
Don't cross my path again!
Act like a married man!
Had I not acted like a married man,
I'd have come to you long ago.
But know this.
If I went back in time,
I'd relive those three days.
Let me go.
- Lefter, let me go.
- Sh. Stop.
- Lefter.
- Sh.
Meri.
Good morning,
Lefteri mo...
Good morning, Meri mo...
You were sleeping so deeply.
I couldn't bring myself to wake you up.
I'm starving.
My teeth are itching.
Can I take a bite here? Just
MTHATPAA STADIUM
Greetings to all
from Mithatpaa Stadium, dear listeners.
Halit Kvan speaking.
This is the game of the year.
Metin on one side, Lefter on the other.
You know, Metin,
I loved your goal at the game in zmir.
I have to admit, I was incredibly jealous.
I've never seen such a goal.
You're the king.
Because you were there.
Lefter was watching. Of course I'd score.
Your team made
a crucial and invaluable move
by signing you.
Welcome back to Istanbul.
Thank you, Lefter.
This is what we want to see, dear viewers.
Oh, come on.
A snapshot of eternal friendship
among everlasting rivals.
Isn't that right, Basri?
Can Bartu is at it again!
kr!
Come on already, man.
You've recited the entire Quran. Come on.
Turgay, which spot do you want me
to hit when scoring today?
Mind your business, brother.
This is my business. That's why I asked.
- Let's play!
- Let's do this!
- Let's go, let's go!
- Yeah! Come on!
They greet the crowd together
as the fans cheer wildly.
The two captains, Fikret and Turgay,
exchange club banners.
The players are in position.
And the game starts
with the referee's whistle.
Come on. Spread out.
Galatasaray is building up an offensive
towards the seaside goal.
A long ball to Metin.
Metin enters the box.
kr deflects his shot.
How did he not score?
Lefter has the ball now. He's moving fast.
Great show of skill by Lefter.
Lefter. Lefter advances.
He approaches the box from the left.
He shoots! But it's just wide.
Turgay kicks the game back into action.
The Yellow-Reds have the ball.
They find Metin.
Metin Oktay has the ball.
He takes on his opponent.
He shoots and scores.
It's a goal, dear listeners.
You're the king of this game!
The crown less king!
Galatasaray leads one-nil.
Fenerbahe restarts the game
with the kickoff.
A pass to Lefter on the left wing.
He has the ball.
He chips it towards the box,
finding his teammate Basri.
Basri Whoa!
Basri is injured, and badly.
It looked terrible.
The medical team
is being called onto the field.
Hey, Basri.
- You're okay.
- I am.
Looks like Basri will carry on.
That's right.
Bravo, Basri!
Now Fenerbahe has a free kick
towards the goal on the gas house side.
Lefter is on the ball.
Turgay sets up the wall.
Lefter looks towards the goal.
He sends it towards Turgay's right
and scores!
- Goal!
- It's a goal, dear listeners.
Goal by Lefter.
Wait a minute.
The referee has canceled it.
The goal won't stand.
Oh wow! Major objections going on.
Since he hadn't blown the whistle yet,
the referee orders
the free kick to be retaken.
Lefter is behind the ball again.
Turgay sets up the wall once more.
Lefter.
He looks at the goal.
And it's in! Goal!
The ball is in the net, dear listeners.
Lefter Kkandonyadis!
He sends it the other way this time,
past Turgay's left and into the net!
He's not just a professor,
he's Professor Ordinarius!
And the match ends in a 1-1 draw
with incredible goals
from Lefter and Metin on each side.
- Meri, let the door go.
- Go away, Lefter. Leave!
- Let go!
- I said leave!
Let the door go!
I'm not crying. I'm not.
I'm not crying.
I'm not crying.
There's nothing to cry about anyway, Meri.
I'm not crying.
- Meri.
- Leave, Lefter!
Please sit down. Let's talk.
Leave, you idiot!
- You're breaking my heart.
- I'm breaking your heart?
That's not how you break a heart.
This is how!
- Get a hold of yourself.
- How many times has it been, Lefter?
