Woman Life Freedom
By Kayvan Kaboli
Sara, 25, sits blindfolded in an interrogation room. Across the table, two middle-aged interrogators, one male named Kamali and the other female named Fatemeh, exchange glances. The signs of physical trauma are evident on Sara's face. She requests a visit to the bathroom.
Initially, her plea falls on deaf ears, but after persistent insistence, Fatemeh escorts her to the restroom. Inside the bathroom, Fatemeh instructs Sara to call out when she's finished. While Sara uses the facilities, Kamali clandestinely enters the adjacent area, where he and Fatemeh engage in an intimate embrace. Although Fatemeh worries about Sara overhearing their voices, Kamali continues their indiscretions. Sara, alerted by the sounds, strains to rise from her position and witnesses the compromising scene between Kamali and Fatemeh. Fatemeh, in turn, catches Sara spying, leading to a vicious assault by Kamali on Sara.
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Guards transport Sara's battered body to the communal area of the women's section within Evin prison. Shirin, 30, is the first to leap out of her bed and tend to Sara.
Over time, Sara's physical condition improves, and she forms a close and supportive bond with Shirin. Shirin occupies the upper bunk of a two-story bed, quietly etching letters onto the wall with a small needle. The room is abuzz with hushed conversations. As Shirin finishes the last letter of the final word on the wall, she carefully blows away the residual dust. With admiration, she gazes at the three words now carved beside her bed, seen from her point of view: "Jin Jian Azadi." -
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Shirin turns her attention to Sara, who sits forlornly in the lower bunk. An idea sparks in Shirin's mind, and she says, "Go gather the girls. I have a plan."
Upon Sara's insistence, Shirin elaborates, "Let's dance, together."
Sara, perplexed and skeptical, retorts, "Dance here? Are you serious?"
With a determined expression, Shirin clarifies, "Not the kind of dance you're thinking of. I mean Halparke."
Confused, Sara asks, "Halparke? What's that?"
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Eight women of varying ages, including Sara, form a line in front of Shirin, holding hands. Sara appears unenthusiastic. Several other girls sit in the room, observing those standing. Shirin inquires, "Which one of you knows with Halparke?" A girl raises her hand, and Shirin asks her to stand beside her.
Shirin takes the girl's hand and instructs the others, "Look at us."
Humming a melody in harmony with the their rhythmic leg movements, Shirin leads the group forward, sideways, and back, repeating these steps several times.
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Subsequent scenes depict group practice sessions where the dances gradually improve. Shirin takes on the role of a coach in these exercises.
In the last scene of these rehearsal sessions, when the group is almost dancing perfectly to the Kurdish song Shirin sings, Shirin claps her hands. "That was great. I didn't expect you to learn so quickly," she says happily, a sense of pride radiating from her.
At that moment, the door swings open abruptly, and a group of prison guards, several men clad in uniforms and women wearing chadors, storm into the room, wielding their batons. They unleash a violent assault on everyone in the room. Not only those standing in the center, gasping for breath after completing the final exercise, but also those seated along the walls, are subjected to the guards' brutal beating.
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Sara, perched on the second level of a bunk bed beside Shirin, points to the words Shirin has carefully etched into the wall and inquires about their meaning. Shirin responds, "In Farsi, it means 'Woman, Life, Freedom.'"
Sara presses on, asking, "But what does it signify? Why did you combine these words?"
Shirin replies, "These three words explain a philosophy. In simple terms, they outline a path, a path that commences with humanity and culminates in freedom. When read in reverse, it conveys that freedom should be the ultimate result of life. In essence, life must lead to freedom, or if it hasn't yet, it should strive to reach freedom. Life itself originates from women. Therefore, life emanates from women, and a life devoid of freedom holds no purpose. To put it logically, if a woman represents life, and life signifies freedom, then women are freedom, or freedom is achieved through women."
The door to the room swings open once more. Kamali and Fatemeh enter and deliver the grim news of Shirin's death sentence. Sara erupts in anger, attacking on Kamali and Fatemeh. Kamali swiftly strikes Sara on the head with his baton, causing her to collapse.
