Parvandaye Alireza va Peyman
PARVANDAYE ALIREZA VA PEYMAN
BLACK SCREEN SUPER:
’Azmiyeh, Karaj, Iran’ ’2003’
FADE IN: EXT. KARAJ, DAY PEIVAND, 11, in full Iranian hijab, is walking through the town centre of Azmiyeh, a small village in Karaj. She is carrying a bag full of fresh fruit and vegetables. She passes through busy streets with open market stalls. The Alborz Mountains are visible in the background. She goes up a big hill and walks towards her lavish home which is isolated from the rest of the village. INT. ALIREZA’S LIVING ROOM, CONTINUOUS Peivand walks into her traditional upper-class home. It is an open space, with large columns and luxurious furniture. There is a large portrait of an older woman above a sofa. EXT. KARAJ, DAY ALIREZA and PEYMAN, 18 and 20, are running down the busy market of Azmiyeh. They occasionally bump into a few people as they chase each other playfully. INT. PEYMAN’S LIVING ROOM, DAY FOROOZ and NAVID, Peyman’s parents, are arguing in the living room. MONTAGE, DAY A) INT. ALIREZA’S HOUSE, DAY - Peivand begins helping her mother, FARIBA, and their HELPER in the kitchen. Her father, MAJID, sits on the couch. Peivand playfully turns the radio up and begins dancing around the house with her mother. They invite Majid to dance along. He reluctantly agrees and they all dance around. B) INT. PEYMAN’S LIVING ROOM, DAY - Navid grabs Forooz violently during the argument. She pushes him off her. The table is full of alcohol. (CONTINUED)
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C) EXT. KARAJ, DAY - Alireza and Peyman pass a fruit stall in the local market. HOSSEIN, a man in his 50s, waves and smiles at them. They arrive at an isolated bench in the middle of an abandoned park and sit beside each other. They smile at each other. END OF MONTAGE CUT TO: EXT. DVD SHOP, NIGHT Alireza and Peyman arrive outside an isolated DVD shop on a corner street. They give a tall man some money in exchange for a DVD. He nods and they walk in. INT. DVD SHOP, CONTINUOUS Alireza and Peyman walk through a seemingly normal shop selling traditional Iranian DVDs before going down a back passageway. Music can be heard in the far distance. INT. UNDERGROUND CLUB, CONTINUOUS Loud music is playing and people are dancing on a small dancefloor. Alireza and Peyman dance amongst friends, all doing shots and some doing cocaine off the tables. Drag queens are present, and there are girls without hijab dancing on poles. Hossein is watching these women. A good-looking young man in his early 30s, MEHDY, is looking at a guy from across the bar. He seductively smiles before walking towards him. Alireza and Peyman are flirting secretly. They disappear into the fog together as the music begins to fade. FADE OUT FADE IN: INT. ALIREZA’S BEDROOM, MORNING Alireza and Peyman lie in bed together as the sun begins to shine through the window. They are in each other’s arms, naked under the sheets. Peivand walks by and looks through the keyhole to spot them in bed together. She is visibly confused.
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3. EXT. SCHOOLYARD, MORNING Schoolchildren are saying their prayers aloud. They finish, the bell rings and the head teacher dismisses the girls. Peivand and PASHA wander slowly behind. PASHA Did you do the reading Peivand? PEIVAND No, not yet! Did you? PASHA Obviously. I always do the reading. PEIVAND (Rolls eyes) Loser. PASHA What’s new? PEIVAND Oh, I have the funniest thing to tell you! Tell me!
PASHA
PEIVAND (Laughing) I think Alireza might have a boyfriend! PASHA (Shocked) A boyfriend?! PEIVAND Yes! Well... I saw him in bed with his friend Peyman today. PASHA Alireza... has a boyfriend? Yes!
PEIVAND
PASHA Does that mean he is a fag?
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4. PEIVAND Well, I don’t know. What does that even mean? PASHA It’s a boy who likes boys. PEIVAND I don’t know. I’ve never seen two men together before... PASHA Yeah I haven’t either. I read on the news the other day that two boys were arrested for being fags though. No! Why?
PEIVAND
PASHA I don’t know if it’s right. Maybe it isn’t normal? PEIVAND (Shrugs) I don’t know. The head teacher approaches the girls. They run to class quickly. INT. SHAHIN’S CAR, NIGHT Pasha is sitting in the back seat of a car. SHAHIN, her father, is driving and SARA, her mother, sits in the passenger seat. PASHA I don’t want to go to this party. SHAHIN Don’t be like that my darling. Peivand will be there! You will have fun together. SARA I don’t blame our daughter. I never liked that family. SHAHIN (Under his breath) Sara, you can’t say that in front of our daughter. (CONTINUED) PARVANDAYE ALIREZA VA PEYMAN
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5. SARA Pasha won’t say a thing. (Looking back at Pasha) Will you darling? No.
