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[poignant music fading in]
[man 1] What is reality? And what is fiction?
We need to think about that. I think life is tricking all of us.
Reality could be a lie that someone has fabricated, don't you think?
Who knows if we're not all living inside another person's dream or imagination?
[music becomes whimsical]
ASHES
[music becomes apprehensive]
-[music stops] -[cork pops]
-[man 1] All right! -[man 2] Here we go.
-[guests applauding] -[man 2] So, thank you all for coming.
I promise to keep my speech to a minimum. I hate speeches.
[guests laugh]
Forty years ago, my dad founded Urkan Publishers.
Back when we had a wealth of writer friends.
And even more people who read their good works.
Sea of Life was our first publication.
-[man 3] Oof. -[woman] Ah!
[man 2] Since then, we've amassed a treasure trove of memories.
-Haven't we, Taner? -Oh yeah.
Yes, we have.
And now no one bothers to read anymore.
-Actual books. -[guests laugh]
A great deal of our success in this adventure
is due to the lovely creature here at my side.
She's still the first one to read manuscripts sent to us,
and I trust her amazing instincts.
Today, I celebrate ten years with the love of my life.
[guests applauding]
Gökçe, here's to you. And to us.
[applause intensifies]
I promised to keep it short, so raise your glasses…
-To friends! -[all] To friends!
[indistinguishable chatter]
You know I'm a huge fan of your work,
but you should really try writing about someone else.
Branch out a little.
Oh, Gökçe, listen to this.
Your husband says that writing about my life is boring,
and I should try something different. Branch out.
Try this on for size.
I recently heard a news story about a small-town tailor
who actually believes that Anna Karenina is alive and well in Moscow.
This guy is so infatuated that he left his family and moved to Russia.
[woman] He didn't?
[Taner] If they based a movie on this…
-…you wouldn't believe it. -I hadn't heard this.
[men laughing]
-[girl] You should go in the house. -[boy 1] Careful!
[girl] This is the furthest we've ever gone.
[boy 1] You were almost dead, but you survived!
-[boy 2] Go in there! There! Yeah! -[girl] Go, go, go, go! Yeah!
[boy 2] You gotta get the thing that lets you tunnel under.
[boy 1] You're so good at this game!
Wow!
Oh! Oh, careful!
[girl] Cool! This is the best round ever!
[boy 2] Jump, jump, jump!
-The next level's gonna be really hard. -[girl] Let me do it. It's my turn.
ASHES
[whimsical music playing]
[Gökçe] "Ashes will never burn."
"They're merely the residue of a burning love."
"How would you know that you've met someone not from this world?"
"Maybe you're the one who doesn't belong to this world."
"Or you've been in extended hibernation."
[music fades out]
"Whoever finds these words resonating in their mind
will have their destiny written from scratch."
[mysterious music playing]
[music intensifies]
"I'll start by bidding myself farewell."
[Gökçe] Hi, Ceylan.
-We specifically said blue, right? -[Ceylan] Yes.
-[Gökçe] And we got this instead? -Yep.
[Gökçe] "Anyone I knew or who just passed by
without making eye contact is in my memories."
"I remember all of their faces."
-How are you? -[woman] Nice to see you, Gökçe.
Hi, Mommy! You look good.
-Daisies?! -[Gökçe] Your favorite.
"To leave everything behind for a new life is why I'm writing."
"And so someone can bear witness to what I've been through."
[Gökçe and Kenan breathing heavily]
[water running]
"Whoever gets their hands on this book
will know that only one person is responsible
for the coincidences I've encountered."
ASHES
"The person whose name I dared not ask goes by M."
"It's as if every street in Balat leads to him."
[phone ringing]
"M's gruff, bellicose nature
and destabilizing, enigmatic repose kept pulling me in."
"The cycle of life was tattooed on his left arm,
and on his neck, the silhouette of a bird."
"Ground zero for everything,
a little pastry shop in Balat."
"That pastry shop, along with M's secret,
turned out to be the memory that dragged both of us into the unknown."
MÜŞFİKA PASTRIES
"What makes this ordinary place a miracle are the ashes flying around."
"Ashes that only I can see."
"It was as if the signs were guiding my way
and leading me to Müşfika Pastries by their own design."
[music fades out]
MÜŞFİKA PASTRIES
-Hi, Lale. How are you? -Haven't had my coffee yet.
-What're you doing right now? -Reading. Since when do you call so early?
Since I have a proposition that involves coffee.
[man] Careful.
[whimsical music playing]
[music intensifies]
[bell tinkling]
[Gökçe] Okay. This is it. Where's the door? Oh great, it's open.
MÜŞFİKA PASTRIES
-Hello there. -[man] Good afternoon.
Good afternoon. Welcome.
[Gökçe] Thank you.
Feel free to have a seat, ladies.
[Lale] Gökçe, how the hell did you hear about this place?
It's mentioned as the starting point in a manuscript we just got.
A love story that starts here.
Seriously?
One of the characters comes here every morning.
-His name is M. -"M" what?
Nothing else but M. Just a capital letter.
He's kind of a belligerent but esoteric mystery man.
Basically, he changes the lives of people who cross paths with him,
which might have something to do with the meaning of his tattoos.
Gökçe, do you hear yourself?
I know. I must be tired.
So the author has a good hook… for a novel. Fiction!
-You know what that is, right? -But this is where the magic happens.
If the pastry shop's real, what else is real?
[Lale] Where are you going with this?
Sorry, I can't drink this. Let's go.
And buy me a cup of coffee in a decent neighborhood, for the love of God.