One year later
Outside Evin prison, Sara's parents await her release. Her father, 58, dressed in a suit, holds a bouquet of flowers and checks his watch anxiously. Her mother, dressed in a long mandatory dress with a scarf, sits by the wall. Other families gather in groups nearby.
The rectangular portion of the prison's entrance door swings open, and Sara emerges, her scarf now covering only half her hair. She scans the surroundings, squinting in the daylight. Her mother rises, and her father rushes forward to embrace his daughter. Sara wears a smile, but her enthusiasm seems restrained.
On the journey back to her hometown of Babol in northern Iran, where her parents reside, Sara remains mostly silent. From the beginning, she pretends to be asleep, skillfully evading her parents' probing questions. She has no answers for them. After a few inquiries about whether she was mistreated, she ceases to speak altogether.
Sara suddenly becomes alert as they approach the region near the Caspian Sea, with its familiar scent, the aroma of dampness, and the beauty of nature. Nature gradually transforms from arid land to lush greenery. Sara gazes at the forested mountains on the opposite side of the road. Her eyes are locked onto those trees that adorn the landscape.
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It's the middle of summer, and as the evening approaches, they enter the city of Babol. To Sara, it feels as though years have passed since she left two years ago, and now everything in the city seems unfamiliar.
Memories of the small room where she spent days and nights with her cellmate flood Shirin's mind. Only the fresh summer air brings her back to the present. Everything else is a blur—Shirin and those four walls crowded with cellmates that made it hard to breathe. She endured more than anyone should, and the only thing that kept her going was Shirin.
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Father's car pulls up in front of the house, and there's an open parking spot on the street. As they step out of the car, women from neighboring houses come to greet Sara and her mother with kisses. The sound of music drifts from one of the houses across the street, and open windows reveal a lively atmosphere. Sara tries to identify the source of the music but can't. On the other side of the street, several people gaze hesitantly at them, as if unsure whether to approach.
Sara's mother ushers her inside the house, while her father takes her small bag upstairs to her room. Sara's younger brother, Cyrus, 17, rushes forward to embrace his sister, and they share a passionate hug. Sara then heads upstairs to her room. The window facing the street is open, but the music she heard earlier is now gone. She peers out, observing the emptying street as dusk falls. A man stands behind a window in a house across the narrow street, gazing in her direction. Sara retreats from the window and lies down on her bed.
Moments later, the same music starts again. Sara rises from her bed and returns to the window. The boy is no longer there, but Sara realizes the source of the music is indeed from the same house, even from the same window. She closes the window, draws the curtains, and returns to her bed. Closing her eyes, she recalls the Halparke song that Shirin sweetly hummed while a group of women in prison danced to it.As she drifts to sleep, the image of Halparke with Shirin an d others appears before her eyes.
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Sara signs her weekly attendance probation book and exits the prosecutor's office in downtown. The day is scorching hot, with only a few taxis passing by with passengers. After some time, a relatively new private car stops in front of Sara. She hesitates momentarily but then decides to get into the back seat. The car is driven by Amir, 27. Sara informs him of her destination, and they set off.
As they drive, Amir extends his hand and offers Sara a bottle of water. She accepts it with gratitude. Amir engages in small talk, discussing the oppressive heat and the decline in rainfall compared to the past. Sara mostly remains silent, occasionally stealing glances at Amir through the rearview mirror.
Then, as if recalling something, Amir says, "You look so familiar. Aren't you the one who... (pauses) returned a few days ago?"
Sara becomes alert, and Amir continues, "We live across the street from you. I had a hunch when you mentioned the address, but I wasn't certain."
Sara replies, "And you're the one who plays music too, aren't you?"
Amir responds, "Yes, sorry if it bothers you."
Sara smiles and says, "Not at all."
As they continue their journey, Sara and Amir engage in more conversation.
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In the middle of the night, Sara awakens in terror, sitting up on her bed. Sweat drips from her face as she swats away mosquitoes whose buzzing passes near her ears. She wipes her face with her hand, which is now drenched. Sara goes to the window and opens it, welcoming a gentle morning breeze against her face. She glances at the house opposite, its lights off. All is silent, with only the occasional distant car horn or the distant howl of a jackal breaking the quiet. A feeling of someone behind her startles her, and she turns to see her mother holding a glass of ice water. She takes the glass and gulps it down, then embraces her mother, tears streaming from her eyes.