PASHA
SHAHIN They have done a lot for us. They are good people and good friends. PASHA Peivand is weird. Pasha is playing with her hijab and it comes off revealing her long brown hair. SARA Stop playing around Pasha. Put your scarf back on your head, dear God. PASHA (Rolls eyes) Her brother Alireza is one of them fags. SHAHIN Pasha! Where did you learn such a word? PASHA Heard it in school. SHAHIN Never repeat it again. PASHA What?! Peivand told me that Alireza has a boyfriend. She what?
SARA
SHAHIN (Curious) Did she really? SARA I knew there was something wrong with that boy. All that late night partying. I hear he stays out with those unlawful people until the morning... (CONTINUED) 5
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6. SHAHIN It is all rumours. SARA If I was Fariba, I would send him away. She never did have a backbone. SHAHIN Peivand is only eleven. She doesn’t know what she saw. Little children are like that. SARA (Shuddering) Those people. Disgusting. SHAHIN Enough now. Please.
They arrive outside Alireza’s home and park outside. Music is playing in the distance. SARA You both run up quickly. I will be there soon. Pasha gets out and Shahin follows. He glances back at his wife who has taken her Quran out. SHAHIN Don’t be long. We are already late. He closes the door. Sara takes a deep breath. She takes out her phone and quickly dials a number. SARA Hello? (Pause) Yes. This is Shahin’s wife, Sara. I need you to keep an eye on someone for me. CUT TO: INT. PEYMAN’S LIVING ROOM, NIGHT Forooz and Navid are sitting opposite each other. Navid is finishing another drink. Peyman is sitting across the room at the table doing work but listening intently.
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7. FOROOZ I want a divorce. NAVID (Laughing) You want a divorce? You’re so funny. You know that, woman? FOROOZ Don’t call me ’woman’ Navid. NAVID (Mocking) Ohh, somebody is extra angry tonight. FOROOZ I know what you’ve been doing. Going off with those street women. Drinking all night. I need a real man, not a pathetic drunk like you! NAVID (Suddenly enraged) Don’t speak to me like that. How dare you! Who do you think you are? Your wife!
FOROOZ
Navid slaps Forooz. Peyman gets up and steps in front of him. Stop!
PEYMAN
NAVID Your mother is crazy. She thinks she can just leave me and walk away? She is my wife! Forooz runs to the bedroom to get a bag with a few things and comes back into the living room. FOROOZ I am out of here! NAVID Where do you think you’ll go? You have nothing. You have nobody.
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8. FOROOZ Away from you, Navid. (Looks at Peyman) Let’s go my love. NAVID You will not betray me. And you do not have the right to take my son away from me either! FOROOZ I have put up with you for fifteen years Navid. Where have my rights been? Where have I stood all this time?
Navid is silent. He walks to the kitchen and pours himself another drink. FOROOZ One day they will get you for your disgusting drinking habits. God help you. Peyman, let’s go. PEYMAN (To Forooz, quietly) We can’t just leave Mum. We have nowhere to go. Forooz sighs and begins to cry. She walks back to her room. Navid snickers as she walks by him. INT. ALIREZA’S LIVING ROOM, NIGHT Sara enters Alireza’s house. Fariba, wearing a hijab, greets her. There is a party going on in the living room. Shahin is talking to Majid. Pasha and Peivand are dancing. FARIBA Glad you could make it darling. SARA Of course. How are you Fariba jan? FARIBA Good. Help yourself to drinks and food. Fariba walks to Alireza at the buffet table.
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9. ALIREZA Mum, this kebab is amazing. FARIBA Don’t try to be nice now Alireza. I know you were out late last night again. I hope you’re being careful. ALIREZA Calm down Mother. FARIBA (Excitedly, as she notices the new guests who have arrived) Alireza, I’d like you to meet someone!
Fariba brings Alireza over to NOROUZ, 18, a beautiful young girl with a casual scarf around her head. Fariba shakes hands with Norouz’s parents. NOROUZ Nice to meet you Alireza. ALIREZA You too. (To Norouz and her parents) Could you give me and my mother one second? I need to ask her something about the... food. Alireza takes his mother aside into the kitchen. ALIREZA A set up? Really? FARIBA Don’t be so negative. You are a handsome boy and need to think about these things. ALIREZA What if I want to meet someone on my own terms? FARIBA Alireza, please. Norouz is from a family of doctors. She is beautiful. What is wrong with wanting the best for your son?
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10. ALIREZA You are delusional Mother.
