Hamam: The Turkish Bath

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TO MY SECOND MOTHER

ISTANBUL, 21st APRIL 1995

Madam! Madam!

Osman! Osman!

What's wrong?

Madam is dead.

I couldn't wake her up!

- She's not breathing and she's cold!

- I'm coming!

Is Madam dead?

Yes, she died in her sleep.

- Guler?

- What's wrong?

- Madam has died.

- When?

THE TURKISH BATH

ROME - TURKISH EMBASSY 1996

- Hi Nelly.

- Good evening ma'am.

Can you put these in the fridge, please?

- Is Mr. Paolo coming too?

- Yes, table for three.

Have you finished your shower?

- Why so late?

- I was with my lover.

- Come in the shower with me.

- Come on!

- Pass me the balm.

- It's there.

- Pass me the balm.

- It's there, I said.

Come here.

Are you coming to Naples

with me tomorrow?

There's a big sale on some Laliques.

It could be interesting.

It's fine with me,

as I'll finish early in the morning.

But do you really

have to go tomorrow?

Otherwise who's going

to measure the apartment?

- Which one?

- The one in Giubbonari Road.

- I have to go to Naples.

- Then you'll go alone.

No, I'm going with Paolo,

- ...so we won't see you for a day.

- Don't say it like that.

Should I say it better?

I'm going with Paolo.

That's even worse.

I read the paper and it bothers you,

I eat in a hurry and it bothers you...

I tidy up and it bothers you.

What do you want from me?

- Want to know the truth?

- Let's hear it...

You can't stand the fact that

I do things better than you.

You're crazy,

you need help, Marta.

No, I need to go away,

as far as possible.

- Naples is not that far.

- Don't piss me off!

Don't forget to iron!

Francesco, are you still there?

I was on my way.

Do you how long it's been missing?

I thought I heard it.

It's been missing for six months

and you still think you hear it?

Can you tell me

why is it so important?

If you need a holiday,

go with Paolo.

- You know he can't come.

- You're right, I forgot.

But I can't come, I need

to follow the Cassara thing...

- Paolo and I could handle it.

- No way...

I god the job, I have the contacts,

I deal with the workers.

You always do everything yourself.

Trust us, for once!

How can I, with all the work

which still needs doing?

The ceilings

haven't even been started yet.

Hello?

- They'll never finish in two weeks.

- I'll call you back.

- Who was it?

- Valeria.

- Again?

- However,

this is a three-way deal,

you're not the only one.

And it's your family,

you have to go to Turkey.

My family?

I didn't know my aunt!

But she left you the house,

so why should I go there and sell it?

You don't trust me here, but you'll

send me to a country I don't know?

It's better for a man to go.

Men get more respect there.

Stop that crap and admit

you don't want to help me!

- Don't raise your voice.

- Then listen to me.

The red one is beautiful.

I'm a bull, I like red.

Italians are too difficult.

Sure, difficult...

- Zozo, who's the buyer?

- A rich woman, a good one.

Tomorrow I'll go speak with her,

- Then we'll make the contract.

- So what's tonight about?

Waiter? Come here please.

Why did we meet tonight?

To make friends.

To know you better.

In Turkey it's not easy.

Not like in Italy

But tomorrow we'll make the deal?

Yes, tomorrow I'll talk with the lady

and after that I'll tell you everything.

Zozo, I need to get back at the soonest.

Tomorrow morning I'll make the contract

- so you can leave in a day.

- Alright.

Do you like that lady?

She can sing Italian songs!

She's exactly what I needed.

- You're Italian, right?

- Yes.

Many Italians come here,

famous people.

Have you seen

the names on the doors?

Greta Garbo, Winston Churchill,

Agatha Christie...

came to this hotel,

and then famous Italians:

the King of Italy, King Vittorio,

Enrico Fermi...

- Toto Cutugno...

- Good night.

Good night, Mr. Trotsky.

Hello?

Yes, speaking.

Hello.

I'm out of town,

call the office and take

an appointment for next week.

Good-bye.

- Sorry, I don't understand

- (IN FRENCH) Help me, please

It's too hot,

I need to drink.

(IN FRENCH) Come with me,

I'll help you.

- Thank you young man

- Not at all.

You're very kind.

- What's wrong?

- Tired, tired...

- Want to sit there?

- No.

Over there, please.

- Are you alright?

- Yes.

- We're almost there.

- Thank you.

- You're very kind.

- Not at all.

We've finally made it

to the "hamam".

- Can I have a glass of water, please?

- Of course, sir.

I'm a little dizzy.

If it wasn't for this foreigner...

- Have you ever been to a "hamam"?

- No, never.

Then you should absolutely...

...take advantage of this occasion.

You're very kind,

but I'm quite busy.

But you should do it.

Absolutely, my dear.

- My child, is everything ready?

- Yes.

- Is that the contract?

- Ready for signing.

Except for a little detail.

- What is it?

- There's no money.

- But you know I have no time!

- What should I do? The lady isn't here.

The furniture is old...

...maybe you should lower the price.

Zozo, the lady isn't here,

they want to lower the price

and I want to leave.

What's their offer?

Zozo is good. Look,

the contract is written in Italian.

- I'm good, aren't I?

- No price is listed here.

It needs defining.

The "hamam" is old.

- Talk to the lady.

- What's to talk about?

They already knew it was old!

- What did you call it?

- "Hamam".

You never told me

it was a Turkish bath.

"Hamam" means Turkish bath.

I know, but why

didn't you tell me before?

In Istanbul there were

many "hamam", a big attractive.

Now it's over,

"hamam" is no longer popular.

Look at the sign.

It's a Turkish bath

of a mirror Sultan.

- Of the mirrors.

- Yes, of the mirrors.

Follow me.

- Hi Zozo, how are you?

- Hello Mrs. Mine.

- Hello.

- Hello.

Is anybody home?

Just a moment.

- Hello Mr. Osman.

- Hi Zozo.

He's the owner of the "hamam".

May we have the keys?

Come in.

- A drink?

- No, thanks.

- The man wants to sell.

- Fusun, bring some ayran.

- So you are Francesco.

- Yes I am.

He came from Italy

to sell the "hamam".

- He's already accepted a bid.

- Thank you.

He has no hesitation.

- This is my daughter Fusun.

- Thank you my child.

- Ciao, I'm Francesco.

- Ciao.

- So, you want to see the hamam?

- Yes please.

- Make it fast, we're in a hurry.

- Shut up, Zozo.

Come, I'll show you.

- I'll stay here. Understood?

- I did, Zozo.

We always used this passage.

No one has been here

since Madam died.

May I keep it?

Yes, of course.

What do you want now, Zozo?

I've lived here since I got married,

my children were born here.

- Understand?

- I understand.

No, you don't understand a thing.

Get out of this hole,

move to a new neighbourhood.

If you don't leave

I'll kick you out!

- Perran, this is Madam's nephew.

- Quiet Osman, this fool pisses me off.

Francesco?

You're Madam's nephew?

Sorry. Madam always spoke about you.

Did you offer him something?

- Please sit down. I'll make coffee.

- No, thanks.

We have many of Madam Anita's things

- What should we do?

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