America America

My name is Elia Kazan.

I am a Greek by blood,

a Turk by birth...

and an American,

because my uncle made a journey.

This story was told me over the years

by the old people in my family.

They remember Anatolia, the great

central plateau of Turkey and Asia.

And they remember the mountain,

Erciyes, standing above the plain.

Anatolia was the ancient home

of Greek and Armenian people.

But 500 odd years ago, the land

was overrun by the Turks...

and from that day the Greeks

and Armenians lived here...

but as minorities.

The Greek subject people.

The Armenian subject people.

They wore the same clothes

as the Turks...

the fez and the sandal...

ate the same food,

suffered the heat together...

used the donkey for burdens.

And they looked up

to the same mountain...

but with different feelings...

for, in fact, they were conqueror...

and conquered.

The Turks had an army.

The Greeks and the Armenians

lived as best they could.

But the day came, here in Anatolia,

as everywhere there's oppression...

when people began to question.

There were bursts of violence,

sudden and reckless.

People began to wonder,

and some to search for another home.

You say in America they have

mountains bigger than this?

In America, everything's bigger.

What else? What else in America?

What are we waiting for?

Come on you, let's go you,

with the help of Jesus.

We better sell this ice

before it melts.

The year is 1896.

A Turkish provincial governor

has called...

an emergency meeting of his council.

Be seated,

be seated, please.

Your glasses, Governor.

This came an hour ago,

over the wire from the capital.

Your Excellency...

On this day, the eve of our

national feast of Bayram...

Armenian fanatics have

dared to set fire...

to the National Turkish Bank

in Constantinople.

It is the wish of our Sultan...

Abdul Hamid the Resplendent,

the shadow of God on earth...

that the Armenian subject people

throughout his empire...

be taught, once and for all,

that acts of terror...

cannot be tolerated.

Our Sultan has the patience

of the Prophet...

but he has now given signs

that he would be pleased...

if this lesson were impressed,

once and for all...

upon this dangerous minority.

How this is to be effected

will be left to Their Excellencies...

the governors of each province...

...and to the army post commanders

stationed in each provincial capital.

Stop!

Stop!

Help yourself, sir,

help yourself.

Jallal...

bring something.

Sir, Your Honour...

help yourself, sir,

help yourself.

That's what he needs,

encouragement.

But, Your Honour...

What do you want?

Not I, the ice,

it's nature is to melt.

It does not consider we have to go

all the way to the market to sell it.

In plain language,

you want me to hurry?

If you would.

All right now?

You had too much of a load

for this dear old horse.

Now, she'll get you to market

more quickly, agreed?

Yes, sir, agreed.

Are you Armenian?

Greek, sir, Greek.

Where do you live?

Over that hill.

And you?

Down below.

-And you are?

-Armenian.

Armenian?

Did he have anything to do with

burning the bank in Constantinople?

Why do you smile?

You are joking.

How could we have been there

yesterday? It's two weeks' journey.

Even with this horse?

Captain Mahmed.

-How do you know my name?

-We served together 8 years ago.

That is, I served you, and you

served your Sultan, Abdul Hamid...

the shadow of God on earth.

I was your orderly, so naturally

you've forgotten me.

Remember?

I stole chickens for you.

Vartan, you!

Vartan!

-I didn't recognise you.

-I know, but I'm Vartan.

Vartan, my little lamb,

what happened to you?

Well, as you can see,

I'm trying to make a few coppers.

With this dear, dying stud.

Hey, come on, Jallal,

put the ice back, quickly.

Hurry, before it melts.

Your people burn our buildings,

and you expect us to say thank you?

No.

Today, no Armenian

will be forgiven...

for being an Armenian.

I beg you, stay up here with me.

But he has his mother and father

down there and his little brother.

Then it is in the hands of God.

Vartan! Vartan!

Vartan!

-What's happened?

-They're in the church...

mother, father,

all our family, our people.

Father says come now.

I've got this ice to sell now.

Don't be seen with this Armenian,

Stavros, stay away from him.

I can't do that.

Your mother is looking for you.

Go home, quickly.

No one is on the streets.

I'm going to the Guitars.

What for?

For my satisfaction.

But the Turks drink there.

Here comes your mother.

Your father says don't work

with that man!

You're not a child anymore!

Why do I have to take you by the ear

like a child and drag you home?

Like a child!

Say something!

Answer me when I talk to you!

Stay away from that man!

He was with the Armenian again,

Isaac, your eldest.

You've given your father

a terrible day of worry.

Kiss his hand and ask forgiveness.

He's too easy with you.

You're too easy with him, Isaac,

if you'll forgive me.

It's not my place to say so, but...

Have you had dinner?

I'm not hungry.

Vasso, give him some food.

But, I'm not hungry.

You'll eat something.

Who is this Armenian?

Damadian's son, Vartan.

He doesn't know his place.

It's not our affair.

They're Armenians, we're Greeks,

our necks aren't the same.

True. They're saving the Greeks

for their next holiday.

-What did he say?

-We all heard what he said.

Where were you?

Father's been looking for you.

Just like a woman!

What's happening?

The jails are empty.

-Who are those two?

-I don't know.

The Armenian's going to dance.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

America...

America.

Let's go. If we don't go now,

we'll never get another chance.

Armenians.

To the church.

The captain says come now.

-It's beginning!

-All Turks!

Where is your captain?

Have pity on us.

Have pity on us!

Vartan, Vartan, Vartan,

they're inside!

Father, mother, everyone.

Do something!

Go back and tell them to

come out and beg for mercy.

Go!

Mama, Papa, open the door.

Mama, open the door.

Come on, come on, open,

open the door!

-Stavros! Stavros!

-No one leaves here.

-No one leaves this section.

-I'm taking him home.

Where's the Greek?

The Armenians started it.

It's always the Armenians.

Don't disturb us now, them first.

Every few years we have to teach

the Armenians.

The Greeks are more peaceful.

You see, the patient man waits.

As the Prophet said...

hatred exhausts itself.

It's no comfort for me that

the Armenians started this.

I believe that some day,

with Allah's help...

all races will live together

in peace, even the Armenians.

That's the hope of mankind.

They are bringing him, my friend,

they are bringing your boy.

See?

A fine young man.

Now, smile.

Smile.

I am very grateful to you.

It's not only that I like you,

I like all the Greek subject people.

We all know that.

I'm here only for the good

I can do.

I make nothing here,

you realise that.

And I do good.

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