Fariba walks away and goes to chat with Norouz’s parents. Alireza sits in the kitchen and sighs. EXT. KARAJ MARKET, DAY Alireza and Peyman are walking down the local market chatting. They are both carrying school books. ALIREZA Her name was Norouz. PEYMAN (Laughing) Bah Bah! Sounds like a keeper. Alireza pulls Peyman aside into an empty alleyway and pushes him against the wall. ALIREZA Hey, look here... He takes out an envelope with a large wad of money. ALIREZA We did it! I saved up enough money for us to go to Vancouver. We can finally leave this shithole Peyman! PEYMAN What?! That’s amazing! ALIREZA We just need to wait a little while longer for the visas to get through and we can go. We can do what we always planned. PEYMAN How?! Will it work? ALIREZA Yes! I have it all sorted. Don’t worry. (Pause) We did it! It’s all going to work out.
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11. PEYMAN Alireza, vay, I love you.
Alireza smiles and goes in for a kiss but before they touch lips, Mehdy (the guy flirting with the other man at the club at the start) runs out at the end of the alleyway in a police suit alongside another policeman. They yell for them to stop before putting Alireza and Peyman in handcuffs. ALIREZA What the hell are you doing?! Let me go! Alireza struggles but Mehdy slaps him. Alireza spits in his face. ALIREZA Go to hell, you bastard. PEYMAN (Struggling) Let us go! Stop! We didn’t do anything. MEHDY Shut up, fags. They get put in the back of a police car as a small group of people surround the area in confusion and interest. Hossein watches intently from behind the till of his fruit stall. He looks visibly worried. INT. JUDGE’S COURT, DAY The judge’s court is like a small office, full of files on shelves all around the room. Alireza and Peyman are sitting opposite each other. Their parents, minus Navid, are sitting beside them. Shahin walks in and sits at his table. He is the local village’s head judge. SHAHIN This is very serious. FOROOZ Serious? What is all this about sir?
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12. SHAHIN We have reason to believe your sons have been engaging in sexual activity... together. FOROOZ What? Peyman... is this true? PEYMAN No it’s not. SHAHIN According to the local morality police, the two boys were kissing in an alleyway. FARIBA My Alireza would never do such a thing. Shahin, uh, Judge, you should be ashamed of yourself for even saying such things! MAJID Are you sure you have the right boys? SHAHIN Yes. A few sources have actually informed us of such activity. FOROOZ Oh, Alluhu Akbar! ALIREZA This is not true. We weren’t kissing. We were just talking. We’re just friends. SHAHIN (To Alireza and Peyman) Homosexuality is a sin boys. I don’t think you realise how serious your actions have been. If you are proven guilty, you could be sentenced to death. PEYMAN I don’t know who told you these things but you have the wrong boys. FOROOZ Threatening these two boys with death? Shame on you my Judge. There (MORE) (CONTINUED)
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13. FOROOZ (cont’d) has to be more evidence, and there is no evidence. SHAHIN I believe there is. FOROOZ (Standing up angrily) The word of one police officer against the word of two well-educated young men? Is this what sufficient evidence has become in this filthy country of yours sir? SHAHIN Please do not call this country filthy, woman. FOROOZ My name is Forooz. Not woman.
She takes her hijab and places it around her mouth before sitting down. Mehdy, the police officer, walks in. SHAHIN Tell us what you saw please. MEHDY I saw the two boys kissing sir. They are in fact homosexual. ALIREZA He is lying! PEYMAN This is ridiculous. You didn’t see anything because nothing happened! FOROOZ The boys said this man is lying. MEHDY They are homosexual sir. FOROOZ Pray on the Quran then. MEHDY You are delirious.
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14. FOROOZ (Livid) I will not stand for this monstrosity.
Forooz takes a Quran from her purse and places it in Mehdy’s hands. FOROOZ Pray on it and tell us all what you actually saw. SHAHIN This is not relevant. FOROOZ It is not relevant? How can we trust this man? How do we know he is truly a man of the Lord? Pray. Mehdy is hesitant. He looks at Shahin before putting his palm on top of the Quran. MEHDY I saw them kissing. They are fags, sir. Forooz stands up and approaches him. FOROOZ How dare you call my son that! And to lie in God’s name. Shame on you. You will go to hell for the lies you have told today. SHAHIN (Shouting) Enough! Sit down, for the last time, woman! Forooz sits back down. She holds Peyman’s hand. Peyman looks at Alireza in complete shock. Alireza shakes his head and turns to his parents. ALIREZA What’s going to happen? Majid shakes his head disapprovingly. FARIBA So what happens now? What does this mean? (CONTINUED) PARVANDAYE ALIREZA VA PEYMAN
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15. SHAHIN I need to review everything. MAJID Please, Judge. What else is there to review? SHAHIN That is court business. We will reconvene tomorrow night. CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEYWAY, NIGHT Navid is driving his car, alcohol in the passenger seat. He drives into an alleyway. A woman in full hijab stands there waiting. He drives to her and rolls down the window. He smiles and signals for her to enter. She gets into the car and they drive away. INT. SHAHIN’S LIVING ROOM, NIGHT Shahin is sitting on the couch watching TV. Sara brings him some tea as Pasha sits on the carpet doing some homework. SARA Here you go. Have some tea. Sugar is on the table. (Looking over to Pasha) Pasha, go to your room and get ready for bed. It’s late now. Pasha leaves the room. SARA Is everything okay Shahin? SHAHIN Alireza and his friend have been caught. SARA I knew they would be found out sooner or later. Playing with fire will always get you burnt... SHAHIN (Angry) So why haven’t you been burnt yet? (CONTINUED) 15
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16. SARA (Confused) Shahin, what are you saying? SHAHIN You made that call didn’t you? SARA Are you angry at me? I needed to say something. To know such sin and not act is a crime... SHAHIN You can’t make these calls. You have a duty as my wife. It was not your place to say a word. We have to stay open. SARA I will not stay open when something disgusting is happening around the town. What about the safety of our children? (Holding Shahin’s hands) How can you be so calm about such a crime? SHAHIN (Gritting his teeth) Sara, next time, please, keep your mouth shut.