[church bell ringing]
[uplifting music fades in]
[Gökçe] I wanna explore a little.
Okay. But you owe me one.
[mystical tinkling]
"The carpenter's workshop was where M kept all of his curiosities."
"I followed the signs leading me there easily enough,
and they steered me onto the stoop of the craftsman's den."
[music intensifies]
"I thought I was lost once or twice,
but the ashes led the way, unfailingly, to his doorstep."
"I came to the conclusion that I had no more of a choice to follow M
than the swirls of ash did."
[mystical tinkling]
[music fades out]
[apprehensive music playing]
[Kenan] Excellent. I'll send it via e-mail.
Um… that'll be great. I'll do it right now.
-[woman] He shouldn't be long. -I can wait--
[woman] A minor emergency, as usual. D'you wanna wait here?
-Yes. I'm good, thanks. -Can I get you anything?
-I have what I need. Thank you. -Yes, sure. I'll look into it.
Just try to get back to me for the adjustments.
All right. Thanks a lot.
-[Gökçe] Hello! -[Kenan] Hey.
Were we supposed to be meeting for lunch? I wasn't expecting you.
I just thought we'd have a catch-up.
Who's at the boutique?
It's been slow all day, but Ceylan's got it.
[Kenan] Mmm.
Well, this is a nice surprise, but I'm sorry…
today's just too crazy.
-I forgot to send that e-mail. -I can come back.
No, it's okay, but I told them I'd send it as soon as I got off the phone.
[keys tapping]
Uğur Ortun's here. The conference room or your office?
-The conference room. I'll be right there. -[elevator pings]
Okay.
Let's do this.
I'm ready.
-See you at home. -You got this.
[Kenan] Thanks.
[footsteps retreating]
"The tower was woven in secrets, and it was a place among the gods,
which belonged only to us."
"Every time we made our way there, we took a slightly different path
that led us through the pitch-black dungeon
to the gate that opened to the skies."
"Whenever we opened that door,
we left our ordinary lives behind and stepped into a brand-new universe."
"I thought about my past once I stepped through that door
and erased it all in one brushstroke."
"M guided my encounter with the ever-changing sky."
[uplifting music playing]
-[music abates] -[church bell ringing]
[man 1] Hello again. Back for more?
Not really. I'm not here for pastries. I'm looking for the tower?
[man 1] "Tower"? Never heard of it. I'm sorry.
-[Gökçe] Oh. -[cellphone ringing]
Excuse me. I'll ask around the neighborhood.
[man 1] Please, come again. And good luck to you.
[ringing continues]
-[man 2] Uh, three simits, as usual. -[Gökçe] Hello?
[man 1] Three. Coming up.
[Gökçe] I'm glad you called. The order's a complete mess.
-[man 1] Anything else? -Yes, we're missing dresses.
-[man 1] Try something new? -Of course, we triple-checked the order.
Uh-- No-- The colors are wrong too. But-- But that's not all.
The sizes aren't what we asked for either.
[whimsical music playing]
No. We can't just… bring everything at once.
As long as I get what I ordered by the end of the week, we're fine.
Let me know. I-- I have to go.
[music fades out]
[man] D'you need something?
[Gökçe] Are you a carpenter?
-[footsteps descending] -[man] Yes, I am.
Uh… I-- I own a women's clothing store. Uh, and I need a custom mirror.
-[man] Where's your store? -Nişantaşı.
[man] Nişantaşı…
D'you have measurements? You know what you want?
No, I don't. Just something simple.
But nice.
-[sighs] I don't have time, sorry. -How long does a framed mirror take?
-You need that right away? -No.
[man] We're on, then.
-I didn't catch your name. -Ask for Ali.
So… I'll think about the dimensions and… come back.
-[man] You could just call. -[courier] Metin Ali Soykan?
[wistful music playing]
I need you to sign.
ID number and signature.
Here you go.
-[Ali] Did you forget something? -I need a number to reach you.
-Metin Ali, right? -[sighs] Yeah…
Everyone calls me Ali though.
Nice to meet you.
I'm Gökçe.
I'll be in touch soon.
I was thinking of having a mirror made. For here.
I don't know that we need another mirror.
Do you mind bringing me the tape measure?
And then down to the floor.
-There? -That's good.
And then straight down. Hold it.
Hi, is this Metin?
It's Gökçe. We met at your workshop.
Yes, I have the dimensions for the mirror.
Uh… 80 by 150.
I'd like it standing upright. Yes, on the floor.
That's great. I'll send you the address.
Thanks so much.
"Love and war are the same."
"Both surprisingly similar to how wolves fight."
"While the man and woman squirm under each other's fur…
[woman sighing sensually]
…they sink their claws into each other's heart."
-"It's wild. Ugly." -[slow heartbeat]
"Filthy."
[unsettling music playing]
"If M hadn't taught me to see all that,
I never would have discovered the power inside me."
-[man sighs sensually] -[heartbeat accelerates]
[ticking]
[heartbeat accelerates]
-[sounds fade out] -[music fades out]
[layered rhythmic sighing]
[stark piano music playing]
-[prolonged sigh fades out] -[music fades out]
[Kenan chuckles]
Gökçe?
[Kenan chuckles]
[unsettling music playing]
[Kenan gasps]
[Kenan grunts]
[Gökçe] Hold on.
[music fades out]
[Kenan grunting]
[Kenan panting]
[suspenseful music fades in]
[water running]
[dog barking in distance]
"The truths have reached a deadlock as they sink in."
"Is it possible for a heart to love two people at once?"
"I was devastated when I found out that M was married."
"An enormous trainwreck."
"My heart was broken, and I wanted to surrender myself to the arms of death."