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Sara wakes up around noon and goes to the window, observing Amir emerging from the house across the street. He carries a guitar in a case, holding the handle, and walks toward a car parked in front of the house. Before opening the trunk, he glances up and spots Sara through the window, offering her a smile. Sara waves back at him. Amir places the guitar in the trunk, sends another smile Sara's way, gets into his car, and drives away. Sara watches him depart but also notices another young man sitting on a motorcycle by the sidewalk. The man on the motorcycle sports a beard and wears a long-sleeved white shirt. Sara draws the curtain.
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The sound of music continuously emanates from Amir's house. Sara rises and closes her window, causing the music to cease. Sara spends most of her time in her room, reading her father's old books and reminiscing about Shirin and the years they spent together over the past three years.
Sara's mother knocks on her door and enters with a bowl of fruit. She expresses concern for Sara's well-being and suggests that she should go outside for some fresh air. Sara senses her mother's worry but reassures her that she's okay.
Her mother places the fruit bowl on the small table beside the bed and heads for the door. As she opens it, loud music suddenly floods the room, this time from within the house. Sara is surprised and gets up to investigate. She descends the stairs, and the music grows louder. She reaches Cyrus's room, the source of the sound. To her surprise, she finds Amir inside, practicing guitar with her brother.
Amir stands up upon Sara's entry. Cyrus, still holding the guitar, introduces Amir to Sara, saying, "This is Amir from across the street. He's teaching me."
Sara chooses not to reveal that she already knows Amir.
Cyrus adds, "Come on, Amir plays amazing songs, and he has a great voice too." Amir blushes with embarrassment.
Sara responds, "Go ahead, continue. That's not my kind of music anyway." With that, she exits the room.
Amir, puzzled, turns to Cyrus and asks, "What did she mean by 'this is not her kind of music'? What kind of music does she like?"
Cyrus replies, "I don't know. Sara has changed a lot since she came back."
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During dinner, Sara initiates a conversation about Amir. She turns to Cyrus and inquires, "How long have your friends been living in the neighborhood? I don't remember seeing them before I went to prison."
Cyrus answers, "No, they weren't here then. They moved in after you were gone."
Sara's father exchanges meaningful glances with her mother. Sara continues, "How long have you been practicing with him? His music is always loud, but it's not bad."
Cyrus explains, "Yes, he's amazing. He's a professional musician. He practices day and night. He even participated in a TV talent show and won an award. Our religious neighbor two houses to our left complained about the noise. Last year, the Basij even came to Amir's door, saying that the music should not be too loud. They bothered him a few more times, but it seems they eventually gave up. Today, Amir asked me, 'What kind of music does your sister like?'"
Sara's father inquires, "What does that mean?"
Cyrus elaborates, "Well, Sara told us today that she doesn't like the music Amir plays. That's why."
Sara interjects, "I like Kurdish music. When you hear it, it's exhilarating. It makes you want to dance and move. It stirs your soul."
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Amir and his parents sit down to dinner:
Amir's mother, 50s, hesitates before broaching the topic. She eventually says, "Take care of yourself, son. You know that the house across the street, where you sometimes go to teach the boy, is under surveillance. A car with tinted windows is constantly patrolling the area. Their daughter has recently been released from prison."
Amir's father, 50s, adds, "Thank God, Amir is wise enough to stay away from political issues. He knows his art and doesn't get involved in these dangerous games. It's not worth it."
Amir looks at his father and then resumes eating.
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Sara's house remains under constant surveillance by the security police, with a car parked nearby at all times. Amir's comings and goings to Sara's house are repeatedly documented in photographs.
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Sara sits in Cyrus's room while Amir practices with Cyrus. Sara appears busy with her phone. Amir and Sara keep a watchful eye on each other.
Cyrus suggests, "Sara, don't you want to learn too?"
Sara responds, "No, I mentioned earlier that I don't like these kinds of songs."
Amir inquires, "What are your favorite songs?"
