"MUSIC OF K3" "I know all of it, mama!" "* Oya lele suddenly I feel again zo oya lele" "Sing along, mommy!" "* Oya lele * Sing along" "* Oh yes Oh no" "* Oya lele suddenly I feel again so oya lele" "Bibi, your dad is here." "Dad, I go take a picture with Mickey and Minnie in Eurodisney!" "Sure, girl." "Daddy missed you." "Hey!" "Shall we go clean out Paris?" "Yup." "Yes?" "For real?" "Hey?" "Yes." "Come." "I have um... things to tell." "Can we please talk a bit?" "No, I really can't." "Why can we never talk anymore?" "Habibti." "My sweetheart." "Have lots of fun!" "CAR STARTS" "So long." "Bye mom!" "Did he start again?" "He asked what Bibi wanted for her birthday." "PHONE RINGS" "Bertus Huising." "Nizar." "What happened?" "Where are you?" "Which embassy?" "We're in Damascus." "Um, listen." "They've threatened me." "It was uh, very intense." "I had to flee here with the kids." "Who threatened you?" "No..." "Hey ?" "!" "I wanted to tell you this a few days ago, remember?" "Yes." "Sorry." "You don't know how I feel." "Sorry." "Ms. Veenhoven?" "Yes, I understand that this... yes, that this is a huge surprise for you." "Sir?" "No." "Sir, I don't understand a thing." "Maybe you should first contact the local police, ...and we'll be in touch again after that." "Ms. Veenhoven?" "He told my colleague about that threat." "But there were too little leads to go on to make a case." "He was seriously threatened." "And the kids too." "Could be." "It happens regularly." "He could have made it up?" "Made up?" "!" "Knowing him." "Bertus!" "I want to know if the children are in danger here, ...or else I'm going to get them." "Sorry, you should forget about that." "A visa for Syria takes very long." "Ummm..." "Look." "Unfortunately, this happens regularly." "Stolen children." "But he was threatened!" "Where are we?" "We'll first go to see your other grandparents." "They want to see you sometimes too." "But, dad..." "Believe me, this will be more fun than EuroDisney." "Yup?" "Come." "Come." "Come." "Come, Bibi." "Come." "Your bedroom." "Dad?" "Yup." "I need to go to the toilet." "Come." "Just go pee." "Dad!" "Dad, I don't know how to." "There's no toilet paper." "There is water." "Just go pee." "Okay?" "What is it with Bieb?" "Nothing." "Dad, I want to go to mommy." "Bibi, you can't just now." "She is too busy." "Why don't we go to Mama?" "Because mom is a little busy with the twins." "Be patient, okay?" "She can't see you right now." "Not true!" "Shut up a minute!" "Do you know how many people live in Damascus?" "You don't know the language." "You don't know the way." "What is it?" "That damn folder." "Here..." "'My child, I've carried you with me." "Now I miss you in everything." "Every day.'" ""Who will help me fight as a mother?"" "No, let them keep on talking, you have to force your way." "No, man, that's red tape bullshit!" "Force your way through!" "Yes." "You're going to call them now, do you hear me?" "Yes!" "Best wait here a moment." "Good luck." "Yes, our children..." "This year we had over 100." "So much ?" "!" "We suspect that there are more, ... but 100 to 150 are recorded annually." "Wouter Simons." "Hanne." "Bertus." "Yeah..." "Syria..." "Is not a treaty country, did you know that?" "And then a government does in fact nothing about abducted children." "Then you've actually lost your children." "Again, Foreign Affairs, the police are powerless and can do nothing." "So get used to it. "Sorry, we can't do anything for you unfortunately."" "Just say it, when are we going?" "Um, some formalities, applying for a visa." "Some internal help." "Well...." "In about two weeks?" "Lets go home and..." "In two weeks is fine." "Mr. Simons..." "Wouter." "Wouter." "Will you please look after her very well?" "That's what I'm here for, right." "There are still a few questions." "Do you know where exactly in Damascus Nizar is?" "Don't." "Don't!" "Hey!" "Quiet." "You're making aunt Aischa wet." "Stop!" "Bibi!" "What are you doing?" "Bibi, out." "Dad..." "Today is my birthday and you've