"The only problem… was who would do it."
This one's a little more casual.
-[woman] Hmm. -The ruffles are really fun.
-[woman] They are. -It's shorter too.
And this color is great on you. Let's try it.
[expectant music playing]
-[woman] Now… -[Gökçe] What's next?
[woman] I need something for evening.
Oh, uh, hi, Metin.
I'll get my gear outta the car.
[woman] No. I have one similar.
This?
Maybe… It's long enough.
Nice color.
-What would I wear with it? -Ceylan, can you help her, please?
It's going on this side.
We just need to move the chairs and displays.
I hope I measured it right.
[sighs] So do I.
"Seeing how much I was stuck on M,
I had no other option than to forget the fact that he was married."
[music fades out]
Upright on a stand like you asked.
[Gökçe] Yeah…
You don't look satisfied.
I'm afraid it'll get knocked over.
I'm thinking it would be better to hang it up instead.
You specifically asked for a stand. Besides, it's really big
and heavy as hell.
Your wall's too flimsy for this. It'll come right down.
Okay. But I'd… like to try it anyways.
-What do you think… Ceylan? -[Ceylan] Whatever you wanna do is fine.
[Gökçe] I think it would be better to have it on the wall.
I'll have to dismantle the base. It could take a while.
[Gökçe] Okay.
[Ali sighs]
Um. Just a little higher.
No, no, that's too much. Lower it down a bit.
More in the middle.
Lower.
Uh-- That's too much.
Go left. Just an inch or two.
-[Gökçe] Are you all right? -I told you this was a bad idea.
-You have something to clean this up? -You cut yourself.
It's no big deal, don't worry--
Ceylan! Run to the pharmacy and get gauze and peroxide.
-She doesn't have to. It's nothing. -We need to clean it up.
-I get cuts all the time. -Just sit.
-[Ali] It's nothing. -Please, be quiet.
[Ali sighs]
[Gökçe] Shoot.
I'm sure it'll stop bleeding in a few minutes. Always does.
We'll keep pressure on it until she comes back.
[sighs] Well, I sure as hell didn't expect the mirror to crash out of the frame.
I thought your flimsy walls would be the problem, but… obviously, I was wrong.
I'll order another one and make sure it doesn't move. After I clean up--
[Gökçe] You can order it, but I'll pay for it, of course.
-You did make exactly what I asked for. -[whimsical music playing]
-Can you hang-- -So you want the frame to, uh… huh?
-Uh-huh? -[scoffs softly] I need to tighten it.
That's obviously why the mirror fell out.
That was dumb. [scoffs]
I should've known. But I promise to clean it up.
I don't care about the mess, really. Don't worry about it. It's all my fault.
I hope you didn't lose your wedding ring in that mess. Should I look?
What do you mean?
[Gökçe] Don't you have a wedding ring?
-Are you trying to ask me if I'm single? -Are you?
Some of the time.
So you're not actually married?
Remember when Kenan broke the news to us
that they might not publish the book Taner's working on?
-It killed us. -[chuckles]
Wow! What's got you so smiley?
-Sorry, Lale. -For what?
-I was just thinking about something. -Mm-hmm! You better spill.
I had to go back to look for the carpenter in the manuscript.
I wanted to know if he exists.
And?
I actually hired him.
[Lale] How did that happen?
He made me a mirror.
Are you telling me that you stalked the carpenter?
I feel like I know him.
[Lale] From the book?
[mystical music playing]
"I found out that not all of the stairs of the tower lead up to the sky."
"It turns out that the tower likes to play with anyone without a guide,
constantly misdirecting them in the darkness."
"In order to find my way,
I left signs on every wall and on every corner."
"The only proof of what M and I have been through,
is carved on the walls of the tower."
[music stops]
Why didn't you come meet me at the door like always?
I've been waiting. Did they let you out early?
No.
-Come on. Get in. -[door opens]
[tense music playing]
[Gökçe] What are you doing?! Ege!
Where'd you get this?
You scribbled all over it.
How many times have I told you not to go through my purse? Huh?
You have all the coloring books you need!
Why'd you do this?
-[Ege] I was just playing. -[Gökçe tuts]
Gökçe,
he's just having fun.
You think it's fun to let him draw all over my work?
It's just a first draft.
Why are you getting so pissed off?
Because it's disrespectful.
[music becomes unsettling]
[video game playing]
[music fades out]
Sorry I yelled.
You need to stay out of my purse though, okay?
I'll think about it.
[video game continues]
[mystical jingling]
"The lights M turned on seemed like they were illuminating the whole city."
[whimsical music playing]
"There were no rules up there."
"I started to wonder if anyone else saw the ashes
flying around us when we were together."
[music intensifies]
-[music fades out] -[Ali] İlyas, go pick up Latif.
[door bangs]
-[Gökçe] I'm back. -Yeah. I can see that.
Uh, I wanted to know if you'd ordered the mirror yet.
I'm a little behind on a couple of bigger projects.
But… I should be able to fix it for you soon.
No problem.
There's no rush.
How's your hand doing?
[İlyas] Ah, the tea is ready. Ha--
Uh, would you like to maybe get some fresh air?
Of course.
[bittersweet music playing]
[church bell ringing]
[dialogue drowned out by music]
-You hungry? -Ugh. I feel rain.
[music subsides]
Yeah. I'm sure it'll go away as fast as it started.
This place is like that.
[cellphone ringing]
[Ali] Hello?
Um, not anymore. I finished that one.
I did. I'm sure that happened during delivery.
It was intact when we shipped it. That's the courier's fault.
