A ROUND OF APPLAUSE
NO ENTRY
[fridge contents rattling]
[juicer whirring]
[teacher] Ms. Zeynep, Mr. Mehmet,
Metin is unfortunately greatly underperforming in math.
I wanted to meet with you today because well,
the situation, I'm afraid, has become quite serious.
It is indeed something that needs to be taken care of.
Last year, I was lenient and let him pass the level,
but at this point, the situation's become a whole lot worse.
And now the rest of his friends have left him behind.
- He's got no friends. - Of course not, with those grades.
Metin's always in his room. My son loves listening to music, you know.
I'm a fan of music as well, Ms. Zeynep,
but, uh, if my math scores were that low, I don't think I'd ever go out again.
Well, the kid never leaves his room.
[teacher] I ask him to multiply seven times three,
and he'll say... [chuckles]...something up there like 110 and I'm concerned.
I ask what he means. I say again, "Seven times three."
I think he must be joking around or something, uh...
But then he thinks again. "Ninety," he blurts out.
[chuckles] I have to say, "Go lower, Metin. Go lower. Much lower."
- Then what? - Sixty-six.
The kid goes as low as 66 and no lower.
- No, no. - [Mehmet] Mm-hmm.
That's his floor. He will not go any lower.
He simply is unable to.
[inhales] His seven times three is 66.
That's where he is right now.
Math is destroyed.
Your kid brought down the system, uh...
Sixty-six. Hmm.
He broke math.
His seven times three is so far away from 21 that it's...
- It's completely insane. - [teacher] Yeah.
He's just not very gifted at math.
[inhales] Now, Ms. Zeynep, um...
[inhales] So, not to be gifted is here.
Where Metin is, hmm... Well, that place would be completely different.
Sixty-six is ridiculous.
[teacher] I'm sorry, but this is not normal.
Uh, don't label my kid just because of some issues. It's a bit dramatic.
That's too quick. Something can be done.
You labeled him before you offered other options for him to try.
Uh, 66, Ms. Zeynep.
Down from one ten, I mean...
He's not good at mathematics, sir.
He's got a brain that works differently.
He's... He's a special one.
As if I've never seen special kids.
He has his own system, his own way of thinking about the world.
Very unique in that way.
It's seven times three. What's the unique approach here?
Yeah, tell me, for God's sake. I mean, like, come on, my God.
Not everybody has to be good at math, you know, hon.
Can you not push the kid so hard?
Just be sensitive. Could you give him the easier problems.
Yeah, I'm gonna do that for sure.
I'll ask him if he can do two times two, so...
[teacher] Don't get your hopes up.
I mean, 66. [chuckles]
It's not like math matters. Anybody can do it.
[chuckles] Except for your son.
My son is talented in much more important ways.
I just think he should spend time in areas he wants to focus on.
His maturity level is so high for his age.
It was when he was a little boy too.
Remember those building management meetings?
He always impressed everyone.
He'd mesmerize them.
What was the boy doing at a building management meeting so young?
Running things, yeah.
[blows]
[Zeynep] He was a popular manager. Everyone loved him there.
Everyone begged him for another term, but he refused to do it.
He served them well,
but it was time for something else.
Passed an opportunity for more power to someone else.
"Finished my duties and now it's time to pass it on."
He's the most forward facing individual.
Always improving himself where he thinks it's important.
Not a lot of time for trivial math stuff.
And she wiggles her way out of it.
It's crazy, right?
- [chuckles] - [Zeynep] Side with the system.
Think maybe you should pick your kid's side?
He's labeling your child and you have nothing to say on it?
Just watching them mistreat your son?
He keeps saying 66, Zeynep.
Seven times three.
I'd like to see you try to magically get to 66.
Zeynep, try it. Seven times three, can you make it equal something weird?
'Cause 66 is extreme, Zeynep.
We should be a little bit nervous.
Don't push me out, I'm just...
As a mother it must be hard to accept hearing this,
but math is a part of life on Earth.
Uh yes, math is always there.
I think Metin can decide what's important to him in his life.
He's into music. Loves it.
That's the area he currently wants to try to focus on.
He's works hard on it, doesn't leave his room ever.
He's focused on his music. He's busy, he's always working.
Never takes a break, he's obsessed with going forward.
He's just busy, not abnormal.
They're gonna ridicule him.
They're gonna call my boy "Sixty-Six." It's what they'll call him.
I have obsessed about how I appear to the outside world for my entire life!
My son won't have to deal with that.
He will be free to think what he wants.
He is not gonna let anyone shape his opinions.
And he's not gonna be a total idiot, believe me.
Oh, and I want a divorce.
Whoa, that escalated quick.
All of our conversations end up the same way.
[therapist] Is there anything you'd like to say, Ms. Zeynep?