Sara explains, "Have you heard Kurdish songs? They make you ecstatic, they move you. Wait a minute." Sara then searches on her phone. After a few moments, she gets up, walks toward them, and positions herself between Amir and Cyrus, showing her phone so that both can see. In doing so, Amir's and Sara's knees touch briefly. After a few moments, Amir withdraws and says, "This could also be considered a type of pop style."
Sara gazes into Amir's eyes and says, "I don't know what style it is. I'm not deeply into music. I’m just saying my feelings. The music you play makes me sad, and I don't like it."
Amir acknowledges, "Of course, they're different." Sara looks at Amir and says, "Give me your number, and I'll send you some of these songs. See if you can play them with your guitar."
Cyrus chimes in, "Amir also composes songs."
Amir blushes with embarrassment. Sara asks, "Really? Do you have anything ready for us to listen to?"
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At first, Sara and Amir spend most of their time together in Cyrus's room, often in the presence of her brother. However, as time passes, they find moments alone in various places, including by the river. Occasionally, they face disruptions from religious individuals living in the neighborhood. Nevertheless, when Amir is with Sara, he's brimming with excitement, as if he could fly. Getting to know Sara has elevated his artistic sensibilities in creating music.
During these encounters, Sara's gestures reveal her growing interest in Amir. She is no longer plagued by sadness. Their conversations mainly center around music. Sara encourages Amir to blend his style of music with what she introduced from epic Kurdish music, aiming to create a new composition.
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In different scenes, when Amir is alone in his room, he tirelessly attempts to compose a new style inspired by Sara's preferences—a fusion of two types of Kurdish music and the style he has been crafting. He practices and notes the melodies, but each time he eagerly presents a new song, Sara remains dissatisfied. Amir is repeatedly disappointed that his work fails to meet Sara's expectations. However, Sara keeps his passion alive with her words and, at times, with kisses.
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One night, Amir exits his car in front of his house and retrieves his guitar from the back seat. As he walks on the sidewalk, two men suddenly attack him. Amir is knocked to the ground, subjected to punches and kicks. His guitar is brutally destroyed, and the assailants swiftly flee.
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The next day, as Sara enters Cyrus's room, she discovers Amir with a swollen eye and a bruised face. Her brother is also present in the room. Sara rushes to Amir, embracing him. Cyrus slowly exits the room. Amir bears visible injuries, particularly to his ribs from the attack, and he cannot hide the pain. Sara kisses him, and upon learning about the incident, she realizes it is a warning from the regime's enforcers to Amir for getting too close to her. Sara expresses her regret for this occurrence.
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Amir is in his room, recording a new song with his instrument and computer. His father knocks on the door and enters to check on him.
Amir is somewhat disappointed by the interruption. "I'm fine. I'm recording a new song."
His father hesitates before saying, "I just wanted to remind you to be more cautious about yourself."
Amir replies, "I'm trying." His father continues, "This country is in chaos. You shouldn't put yourself in danger. You understand what I'm saying?"
Amir responds, "No, I don't understand. It could happen to anyone. Don't worry."
Amir's father decides to be more explicit. "No, they weren't thieves. They didn't steal anything from you. They didn't even take your mobile. They just smashed your guitar. It was a warning not to visit the house across the street."
Amir shuts his laptop in anger and stands up. "I have a student in that house, and I go to teach. Everyone in this neighborhood knows that I work in music."
His father advises, "Don't try to fool me, son. There's a girl in that house who these thugs apparently don't want to have any connection with, especially not you, who appeared on TV in a talent show. Think about yourself and the music you should create. Don't risk it all. You can't argue with these bastards. It's not worth it." Amir leaves the room in protest.
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To shield Amir from harm, Sara ceases her meetings with him, remaining in her room while listening to the music coming from Cyrus's room. She doesn't return Amir's phone calls and messages. Sara listens to Amir's numerous messages with a heavy heart, and despite her reluctance, she eventually calls Amir each time. Sara indicates her determination to sever ties to safeguard him.
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Amir stops coming to teach Cyrus, and the sound of music ceases to come from his home. Sara, eager to hear Amir's music, occasionally peeks through the curtains to see if Amir is across the street. Amir's window remains closed at all times. Sara casually inquires about Amir from her brother, and Cyrus informs her that Amir is no longer coming to teach.