I'm sorry, but it's not my doing.
If you have time, we could maybe grab some lunch?
I know a place that serves the best meatballs in the city.
Sounds good.
[music fades out]
[man 1] This always happens when her cousin comes.
-[man 2] Can we have the check, please? -It's delicious.
Best in the city. [grunts]
Have you always lived in Balat?
-Mm-hmm. Born and raised. -[phone ringing]
[ringing stops]
Pretty much everything that I do revolves around my shop.
Market. Bakery.
-Müşfika's? -You've been there?
-A couple times. -Mmm.
I'm sorry to say I've never been here before.
Well, you're here now.
I don't venture too far.
In fact…
Nah. Forget it.
More bread over here.
-[waiter] Got it. -You were going to say?
You don't get out much?
I stay in the neighborhood.
Um…
I'm a creature of habit. I hadn't left in a while.
Till you.
[Gökçe] Hmm.
I guess the mirror wasn't a bad thing, then?
It wasn't.
[man 3] Four more meatballs and bread.
So is the tower open?
-[tense music playing] -[cutlery clatters]
-What tower? -I don't know if it has a name.
I just remember hearing about a secret tower around here
that looks out over the city.
If it's supposed to be a secret, how do you know about it?
I figured maybe only the locals know it.
Whoever told you about it,
did they mention how to get there? The view? Some kind of landmark near it?
-I don't remember exactly. -[cellphone ringing]
KENAN
-[ringing stops, phone bangs] -I wish phones didn't exist.
I should go.
Thank you for lunch.
-[man 1] Check, please! -This was lovely, Metin.
And I'm glad your hand is okay.
See you soon.
[unsettling music playing]
[man 2] Hope to see you again soon.
[cellphone ringing]
-Honey? -Gökçe, where are you?
-On my way home. -When will you be here?
Why? Is something wrong?
I'll tell you when you get here.
They're only games, Ege, they're not real.
-Go to your room and think about it. -Gimme back my Game Boy first.
No Game Boy for you. Now do what I said.
[Gökçe] Sweetie?
What's wrong?
Ege got into a fight with another boy at school.
But it wasn't just a fight.
He tried to bite his ear off.
His mother had to take him to the hospital for stitches.
So of course, she made a stink about it.
The headmaster's pissed.
Apparently, other parents have complained about Ege's behavior too.
They couldn't reach you, so they had to call me,
which means I had to drop everything and rush over there.
Is Ege hurt?
No, he's not hurt, but he's in trouble
because I found out he's been a real handful.
And they think our son has anger management issues.
I'm just glad Lale was free.
I wasn't sure what to do.
Why didn't you answer your phone?
How's the other boy doing? Should we call his parents?
He's fine. We already talked to his mom and apologized.
You should've been here.
We took care of things because you weren't around.
How come you weren't at the store? How come no one could reach you?
I was running a few errands.
-Didn't you have your phone with you? -The ringer was off.
When Ege's at school, you have to be reachable.
You have to.
[Kenan sighs]
-[Lale] Call me if you need anything. -Thanks.
[poignant music playing]
[kissing softly]
[music fades out]
[abruptly] I don't feel good. I can't.
[Kenan] Maybe this'll help.
[kissing softly]
I said I don't feel good.
[Kenan sighs]
[tense music fades in]
[dripping water fades in]
[bassy echoes]
[clock ticking]
[sounds stop]
Hi, sweetheart. Do you think Ceylan would mind if you ask her to close?
Mmm.
That's too bad.
I won't have time to pick you up. We'll have to meet at the restaurant.
[music intensifies]
All right. Tonight's very important to me. Please try to be on time.
Buh-bye.
[music fades out]
[Ceylan] Are we gonna cover the other windows too?
[Gökçe] I wanna see how this looks first.
-I think it's not bad though. -[Ceylan] It's getting there.
-I thought you were putting pink all over. -[phone buzzing]
-But the color blocking looks much better. -I know.
If we like this, we can always do the same thing in the back so they match.
[Ceylan] Sure.
[buzzing stops]
Do you want this here or in the back office?
Gimme that!
I leafed through it a little bit. It's kind of intriguing.
You mean you read it?
Without asking?
It was lying on the counter. I didn't think you'd mind if I peeked.
Of course I mind. You didn't have permission.
Sorry, Gökçe. But I just skimmed a few lines, really.
How far'd you get?
Just a few pages while I was taking a break.
Hi, ladies.
Oh, thank you.
Don't you wanna see it first?
There's a few things in the back office I need to discount.
Yeah?
[poignant music fades in]
You wanna climb the secret tower?
I do.
On one condition.
[police siren blaring]
Do you know her?
No.
She gave me a dirty look.
[whimsical music playing]
[mystical jingling]
"With every step, my heart was pounding faster and faster."
"I halted on the last one."
"I almost lost my nerve."
"The door to a new world stood directly before me."
"My hand shrank in his and melted away."
"I knew then that what waited beyond the door could only be better."
"I was ready for anything."
[laughing]
I've walked around here before.
I know this place.
How can that be if you couldn't even find it?
I guess my mind wandered around here before.
[Ali] Was anyone with you?
-No, no one. -Good because this is my sanctuary.
-Who drew on the walls downstairs? -[Ali] Maybe you did.
[music intensifies]
[Gökçe laughing]
[Gökçe] One more time! Hold on!
It's a long way down.
-[Gökçe sighs] -[mystical jingling]
[Ali] How did you hear about this?
[Gökçe] I just did.
[Ali] We both know that you heard about it from somewhere.
That was my condition, remember?
You would tell.
I overheard someone mention it at the bakery.