forgotten." "Do you think?" "Why do you have so little faith in dad?" "Bibi..." "Thank you, daddy!" "Do you think daddy had forgotten your birthday?" "Huh?" "Congratulations." "I love you." "Azim." "Don't you thank me?" "Can I call mommy?" "What did you say?" "Can I call mommy?" "Sure you can call mom." "Do you know when?" "When you're no longer such a limp mommy's boy." "Yes?" "Will you be careful out there?" "Yes." "You too, here?" "Sweetheart..." "Darling." "Oh, yes, will you think about that playgroup..." "The Bumblebee." "Yes." "That was the day before yesterday." "Oh..." "SHE SIGHS" "Judt go now, honey." "Just go." "And, did you get him?" "Yes." "Mr. Zalaq assured us:" "If his problems in the Netherlands are solved then nothing stands in the way of his return." "He has indicated clearly that he wants to." "Fantastic!" "If we could get that in print..." "Otherwise, it will be more problematic." "The children can't leave the country without his permission." "They have a Dutch passport." "That doesn't matter, ma'am." "You have to see it like this..." "The children now fall under Syrian law." "But you as an ambassador..." "With all these cultural differences it's hard to keep talking." "But you probably know all about that." "Good luck right now." "Give him my regards." "So, we're not breaking up, okay?" "If you're alone, I can't help you." "And stay calm." "No emotions." "Especially don't get angry." "But isn't it..." "No!" "None of that Nizar this and that." "This is how we do it." "We'll have a signal." "I conduct the conversation." "If you think he's lying, then you fiddle with your hair." "OK?" "And if you think he's lying?" "Then I scratch my head." "He doesn't have the children with him!" "Hanne!" "Nizar!" "Where are the children?" "Quiet." "How can I...!" "Mr. Zalaq?" "Who is he?" "Wouter Simons, a pleasure" "What's he doing with you?" "I'm from the Justice dep." "What have you got to do with her?" "I've got to do with you." "I'm here to solve your problems in the Netherlands." "Nizar, how are the children?" "Shut up." "How can you solve that?" "By telling me everything you know." ""Dirty foreigner."" "Every day." "And then in the bicycle garage they came with a gun." "Like that, to my head." ""And fuck off!", they said." ""We will exterminate you."" "That's what they said." ""And take your kids with you."" ""You filthy half-breed children." "Otherwise: bam, bam, bam."" "I hate to say it in front of her, but I wet my pants." "I was so scared." "You know the rest of the story." "What was I to do?" "When was that exactly?" "That was just before EuroDisney." "Mr. Zalaq, who are "they"?" "Acquaintances of yours?" "You do not believe me?" "I have to ask that question." "You talk with an undertone." "If I knew their names, then this would already be solved." "What if I'm going see about a safer home." "What do you say?" "And if I go talk to the police about your safety." "Hm?" "That would really uh..." "What if I'm going to call directly then uh..." "You can go home again!" "Nizar!" "Hm?" "Can I talk alone with mother?" "Perhaps we can first do the kids..." "Do you want to go to children?" "Surely you have no objection..." "You can go with me to the children." "Fine." "Sorry, this is private." "Mrs. Veenhoven like me to go along." "That is not necessary." "Hey, Hannika?" "Mrs. Veenhoven?" "Would you like to go to the children." "That's not necessary." "It's nice, huh?" "Wouldn't you like this?" "You still can, habibti." "You really can." "How's farmer Bertus then?" "Hm?" "Fine." "Pity." "Hey." "You're with my family now." "Behave." "Do not cry, act weird or yell at me." "Understood?" "Mommy!" "Where have you been?" "!" "Oh, dear, how are you?" "Where is Azim?" "Hey, Azim!" "Come here." "Come!" "Azim!" "Hey!" "Hey there!" "Hey..." "He asks about your father." "How he is." "Why does he ask?" "Just out of interest." "Daddy, why we can't we go home with mom?" "Don't interfere with grownup affairs." "We must first settle some things." "What then?" "Mommy, I don't