Castle of Dreams (قصر شیرین)

In the Name of God

Castle of Dreams

A film by Reza Mirkarimi

Written by: Mohsen Gharaei, Mohammad Davoodi

Hamed Behdad

Jila Shahi

Yona Tadayon

Nioosha Alipoor

Make-up Design: Mahmood Dehghani

Sound Recordist: Saeid Bojnordi

Executive Producer and Production Manager: Mohammadsadegh Mirkarimi

Costume and Set Design: Atoosa Ghalamfarsaei

Original Score: Amin Honarmand

Director of Photography: Morteza Hodaei

Producer, Director and Editor: Reza Mirkarimi

Hello?

No way. We've already discussed the price.

I'm in enough misery as it is, Mr Fotoohi.

You're the one who should have faith right now.

Why should I see you?

Don't turn up around here. I'm telling you!

Don't worry about the deal.

No sir, I've given you my word. It's yours.

Just tell the family to stop calling me all the time!

I need to take care of something now. Bye.

- Hi. - Hi.

How are you?

- Have you been waiting for long? - A half hour or so.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I've taken so many hours off from the workshop.

I got out with the pretext of shopping.

Did you find the address easily?

Why did you give me directions through the city? This is way off!

I should have taken the ring road.

What are you doing? Don't tell me you've forgotten the keys.

No, it is the key. I don't know why it's not working.

This car has been left here since 3 weeks ago when Shirin was hospitalised.

Where is the car key?

Why don't you come in and get some rest?

I'm in a hurry. I've got to go.

It's too dangerous to get back on the road right away. You've been driving all night.

- Hand me the key. - I've tied them all together. See which one it is!

Did you go to the hospital?

I'll go on my way back.

He sold that place and moved to this piece of rubble?

The money from that place covered the compensation fee and debts.

He chose here to be able to get his life together.

Congratulations!

Bring me the deed.

I don't know what it looks like.

There are some papers in the closet. Go through them yourself.

I haven't got any time. I'll send someone to take it for me.

Let me get you a cup of tea. You're tired.

I made some cutlets for the kids last night. There is some left-over.

Do you want me to warm it for you?

Don't be a nuisance like your sister!

Why is it painted like this?

- Did she have an accident? - No.

- Wait till I find you the deeds. - Ms Shirin!

- Hi. - Hi!

- It's you guys again? What was your name? - Amirreza!

Didn't I tell you we didn't need any more vases?

- What do we do with them, then? - How do I know?

Ms Shirin is no longer here.

No way. I waited a damn half hour till his sister turned up!

All right. I'll be right back.

Push it! Push hard!

Hey, Jalal!

I told you not to come here just 5 minutes ago. Why are you here?

That's what I'm worried about too. People keep calling me too!

Worried about what? You're following me 24/7! Let me tell you something!

Tell this family to stop calling me! I'm only dealing with you!

Why do you get upset, bro?

I swear I was nearby when I called you.

- I thought maybe you'd forgotten the address. - Why don't you get it?

I guess the lady is here to see you.

Have a cup of tea.

What's this for? Where are the deeds?

Hello.

Mr Fotoohi is a friend. He was about to leave.

I'm sorry I didn't know you were here too.

- Thank you, ma'am. - Why don't you come in?

You can go now, Fotoohi. You've got your deal. We'll be in touch.

- You know the way, right? - Yes, yes. Go ahead!

Bye for now.

The money is not wired into my account!

It will be, Jalal. No worries.

Jalal!

I've written down the phone number of the kids' teacher.

I left it here so they can call her if they have any questions.

There's also a lotion for Sarah.

You should rub it every night. Ali knows how.

Didn't I tell you I can't take them?

What are these? Take them all with you!

We talked about this, Jalal!

- You agreed to it over the phone... - Did I say now? I only said later!

Here!

I drank the tea! It was nice.

Goodness knows when you'll be back again!

What can we do with the kids?

They'll be just fine as they are.

They were doing fine with their mother!