No, you didn't. [scoffs]
Nobody hangs around there, and we both know it.
[music fades out]
-You wouldn't believe the real story. -Which is?
I've seen it before.
It's like I'm living someone else's adventure.
Like a dream.
Do you believe our destiny's influenced by dreams?
Some of the time.
Do you believe that you have to have been somewhere to know it?
[sighs] The sun's going down.
[Ali] Let it.
I've been waiting for that.
[claps hands together]
Where're you going?
[man] How many books did you print this year?
[Kenan] We're down 50% compared to last year.
[man] Our numbers are down significantly this year too. It's rough.
[Kenan] Digital's growing.
We're seeing a consistent increase in market share every year.
[woman] Well, that's promising.
-How is everyone tonight? -We're good.
Enjoy your evening. Ask if you need anything.
-[men] We will. -Good to see you again.
[woman] You as well.
-I'm starving. I forgot to have lunch. -[woman] We should check in with Cemal.
-[line ringing] -[man] She told me she was running late.
[woman] I'm just worried about the meeting.
[man] All set, you'll be great.
Think I'm gonna have the fish. What are you thinkin' of?
[Ali] I'm gonna let you in on a secret.
Ready?
[bittersweet music playing]
GRAND HOTEL ISTANBUL
[Ali] I'm the one who lights up the city.
[music intensifies]
What are you doing?
[man] We get more young adult stuff. We're exploring more options.
-New avenues will come along. -[woman 1] We're trying.
-It's hard to catch their interest. -[woman 2] Your wife is coming, isn't she?
I think she got caught in traffic. I'll go check. Please excuse me.
[woman 1] I hope everything's all right.
-[woman 2] We had great fun. -[man] How are the kids? Still in soccer?
[line ringing]
[sighs]
[Gökçe] So you light up the city every night?
[Ali] Not every night.
[Gökçe] Right now, I'd like to change everything.
My entire existence.
The entire world.
What would you like to change?
I'm not sure I'd change a thing.
I'm good with the way things are.
[bittersweet music reprises]
[music fades out]
[door shuts]
[door lock beeps]
Where did you go?
[Gökçe] Nowhere.
Where have you been, Gökçe?
I've been here.
-[menacing piano music playing] -[Kenan] I won't forget tonight.
-I won't forget it either. [laughing] -You think this is funny?
What the hell's going on with you?
[Gökçe] Nothing. And everything.
You've known about this dinner and how important it was,
and you didn't pick up your phone again. Do you know how embarrassed I was?
You were not embarrassed, Kenan.
[chuckles]
[laughing]
You were lost 'cause you didn't have your little shadow there.
-What? -[Ege] Why are you making so much noise?
-I can't sleep when you yell. -I'm sorry, honey.
I'm coming.
Gökçe.
We're not done.
[Gökçe] Mommy's here, love.
[door clicks shut]
[music intensifies]
[Ceylan] I think the orange would look great on you.
[woman] Mmm. I like the blue one better though.
-[Ceylan] The blue is gorgeous. -[woman] Let me think about it.
-[Ceylan] Kenan! What a nice surprise. -Hello. Is my wife here?
-No. She left early. -Hmm.
[music fades out]
-You two having lunch or something? -I just popped in.
You added color to the windows.
[Ceylan] Yeah. Gökçe wanted to brighten it up.
She also had a mirror made,
but we're waiting for the carpenter from Balat to hang it.
Why would she go out there?
She's been reading a manuscript. I think it takes place in Balat.
What's the name?
-I think it might be called Ashes. -Mmm.
Thank you. It's good to see you.
Is Gökçe coming back today?
I don't think so. She asked if I could close again.
Okay. Have a good day.
[woman] Why are you hanging round with that woman?
What business is it of yours who I hang around with? Huh?
You do remember we're married?
Just because we're married, doesn't mean I consider you my wife.
[woman] But legally, I am your wife.
So you need to be careful until we're officially divorced.
-Or else I'll have to-- -Get the hell out of here! Get lost!
Eventually, everybody pays a price for their own sins.
So keep your weaknesses in mind
before you cross the line.
[menacing music playing]
[tools clattering]
[Gökçe] What was that about?
[Ali] That what?
The woman who just left. You were arguing.
[Ali] That's nothing. It's all good.
-It sounded like you two are married. -Are you accusing me of having an affair?
Because you're not one to talk. You're the one wearing a wedding ring.
-You owe me an explanation. -I don't owe you a fuckin' thing.
-You at least owe me the truth. -The truth? What do you mean?
-Truth about what? -I asked if you knew her, and you lied.
-What?! -She walked past and gave me dirty looks.
When I asked if you knew her, you said you didn't--
You've been lying since day one! Does your husband know you're here?
How did you hear about the tower? Really? I don't know you. Who are you?
-Who the hell are you? Huh? -You wanna know who the hell I am?
-Of course. Let's hear it. -What about you?!
Who the hell are you? Huh?
-You fucking asshole! -Stop.
-You liar! Huh? -Stop. Relax.
Who are you? Huh?
You're disgusting!
[Gökçe breathing erratically]
[Gökçe gasps]
[Ali grunting]
[ghostly sigh]
[slow heartbeat]
[sound becomes muted, echoes]
[heartbeat intensifies]
-[tense music playing] -[normal sound resumes]
[heartbeat continues]
[heartbeat fades out]
[Ali] Back then, my father told me that I should marry Büşra.
[music fades out]
He was gonna lose his business, and his health was failing.
Basically, she and I were collateral damage.
It was an arranged marriage.
We… never even slept together.
She knew I didn't love her.