Amir has locked himself in his room. On some occasions, he picks up an instrument, but he doesn't play it. Mostly, he lies on his bed, either sleeping or spending time on Instagram with his mobile phone. His mother brings a tray of food to Amir's room and implores him to eat and continue his work.
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One day, as Amir sits bored on his bed, scrolling through various Instagram posts, he receives a message from Sara. Amir jumps up and settles on the bed. Sara writes, "Hey, I can’t hear you playing, are you alive?" Amir is uncertain about how to respond. After some hesitation, with a few moments of writing and erasing, he replies, "I thought you didn't want to talk to me anymore."
After exchanging a few casual messages, Sara writes: "Look, Amir, you don't know these people. I don't want you to get hurt."
Amir answers: "It's not your decision to make. I'm not a child. I know what I want."
Sara: "I can't bear to see anything happen to you because of these barbarians. I've already lost someone. I don’t want to go through another tragedy."
Amir replies: "Okay, then why did you send a message?" Sara: "I know how much music means to you. I know that your life is twisted with those instruments. I don't want you to lose your life. I feel responsible."
Amir hesitates for a while: "You're as precious to me as music. I don't want music without you at all. During this time I've known you, I've only composed songs for you and because of you. I love you."
After Sara remains silent for a while, Amir sends another message: "You haven't heard the last song I composed. I think it's what you meant and wanted. I'll come and play it for you tomorrow."
Sara does not respond for a few moments. Eventually, Sara's message arrives: "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."
Amir jumps up and goes to the dish his mother has prepared and starts eating with gusto. In the midst of eating, he picks up the guitar and starts playing.
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The following day, just before noon, on his way to Sara's house, Amir sends a heart emoji and the message "I'm coming." Sara watches through the window. Before he reaches Sara's house across the street, a Peugeot with tinted windows abruptly stops, two individuals forcefully drag Amir into the car, and it speeds away. Sara anxiously witnesses the incident from her window.
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Amir finds himself in an interrogation room with a bag over his head. Two male agents enter the room, and one of them removes the bag from Amir's head. Confused, Amir looks at the two men seated in front of him. Kamali inquires about Amir's connection to Sara. Amir explains that he teaches a student named Cyrus in that house. The other interrogators presents Amir with the text messages exchanged earlier and from the previous night with Sara. They pressure Amir to provide information regarding Sara's involvement with Kurdish groups. Amir genuinely has no knowledge of the matter and admits that his interest in Sara is within the bounds of Islamic law.
Kamali diverts the conversation to another issue, which surprises the other interrogator, who appears not to be part of this line of questioning. Kamali asks the second interrogator to leave the room and turns off the CCTV camera when he's alone with Amir.
Kamali states, "Look, young man, I can ruin your life and future. You appear to be a renowned composer with many followers on social media. You even won an award on a TV talent show. Why do you want to throw your life away?"
Amir: "What are you talking about?"
Kamali: "Has this girl ever discussed her time in prison with you?"
Amir: "No, never. She's never mentioned her past or prison."
Kamali: "What about names like Kamali or Fatemeh?"
Amir: "Who? Who's Kamali? I have no idea what you're talking about."
Kamali: "I know you're lying. Do you think I'll let you out of here if you don't tell the truth?"
Amir looks at Kamali with a mix of frustration and confusion.
Amir: "You've monitored all our conversations and texts. You know that Sara cut off contact with me because I was in danger. Do you really think she would provide the information you're looking for, or about this Kamali?"
Kamali eyes Amir suspiciously but seems to accept his logic. At that moment, another interrogator rushes into the room and informs Kamali that they need to go to Tehran immediately. Kamali threatens Amir to forget the names he mentioned and then hastily exits the room. He instructs the guard at the door to release Amir.
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When Amir is released from temporary detention and returns home, he sends a message to Sara, suggesting they communicate through Telegram for added security. Amir reassures Sara that he's okay, even though he had been roughed up during his detention.
Sara asks Amir if he's heard the news. Amir admits he's unaware of recent developments. Sara informs him about a tragic incident involving a Kurdish girl named Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police and later found dead in custody. Sara also shares news about the ongoing unrest in Tehran and several cities in Kurdistan.
