Under the Shadow

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1

Well?

Sir, I just want to come back

and finish my studies.

Being a doctor and serving society

has always been my main goal in life.

I don't want my future destroyed

because of one mistake.

So, do you admit it?

Admit what?

What you've done.

Well, I don't know the details of my case

but I guess the reason I can't return

is because I was politically active.

But sir, everyone was politically active

during the revolution.

I was young.

Naive.

I mean, I didn't even understand

the difference between left and right.

I was just passionate

like everyone else that age.

I was concerned about the country.

I wanted change.

I'm sure you understand.

If I ended up

in one of those radical left groups...

It was only because

I didn't know any better...

Every mistake has consequences.

I let you in so you could hear this

directly from my lips

and stop wasting your time

by coming here every day.

Let me tell you this frankly.

You cannot continue your studies.

Based on your history, there is not even

the slightest possibility

that you can ever return

to the university.

I suggest you find a new goal in life.

- Hello, Mrs. fakur.

- Hello, dear.

Sorry, I'm late.

I hope dorsa wasn't any trouble?

No trouble at all.

We had fun.

Dorsa! Mum!

- What happened?

- Mummy.

Oh, darling

it's okay.

It's okay. I understand.

That's the climate right now.

Don't let it change you.

To my daughter.

Congratulations

on beginning medical school.

I'm proud of you.

Your loving mother.

Hello? Anyone home?

Dad, dad, dad, dad!

Hello, little one.

Where's mum?

She's in the bedroom.

She's grumpy.

Hello...

Hello...

What are you doing?

Those are my course books.

Give them away to someone

who wants them. Or Chuck them.

Go and play dorsa.

What happened?

Maybe things will get better

after the war.

There's no guarantee.

And this war seems to be never ending.

Well, you've tried your best.

It's out of your hands now.

Who knows? It's probably for the best.

Dorsa! Run!

Where are you going?

- There is no time, we have to go downstairs!

- We can't leave kimia behind.

Come on.

Hello.

Hello.

Thank you, doctor.

- Sorry for the trouble.

- Not at all.

Thank god, sounds like they've put

more defenses around Tehran.

I heard a rumor that Iraq

is launching missiles now...

Leave her alone.

Dorsa, come here, sweetheart.

Who's this new boy?

Mr. ebrahimi's nephew. Apparently

he lost his parents in the abadan.

Dad?

Dad?

Dad?

What happened, sweetheart?

Did you have a bad dream?

It's okay.

No, dear, those things don't exist.

Next time you're scared,

remember that you're not on your own.

I gave you kimia to keep you company.

Good morning.

No toys at the breakfast table please.

Good morning.

The tape on the windows is coming off.

- What if the windows shatter in a blast...

- I'll re-tape them.

Did you have a nightmare last night?

She said she heard someone

walking in the house.

You're a bad sleeper

just like your mother.

Did you sleep okay last night?

Me?

Why do you think I'm sleepwalking again?

You would have noticed.

I was out cold.

Just because I did it once or twice

like six months ago,

doesn't mean it's a constant thing.

Plus this is not the first time dorsa has

had a nightmare and imagined things.

I'm just saying you're only a bad sleeper

when you're stressed.

What's that?

It's my...

Annual draft notice.

Why didn't you mention it sooner?

You've had other things on your mind.

I'm going to the ministry of health later

today to see where I'm stationed.

Might get somewhere safe

like last year...

If we're lucky...

Hey, doctor.

- A minute please...

- Hello.

- Hello... how is your family?

- Good, thank you.

How many times do I have to ask for

the garage door to be closed properly?

- Please remind your wife...

- What do you mean?

Let me show you.

The bolt has rusted.

- It takes force to put it in place...

- How do you know it was my wife?

It's not you or me.

I know Mr. fakur closes it properly.

And none of the women in the

building drive, apart from your wife.

Right. We'll remember

to close the door properly.

Have a good day.

Hello.

Hello.

They're sending me to elam.

That's in the middle of the fighting.

I tried for a safer post

but it didn't work out.

I think you and dorsa

should go to my parents.

Why?

The rumors about Iraq using

missiles are probably true.

It's safer up north.

People are already leaving the city.

We're fine here.

You don't get a warning with missiles.

I'm not going to be

a burden to your parents.

You're not a burden.

Last time we went there

your sisters kept saying

"Tehran gets bombed

and we get the shrapnel."

We'll be fine in our own home.

I'm worried about dorsa.

What? Am I not capable

of looking after my own child now?

That's not what I'm saying.

All I'm saying is I won't be around.

At my parents', you can

at least have that support.

Ah, because you've been so supportive

until now...

That's unfair.

No, unfair is you swanking off

to play doctors and treating me like...

I'm incompetent.

Play doctors?

Being shipped off to war is not a game.

Are you showing off?

Do you want a medal?

I'm not going out of choice.

I'd lose my right to practice...

If you don't have the right

to practice, it's a catastrophe

but if I don't it's for the best.

Are you mad that I'm practicing?

No, I'm not mad about that...

Dorsa, how many times have I told you

to put your toys away after playing?

Is it my fault

you can't finish your studies?

Didn't you waste your time

on politics at university?

You sound exactly like them.

Am I wrong?

Have you forgotten that you kept calling

me spineless for sticking to my studies?

Like you never tried

to stop me studying.

When did I ever do that?

When the universities reopened

after the cultural revolution

who was it that told me studying could

wait, stay home and raise the child?

Do you have a problem

looking after your child?

Are you calling me a bad mother?

No. I'm saying don't blame your

shortcomings on me and our child.

Tell me, why do you want

to go back now, all of a sudden?

I didn't leave out of choice.

The cultural revolution happened.

That was four, five years ago.

The universities reopened after a year.

So?

You only want to go back now

because your mother died...

Becoming a doctor has

always been my dream!

No, shideh, it's your mother's dream.

Dead people can't dream.

I'll be scared without you here.

I'll be back before you know it!

Mum is going to take you to granny's.

Here's this month's rent

and what we owed from last month.

Give it to ebrahimi

when it's due to shut him up.

Mum...

Mum...

Mum...

Yes?

My bed is wet.

Get up.

You still have to wet yourself

at this age!

Aren't you going to school

next year?

Go to the bathroom,

take your clothes off.

Didn't I say go to the bathroom?

I'm scared to go alone...

Your toast.

Mummy?

Now that dad is not here...

Can I sleep next to you at night?

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