After my father died, I asked for a divorce,
but she refused and moved out.
And then, all hell broke loose. One day, her older brother showed up.
He barely escaped with his life.
Since then, I've had nothing to do with the family.
[tense music playing]
-You gonna eat something? -No. I'm not hungry.
Could I have the Ashes manuscript?
I'm still reading it.
You've had it for a while. What's taking so long?
We can't be dragging it on too much longer.
We need to let the author know what we're doing.
"The last meal that we will ever share
has left us with the taste of betrayal."
-[clock ticking] -"M and R."
"Finally, I made you confront each other."
"The bitter taste of death
took over my body as we set the table."
"M stabbed me through the heart."
-[ticking stops] -[tense music playing]
"A blow I never saw coming."
"All that was left of love was a handful of ashes."
[menacing rumbling]
[rumbling intensifies]
-[rumbling abates] -[sound echoing]
[water dripping]
[dripping echoes]
[sounds intensify]
-[gasps] -[sound stops]
"The bitter taste of death took over my body as we set the table."
"M stabbed me through the heart. A blow I never saw coming."
It's a murder. He stabbed her.
Everything in the story turned out to be real.
[unsettling music playing]
-How do you know what's in here's real? -I've seen it! I've been to the tower.
Uh… Müşfika's, Balat. Um…
Me… Metin. The fact that he's married.
All of it, Lale.
All right.
But it was… submitted as fiction.
It's set in a real place, but it's not true.
Isn't it just a coincidence that this guy matches the description?
I know it sounds crazy, but none of it is a coincidence.
This story's a blueprint. I've lived each step.
[Lale] Okay. Let's say it's true.
If everything in that story actually happened and he killed her,
how did she write the manuscript?
[music becomes bittersweet]
You need to take a step back from this, Gökçe.
You were kissing another man in his car,
in the middle of a crowded street where anyone could see.
[music drowns out dialogue]
[music subsides]
[Mommy] I thought you and Kenan were serious?
I don't understand why you don't wanna get married.
I think you should settle down.
You got lucky with him.
[Mommy] Take my advice, sweetheart. You'll have a very happy life.
[music fades out]
Finished it.
It's not worth your time.
-Mmm. It's no good, then? -Uh-uh.
It's overdramatic and amateurish.
And the ending really doesn't work.
It's a cool idea
but the writing's not.
If you find out who wrote it,
I'd… like to give them some advice.
Sure, that'd be good.
[disquieting music playing]
[music intensifies]
[Kenan reading indistinctly]
"The bitter taste of death took over my body as we set the table."
"M stabbed me through the heart."
[reading continues indistinctly]
"With every step, my heart is pounding faster and faster."
[reading continues indistinctly]
[music intensifies]
[music fades out]
ASHES
-[water dripping] -[ominous rumbling]
-[sounds stop] -[phone pings]
[tense music playing]
M - CAN'T MEET FOR THREE DAYS. TOO BUSY. I'LL CALL YOU.
-[music becomes unsettling] -[ominous rumbling]
[knocking at door, door opens]
[woman] We couldn't find the author of Ashes.
[Kenan] How is that? Isn't there a return address?
There wasn't. We're still trying to figure it out.
Someone wrote it, and someone sent it. It didn't just magically show up.
[woman] It was probably delivered with the other drafts.
They're all registered. And they have contact information.
I'm not sure why there wasn't any for this one.
[rumbling intensifies]
-It was delivered by a courier, right? -Yep.
All right, then get hold of all the different couriers.
-They'll tell us where it came from. -All right, we're on it.
[music intensifies]
[music ends]
[machinery roaring]
Is Metin here today?
[buzzing stops]
-Is Metin here? -[İlyas] Who?
-Ali. -He went to the farmers' market as usual.
-Do you need directions? -No, I'll find it.
You have no say in this. I've held my end of the bargain this far.
Can I help you?
[man] You look like you need one of these.
-I'll take… the peppers. -[vendor] That's all?
-[Ali] Mm-hmm. Hi. -[vendor] Here you go.
[Ali] Let's go talk.
[Gökçe breathes raggedly]
Just tell me why you came to see me here, Gökçe?
-Gökçe? -You were talking to those women.
What if I was?
What else are you hiding from me?
I'm not hiding anything from you. I know a lot of people,
and I run into clients. Jesus.
How many are you sleeping with?
What are you talking about? What's wrong with you?
What's wrong is that I want to know everything about you.
Okay?
What's wrong is that this whole thing is unexpected.
-I'm falling in love with you. -You can't do that.
Don't get used to me.
Just don't.
[Gökçe gasps] Don't push me away.
Why are you pushing me away?
I feel so lost.
-I can't find my way anymore. -I'm not trying to push you away.
But I wanna protect you by telling you the truth.
[tense music fades in]
Look…
I'm lost myself.
I can't show anyone the way.
[music intensifies]
-[moaning] -Gökçe, what's wrong?
-What's going on? -[breathing emotionally]
[Ali] You're starting to scare me.
Hey, Gökçe. Talk to me, please!
What the hell is this all about?
[music fades out]
You need linens, sir? Hey, maybe a tablecloth?
When I close my eyes, I go right back…
to the rooftop of the tower.
It's like a cliff.
My mind wants to shout.
Except I'm mute.
I can't even speak your name.
And I can't speak mine either.
All the lines of my reality have become blurred.
It's… like
I'm in a haze.
Everything is smoke.
Gökçe, what the hell?!
Keep that on.
[unsettling music playing]
[cellphone ringing]
[woman] We got the address that Ashes was sent from.
It was delivered by an unknown courier. We received it exactly a year ago.