Sara looks at him confused. He shakes his head and lets go of her hands. INT. ALIREZA’S LIVING ROOM, NIGHT Peivand and the family helper are in the kitchen preparing food. Alireza sits on the couch opposite his parents. FARIBA Do you know what you have done Alireza? You have disgraced our family! Alireza sits there, his head bowed. He is speechless and embarrassed. FARIBA Do you know what they will do to you? They will kill you Alireza! Kill you! And for what? For you to (MORE) (CONTINUED) PARVANDAYE ALIREZA VA PEYMAN
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17. FARIBA (cont’d) run around and live this shameful life. MAJID Fariba jan, there is no evidence. Alireza would never do such a thing. It is a misunderstanding.
They both look at Alireza. He finally looks up. ALIREZA I love him. You what?
MAJID
ALIREZA I love him. Fariba smashes a plate from the coffee table on the ground. FARIBA Love? How can you love him? Do you know what real love is? You will not find love with that disgusting... that disgusting boy! When the words come out, Fariba breaks down and falls to her knees, crying hysterically. Majid gets up, slaps Alireza in the face repeatedly and shakes him. MAJID Shame on you. Shame on you! You are not our son. Look what you have done to your mother. Alireza pushes Majid away. ALIREZA (Crying) Love? Is this how you show me your love? Beating the gay out of me? Beating me until I can no longer feel what I truly feel? FARIBA Stop! Alireza, do not speak anymore. What did we do to deserve a son who hates us so much? Oh, God help us. Alireza runs to his bedroom. Peivand walks over, almost in tears. (CONTINUED) 17
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18. PEIVAND I didn’t mean to Dad. MAJID (Calming down) Mean to what darling? PEIVAND I didn’t think it was a bad thing. MAJID What are you saying Peivand? PEIVAND Maybe Pasha told her father...
Fariba stops crying and gets up. FARIBA What did you tell Pasha? PEIVAND That Alireza and Peyman were in bed together. (Pause) But there is nothing wrong with that is there? You and Dad are in bed together all the time... Majid shakes his head and walks to the kitchen, punching the fridge as he walks. Fariba follows him, horrified. FARIBA I can talk to Shahin. I will tell him it was a mistake. I will fix it. MAJID There is nothing to fix. Our son is sick. He is no longer my child. FARIBA I will not let him die. God will help us Majid. MAJID God can’t help us now. Majid storms out of the room to his bedroom.
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19. INT. PEYMAN’S LIVING ROOM, NIGHT Forooz and Peyman are sitting on the couch. Forooz holds her son in her arms protectively. PEYMAN I’m scared. FOROOZ I know. But everything will be okay. I promise. PEYMAN I didn’t mean for this to happen Mother. I can’t help it... FOROOZ Can’t help what? PEYMAN Who I love. There is a pause. Forooz sighs as she realises the whole thing was true. FOROOZ So... you and Alireza are... PEYMAN (Interrupting) I feel different with him. The whole world can sometimes feel against us, but when I’m with him, I’m still strong. (Pause) Do you... or... did you ever feel that way about Dad? FOROOZ (Sighs) Your father and I are very different people. When I met him, I didn’t have much of a choice. Heck, when do women ever have a choice here? Sometimes your life is set out in front of you and you just have to accept it. PEYMAN I’m sorry. For doing this to you.
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20. FOROOZ Never be sorry. You are my son. I will stand by you no matter what. PEYMAN What will happen tomorrow? FOROOZ I don’t know Peyman. I really don’t. PEYMAN I love you Mum. (Closes his eyes) I’m scared.