- Pull yourself together.
- Pull myself together?
You got up from the table,
looking right into my eyes,
and left me all alone
in the middle of the restaurant.
What kind of nightmare am I living here?
Meri mou, please.
- "Meri mou"?
- Please.
Meri mou, huh?
Meri mou! How dare you still call me that!
You're in love with football, not with me!
And you
You can't fall in love with anyone.
Because you'll tear through anything
that might hurt your game, right?
You're being ridiculous.
I see everything clearly now, Lefter.
Don't tell Stavrini anything.
There's no need to hurt her for nothing.
The butterfly lives for three days
yet again, right?
Meri the butterfly.
The butterfly!
Snap out of it!
I had to.
I had to leave when I saw the journalists.
We've talked about this.
What have we talked about, Lefter?
Have we talked about
you showing up out of the blue?
Or about how I trusted you again
like the fool I am?
What have we talked about, Mr. Footballer?
You're not listening.
I won't hide us anymore.
Just sit down. Stop already. Just stop.
Just stop.
I've been alone since the day I met you.
I won't come second, Lefter.
Who asked you to?
Who told you
I could keep living like this?
We couldn't stand against fate.
We weren't strong enough.
You're not alone.
We both failed.
That's the only truth.
And you have to do what it takes,
simple as that.
I don't! I don't have to do anything.
I don't want to ruin anyone's life.
- I don't want to be guilty of that.
- You're not guilty of anything.
And you know what?
You love your wife so much, Lefter.
Meri.
Please.
So
Just leave.
It's over.
How's it going, lads?
mer, take this
and share it with your pals.
And you, take your fiance out for dinner.
You're always hanging out here.
Much appreciated, sir.
Don't you tickle me! Come here, you two.
Dear listeners,
we have to interrupt our broadcast
to share some grave news.
A bomb exploded at 00:04 a.m.
in Thessaloniki
TWO WEEKS LATER
in the garden between the house
where the great Atatrk was born
and the Turkish consulate,
shattering the windows
of our revered founder's home
Who would dare touch Atatrk's house?
Impossible.
It's really unbelievable.
Friends, they bombed our Atatrk's house.
- Are we going to stay silent?
- No!
- Boo!
- and it will remain Turkish!
Cyprus is Turkish,
and it will remain Turkish!
The Rum will go away, it's the only way!
The Rum will go away, it's the only way!
- Death to the Rum!
- Death to the Rum!
- Will we succumb to the Greek occupation?
- No!
- Will we succumb to the Rum threats?
- No!
Cyprus is Turkish,
and it will remain Turkish!
The Rum will go away, it's the only way!
Death to the Rum!
Come on!
Stavro.
There's
There's something
I need to talk to you about.
I should've told you long ago.
Forgive me.
Lefter, get back inside now.
- What's wrong, mer?
- Just do it! Right now!
What is it, mer?
The line's dead.
I can't just sit here. I'll go check.
Lefter, maybe you shouldn't.
mer was beside himself.
- They will leave!
- and it will remain Turkish!
Cyprus is Turkish,
and it will remain Turkish!
Cyprus is Turkish,
and it will remain Turkish!
Don't let a single one remain!
Stop lying!
Don't do it! Don't!
Death to the Rum!
What's going on, Lefter?
Lefter.
Mother Mary, come to our aid.
Mother Mary, come to our aid.
There's Lefter's house!
Mother Mary, come to our aid.
Come on, people!
We're going down to the cellar.
Come on!
Hush! This is Lefter's house!
- But it's Lefter from Fenerbahe!
- He's Rum too, people!
- No! Don't do this!
- Come on!
Go ahead.
Here. Watch your step. Come on.
Nothing will happen. It's okay.
Lefter.
Lefter.
Stavrini, just wait here.
Please stay here.
I'm begging you.
- It's okay.
- I'll be right back.
- Lefter.
- Please.
It's going to be okay.
Lefter.
Dad.
You bastards! How dare you?
Quick, catch them! At the back!
- Get them!
- Lefter!
Lefter! Lefter, it's us! Open the door!