But don't let people treat them like displaced orphans!

Has it been that hard on you?

What were you thinking?

After all you've done in the last 3 years..

...you really expect Behrooz to be like a father-figure for them?

- Or my sisters-in-law to be their mother-figures? - Enough! I did what I did!

I won't take the kids!

Even if I intended to do so, now I won't!

Why didn't you divorce Shirin 3 years ago, if you didn't want the kids?

It was your sister's fault.

- She wouldn't agree to it. - Poor thing wanted to live with you. She loved you.

You're now the kids' legal guardian.

They should stay with you.

- Your problem was with Shirin! They are innocent! - Begging won't get you anywhere!

Look after them. I'll send you money.

Behrooz won't have them! He says they've got a father!

And that you'll blame us if God forbid, something happens to them.

Behrooz will agree if you do!

You don't want your kids and you expect Behrooz to want them?

Are you done?

Get out! You said what you wanted to say. Now get out!

I said get out!

You won't?

Let's see how far you'll come then.

What are you doing, Jalal?

Wait!

I left the door open! Stop!

I told you to get out, didn't I?

All right! I'll get out! Just stop!

You just wanted to keep me around till your husband turned up?

He just wanted to talk to you.

Where are you running off to?

Go get the kids from the car!

Is that your way of saying hi?

We're not exchanging 'hi's!

Where are you running off to?

Get your car out of my way!

Take your kids and go wherever you want! Do not defend him!

Poor woman didn't know he'd only show up upon her death!

Go get the kids! I'm not doing anything. I'll just talk to him!

Where are you going?

- Where are you running to? - Get out of the way!

What if I don't? Give me the car key!

You can only take all of Shirin's inheritance!

You can't just take the car!

I came for the car! I'm not here to fight! Keep the kids and the car! You got the key!

Hey! Hold on!

You're leaving just like the last time?

You thought there was no one to stop you from taking the car? Is that so?

The house's owner died a week ago!

You're only keeping her alive by tubes. Don't make me the bad person here!

We're talking about your wife, idiot!

Go wherever the hell you want, but with your kids!

Hey! What are you doing?

It's a family affair! Go ahead!

What's going on, Jalal?

What the fuck do you want from me, Fotoohi?

Didn't I tell you to leave? The deal is off!

- What? What do you mean? - What deal?

What deal? What's your deal with this man?

- How do you know each other? - I'm talking with that gentleman!

He's here to buy the car. You may go now, Mr Fotoohi!

You were handing over the car just a minute ago!

And you've already found a buyer for the car? You think I'm a fool?

What were you thinking really?

Sir? How do you know this man?

Weren't you going to buy this beat-up? How much is it worth?

I've given my price to the owner! It's none of your business!

- Are you from the Fotoohis in Dehdasht or the ones from Sissakht? - Neither one!

Are you a cop or what?

- I'll get to the bottom of this! - Be my guest!

- Bottom of what? - Go ahead, man!

I don't know what you're up to, Jalal!

But Shirin's brothers have been looking for you for 3 years!

They won't let you live if they know you're here!

There is no Shirin to defend you anymore! You're not going anywhere without the kids!

Come here!

Do her brothers know their sister is living in this slum?

- The kids are looking! - Do they?

What kind of father doesn't want to see his kids after 3 years?

- I got tired, auntie. Can I come? - Not yet, sweetie.

Why not? Come here, sweetie.

Come see your dad.

Hi!

Come with me for a second.

We can't afford to keep them any longer.

Aren't you ashamed of those kids?

They don't even know me anymore.

They don't even remember me. It's even better for them.

- Where should I take them? - I don't know! Anywhere!

You're their dad. Throw them down a valley if you want!

Daddy didn't recognise you because you look like a mouse now!

It's not a mouse. It's a lamb!

Auntie? Why isn't Ali coming?

You wait here and I'll go get him.

Why aren't you coming, honey?

Why don't we go to visit Shirin?

You know why. She's in a ward that allows no visitors.