Someone named Reyhan Akkaya resides at the address.
-I'll have a look into it. -I'll text you the address.
[music continues]
[clock ticking]
[doorbell rings]
Yes?
Hi. I hope I'm not disturbing you. I'm Kenan Urkan.
I own a company called Urkan Publishing. [sighs] I'm sorry to show up
so unexpectedly.
I wanted to talk to you concerning the manuscript you sent to us last year.
I… The what I sent you?
Ashes.
I think there's been a mistake. I hope you figure it out.
It's not a mistake. We received a manuscript via courier
that was shipped to our company from this address. You've lived here a while?
Uh… yes.
Does anyone else live here who might have sent it?
I… live alone. My sister stayed here sometimes.
Your sister. Is it possible to get in touch with her?
No, sir. Because unfortunately we lost her.
My condolences. I'm sorry.
Would you mind telling me your sister's name?
Duygu Akkaya. But there's been a mistake.
Listen, I think I know what happened to her.
It's likely that your sister wrote this story.
It wasn't her.
It's a love story between some carpenter named M and a woman.
Towards the end, the woman who's the narrator,
says she'll die by his hand.
If you've any doubts about what happened to your sister,
this could show that her death was criminal.
I don't have any doubts. I told the police everything they need to know last year.
Please just-- [sighs]
[suspenseful music playing]
[discordant violins playing]
[music fades out]
-[Ali] İlyas, stay inside. -I still have to load these up.
[Ali] Just do it, please.
-I told you not to come here. -I really need to talk to you.
Get out of here. There's nothing to talk about.
You think I'm happy to come here and see you?
-I had someone come to my house. -Who?
-It was about Duygu. He said she wrote-- -Do not repeat that name here.
I'm trying to forget it. You always bring it--
He said she sent a manuscript that details your relation--
-She wrote a manuscript? -And mentions her death in it--
Some stranger tells you this and you believe it?
-Can't you let the past stay in the past? -He knew things about her death.
-I'm not sure what else she wrote-- -Don't ever come back here!
For your own sake,
get lost.
[dramatic music playing]
[music intensifies]
[music stops]
[water running]
[water trickling]
[menacing music plays]
You know that's creepy, Kenan.
Sorry.
I found out who wrote Ashes.
It's a woman.
Her name's Duygu Akkaya.
It's a sad story.
She's dead now.
And someone
might have been responsible for her death.
It stayed with me.
The way she could put her death into words.
Almost like she predicted it.
I spoke to her sister after we found the address the manuscript came from.
[music intensifies]
[Kenan] Ege?
Duygu.
How did she die?
Was she stabbed or strangled?
Or shot?
[Kenan] I don't know.
I just hope she didn't suffer.
[Kenan] You can find out for yourself. This is the sister's address.
Excuse me.
-Do you happen to live in this building? -I do.
I was going to stop in on a friend, apartment ten, but no one's there.
That's Reyhan. I guess she didn't have time to tell you.
Apparently, she decided to pick up and move.
-Did she tell you where she was going? -No, I'm sorry.
Maybe you knew her sister?
Yes, Duygu. It was sad when she… died last year.
I'm sure it was. Did they happen to say what she died from?
I heard that it might've been suicide.
Some people are saying it was some guy who killed her.
In the apartment! But who knows?
[power tool buzzing]
[tool banging]
[Kenan] Hi.
[Ali] How can I help you?
I'm listening.
One of my friends said you were a carpenter who could work fast.
[Ali] What d'you need?
Need a bookcase for my office.
[Ali] Sure. Hold on a second.
If you know what you want, I should be able to build it pretty quick.
Something rather modern. But… nothing with glass.
Perhaps wood and metal?
Gimme the dimensions. I'll see what I can do.
I don't care how much it costs.
-[pen squeaking] -But I do need it soon.
[pen drops]
I can get it to you in a week.
-I actually need it sooner. -You can forget the metal, then.
I can get it to you a lot faster if I use whatever wood I have on hand.
That works.
That's good.
-Is that it? -Should I write down my address?
[music intensifies]
[music becomes dramatic]
[music subsides]
Following people is wrong.
Did you know Duygu Akkaya?
M-- Metin might have done something awful.
Yes. He has.
Seeing other women is a terrible insult.
This isn't the first time.
He pretends it doesn't matter, but all of his sins are being recorded.
Now you'll be judged for those sins also.
I didn't follow you to discuss your religious ideas.
That's too bad.
You understand that the written word governs our lives.
That is God's will.
[tense music playing]
If you have any sense, you'll heed my warning.
I'll say it only once.
Balat is not a safe place for you.
[scoffs]
[music intensifies]
[breathing loudly]
[music ends]
[rattling]
[unsettling music playing]
[Ali] I appreciate this.
It's the least I can do. Can't leave on an empty stomach.
You've worked in this area before?
[Ali] Not really, no.
-So, this is your first time here, huh? -Mm-hmm. It is.
[drill screeching]
[Kenan] You married?
[Ali] Nope.
[Kenan] You ever been married?
[Ali] Yeah, I have.
-[sucks air in, sighs] -Didn't work out, huh?
[Ali] You know.
It's all good until it isn't. We moved on.
[tool buzzing]
[door shuts]
[Kenan] Welcome home, darling.
I made us a nice dinner.
And we have a guest tonight.
[music intensifies]
The carpenter is joining us.
I love the mirror he made for your store. That's how I found out about him.
My wife, Gökçe.
That's fine craftsmanship, isn't it?
Mm-hmm.
[electronic ping]
[Kenan] Hey! Food's ready!