Lefter!
My friend.
It's okay.
Calm down.
Commander.
You okay, Lefter?
We We are. We're okay, sir. We're okay.
Stavrini and the kids?
They're okay as well.
They're in the cellar.
They're okay too.
Can you give me their names, Lefter?
It was too dark.
I couldn't tell who they were.
I couldn't see them, sir.
Tell me the truth, Lefter.
I am, sir. I didn't see them.
Lefter.
How is that possible?
I didn't see them, Hasan. I just didn't.
Lefter, look at this place.
They were in your yard. Just talk.
- Captain!
- Lefter, Lefter!
- What's going on?
- Lefter, Lefter!
We're here, Ordinarius!
Did they hurt you, Lefter?
Commander, leave it to us.
We'll handle it.
Get out of the way!
He's no foreigner! He's Lefter!
- Shut up! He's Turkish!
- Stop, hsan.
hsan, they're not the bad guys.
They're with us.
- There was no bomb. It's a lie. No bomb.
- All right.
- It's a lie.
- It is.
- A lie.
- All right.
Mustafa Kemal's home is intact.
- Yes, man.
- No bomb.
- Okay, all right.
- It's a lie. There was no bomb.
No bomb. It's all a lie.
What am I supposed to tell you now?
Thank you. It's much appreciated.
Well, why don't you come in?
We'll be on watch until morning.
You go ahead.
Rula, honey!
Aliki!
My dear boy.
My crazy boy.
I hid this letter here
because I wanted to finish
what I had left unsaid.
And I prayed to God
for you to find it in your direst moment.
I hope that's what happened.
I am too ill. I don't have much time left.
Remember how I looked the other way
whenever you were successful?
I was always secretly proud of you.
I was just as proud as I was angry.
If you were here,
I'd tell you again to be a proper man
and a decent human being.
But you're already a proper man, son.
A decent human being.
You are my son.
I desperately wanted to wear this shirt,
but the stubborn Hristo in me
wouldn't allow it.
My figure is large.
It will look better on you.
Your father, Hristo Kkandonyadis.
CYPRUS IS TURKISH
Hello, ma'am.
Do you know where Meri is? Is she here?
Meri is gone, son.
Gone how? Where did she go?
Please say something.
Is she okay? Where did she go?
She left for zmir this morning.
But I hope...
Don't worry. She didn't get hurt.
Do you have her address?
Can you give it to me?
No, I don't have it.
Please.
I don't have it.
Our beloved Zeki Mren sings for you.
"Your eyes give me life,
yet loving you will be my death."
Let's keep this between us.
All right, Pedro?
Okay, then.
Lefter!
Dear listeners, due to the heavy snow
that started in Istanbul last night,
our game with the world-renowned
Hungarian national football team
has been postponed to a later date.
In the meantime, the Hungarian team
will be hosted in zmir
and will play exhibitions
against the zmir scratch team.
Welcome.
The game got postponed again.
It's not likely to happen
before the snow stops.
Better late than never.
Why are you doing this?
Why do you bother cooking,
knowing I'd come home full?
- It's no bother. I enjoy...
- Don't do it!
Just don't.
Enough is enough.
Stop it.
I'm full.
You're not full.
I know you suffocate without her.
You've tried to hide it.
But I knew all along.
Until I saw your photos together,
I thought maybe it would end someday.
It's easier to just accept it.
If anyone heard, they would condemn me.
But
I don't know any other way.
You and I, we grew up together.
What photos? You're mistaken.
There's no such thing...
Enough, Lefter!
Let me finish.
Please.
You're torturing yourself.
This life thing,
it isn't as long as you think.
This is where we decided to get engaged.
Let's say our goodbyes here.
Let's get a divorce.
No.
I'm not seeing her.
No. I don't even know where she is.
I'm not seeing Meri.
What does it matter?
She stays in your heart.
Meri.
So that's her name. Meri.
I was going to suggest
we look for her together.
But you already found her.
I'm not angry at you, Lefter.