Forooz holds her son tight and kisses him on the forehead. She looks over at a picture of herself and Peyman when he was a little boy. She begins to sing a lullaby to him. Transition to Forooz alone in bed weeping and reading prayers. The front door slams and Navid goes to the kitchen to pour another drink. Forooz goes to him. FOROOZ Do you even know what has happened? NAVID What are you talking about now? FOROOZ Peyman is in trouble with the law. NAVID (Laughing out loud) Our little Peyman? FOROOZ You find that funny? Do you? Your only son could get killed and you laugh? We have to be in court tomorrow. You should be there. NAVID Go to sleep. Forooz walks away as Navid downs his drink.
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21. INT. ALIREZA’S LIVING ROOM, NIGHT Fariba is on the phone. FARIBA Shahin jan. I need to speak to you tomorrow before the trial. SHAHIN (O.S.) I can’t do that Fariba. It’s against everything I stand for as a judge. I have to be fair. FARIBA There are some things that haven’t been said. Some things I need to tell you before you make a decision. SHAHIN (O.S.) I can’t bring personal relationships into this... FARIBA We are old friends. Let me speak to you as a friend tomorrow. Please. I beg you Shahin. Please. SHAHIN (O.S.) (Hesitant) Okay. Only quickly. And nobody can know about this. FARIBA Thank you. God bless you. SHAHIN Come to my house in the morning. Make sure nobody sees you. Fariba hangs up, a look of relief but also worry on her face. She walks to Alireza’s bedroom. Alireza is asleep in his bed. Fariba walks in and lies next to him, putting her arms around him. Alireza wakes up. FARIBA I love you Alireza. (Pause) Tomorrow, you will do something for me my love. You will tell the judge that Peyman put himself on you. He touched you. He is disgusting and (MORE) (CONTINUED)
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22. FARIBA (cont’d) you never wanted any of it. Promise me son. Promise me you will do this. ALIREZA I can’t do that. FARIBA I spoke to Shahin. He is doing us a favour. You have to just agree with anything he asks and nobody will get killed. He will pardon us as a favour, but for the sake of the courts, a decision needs to be made. ALIREZA I don’t know Mother... FARIBA It will be okay. Do this for our family Alireza. Do it for... Peyman.
She is hesitant to say Peyman’s name. She kisses Alireza and he closes his eyes. Tears fall down his face. EXT. SHAHIN’S HOUSE, DAY Fariba stands by Shahin’s front door. She holds his hands with both of hers, nodding her head, as if thanking him. There are tears falling from her eyes. She walks away into her car. Shahin looks into the distance. He shakes his head disapprovingly and closes the door. INT. JUDGE’S COURT, DAY Forooz, Fariba, Majid, Alireza and Peyman are in the judge’s room. Mehdy is also present, sitting beside Shahin. SHAHIN What we have here is a case of Lavat - the sexual act between two consenting adultsFOROOZ (Interrupting) Please sir. I beg you. These boys are good boys. This is not a fair trial. Please pardon them. For (MORE) (CONTINUED) PARVANDAYE ALIREZA VA PEYMAN
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23. FOROOZ (cont’d) us... for our families. Any sins they have, we will fix them. They are young, they can learn. Don’t kill the boys. SHAHIN (To Mehdy) Is there anything else you would like to add after yesterday’s session? MEHDY (Quietly) No sir. SHAHIN Peyman Khalili, what do you have to say for yourself? PEYMAN We are innocent my Judge. I don’t know what this policeman has said to you but it is not what it looks like. Please let us go. SHAHIN And Alireza Jafnazad?
Alireza looks at Peyman and then to his mother. He is torn. I... uh...
ALIREZA
FARIBA Peyman is not innocent. Forooz and Peyman look at Fariba, confused. Majid looks at his wife, concerned. FARIBA Tell the judge what you told me last night. Tell them Peyman touched you and that you didn’t want it. PEYMAN What are you talking about? Alireza, tell her that it’s not true!
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24. FARIBA (To Alireza) Don’t be ashamed my darling. You are a victim. You can say it.
Forooz stands up in anger. FOROOZ (Shouting at Fariba) This is atrocious! Peyman would never do such a thing. You have gone too far! PEYMAN (To Alireza) What is she saying? Why would she say this? FARIBA Tell them Alireza! SHAHIN Were you raped by Peyman? There is a long pause. Alireza looks at Peyman in the eyes and then back to Shahin and nods. FARIBA You see! My son is innocent! Forooz pushes Fariba back onto her chair. Majid stands up and pushes Forooz off his wife. Peyman looks at Alireza in utter shock. Mehdy looks upset but tries not to show it. MAJID You dirty woman! Get your whore hands off my wife. FOROOZ How dare you! My son would never do such a thing. I have raised him well! FARIBA Raised him well? His father is an alcoholic who goes for those street women. Forooz stops. She looks genuinely hurt. FARIBA You thought nobody knew what he gets up to? (CONTINUED) PARVANDAYE ALIREZA VA PEYMAN
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25. SHAHIN Enough! This is not the place for this behaviour or talk. Take Peyman away. He is charged for the rape of Alireza Jafnazad. He will be sentenced to death by stoning tomorrow. My decision is final.