We need to achieve absolute transparency
in order for you to benefit from therapy in here, Zeynep.
We all need to speak our truth, each of us. Don't hold back anything.
We benefit most from therapy that way.
Trust me. Progress can be made.
I'm sorry, but I really don't see the benefit
of continuing therapy.
Why are you here then, Ms. Zeynep?
Actually, I'm at a school meeting.
We were in Metin's classroom with his teacher,
but somehow we popped in here.
Hmm.
You didn't plan something for tomorrow, did you?
Like what?
[Zeynep] A surprise or something. Are you planning something?
- Uh... I mean, I was gonna... - Don't do anything.
I don't wanna celebrate.
Cancel whatever reservation you made if you did.
Shit, our anniversary's tomorrow. Oh my G...
I'm telling you sweetheart, I'm gonna... Give me, uh...
Uh...
Well, it's um... um... uh...
No, it's not summer, so that's not it.
Oh, honey.
I know. I'm, um...
I know, uh... about um...
Tomorrow's your birthday, isn't it? Huh?
Yep, of course! It's my sweetheart's birthday tomorrow.
Look at that!
It's okay. I'm not celebrating my birthday anyway.
We'll be celebrating, of course, don't be silly.
No, we will not.
I'm gonna tell Metin. He's young and probably forgot, so I'll tell him.
We'll get you a cake and a few candles, honey.
I'll have a delicious cake made for you, baby.
Mehmet, please. Oh my God!
Don't, please. I don't want a party. Stop!
And please don't be telling Metin about it either.
Stop now. Not happening.
[TV reporter] Good evening, dear viewers.
Today we're going to talk about a phenomenon
that's been discussed by both the scientific
and religious communities alike.
Reincarnation.
Now, both sides we know have different views on the topic.
Some acknowledge the possibility
and others are totally opposed to the idea.
Tonight, we have a guest who has studied the subject
and has published various papers on the topic for years.
He's a professor, Dr. Sultan Tarlehjeh.
What's that mean?
- [reporter continues indistinctly] - Reincarnation?
Psst! [clicks fingers]
Hey, I'm over here.
Life after death.
Your veggies, honey.
[Metin] What?
I wanna see a clean plate.
Life after death? That makes no sense at all.
Unbelievable.
Wait a minute.
How would that even work then?
- You die, then come back alive. - [Metin] What?
Is this a damn game to you people?
I was told that life was precious, you only live once,
so make the most of every opportunity you have,
then after you're dead, it's over,
and we go back to the orange.
Now you're telling me there's more and you have to go through it over again?
That's so greedy. Haven't you had enough? [sighs]
- Don't get upset... - How do I not get upset?
The lady said they aren't sure anyway.
I don't understand the massive appetite for life that everybody seems to have.
It's like a fetish or something.
Are you people insane?
- Guess what tomorrow is, Metin. - Mehmet!
I'm simply asking if he might have at least some idea or not.
We came to an agreement on this.
[Metin] You came to an agreement?
What's going on here? Huh?
Is the world ending... [chuckles]...or something?
Honey, why would you say that, hmm?
[mocking] Honey, why would you say that, hmm?
Rude brat! Stop mocking your mother. I've had enough.
You mind if I use "rude brat"?
I'm looking for a stage name.
Not gonna use my real name for the album.
Rude Brat has a special quality I'm going for.
That's what you call me, so I wanna make it mine now.
Can't you just use the name we gave you for your music?
Are you sure? 'Cause your name is so beautiful.
Rude Brat's the name you want for yourself?
[Metin] Yeah, it has a certain ring to it. It could work.
I've got more names if you want.
Oh great. That's helpful. I need some ideas.
How about you call yourself Sixty-Six, Metin?
I bet your fans would love it. Does that name feel right?
Mehmet, don't be an asshole.
Stop censoring me in front of him as if you're my mouthpiece on everything.
[Mehmet] She kinda is. Usually how it goes.
Watch your mouth, son. You be careful.
I'm gonna get pissed off in a minute!
Don't push me right now. I'll cut your allowance.
Well, I'm not really a big spender. I don't need money.
It's 'cause you're all cooped up in your room, sweetie.
But you could go outside and hang out with your friends.
What friends? Name one single friend of yours.
Give me one, son.
I don't have any friends, come on. I'm a complete psychopath.
I actually have all sorts of people I'm friends with.
They're imaginary friends though, not real friends.
[giggles manically]
I'm glad.
He's pretty good at impressions, this kid.
That psycho laugh with his hands, that was good.
- Impressive, right? - Interesting.
You're really talented, honey.
Are you going to be an actor when you grow up, sweetie?
- Are you interested in theater? - I was not now though.
Oh, I can see that.
Well, theater gets old real quick.
Oh, wow. Would you look at that.