Twelve days of snowfall in Istanbul
has finally come to an end,
and the Hungarian team
flew to Istanbul today.
Hungary's "Golden Team,"
nicknamed "The Magical Magyars"
by the West,
led by their captain Pusks,
steamrolled their opponents,
scoring a total of 23 goals
against the zmir and Ankara teams.
Football is your first love.
And I've agreed to come second.
You're so in love with your wife, Lefter.
You're so in love.
I won't come second, Lefter.
I don't want to see your face ever again.
Turkish spawn!
Let's say our goodbyes here.
Let's get a divorce.
Got a minute for your dear friend?
How did you find me?
It wasn't hard.
Stavrini told me.
She wants a divorce.
My childhood sweetheart told me
she wanted a divorce.
What did you expect?
Must've been hard on her.
I wish she'd slapped me.
A good, heavy slap.
Bam! Just like that.
If a slap is what you need, I'm up for it.
There you go, man.
Come on now.
You need to leave some things to time.
Aren't you mad at me, you grump?
- Huh?
- Oh well.
You have no idea, but
But it doesn't change the fact
that you're a part of me, unfortunately.
The people who used to love me
turned their backs on me overnight.
The boys I gave pocket money to
Have they ever accepted me?
Huh? Or will they stone my house again
if they get the chance?
Quite the conundrum.
Didn't you use to say
these things happen in every society?
- Didn't you?
- No, no.
That was the patriotic son
of the poor fisherman Hristo.
And he'll keep saying it until he dies.
But me?
I'm just some scumbag.
Stavrini knew about it all.
Come on. Get up. Up, up.
Lefter.
Look at me. Come here.
Get some rest, okay?
Pull yourself together.
I'll stay here with you.
And when you wake up tomorrow,
go and do what you do best.
Put it in the ledger again.
Give it to the Rum spawn Lefter,
and the Turkish spawn Lefter
will put it in the ledger!
And it's a goal!
I've turned into hsan.
You wouldn't get it, you Ajam.
I really wouldn't.
But tomorrow is a big day.
I got that right, no?
Yeah.
You know the jersey you love so much?
Wear it.
Get on that field
and do what you love the most.
Play football.
And show the world
how it's meant to be played, Rum boy.
Here we are, dear listeners.
Today marks the most important game
in our country's history of football.
There's a tremendous crowd
at the Mithatpaa Stadium today.
Football fans who have been waiting
at the gates since last night
despite the harsh winter
are now in their seats,
waiting for our national team to arrive.
It's time to announce
the lineup to the press.
Coach, there's still plenty of time.
Can't we wait a little longer?
He must be on his deathbed
if he's not here.
I know. But we don't have much time left.
Dear listeners, our starting lineup
hasn't been announced yet.
But according to our predictions,
our national team will start with
Turgay, Ali Beratlgil,
Ahmet Berman, Concrete Mustafa,
Naci, Nusret, sfendiyar,
Cokun zar, Kadri,
Metin Oktay, and Lefter Kkandonyadis.
Lefter still isn't here.
This is unbelievable.
Give the lineup to the press.
Metin.
Are we in this together, brother?
Do you even have to ask, brother?
No doubt.
But I'll show you after the game.
Let's show the Hungarian defense
Lefter and Metin first, all right?
- All right, brother.
- Let's go!
Trkiye, Trkiye!
Our national team steps onto the field
to a huge cheer.
Today they face Hungary,
the number one team in the world,
and their legendary captain Pusks.
Trkiye, Trkiye!
The teams greet the audience.
Trkiye, Trkiye!
Everything is ready for the match.
Pusks has come to the center
for the kickoff.
The Hungarians start the game.
They go on the offensive right away.
Czibor comes in quickly
from the left wing.
A pass to the famous Pusks.
Naci's tackle is futile.
Pusks enters the box. A powerful shot!
Turgay! Well done, Turgay.
A flying save. Bravo, Turgay.
Right in his chest.
Turgay with a long clearance.
sfendiyar gets the ball.
Lantos defends him.
He moves past.
He's racing down the right wing.
- sfendiyar!
- sfendiyar delivers a cross.