Amir, in turn, tells Sara about the sudden end to his interrogation and the departure of the interrogators. He expresses his strong desire to see her, regardless of the risks involved.
They arrange to meet in Cyrus's room, where Sara asks Cyrus to give them privacy. After Cyrus leaves, Sara and Amir embrace, and she tells him about her plan to attend Mahsa's funeral, scheduled to take place in Saqqez in two days. She warns Amir about the uncertain and potentially dangerous future they face if he chooses to accompany her. Seeing the fear and doubt in Amir's eyes, Sara reassures him that she'll understand if he decides not to go.
Amir, however, requests some time to think over the decision.
Amir eagerly adds, "But most importantly, I want you to listen to my latest composition and see if it aligns with what you had in mind."
Amir retrieves his phone and plays his latest song for Sara.
Amir: "You know the sound quality from mobile phones isn't the best."
Sara listens attentively, her head down, deeply immersed in the music. As she listens, she reflects on Shirin and their moments of Halparke dance in prison. When the song ends, Amir eagerly seeks Sara's opinion.
With a smile that initially sparks hope in Amir, Sara offers her critique.
Sara: "You've come very close. But I still feel like something is missing."
Seeing Amir's disappointment, she embraces him and plants a passionate kiss on his lips.
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Amir had wrestled with his decision all day, his thoughts swirling like a tempest inside his mind. Meeting Sara had changed his world, infusing his life and music with newfound purpose and inspiration. He recognized that he was not the adventurous type, and he didn't see himself participating in political demonstrations or getting involved in any form of activism. Amir's world was one of melodies, harmonies, and creativity. Music was his oxygen, and recently, Sara had become an essential part of that world. Now, these two worlds, which had once beautifully complemented each other, were being torn apart.
If Amir chose to go with Sara, he faced an uncertain and potentially bleak future. He might be deprived of playing an instrument, perhaps for a long time. Music was not just a passion for Amir; it was his lifeline, the very essence of his being. He couldn't envision a life without it. Conversely, without Sara, life would lose its vibrancy, becoming a monochrome existence devoid of color, scent, or allure.
In the end, Amir made the agonizing decision to send a message to Sara, expressing his inability to accompany her. He conveyed the unbearable pain of living a life without her, knowing that his heart would remain eternally shattered in her absence. Sara simply replied with a heartfelt goodbye.
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Sara embarked on her journey to Saqez under the cloak of darkness, without informing her parents. She confided in her brother, Cyrus, to help ease their parents' concerns, explaining that if she stayed behind, she would likely be arrested again due to the heightened surveillance surrounding her.
In prison, Sara had managed to obtain a contact number from Shirin to connect with an influential Kurdish groups with a strong network in Kurdistan, memorizing it for a time of need.
Upon reaching Saqez, Sara joined the somber procession of Mehsa Amini's funeral. The gathering drew an immense crowd from various cities in Kurdistan and beyond. In the midst of the solemn ceremony, Sara's ears caught the resonant chants emanating from a group of mostly women. A shiver ran down her spine as she recognized the rallying cry of "Jin Jian Azadi," a slogan swiftly gaining momentum among the crowd.
In that moment, Sara felt a deep connection to the three words she had carved on the prison wall next to Shirin's bed. With a cry that seemed to originate from the depths of her being, she raised her voice alongside the chanting crowd. In her mind's eye, Shirin stood beside her, joining in the unified call for freedom.
As the funeral ended, Sara found herself swept up in a confrontation with security forces. It was as if she carried Shirin's spirit within her, and she attacked the police with whatever makeshift weapons she could find. Burning tires cast flames into the night, and the echoes of gunshots reverberated, sometimes disturbingly close.
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By the end of the night, Sara was utterly drained, her body and spirit exhausted from the day's relentless clashes with the police. She had no place to go, having been swept up in the fervor of the protests alongside other young activists.