The policemen handcuff Peyman and take him towards the door. Alireza runs after him and in the corridor outside stops Peyman and the guards. PEYMAN (Screaming) What did you do? ALIREZA (Whispering to Peyman) It’s all okay. Trust me. You’re not going to die. My mum spoke to Shahin. Peyman looks confused but he is dragged away by the police before he can say anything. ALIREZA (Calling out) It’s okay! Alireza walks back into the court office. Forooz is at Shahin’s table, on her knees. FOROOZ I beg you. Please don’t do this. He is all I have. Mehdy and another policeman hold her back. SHAHIN I’m sorry. You will have one night with your son under police supervision. Shahin glances at Fariba and nods. He looks very disappointed in himself. She nods back. Alireza sees the exchange. Forooz is taken out of the room by the police. Shahin leaves as well.
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A police officer speaks to another one, who speaks to someone else, who runs down the street to share the news with somebody else, and so forth. Soon the entire town hears the news and a horde of angry people approach the court building. ALIREZA Now what, Mother? Fariba looks at Majid, who looks down at his feet. Fariba puts her hand on Alireza’s cheek. FARIBA I did what I had to do. ALIREZA (Horrified) You what? FARIBA I’m sorry Alireza. You might not understand now, but one day you will. Alireza’s eyes begin to water as he realises his mother’s betrayal. Fariba tries to hug her son but he pushes her away. ALIREZA (Screaming) How could you? Never speak to me again. Never even look at me again! FARIBA Calm down Alireza. ALIREZA Go to hell. Alireza storms out of the office and runs down the hall after Peyman, screaming his name. Two police guards hold him back. Peyman looks back. Their eyes catch each other’s for a second before Alireza is pulled away. Back in the office, Fariba begins to cry. MAJID Why did you do that Fariba? You risked a lot. You shouldn’t have gone so far.
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27. FARIBA I had to. He is our son. It was the only way to save him.
EXT. OUTSIDE COURT, DAY Crowds of people are chanting ’fag’, ’pervert’ and ’rapist’ as Peyman and Forooz walk outside the building with police supervision. Mehdy is one of the supervisors. The crowd gets rowdy and starts pushing. One man punches Peyman in the face, calling him a ’pervert’. Forooz slaps the man in the face. FOROOZ Bastard! Get your hands off my son. They begin to chant ’whore’ to Forooz. She wraps her hijab tight around her face and walks with her son as the chants continue. INT. SHAHIN’S LIVING ROOM, DAY Sara watches the angry crowds pass from her window. She goes to the kitchen and prepares tea. Pasha runs to look outside the window. PASHA What is happening Maman? SARA Nothing Pasha. Get away from there. PASHA What is it? SARA (Losing patience) Get away from the window I said! As she loses her patience, she spills hot tea on herself. She moans in pain and looks at her hand, red and burnt. INT. PEYMAN’S LIVING ROOM, DAY Peyman and Forooz run back to their house. Mehdy tries to walk into the house with Peyman but Forooz pushes him aside.
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28. FOROOZ It may be your job to supervise this house. But, dear God, never step foot into my house, you filthy dog.
Mehdy laughs to himself and walks outside. Peyman runs to his room. He pants hard, walking around the room in distress. He suddenly looks out of his window and sees Alireza running towards the house. Peyman runs to his back door and opens it. Alireza runs in. Peyman grabs him, drags him to the living room and starts punching him in the chest. Forooz stands there distressed. PEYMAN Why did you do this to me? Why? ALIREZA Peyman! Stop. It’s not what you think. PEYMAN I thought you loved me. How could you do this? ALIREZA Stop! We don’t have time. We need to get out of here. Peyman is confused and stops punching Alireza. He suddenly stops and falls to his knees, hugging Alireza’s legs. PEYMAN What happened? ALIREZA You know I would never do such a thing to you. I love you. FOROOZ What are you talking about? ALIREZA My mum tricked me. We are family friends with Shahin and she told me they had something planned. But... I should’ve known... FOROOZ Alluhu Akhbar, shameful people.
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29. ALIREZA People like us, we don’t have a choice here. We will never have a choice. Now what?
PEYMAN
There is a long pause as all three of them look at each other. ALIREZA We run. I have the money, and I got the visas on the way here... FOROOZ How did you do that? ALIREZA Hossein, he works at a fruit stall in the market. He has a cousin in Vancouver who has been helping me for a while to get them. CUT TO: INT. FRUIT SHOP, DAY Alireza secretly handing over documents and photographs to Hossein at the back of the fruit shop. Hossein nods. CUT TO: INT. PEYMAN’S LIVING ROOM, DAY ALIREZA We don’t have much time. We have a chance to escape, but we need to be quick. Peyman looks over at Forooz. She runs to his bedroom and brings out a small bag. FOROOZ Get your passport. You will drive to Tehran airport tonight and you will get the first two tickets out of here. Peyman sighs with relief and happiness. He hugs Forooz. (CONTINUED) 29
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30. FOROOZ It’s never fair. But if you can run my boy, you better damn well run as fast as you can. PEYMAN I love you. Quickly.