understand." "What are you talking about?" "Nothing special." "Mommy?" "Mommy, what's wrong?" "Nothing honey, I'm sorry." "Sorry, Nizar." "Sorry." "I'll be back right away." "Go now." "I can't leave without them." "I had warned you." "Please go." "They're my children." "Mommy, why can't we go home with you?" "Bibi, don't worry." "Daddy and mommy are going to talk tomorrow talk, okay?" "Tomorrow?" "Will you call me then?" "Yes." "Do you promise me that?" "Promise!" "I promise." "Go now, please." "Azim, mom and dad are going to solve this very quickly." "Yes." "Promised." "And mommy promises something..." "Then it promised." "Exactly." "And?" "I suppose that Nizar is your first real big love." "Like my wife." "If we had something to celebrate, we drank cheap whiskey." "Is there anything to celebrate now, Hanne?" "I wanted to see my kids." "Can I?" "After such a long time." "Yes!" "I understand that!" "But as long as you don't see that you're crazy about him and he does see that, he'll take advantage of it." "Do you want your children back?" "!" "Of course!" "Will you do that with me or on your own?" "Otherwise I'm wasting my time here!" "PHONE RINGS" "Yes I hear it." "Hello?" "No, I'm alone." "Er..." "Yes, tomorrow." "Ten o'clock." "Fine." "Okay." "It's much safer here than in the Netherlands." "If you return, mr." "Simons can make all sorts of arrangements for you." "Bibi, Azim." "Go sort something out." "Sweetie..." "Perhaps the key to all this lies in your hands." "Hey..." "Mama, I can't even play football there." "Hey?" "Your grandparents have a huge garden!" "But not in that stupid apartment." "What apartment?" "Mama?" "Yes." "Look." "Just like grandma Tete." "Hey, Bieb..." "Mommy, why don't you want us anymore?" "What?" "Dad says you're too busy with Ole and Finn and that that's why we have to stay here." "Azim!" "Now listen to me." "I'm doing everything possible to get you back!" "Everything!" "You believe that?" "What are you talking about?" "Look, daddy!" "I got something for you." "That brings you luck." "For the most beautiful mother of my children." "Don't you thank me?" "Thanks." "What did you choose, Azim?" "Nothing." "Hm?" "I don't like cars." "Why, do you want a barbie?" "Give it." "Mama?" "Yes." "Does that really bring luck?" "I hope so, Bieb." "Okay guys, let's go." "Come into the car." "Mommy, I want to go home." "Nizar, they want to come with me." "Hanne, that's not possible." "I can't just leave my children here?" "If you were my wife, you could stay." "Mr. Zalaq!" "I started to call for you immediately." "Yes?" "I was able to involve all the organisations involved." "I've got a new, safe address for you and the children in the Netherlands." "Wow!" "That's amazing." "That is really amazing!" "This gentleman has arranged that you can go home again soon!" "I'll hear from you." "Bye sweetheart." "CHURCH BELLS PEAL" "Do you have a new access agreement?" "Yes." "Every other week here, with him." "Hm." "And he gets his job back." "Oh, he has a job(!" ")" "Well, um, maybe he can uh..." "What?" "No, never mind." "KNOCK ON THE WINDOW" "Completely forgot..." "But just go." "Before you forget Bertus too." "Hey!" "Hey there!" "A round of 70." "It's better every time." "Will you shower with me?" "No!" "Later?" "Tomorrow?" "No." "Next Week!" "Bertus!" "What do you mean 'Bertus'?" "Did you say that to that ex of yours too?" "SHE SCREAMS" "I want to report him for the kidnapping of my children." "Do you want to know the names?" "Please." "My son is called Azim Zalaq." "He is eleven years." "And Bibi Zalaq." "She is only nine." "BERTUS:" "Come and look!" "THEY SING "OH CHRISTMAS TREE"" "I see white faces everywhere." "For children who became invisible." "Children that we can't see anymore." "All the children who have disappeared." "The Hague must not forget us." "Take courage!" "Hand up!" "CHEERING" "Hannes..." "Hm?" "Perhaps you could get a little bit used to it that Bibi and Azim maybe won't come back." "How can you think that?" "Bertus!" "CALL FOR PRAYER" "So, now