A Kurdish boy, dressed in traditional attire, approached her and offered to lead her to safety. Sara followed him through several neighborhoods, guided solely by trust. Finally, they arrived at a house, and after traversing a courtyard, Sara entered a small room where an elderly couple was seated on the ground. The young man explained something to Sara in a language she couldn't comprehend. Gathering from their gestures, Sara understood that she should sit in front of a spread-out sheet.
The elderly woman handed Sara a piece of bread wrapped in a napkin and a bowl filled with a liquid whose contents remained a mystery to her. Sara accepted the offerings with gratitude and began to eat, a feeling of refuge washing over her in this unfamiliar but welcoming environment. ----------------------------
Amir sat in his room, eyes glued to his laptop screen as he followed the news and various scenes of conflict unfolding in Saqqez and other cities through social media. Each photo and video related to the Aichi cemetery, where Mehsa Amini had been laid to rest, was scrutinized with meticulous care. Amir was searching for a glimpse of Sara's face within the tumultuous crowd.
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The morning brought a gentle warmth to the same room where Sara had entered the previous night, seeking refuge and sustenance. She lay asleep on the floor, a thin blanket offering some comfort. Sunlight streamed in through the window, delicately illuminating her face and coaxing her awake. The room was empty. Sara stirred, slowly rising from ground. Every muscle in her body ached from the events of the previous day. She stretched and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
Sara cautiously got to her feet and approached the room's open door. Outside, she was met with a courtyard encircled by numerous rooms. Children played friskily, and a few elderly women sat together, their hands weaving intricate patterns with threads. Sara blinked away the remnants of slumber and hesitated, uncertainty weighing heavily on her.
The elderly woman who had offered her food the previous night noticed Sara's presence and rose from her seat amidst the group. Holding a cup of tea, she approached Sara with a kind smile. She spoke words in a language unfamiliar to Sara, gesturing for her to come inside. The old woman placed some bread and cheese on a small napkin, extending it to Sara. Tears welled up in Sara's eyes, and she instinctively embraced the elderly woman, overwhelmed by gratitude.
Sara knew only three Kurdish words, but she managed to convey her emotions to the old woman, saying, "Jin Jian Azadi." This time, the old woman returned Sara's embrace with a beaming smile.
The door swung open, and the young man who had guided Sara to this house the previous night entered. Speaking in Farsi with a Kurdish accent, he informed Sara that they needed to leave. The old woman exchanged some words with the young man in Kurdish. Then, she urged Sara to finish her meal quickly.
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Once again, Sara found herself amidst the street skirmishes in Saqqez, the chaotic struggle against oppressive forces unfolding around her. The security forces, armed and hostile, began firing upon the protestors. A young man standing next to Sara was struck and fell to the ground. Sara and three others quickly retreated, seeking refuge within a narrow alleyway. The relentless drone continued to hover above, its sinister presence a constant reminder of the surveillance.
As they navigated through the labyrinthine streets, they stumbled upon a group of young people huddled around a figure in a corner. Sara and her three companions approached cautiously, pushing through the crowd. To her shock, Sara saw Kamali and Fatemeh seated on the ground, their hands bound and their backs against the wall.
Sara couldn't suppress a mocking smile as she recognized the two interrogators who had tormented her during her imprisonment.
Sara: "Oh, look who’s here. My, my, aren't you two far from home?"
A Kurdish-speaking youth who appeared to be the group's leader questioned, "Who are these people, and how do you know them?"
Sara: "These are the interrogators and torturers from Evin Prison. They tortured me personally." She smirked. "And they did some other things as well."
The leader of the group explained that they had apprehended Kamali and Fatemeh after the pair had separated from their group during the attack. The two were found armed, which raised suspicion.
The youth handed the gun to Sara, and she aimed it at Kamali. Kamali pleaded for his life, desperation evident in his voice.
Kamali: "Please, don't kill me. I beg you."
Overhead, the drone buzzed menacingly, capturing every moment on video. Sara kept the gun trained on Kamali's head, but as his pleas grew more desperate, she squeezed the trigger. Kamali collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Sara then turned the gun toward Fatemeh, who was cowering in fear, her head bowed. The drone continued to hover, recording the scene. However, Sara couldn't bring herself to pull the trigger on Fatemeh. Instead, she shot down the menacing drone and handed the weapon back to the Kurdish-speaking youth. The group swiftly retreated, leaving a traumatized Fatemeh behind.