FOROOZ
Peyman and Alireza run into Peyman’s room to get the passport and a few pictures. Forooz prays. PEYMAN What do you think Vancouver is like? Different.
ALIREZA
PEYMAN I can’t wait. ALIREZA (Puts his hand on Peyman’s cheek) We have the rest of our lives together. Suddenly, there is a bang at the main door. Navid storms in, incredibly drunk. NAVID (Shouting) What has happened? Where the fuck are you Forooz? Peyman? Peyman and Alireza enter the living room. Navid sees Alireza, storms towards him and grabs his neck. NAVID What have you done? What did you do to my son? What have you turned my son into? The devil! It’s the devil! PEYMAN (Pushing Navid) Let go of him! Navid lets go and Alireza falls to the ground. Peyman holds him tight. (CONTINUED) PARVANDAYE ALIREZA VA PEYMAN
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31. FOROOZ Navid, they are leaving. They are going to get out of here together. You can’t do a damn thing about it. NAVID Who do you think you are? Accepting this? They are fags Forooz. They are a disease. FOROOZ He is more of a man than you will ever be. NAVID You have lost it woman! FOROOZ (To Alireza and Peyman) You have to leave. Now!
Navid slaps Forooz. Peyman pushes his dad. PEYMAN Stop it! Get out of here. FOROOZ Get out of my house Navid. NAVID (Mumbling, confused) What am I doing? FOROOZ Run off to your street women you pervert. NAVID (Hysterical) You can’t leave. You can’t leave me! Forooz... Peyman... Navid falls into hysteria, smashing plates and pushing everything off the kitchen counter. He storms out of the house. Mehdy and the police guards watch him curiously as he walks towards the car. MEHDY Are you okay sir? Forooz watches everything from the window. (CONTINUED) Javid Rezai-Jorabi
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32. FOROOZ (To Peyman and Alireza) Quickly, you have to go now.
Alireza and Peyman start to make their way around the back. FOROOZ You will need to run fast. Go! Go! I will distract the police. PEYMAN I’m not going without you. FOROOZ Go Peyman! Go! Be free. Be you. Forooz kisses Peyman on the forehead. Alireza and Peyman begin to run out the door. FOROOZ (Shouting out) Run! Run! The policemen hear her shouting and Mehdy signals for the first policeman to go after them. Forooz gets in their way. FOROOZ Take me instead. Stone me instead! POLICEMAN Get out of the way. He pushes her aside, but Navid runs over and punches him in the face. Mehdy grabs Navid and puts him in handcuffs. Mehdy signals for the other policeman to follow the boys. NAVID (Hysterical) Peyman... Peyman... Forooz looks at Navid in confusion as he is dragged away. She runs to the back door. She holds her hands tight to her chest as she sees them running. FOROOZ (Whispering to herself) Run, Peyman. Run. FADE OUT FADE IN:
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33. EXT. ALIREZA’S HOUSE, NIGHT Alireza and Peyman are in handcuffs at the back of a police car. The policemen are talking to Fariba and Majid. Peivand is standing beside them. PEYMAN Give me the money. I want to give it to my mum. I want her to get out of here. Help her get out. ALIREZA It’s in my bag. Take it with you. (Beat) I’ll help her. Don’t worry. There is a long pause as both boys look into each other’s eyes. Both are completely worn out and devastated. ALIREZA I’m so sorry. Stop.
PEYMAN
ALIREZA I know saying sorry can’t do anything, but Peyman... I am so sorry. PEYMAN You don’t have to be. You were right... people like us, we will never have a chance. ALIREZA I know. (Beat) I always loved you. I will take a part of you with me forever. Alireza begins to cry. ALIREZA I don’t want you to go. I want to get out of here, get married, be together... just as we planned. You’re all I want. PEYMAN I can’t be anymore Alireza. You have to move on. You will find somebody perfect for you. (CONTINUED)
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34. ALIREZA I will never be free here.