- Television? - Uh-uh.
- Law? - [clicks tongue]
- Doctor? - His music, that's what he's into.
Next week it could be absolutely anything else.
You are fickle.
[gasps]
- [tense music playing] - What'd you just say?
Apologize now, Mehmet.
Did you just say I'm fickle, old man?
Huh? Is that what you believe?
No, no, sweetie. He didn't say that.
He wouldn't. Why would he say that?
- He's you... - You his lawyer now? What's happening?
- [hand thuds] - Answer me.
Did you just call me fickle, Dad? Huh?
Look me in the eyes and say it again. Tell me again, come on!
[sighs]
I can take whatever you say to me, whatever you call me, Dad.
But that was too far.
That was too much. You crossed a line, Dad.
[tense music continues]
Just wait. I'm telling on you.
But I thought you quit therapy.
Yeah, I quit going. That was all you. It wasn't my thing.
I'm not a loser. I have a world of my own.
I have a purpose, a cause, something to strive for, to reach for.
Therapy's for losers, for morons.
But we're in therapy. Are we losers?
That'd be something your therapist could answer.
- You'll be telling on us to whom then? - The whole world.
[gasps]
I'll be telling on you with music to everyone in the world.
- [music halts] - I'm so scared.
Look, I'm shaking.
Narcissist.
[Metin] Mom.
Mom.
Metin?
Sweetie?
What's up?
I'm okay, sweetie. How about you, Metin?
I'm okay.
What's today, Mom?
[Zeynep] What, sweetie?
Today is your birthday.
[inhales, exhales]
Why yes it is.
You remembered. Oh my God, Metin.
You did, right, Metin? You didn't forget about me?
Your gift's ready.
[gasps]
Still working on it. I'm not 100% satisfied,
but I'll sing it for you.
Oh, Metin. You wrote a song for me, honey?
I'm not 100% satisfied, but I'll play it for you.
You mean right now?
We don't wanna disturb our neighbors. It's so early.
It'll be okay.
Oh, but dad's still asleep, sweetie.
Forget him. Let's just go.
Maybe he should hear what you wrote.
[inhales, sighs]
I guess nothing can go easy around here.
All right, he can come. I'll wait out here.
[exhales contently]
- Mehmet, hey, hey. Mehmet. Mehmet. - What's going on?
Did you tell him anything? Did you tell him it was my birthday today?
No, you said not to.
Oh, Mehmet. He got me a present. Metin wrote me a song.
He remembered and he made me a present. That's amazing.
You jabbing at me?
Alright, let's go. Get up. He's waiting in the living room.
- Waiting for what? - For us!
Just get up, please. You don't want to miss this moment.
He says the song is ready.
A song? So early?
He's not 100% satisfied, but he'll play it.
Half-baked music this early in the morning? Come on.
[hip-hop beat playing]
♪ To all you big-bodied guys Addicted to the scent and getting high ♪
♪ You're hooked on the smell I can see it in your eyes ♪
♪ Uh, and you're never working out You pretend like you're fit, but you lie ♪
♪ Think that you're big It went straight to your waist. ♪
♪ Claiming that you're vegan But I caught you eat a steak ♪
♪ Intermittent fasts And your wars split society ♪
♪ Fake a smile for peace agreements, Why would I agree? ♪
♪ Acting like adults Oh really? How old? ♪
♪ Your grown-up bodies growing mold ♪
♪ You other so-called adults acting bold ♪
♪ Congrats on the funeral You all killed the meaning ♪
♪ Let's start revealing ♪
♪ All adults ran away ♪
♪ Didn't even care About tending to the grave ♪
♪ None of you cared to see The flowers on the scene ♪
♪ You got away with murder So you want to keep your slate clean ♪
♪ The funeral ended so quick ♪
♪ How many feet Was the meaning buried, like six? ♪
♪ Walkin' down the street You see twin clones ♪
♪ Now you're a triplet ♪
♪ Well, you happy now? ♪
♪ Your insides reek of a corpse A child's death ♪
♪ And your biggest guilty pleasure Is getting high on the scent ♪
♪ Mom, the God-awful smell is everywhere ♪
♪ You inhale it Deep in your lungs like air ♪
♪ Sad for Ma, my poor momma ♪
♪ What am I supposed to call My own mother now? ♪
♪ In your large cities And your really small towns ♪
♪ What's popular now is the high And how the smell is so foul ♪
♪ Everyone's an urbanite Now everyone's a villager ♪
♪ Everyone's a fascist And everyone's a leftist ♪
♪ Everyone's the East now Everyone is where the West is ♪
♪ Everyone's intelligent And everyone's an idiot ♪
♪ Everyone is Amber now And everyone's a Johnny ♪
♪ Everyone is Kanye now And everyone's the chief ♪
♪ Everyone is Trump now And everyone is Shakespeare ♪
♪ Everyone is Chomsky now And they're Borat ♪
♪ Everyone is Al-Ghazali now And they're Barat ♪
♪ Enough with all the lies you've told It's getting sour ♪
♪ Sorrow's all around us, Mom Everyone's a coward ♪
♪ Just put a stop to this Everyone is tense ♪
♪ You made me this didactic But at least I make sense ♪
♪ I'm sick of this place Is it "Earth" you would call? ♪
♪ Enough already God damn you all ♪
♪ If he's there or he's not If he's there or he's not ♪
[sighs] ♪ God damn you all ♪
MOM_PRESENT_MIX1
What do you think?