Why don't you two sit down and get comfortable?
I'll bring the food in a second.
My day starts really early tomorrow. I won't be able to stay.
Nonsense. You have to eat. It's a pretty long drive.
Gökçe?
[chair rattles]
[Kenan] Come sit.
[Ali sighs]
I'll just leave this here.
It looks good.
Thank you.
Do you enjoy books?
Don't have time to read.
We're book publishers. Gökçe reads a lot of submissions.
She has great judgment.
Literature is essential.
Whether a book is brand-new or was written ages ago,
it has the powerful ability to move people.
Were you aware
that in some societies
young girls were not allowed to read romance novels?
Why not?
It was thought that reading the words would tarnish their virtue.
Somewhat like Don Quixote.
That story triggered a significant number of readers to parade around
convinced that they were knights.
Our food's getting cold.
Does the term "fictophilia" mean anything to you?
Taner told us about it. Remember, honey?
-Mmm. -Mmm. It's an intriguing syndrome.
Is Ege here?
[Kenan] Yes, he's in his room.
He's had dinner already. Don't worry, darling.
Fictophilia.
When a person develops feelings for a fictional character.
Some say it should be classified as an illness or a medical condition.
But I think that's a bit extreme.
After all, it's not real.
You're an excellent cook.
Thank you.
[Kenan] Gökçe recently discovered a writer.
Her name's Duygu Akkaya.
[unsettling music playing]
-How do you know her? -[metal clank]
Duygu was never a writer.
[music intensifies]
Duygu… sent us this manuscript.
And as it turns out, you're the main character.
Is this a fuckin' joke?
It's a work of fiction.
[Kenan] You think so?
Really?
Let's hear it.
[Kenan] Maybe I should let Gökçe tell you about it.
I guess the cat's got her tongue.
The main character is identified by the letter M.
Duygu, the author and narrator,
falls in love with this M.
She actually pursues him, even though it might be the end of her.
And where it gets interesting for you
is when she mentions where he works.
And that he's married.
Duygu is seduced.
M pulls out all the tricks to make her fall madly in love with him.
-[Ali breathing deeply] -While also seducing her sister.
You think I'm that guy?
I know that you are.
It can't be that much of a coincidence.
That's why I'm here, then? To test your theory?
[Kenan] Hmm.
-[Ali] What the hell is your problem? -This is one of my favorite passages.
"I let M in on the secret that had only ever been mine."
"I was torn apart. A flesh-and-blood betrayal. R."
"The sum of their lies an insurmountable treachery."
"A blinding devastation reducing me to silent screams."
You're a liar!
"The bond of two loving sisters reduced to ash by a manipulator."
The kind of dramatic twist you usually enjoy, isn't it?
I never did anything to betray Duygu, and neither did Reyhan.
Duygu had the wrong idea about us. She was obsessed.
Sure, if you believe that. Let me see it again.
Gökçe.
Please.
Yes! Here it is.
"The last meal that we will ever share has left us with the taste of betrayal."
"M and R. Finally, I made you confront each other."
Why would she use "confront" unless you were sleeping together behind her back?
Shut your fuckin' mouth or I'll kick the shit outta you!
[Kenan] I was just repeating what the author wrote.
[Ali] You think everything you read is real?!
D'you ever get your nose out of your books and see the real world?
You know what it's like out there. Tell him.
[Kenan chuckles smugly]
I'm afraid you're the one who's out of touch here
because you're just a fantasy.
Gökçe pursued you. She read the manuscript and went looking for you.
She fell into the story.
And wanted to live what's written in it.
Were you chasing a character in a fantasy?
Hmm?
It was real.
What the fuck is wrong with you playing with people's lives?! Huh?
So did you kill her?
What?
I'm afraid the story can't be published as is.
All the twisted ruses you used to ensnare Duygu,
your affair with Reyhan, any clues that Gökçe followed,
and any traces of her at all,
will turn to ash.
[menacing music playing]
[Kenan] There's only one thing that we cannot change. [scoffs]
And that is the fact that you…
killed the author.
You have no idea how many times Duygu tried to kill herself.
What prescriptions she was on
or the havoc it wreaked when she skipped her meds.
You weren't there, asshole! You have no idea what it's like!
She was unstable!
I lost count of how many times she tried to kill herself!
You know nothing about her!
We tried to save her, and she wouldn't let us!
You didn't know her!
[sound becomes muted]
[Kenan] Gökçe, call the police!
[music intensifies]
[music subsides]
[birds squawking]
[Taner] What is reality? And what is fiction?
We need to think about that. I think life is tricking all of us.
Reality could be a lie that someone has fabricated, don't you think?
Who knows if we're not all living inside another person's dream or imagination?
ASHES
Yes. You.
[woman] Your main character commits suicide by jumping onto the train tracks.
Was this your way of acknowledging the similar fate of your character
to one of the classics?
It was. I'm flattered that you saw my intention.
Anna Karenina dies for love.
I thought the heroine of my story deserved a similarly stunning fate.
That even though we are long past the age of Tolstoy,
women still die of heartache.
Yes, over there.
This novel is a serious departure for you. What was your inspiration for this story?
You haven't written in a female voice before.
I was in a bit of a rut.
All of my work centered on my own experience.
One day, I told myself,
"Taner,
you need a change. You should write about someone else."
"You
need to branch out a little."
"You need to
get into someone else's head."
[whimsical piano music playing]
"See the world
through the eyes of a complete stranger."
That was the inspiration for Ashes.
[audience applauding]
Thank you all. Thank you very much for coming.
[music intensifies]
[music ends]
[bittersweet music playing]
[music fades out]