The policemen return and grab Alireza, pulling him out of the car. The two boys look at each other intensely before they lose eye contact. EXT. PEYMAN’S HOUSE, NIGHT The police car is parked outside Peyman’s house. Forooz stands by the door. A policeman takes Peyman out and removes his handcuffs. POLICEMAN Don’t try and run away again boy. Peyman runs to his mother and hugs her. INT. UNDERGROUND CLUB, NIGHT Mehdy is in the underground nightclub. He spots a man in his late 50s who walks up to him and hands him some cash. Mehdy accepts the money, visibly sad. They walk out the back exit together. INT. PEYMAN’S LIVING ROOM, DAY Peyman sits on the couch. Forooz is in the kitchen performing ’esfahand’, a traditional Iranian ritual. She takes burning ash and swirls it around Peyman. She sits down opposite him. PEYMAN Where is Dad? FOROOZ They took him away. PEYMAN (Pause) Are you okay? Forooz sighs but doesn’t respond. She looks at the photo of herself and Peyman when he was a child. She smiles, kisses it and begins to tear up. FOROOZ They will come for you soon. Don’t be scared. (CONTINUED) PARVANDAYE ALIREZA VA PEYMAN
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35.
I’m not.
PEYMAN
FOROOZ My brave boy. PEYMAN Will it hurt Mum? FOROOZ I don’t know. But if you pray Peyman, God will be beside you. Forooz takes out the Quran. Peyman kisses it and Forooz moves the book around his head. They do this three times. PEYMAN Listen. I want you to do something for me. FOROOZ What is it Peyman? PEYMAN Take the money that Alireza and I had planned to run away with. Take it, and go. He will get you a visa and everything else you need. Take the money and just get out of here.
What?
FOROOZ (Shocked and confused)
PEYMAN Get out of this country and tell the world my story. Tell them what happens to people like me in this country. Nothing is holding you back here. FOROOZ But you’re here... PEYMAN (Smiles) Take me with you. Forooz and Peyman embrace. She cries on his shoulder. Three policemen appear at the door and grab Peyman, violently pulling him out onto the street.
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36. EXT. STREETS, CONTINUOUS A crowd is waiting outside the house. They follow Peyman and the policemen, hissing and spitting at Peyman. They chant abuse and pick up stones as they walk. Peyman looks back at his mother, fear growing on his face. EXT. TOWN CENTRE, CONTINUOUS A large hole has been dug in the middle of the town centre. Peyman is put into it. Slowly, a group of men begin to bury him. A crowd gathers with stones. Peyman looks at the village in front of him. Alireza’s parents, Peivand, Pasha, Hossein, Shahin, Sara, Mehdy, and even Alireza, are all there. Beside Alireza stands Norouz. Peyman begins to cry. PEYMAN (Screaming) Maman! Maman! Help me! Please, help me! Maman! Forooz hears her son’s cries and pushes through the crowd. She runs to him and kisses his forehead repeatedly. She faces the crowd that has gathered. FOROOZ How dare you! How dare you all! To stand around and let this happen to an innocent boy. Before Peyman is even fully dug under, someone in the crowd throws a stone at his head as others chant ’pervert’. Blood begins to trickle down his face. FOROOZ Stop it! (Takes out the Quran) To love everybody means to love your brothers and sisters equally. You people have turned your back on one of your own today. Look at his blood! It is the same blood that is rushing through my veins. The same as yours, the same as his, the same as hers. God will destroy this town one day for the filth you have accepted today, because God is great. (She holds up the Quran with pride) (MORE) (CONTINUED)
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37. FOROOZ (cont’d) Look at you all. You preach the words of love, but never truly understand the hate of your actions. You have killed somebody today! You have killed an innocent boy! My son! How is this acceptable to you? PEYMAN (Crying and screaming) Maman! Help me! FOROOZ The world will find out what has happened today. Shame on you! Shame on you all, shame on Karaj, and shame on Iran! God is Great! Alluh Akhbar, vay, Alluh Akhbar!
The police grab her and pull her away. The crowds hiss at her. She glances back one last time at Peyman. FOROOZ I love you Peyman! I love you. Peyman, I love you. Peyman begins to cry uncontrollably. The crowds begin to cheer but none of the main characters are clapping. Alireza begins to cry. He walks away. As he walks, he looks back one last time. Peyman and Alireza catch each other’s eyes in a look of true, intense, undying love. Men continue to dig Peyman under. We hear Peyman’s whispers as he says his final prayers. FADE TO WHITE EXT. PARK IN KARAJ, DAY Alireza and Peyman are sitting on an isolated bench in a park. ALIREZA One day Peyman. PEYMAN One day what?
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38. ALIREZA One day, I will be able to walk down these streets and hold your hand without anyone saying a word. PEYMAN (Giggles) I doubt that. ALIREZA I promise you. One day, I will be able to kiss you without worrying about the morality police. PEYMAN You think so? ALIREZA One day. At least... I hope.
Alireza looks around quickly before placing a kiss on Peyman’s lips for a brief second. He pulls away. They smile at each other. FADE TO BLACK SUPER:
’Homosexuality is still illegal and punishable by death in Iran.’ ’In 2012, stoning was removed from the Islamic penal code and replaced with an unspecified death penalty.’ FADE OUT.
THE END
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