Ballad of Tara (چریکه تارا)

THE BALLAD OF TARA

A film by Bahram Beizai

Look! Tara has returned!

How is the pasturage, Tara?

The trees have started to change color.

You do well to return. Here, too, they will change.

-How are the children? -They make me crazy.

Hey, Tara!

Soltan! Hello!

Grandfather is dead. Tara, did you drive over to his grave?

The devil take you!

Don't you know? I didn't think that...

To the farm, kids! Grandfather has died!

God watch over the children!

We locked the door. No need to worry.

The neighbors have been very kind. They buried him near the cypress.

We will start tomorrow...

You must pass by the Field of Abasali.

May God protect you, Tara. The old man is gone.

The cow is in my yard? Who damaged my fence?

Don't get angry, Tara. It's my cow. I'll repair the fence.

He asked us to look after the chickens.

And the chicks? I see that the wheel of my well is damaged also!

That isn't my cow. But I'll fix it for you.

The old man gave us this bundle.

I know who's taken my wood.

Don't yell. Take ours.

See if everything's there.

She doesn't know what was in it.

A pair of shoes... Well, take them.

His shirt. I don't want it. So you take it.

His hat. I've got no use for it.

Headwear for scarecrows!

Right, so it goes to you.

Take this. It may be useful to you.

Give me the book as well!

Pray for him!

What's that?

What is it?

What will you do, Tara?

He himself wouldn't know what to do with it. Take it!

For me? You all see this?

I'll attach it to my plowshare.

Tara, tomorrow...

...we'll go to the Field of Abasali. - I'll be there.

Children, where's your mother?

You left without saying anything...

but you've found a good spot.

Would you like to play the tamborine, as usual?

If it pleases you...

It's fine by me. You've always been a little crazy.

What do you want, Tara?

A sickle. This one's useless.

It will take time.

Here. And find what I want, quickly.

No, Tara. I'll go, but you keep that.

That thing terrified Djavad. He felt like your grandfather still lived.

Don't wear it out, Tara, because no one will buy it.

They need more useful things.

Let go, Ismail. As if I would marry you!

Have no fear. Have no fear of me!

It is for the sword...

that I have come.

Is it really you?

Not only myself, but my ancestors as well.

Are you injured?

I belong to a historic line.

My ancestors passed their lives in battle.

What war was it? Nowhere is it spoken of us.

Over time everything has faded.

Nothing remains of us.

Nary a trace... except a sword.

I've thrown it away.

Thrown it away? The sword with which my ancestors battled?

I didn't know!

How now, to return without the sword?

All my tribe awaits me. How can I return?

Tell them you haven't found it.

Me, tell them such a thing? That I haven't found it?

Great would be my disgrace!

So that a word destroys my tribe?

Hesmat, go look for a tamborine!

Molla, go look for a tamborine!

May the spirit of Tara's grandfather repose in joy!

Someone has stolen my clothes.

Don't accuse the neighbors.

There have never been any thieves in the village.

I've seen footprints in the yard.

Someone turned around, without getting to the door.

It's been two nights that my husband hasn't slept.

He was worried.

The river flings itself into the sea.

Their waters confound each other...

yet another sign of the sword of my race. My tribe waits in vain.

The reason blurs, and each passing day becomes too much for me.

How much longer must I suffer...

these injuries which bleed anew each day?

So here it is - the sword!

May the devil take me if I didn't recognize it!

But I cannot return. Not yet.

Why not?

Love for you has killed me!

Thou art living, nymph.

Thousands are there round about thee...

as I once had. But I loved no one.

You torment me.

Speak on!

My ancestors observe me, yet I cannot return!

It is my shame!

Why do you prowl around my yard at night?

-My injuries torment me. -You should have them dressed.

It's unthinkable, understand?

Each day they bleed again.

-Truly? -As soon as I saw you.

You have returned, Tara. But you don't want to remain without a man.

My son cultivates the land...

and his arms are as strong as his faith.

Would you accept him for a husband?

He knows how to deal with women.

I've thought of the pasturage.

And it's true, I have need of a man.

Do you want Quelitch for a husband?

It's too soon to answer. Here, sweeten your mouth.

Listen, and tell this to the neighbors:

It will still take several days...

for the harvest to be complete.

If God wills it we will mount a spectacle...

depicting the passion of the Saints...

at the base of the Fortress of the Forty, not far from here.

Each piece of silk that would make our spectacle more attractive...

will be offered intact, accompanied by the benediction of the martyrs.

This cart will pass through the neighborhood...

for the purpose of collecting as much as possible.

Give everything you can!

Tara's sword will be perfect for the spectacle. Go search for it!

Tara has returned the sword to its owner!

Find out what's going on, so we can borrow it.

May the dead rest in peace!

He who wishes ill upon others is an unbeliever.

May the glory of God's saints transform all enmity to amity.

Tara says the owner has departed!

Tara, you are in the midst of enemies.

Your husband returned wounded from the sea and died on land.

It isn't your fault!

It's the evil eye.

It's all for the best. His boat was smashed.

No, Tara, those who watch you desired your separation...

it comes down to that.

Let's go, Tara. Those people do not want to see you here.

We love you, Tara. Don't leave us.

Since the eldest of the brothers has returned to the earth...

take the youngest.

Whose idea is this?

He fell in love with you when he saw your tears...

for his brother.

No one saw my tears.

I have asked for your hand before witnesses. What is your reply?

Love born in a cemetary is stillborn.

Gathering wood, are you?

It's going to rain.

Pity that you're so inaccessible, Tara. I would have brought...

Go find someone who'll accept.

Don't taunt me. You gave me the mirror.

I can see nothing there but your face.

That's why I gave it to you.

You want me to be enamored with you?

I swear by your hands that you desire me, Tara.

You let work slide just to chase after women?

What work have I let slide?

Everyone is at the spectacle.

If that's the case, take me into the forest.

See the wounds? It's looking for its rider.

It's from the arena. It must be a horse from the spectacle.

Catch it!

I'll get it!

You want him?

Why not? He knows what to do with women.

O, you siren! Serpent with the eyes of an antelope!

You drive me mad!

You're hurt?

O Tartar!

I believed you were gone. Hadn't you left?

I had left, but thought of you kept me back like a chain.

The scent of the land...

It's like the anchor of a boat.

While it may prevent it from capsizing, it keeps it from moving freely.

-Be kinder to me! -I'll do nothing of the sort!

I need a pain that deadens my pain.

To be put on a stake by an enemy. Words of vain boasting!

I had forgotten the shore of your praises.

I want a man like the others. I'll not wait in vain for all eternity.

I've sown in more than one grove.

You may not believe it, but I can't imagine you...

listening to a song.

A song?

Or dancing. Or coughing... your wounds!

I have forgotten them. Look at the new wound!

Jealousy!

He could have been one of my underlings.

What is it you see in him?