[exhales]
It was nice.
Come on, really?
No, it's... it's... You're really good at rapping, sweetie but...
You don't love it though, right?
Oh, yes. Very much.
I loved it, I'm...
I'm crazy about it.
[Metin] But?
But it is just a little morbid.
What... What are you saying?
It's a bit too dark.
Kinda pessimistic I feel. A little bit.
Didactic as well.
Yeah, you heard me say I'm didactic. I mention that in there.
You didn't hear me say that? I'm mocking myself in the song too.
I'm poking fun at myself as well.
It seems like an escape technique.
It's like you're attempting to hide your weaknesses
by attacking and mocking yourself, sweetie.
Just a little bit.
Oh, but it's really good, sweetie.
It's so unique.
- It is. - You're one of a kind.
You both think it's awful.
Ah, so what's the name of it?
"The Funeral of Meaning on Earth."
That's great.
It's just all so dark and I'm worried.
Yeah, it's dark out there.
That's why I make this music, to shine light on it.
Well, I plunged way into darkness listening to it.
Whatever.
You don't have to like it if you don't want to.
It's not for everyone's taste, you know.
It doesn't need to be understood by everyone who listens to it.
That's irrelevant.
[Zeynep] Of course, sweetie.
You do what feels right for you.
Don't worry about your father, okay? You should be exploring, hon.
Your instincts will guide you and tell you what's right.
I promise. Don't be discouraged by your dad.
You and I can go over the lyrics if you like?
A little Mom and son effort, huh?
You want me to sit down and help you with lyrics?
I'll make you a smoothie, Metin.
Oh, it would be so much fun, huh?
You want to, sweetums?
Breast milk, smoothies, hot chocolate? Seriously?
Are you able to see it?
It's like you never stopped breastfeeding me.
See? You have such amazing wisdom, honey. Yes.
You always use such perfect metaphors. You're so smart.
You always have insightful commentary.
You are a very special kid.
So mature and...
Please stop with all the flattery. It's way too much to hear.
If you need to praise me for something, praise the music.
[Mehmet] Hey, Metin.
I have a question for you, son.
Psst, son.
Look at me. Hey.
I have a question and I want you to answer me with complete honesty.
Can you do that?
And you'll think very carefully before you answer, alright?
Okay, let me hear it.
What is seven times three?
[Metin] Uh, well...
Um, seven times...
Seven times...
times three...
Seven, uh... 80?
[exhales, inhales]
[giggles]
- [Zeynep clears throat] - [chuckles] I'm sorry.
Pardon me.
He said 80.
[Mehmet continues giggling]
[Zeynep] Mehmet.
[inhales deeply]
It's just wild.
He seriously cannot do it. Am I right, son?
I'm gonna be straight with you.
How can you even think about rapping? You can't even do a simple math problem!
Yeah math's all around us.
I'm not amazing at math.
That's an understatement. Your math skills are all gone!
Well, I find math very boring.
I noticed that.
This won't do, Metin.
Gotta know seven times three. Come on. Life is difficult.
And there's always math, top to bottom.
Math's everywhere.
It's money, in probability, it's every damn where!
If you can't multiply seven times three by now, uh, all bets are off.
Listen, you really gotta start giving math a bit more than you're giving now.
Please dude, I'm begging you. Just a little more.
Well, I do give some. I get by. I'd say I'm good.
[Mehmet] Like hell you are!
Nope! Just stop it, you don't get by.
You're nowhere near getting by without seven times three!
- You'll be unhappy, do you know that? - I am already.
- [gasps] - Well you'll be even worse then.
You'll look up at God and wonder how you possibly could've gotten like that.
But this level of abnormal is absurd. Just put some normal in it, Metin.
Because this won't do.
And I've already accepted that you're mostly out there,
but can you be a bit normal?
Mm.
[inhales]
Can you do two times two for me?
- Four. - Oh!
You see that? That's it. There you go.
He's normal. He's just been busy.
What a birthday present.
- [kisses] - [kisses]
["Annem" by Zeki Müren playing]
[woman singing in Turkish]
[music fades]