you go outside." "Oops, but put it on quickly!" "Look!" "That man has a pink tie!" "Come, come, away from here!" "Away!" "Come, Bibi!" "KNOCKING Ssshhh." "Mr. Zalaq?" "Mr. Zalaq, can I talk to you?" "Mr. Zalaq?" "Those people are from the Dutch embassy." "A dangerous, secret police." "They want to get you out of here and dump you in an orphanage." "Mr. Zalaq, can I talk to you?" "When they ring the bell you may never open the door for them." "Or else you are done for." "KNOCKING" "I have a letter from the lawyer." "You'll need to answer certain access rights." "Daddy, what's access rights?" "Nothing, Bibi." "Nothing, sweetie." "Come." "What's that?" "Give me that." "You know what they call a boy here who plays with a playing with a cuddle toy?" "!" "Will you always be a mommy's boy?" "!" "Yes, mr." "Oosterhout, it's Zalaq." "I just came from the neighbours and found your letter." "I have nothing against access rights for the mother." "On the contrary." "For me that can be on 20 July." "No, before is not possible for me at all." "BEEP OF EMAIL" "Bertus!" "Nizar has given a date!" "Hey?" "Would you give me that can of paint over here?" "Never mind." "Aren't you happy?" "Nizar calls and you come." "I can't right now." "I can finally come!" "That's good news isn't it?" "Very nice for you." "Really." "But Hannes..." "Stop that 'Hannes'!" "Dad!" "Dad!" "Do you hear?" "Do you hear what they cry?" "'Papa', they cry." "They're your children too." "Maybe you should take them to the playground too instead of always being occupied with Nizar." "Wow, beautiful." "Very nice!" "Is that for grandpa's party too?" "Yes." "Hm?" "Really?" "!" "Yes." "Wow!" "Oh, Bibi..." "PHONE RINGS" "Bibi, another round!" "BERTUS CRIES" "SOMEONE GOES UPSTAIRS" "Please don't go." "But I cannot leave them." "Wouter is coming, right." "Everything there is more important." "You don't even see it." "Bertus!" "I have been fighting for a year on my own." "If I do nothing, then the authorities do nothing, you know." "Look." "He's finally done." "Bertus..." "It's so beautiful, damn it!" "I'm sorry, Bertus." "If you uh if you go now, then uh hen you don't have to come back." "You can't ask that, Bertus." "What choice do I have?" "Do you know how many times a day I run upstairs?" "To their rooms." "And then I take their clothes and I smell them." "That hurts so much." "If you er... if you go then then it's over between us." "We as embassy will ensure with care that the access rights of the mother are strictly observed." "We hereby notify you of your duty as a father, mr." "Zalaq." "I thought two o'clock this afternoon, Hannika." "Earlier." "Is this another little idea of his?" "Mrs. asks if it can be a bit earlier." "No." "Two o'clock." "Before is not possible." "I'll pick you up at 2 o'clock at the hotel, habibti." "You look so uh..." "You have no need to worry, mr. ambassador." "What I want to worry about, is my own business, mr." "Zalaq." "I know very well, even better than my ex-wife here what my rights and duties are." "Then I have one final question." "Those access rights..." "Does that also apply to mr." "Simons or not?" "As long as you bring her back safely." "Isn't that obvious, mr." "Simons?" "Did you fly to Damascus to tell me that I have to bring the mother of my children back safely?" "Mr. ambassador, mr." "Simons, habibti." "Are you sure you can handle it?" "Yes." "Where are we?" "Surprise." "Beautiful?" "Very nice." "Our new home." "Come." "How's Bertus?" "You keep asking that every time." "Not good?" "Hm." "I see." "You can't lie." "Sweet." "Do you see that building over there?" "That is the best school in Damascus." "That is nearby." "Everything you see here is new." "Really everything." "Can't we how do you say that wipe the list clean and start again?" "Slate." "Wipe the slate clean." "What did I say?" "List." "Wipe the slate clean." "Habibti." "Habibti." "Sweetheart." "I want to take you as my wife to the party of my father." "I don't want to." "The choice is yours." "But your eyes say