Lefter comes in from the left. A volley!
Goal!
Lefter scores!
Trkiye is up one-nil.
Mithatpaa is on fire, dear listeners!
The clock marks the 41st minute.
Now a long ball to Lefter.
He breaks free from his opponent.
Let's go, Lefter!
A vicious tackle. It's a penalty!
Lefter is on the ground, writhing in pain.
The players and the crowd are anxious.
The medical team enters the field.
- Lefter, are you okay?
- I'm fine.
Lefter says he can continue.
Let's go!
And Lefter stands up to big applause.
He places the ball on the white spot.
He steps back.
The crowd is pulling their hair out.
Everyone holds their breath.
He shoots and scores!
Goal! Lefter nabs a second,
bringing the score to two-nil!
Our national team
storms into the second half.
Metin keeps asking for the ball.
He shoots and scores!
Goal! Metin Oktay!
- Brother!
- Brother!
- We did it!
- We did it, brother!
- We did it, brother!
- Yes, brother!
Metin Oktay scores the third,
making it three-nil!
Trkiye, Trkiye!
And the referee blows the final whistle.
Despite the last-minute goal from Pusks,
we defeat the Hungarians 3-1
with two goals from Lefter
and one from Metin.
Mithatpaa is erupting, dear listeners.
This victory will be written
in golden letters
in the history of our football,
dear listeners.
- Good job, captain.
- Bravo, Metin.
- Well done, Metin.
- Thanks.
Where is Lefter?
TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM DEFEATS HUNGARY 3-1
ZMR
POPULATION: 910,496 - ALTITUDE: 2
I'm coming! One second!
You just finished your bottle, Lefter.
Lefter, hold on, son.
How could you keep this from me, Meri?
I couldn't give birth in Istanbul.
Because if I had stayed
I would have run to you.
Come here, you.
Come here.
Lefter, huh?
You won't be by yourselves anymore.
We're going back to Istanbul together.
FIVE YEARS LATER
This is not love.
Meri, honey, please.
We should have never come back from zmir.
It's all so easy for you!
This is not the Meri I know.
No, this is exactly who Meri is, Lefter!
Can I give you one last hug?
I'm so tired of this.
Me too.
Just leave already.
Our son can't grow up like this.
I can't do this to him.
He's my son too!
Do you have room for my son
for the summer,
and forever for me?
Breakfast is ready. Come on in.
- Daddy!
- Daddy!
Aliki! Rula!
- Daddy!
- You've grown so tall!
Come here.
I missed you two.
I figured we should meet here this time.
Does that mean
you're going to stay with us forever?
Dad, you can rest happy now.
I kept my promise.
HRSTOFS KKANDONYADS
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA
I couldn't become a real professor,
but they call your son The Ordinarius.
I'm 39 years old now.
Time is as ruthless to me
as it is to everyone.
I can't control the ball
the way I want anymore.
But now
It's time now, father.
Greetings to all of you
from Mithatpaa Stadium, dear listeners.
Today, for the first time
in the history of Turkish football,
a player is having a jubilee match.
Our Ordinarius, Lefter,
bids farewell to football today.
Ordinarius, Ordinarius!
He has played
615 games in a Fenerbahe jersey,
and 50 matches with the national team.
He's scored 445 goals in total.
We're saying our goodbyes to Lefter
with tears
alongside the fans at the stadium
and the listeners on the radio.
The Professor Ordinarius
of Turkish football
is lifted onto the shoulders
of both Fenerbahe and Beikta players.
Hristo, are you watching?
Are you seeing this, Hristo?
Lefter, Lefter!
You've waited long enough, my friend.
Give it to Lefter,
he'll put it in the ledger!
Give it to Lefter,
he'll put it in the ledger!
With the classic,
"Give it to Lefter, he'll put it
in the ledger!" from the fans,
he has become a household name
in the history of Turkish football.
The Professor Ordinarius of football,
Lefter Kkandonyadis,
you will be sorely missed
and forever remembered.
Subtitle translation by:
Oktar Bumin Aykutlu