My Sweet Pepper Land

Say the prayer my brother. Say that Allah is the only one.

Allah is the greatest.

Dear gentlemen! Since April 2003, Kurdistan is free.

Saddam Hussein has left our country in ruins.

We have to rebuild it,

establish strong institutions,

police, army, to protect our people.

There's no justice without security.

And there's no justice or security without penalties.

Sir judge.

Sir doctor,

Sir lofty mullah,

I'm proud today, because for the first time in Kurd history,

thanks to democracy, we can carry out the death penalty.

Offender Anvar Ahmad Gefur, will be punished for robbery and murder.

Sir, how are we going to do this? - Haven't you prepared anything?

- Prepared what? - The rope for the hanging!

- Ah, yes, the rope. - You idiot!

Don't kill me, I'm innocent.

This is illegal, stop that!

He's not dead. What does the law says?

The law says he must be punished.

But not twice. Sentence him to lifetime prison.

We don't have prisons yet, he has to die. - Shoot him in the neck.

No, only hanging is allowed. - I have a solution.

The convict is small, if I hang on to him, he'll die quicker.

Well, what are we going to do?

We received a blessing.

You don't like the punishment?

I understand you, but we have to use the situation.

I'm a fighter, not a cop.

The war is over, Saddam is overthrown. Kurds are free. I'm resigning.

We need you.

I've done my task, I leave you to take all the credit.

I'm going back home.

The country needs law, security and stability.

Otherwise, we'll lose everything we accomplished.

- A rebel cannot become a cop. - You're a great idealist, Baran.

Our situation is getting better. We have everything, we're lying on oil.

Don't miss these happy chances.

We don't see happiness the same way.

Alright, give me your weapon.

That's my weapon.

Mom!

Son, I missed you. - I missed you too. Let's go inside.

Daughter, I said no. You're not going back to that village.

I work with children,

I sleep in school. You have nothing to be worried about.

It's enough Govend! Father said no. You're not going back there.

We all have jobs, we don't need your money.

If you'd married Taqyaddin we wouldn't be here now.

I'm not for Taqyaddin.

But you're a girl, my daughter.. - You trust my brothers?

Yes.

And do you trust your daughter?

I trust you too.

How are you? How does my son look to you?

He looks serious, he looks strong.

He's handsome.

Baran, you came back to get married, and now you're hiding.

Kader, what's that story about wedding? Where did that came from?

Come to the garden son, I need you.

Leave me alone, mom.

Come, look son.

I decided to come back to the force.

This time, you're working with me.

No, send me somewhere where they need me the most.

Alright, I'm sending you there. Kamarian.

New police station.

We can't go further. Turkish army has destroyed the bridge.

How can I get to Kamarian? - Two hour walk.

- Two hours? - Yes, two hours.

The bridge is destroyed. We're going on horses.

You're Baran?

- And you're Reber? - Yes, I'm your assistant.

You were punished? No one wants to come here.

No, I chose myself.

There's gas, jobs, money in the town. Why did you come here?

I escaped from my mom.

I can't allow the country to fall apart.

What were you doing before?

I was fighting, since I was fifteen.

Nothing is going on in our village.

Nothing, that's something too.

Is there smuggling here? - This is Bermuda Triangle.

Kurds from Iraq are smuggling alcohol with Iran.

Kurds from Turkey are getting their weapons here.

Are these Turkish planes?

They're searching for rebels.

That's the teacher.

I can't allow you to walk.

I'm used to walking.

Ride with me.

My name is Govend. - Baran.

What are you doing in Kamarian?

I'm a new commander.

Thank you.

I'd like to get down here.

One woman and two men, people like to gossip.

Thank you.

There's still work to be done, but it'll be nice. Come inside.

There's just two phones in the village. One here and the other in the restaurant.

Villagers come here to use the phone.

You have to listen to their love problems, stories about chickens and roosters.

It's boring, but sometimes useful.

All these people on this picture, they are all your predecessors.

It's always the same photographer?

Yes, why?

Good evening.

- Mister Zirek! - How are you?

Good evening. They changed the lock.

I know, they changed it while you were gone.

Do you have a new key?

I'll check, or you can come and sleep with us.

- With you? - In the shelter.

- Does it go off often? - Electricity?

Only God knows.

They have two rooms and a prison.

This is the gun that belonged to the previous commander.

This hat is from the guy before him.

Damn electricity!

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Welcome.

Thank you.

Do you want some alcohol? I have really good alcohol.

For the night, two or three bottles?

After Simk's death, there was no heating at your place.

Good evening.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Mister Saman.

I don't have the keys. Are there any spare rooms?

Are there any spare rooms?

No.

No, there're no spare rooms.

I see.

They don't want the teacher.

They don't want a school where the woman is alone?

How long do you work here?

For three months.

What does your family says?

They disagree.

I respect things that my father says.

- He accepts that? - Yes.

He must be a good person.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

You're new here?

The new commander.

Aziz Aga sent me, you're invited to his house tonight.

- I don't know him. - He's the lord of this area.

He invites every newcomer to his place for dinner.

You can't decline an invitation like that, Reber? Alright then.

But for lunch.

Do you know what have you done?

Am I going too fast?

Baran, it'll be a shame if we don't get a chance to photograph you.

Aziz has ways. He's very powerful.

Govend! I don't have the time to search for a new key.

When I got home, the kid had a fever.

Is he better?

- He's better, thank you. - Who changed the lock on the school?

What?

Did you change the lock or Aziz Aga?

- I don't know, Govend. - You don't know?

We didn't know you'd be back.

- I am back. - You'll get a transfer in a few months.

But I'm staying. I have to feed my family.

Can you welcome children?

Sit down. Good afternoon. What's wrong with heating?

Don't breathe.

That was good. Great. That was really good.

Welcome, Baran. - Thank you, Aziz Aga.

Welcome.

Come in.

Baran, you're on Bradosta. A mountain that has always protected us.

Neither Turks, Persians nor Arabs have managed to conquer it.

Aziz Aga, I'm glad to hear that.

If there's no corruption on this area,

nor dishonored agreements, nor foreign powers influence,

you can be proud.

Baran, I know who you are.

Fighting for freedom is one thing,

keeping order and security is something completely different.

Do you know what happened to your predecessor?

Poor Simko was savagely murdered.

He was stubborn and he lost everything.

But don't worry, I'm offering you my protection.

Times have changed. Power is Kurds now.

The law must be applied everywhere, I'm in charge for its implementation.

And I'm the one who should protect you, Aziz Aga.

Baran, my family is ruling this mountains for years.

I know everyone. Old ones, young ones, the children.

You better repair the bridge.

That's not the task assigned to me.

I'm glad you want to modernize the country.

In time you'll realize that I'm the new commander here.

From now on, I'm in charge of implementation of the law.

There are written laws, and there are customary laws.

You know, I heard a noise last night.