something else." "BUZZ" "APPLAUSE" "LAUGHTER" "Why are you doing this?" "I want you to be proud of them." "APPLAUSE" "Mom, I want to go home." "Can't you put me in your suitcase?" "Let's go." "Azim, wait." "Mom, no." "Azim!" "Mom, don't." "Don't be silly!" "Come here!" "Azim, did daddy do that?" "Azim!" "Does he do that often?" "Even with Bibi?" "Mom, will you please say nothing to dad?" "Where are you, my father is waiting." "Yes." "Azim." "Find your sister." "Habibti." "We still have a chance together." "What is it?" "Just stay here, Bieb." "APPLAUSE Walk." "Come!" "Run!" "Right!" "HONKING Go!" "Left!" "Please wait." "Just wait." "Okay..." "Mommy, where are we going?" "To the embassy." "Tell the address of the embassy." "We can't go there!" "Why not?" "They are scary people." "That man with that pink tie!" "That's not true!" "No!" "Listen to me!" "Listen, Bibi, listen." "Daddy is lying." "Dad is always lying." "It's true, mom!" "No!" "Hurry up!" "Dad knows that man!" "SHOUTING" "Nazir:" "What are you doing?" "!" "No!" "No!" "Mommy!" "No!" "Now you are going to listen to me!" "BIBI GILT" "Mommy!" "What you doing?" "!" "They're my children too goddammit!" "Mommy!" "They're my children too!" "You arrogant filthy whore!" "Fuck off!" "Mommy!" "Mommy!" "I say fuck off!" "Mommy!" "No!" "No!" "You will never see them again!" "You will never see them again!" "No!" "The way you feel right now, I have felt for years!" "Do you understand me ?" "!" "Nooooooo!" "NIZAR THROWS STUFF AROUND" "You will never see her again." "Never!" "And not a word about her again, understood?" "!" "Not a word!" "Food." "Who am I talking to." "Eat!" "Eat!" "I didn't prepare it for nothing." "You think I am angry with mom." "But your mom is a bad woman." "You can't say that." "Oh no?" "Can't I say that?" "Here." "A mom is supposed to follow the dad." "If she doesn't, she's a bad woman." "Period!" "But I will make sure you become a good woman." "Obedient." "And I will make you a real man." "Learn respect and reverence." "You can't do that." "HE SIGHS" "Do you know how much I love her?" "So much that I am ashamed." "So much, and you don't see it." "Like a dog." "But do you know what could have happened?" "Nizar could have accused you of kidnapping." "You'd have been thrown out of the country, wham, just like that!" "And possibly never admitted again!" "Your children would've been assigned to him and you'd've never seen then again!" "And who is the victim of that?" "Not you, but your children." "When will you let go of that idiot?" "He must really leave your system." "SAD PIANO MUSIC" "Will you Keep on saying nothing?" "That seems better to me and dad right now, child." "Perhaps you better shouldn't have married an Arab." "I better should not have married THIS Arab." "Something like that?" "Shorter." "Hello, habibti." "What did you say?" "Nothing." "PHONE RINGS" "Hanne, will you take it?" "Hello?" "Bibi!" "Is that you?" "Tete said I could call." "Mama?" "Isn't it Mother's Day over there?" "Yeah..." "Yes, almost." "But I've got no mama here at all." "But honey, I'm your mother." "I'm your mother forever, you know that?" "But..." "I want a real mom who is always there." "Dad has gone crazy." "And we can't go anywhere." "And he says there are monsters everywhere." "No!" "No, there are no monsters." "Oh yes." "The man from the embassy is the biggest monster." "It's so nice to hear your voice, Bibi." "I miss you so much, mom." "Hey, Bib..." "*Oya lele" "*I feel suddenly again so oya lele" "BIBI LAUGHING" "*I feel suddenly again so oya lele *" "HANNE LAUGHING" "Bye." "Bye Now!" "That was my child." "Daddy, Nizar..." "Nizar is a monster." "Calm down." "Calm down." "Hey, Hanne." "What are you doing here?" "Can I come in for a moment?" "I am so ashamed." "Terribly." "About back then." "So he is out of my system." "The way you say that." "Wouter..." "I want to ask you to help me ONE more time." "Suppose my children would be standing here at the door." "Can they go in?" "Not if you bring them." "That's