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The film's narrative unfolds to its dramatic conclusion:
Amir, restless in his room, constantly toggles between watching news updates on his laptop and playing his instruments. He clicks on a viral post on Twitter, only to be confronted by a video broadcasted by the regime's news agency. The video reveals Sara shooting Kamali and pointing the gun at a veiled woman next to him, only to spare her. Amir watches as Sara shoots down the menacing drone, and the video abruptly ends.
Overwhelmed, Amir closes his eyes and covers his face with his hands. When he reopens them, he heads straight for the musical instruments in the corner of the room. Behind the keyboard, he composes a new song, meticulously jotting down the notes on paper. He plays and records the composition with the violin and incorporates it with the guitar. Amir pieces together these recordings into a timeline, ultimately creating a powerful, emotionally charged song. As the final notes resonate, tears stream down Amir's face.
Unable to contain his emotions, Amir shares the newly composed song on Instagram. Just as the song reverberates through his room, the entrance door of Amir's house swings open, and agents rush into his room.
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Fatemeh sits in the harsh environment of an interrogation room, her face marked with bruises from the beatings she endured. Two interrogators, one male and one female, subject her to relentless questioning.They press her about her connection with Sara during their time in Evin Prison, but Fatemeh vehemently denies any association. The interrogators persist, questioning why Sara chose to spare the veiled woman's life after shooting Kamali. The female interrogator signals to the male interrogator to inflict further violence upon Fatemeh.
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In another interrogation room, Amir faces questioning about his knowledge of Sara. Amir, who possesses no real information, maintains his denial of any connection to her. During the interrogation, Amir finds out that the interrogators are not solely interested in Sara. They inquire about his viral song, which has garnered huge attention on social media. Amir, desperate to appease them, agrees to create a video denouncing the ongoing demonstrations, condemning Sara, and advocating for her punishment.
After complying with their demands, Amir is ultimately released from prison.
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Following his release, Amir agrees his parents' urging to withdraw from posting anything on the internet. One day, while immersed in playing music, his phone alerts him to a message from an unknown sender with a Kurdish accent. The voice on the other end mentions that Shirin is waiting for him and praises his latest composition as exactly what she had envisioned. The voice concludes by hinting at future contact.
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Parallel to Amir's journey, Sara orchestrates Amir's transfer to Kurdistan and then to the Kurdistan region in Iraq through her Kurdish connections. Along the way, Amir encounters numerous perilous situations that threaten his arrest. Despite the risks, Amir's latest composition, the viral song, is nominated for a prestigious international award in America, recognizing its impact on social movements.
Meanwhile, in a parallel narrative involving Fatemeh, it is revealed that she had engaged in an illicit relationship with Kamali during her marriage to a religious Foundation official, a story that unfolds similarly to Shirin's past while imprisoned in Evin. Fatemeh is ultimately sentenced to death for her perceived infidelity.
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Amir finally arrives at an Iranian Kurdish group's base in the Kurdistan region. Sara, after a long separation, warmly welcomes him with a hug and a kiss. Amir, now a renowned figure for his song dedicated to Mahsa Amini, is celebrated like a celebrity by those in the base.
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The film's climactic scenes converge in two parallel stories. In one narrative, the winner of the famous American competition for the best song affecting social movements is about to be announced. Amir, surrounded by a diverse crowd in the Kurdistan region, awaits the news with bated breath. In the other narrative, Fatemeh is prepared for execution.
Fatemeh is led from her cell to the execution site, accompanied by her husband, a mullah, and several prison officials. Simultaneously, the American music celebrity takes the stage to announce the award winner. The crowd inside the hall, including Amir, is gripped by anticipation. As the announcer reveals the nominees and plays samples of their music, including Amir's composition, the audience responds with applause.
In Evin prison, the executioner places the rope around Fatemeh's neck, while another person stands ready to pull the lever beneath her feet. The moment arrives, and Fatemeh swings lifelessly. In America, the announcer finally announces Amir's name as the winner.
Amir and Sara share a tender kiss, their hands raised in triumph.
The film concludes with Amir's emotional words: "We won."