kidnapping." "Further, if children really are in need and are Dutch citizens..." "You've never seen them, right?" "No." "Hey, Nizar." "Mom!" "Mommy!" "Hey!" "SHE LAUGHS" "Mama, that's that man." "He's not scary." "He came with me." "Did you see that?" "He shook hands with dad." "Mom... your hair is weird." "LAUGHING:" "Yes." "How is the bakery doing?" "You must like football." "Azim:" "Yes." "Here, look." "Hey." "Oh, thanks!" "And these." "Thank you." "Let's hope that we become world champion." "Haha!" "Hey... you see that those people aren't scary at all, right?" "Nicolien, very sweet." "Listen... if you dare you can go to the embassy yourself." "But daddy keeps an eye on us all the time." "Yes... yes." "That's why you have to wait for a real opportunity." "Do you know the selection already, Azim?" "Huntelaar, Brockhorst and the best of course:" "Van der Sar." "Hahaha!" "You see that flag?" "This, Nicolien's?" "It is also on the embassy." "I still have that card of the embassy." "Shhh!" "Shhh." "And the children's room?" "They each have a room." "You must keep that with you very well." "Don't show it to dad." "Azim I have a phone for you." "You should hide it well, so dad can't find it." "Who are the Netherlands playing?" "Do you know that yet?" "Your access rights for today are over." "Now." "A bit more." "SHE SIGHS DEEPLY What have I done?" "Wouter." "Now you must leave it to them." "It will be fine." "Come." "No!" "I haven't given them the money!" "Huh?" "Bibi?" "Azim!" "Come wave to mom!" "Bibi!" "Azim!" "WHISPERS:" "Asshole." "Asshole!" "Come." "Assho..." "Come on." "Anne!" "Yes." "Come on." "MEN MUTTER PRAYERS" "Bibi!" "Azim!" "Come." "We're going to take a picture." "A little bit forward." "CAMERA BEEPS" "Azim, stand up." "Shoulders back." "How often must I say it?" "I'm saying it for you." "Laugh." "CAMERA CLICKS" "Okay." "What did you do today?" "See you later." "Now!" "EXCITING MUSIC" "Do you know which box has our stuff in it?" "No idea." "Just try." "But I want to thank tete." "Can't do it now." "Come on!" "EXCITING MUSIC" "Azim, we forgot the money!" "Hi mom." "Hi, mom." "Hey there!" "Hey..." "Hi." "Hello, sweetheart." "Hello, sweetheart." "Come on." "They're there until Friday, right?" "Yes." "Grandma is coming." "Come on." "PHONE Han?" "Hm-hm?" "I miss you." "It's Azim." "It is Azim!" "Hello?" "Hey!" "Wha... what taxi?" "Just a taxi." "Is Bibi with you?" "Of course Bibi's with me." "Yes?" "Okay." "Okay." "Wha..." "Azim?" "Azim!" "Azim!" "Call the embassy, Bertus." "Yes." "Um..." "PHONE RINGS" "EXCITING MUSIC" "No idea." "We have no connection right now." "Yes, yes." "Please stay on the line." "PHONE Azim?" "Where..." "Where are you now?" "Mom?" "Mommy!" "Are you there?" "Azim?" "Damn it!" "What's going on?" "Dad, they're doing it!" "They're doing it!" "SHE LAUGHS" "HORN" "PHONE Yes?" "Mom, I see the flag!" "We're going now!" "Oh god." "They're there." "Get down!" "RATTLING" ""Daddy is here."" ""What now?"" "Um..." "Tell that ambassador to ask Nizar inside." "Sir?" "S..." "Nizar is now at your door." "Yes." "Ask him..." "Ask him to come inside." "PHONE Shit, shit, shit!" "Mr. Zalaq!" "Mr. Zalaq!" "Problems?" "Can I help?" "WHISPERS:" "Mom, you must not call." "You'll betray us!" "Is he still there?" "WHISPERS:" "Yes, he's still there." "Make sure he doesn't see you, Azim." "And stay on the phone." "Do you hear me?" "Have they not been here?" "No." "He's inside." "Tell them to hurry now!" "Right now!" "NICOLIEN:" "I'm walking outside now." "Azim?" "Who else do you see?" "Um... yes, the woman from the football stuff." "Take your sister..." "Take your sister and run to her." "To that lady." "When you're with her, daddy can no longer take you away." "Mom, I'm afraid!" "Azim..." "Azim, you must continue now." "Tell them to hurry up!" "He can't hold him up all the time." "But it's possible now!" "Come Bib." "Yes!" "I got them." "Yes." "They're inside." "HANNE LAUGHS AND CRIES SIMULTANEOUSLY They're inside, guys." "They are in!" "MUSIC: 'LOST' BY ANOUK" "APPLAUSE"