A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
These are the letters he wrote to the family he abandoned.
And this photo is of his wife and son.
Yes.
I'm not the baby in this photo.
I'm not Adem Yılmaz.
You can't even imagine how hard it is to live another person's life.
But I had no choice other than to take his place.
It was the only way to get away from the men after me. I mean Servet.
That's the whole story.
It's good to finally be able to tell someone all this.
ADIL THE TAILOR
If you want to secretly kill someone, you need to be as quiet as a shadow.
-What are you going to do to me? -What do you think?
Hey!
Get up, stop pretending.
I'm not pretending.
You can't make a man dig his own grave! My back hurts!
I've dug mine twice before.
If you think it's painful now, just wait until the morning.
You won't have to worry about that.
Now tell me. Who are you, and what do you want from me?
Money. I mean, not from you. I did this for the reward Servet put on your head.
That one million liras.
Servet missed me that much?
He wants you dead, not alive.
He's giving the money to the person who kills you.
So, how did you find me?
The lodge.
He's getting away!
Amateur.
Then I followed you to the tailor's shop.
Why did you wait until today?
To make sure it was you.
So, tell me.
Does anybody else know that you've found me?
No.
-Think again. -My cousin.
I only told him. He was the one who told me about the reward.
I don't even know Servet. I'm not into all that stuff.
I have a family and kids. I mind my own business.
No, I don't think so.
If you recognized me, then you must be involved in everything.
I'm sure about that.
Don't kill me. I swear I'll just leave. And I won't tell anyone where you are.
I can't take that risk.
You're up and about early.
Well, I'm not wandering around idly like you.
I've got work to do.
Good God. I just came to say hi and you're having a go at me.
Why don't you come and work here with me? I need someone to help me anyway.
I can teach you quickly, and you'll gain a new skill.
It'll come in handy.
What is your profession? You couldn't have been wandering around till now.
How do you always manage to change the subject to what I do?
I'm going.
Don't go. Come here. Just kidding.
If it weren't for you,
I'd probably be at home watching TV with my grandma anyway.
I still have a job thanks to you. Thank you. For everything.
There's no middle ground with you, huh?
I was just going to get a couple of buns.
Buns? You?
Yeah, why?
What would a gluten-hater like you do with buns?
I'm just trying to get used to it.
Everything changes.
Yeah.
Some things never change.
Whatever you do, you still find yourself doing them again.
Don't make bold claims. Everything changes in life.
So make the most of it.
What? Life?
The buns.
Bon appétit.
Thanks.
So?
-Tell me. -Tell you what?
How come a guy like Servet, who loves money so much,
is willing to pay one million liras for me?
I don't think he has a problem with money.
Servet took over all of Mümtaz's business when he died.
Mümtaz died?
Wow! You really haven't got a clue about anything. It was in the newspapers.
When he died, Servet managed to get everyone
who used to work with him onto his side.
This Servet is a real opportunist.
Well, isn't there any tea? This won't go down without it.
But you don't know Servet.
Servet is not an opportunist. He's more the creative type.
What do you mean?
I mean, if Mümtaz is dead,
Servet will definitely have had something to do with it.
That makes him creative, not an opportunist.
You could also call him a murderer, but that depends on your perspective.
Creative people are clever.
If only you'd been as clever as him.
I wish that, too, sometimes.
What were we saying?
Oh, right!
Creative people are clever.
They set the conditions themselves.
But opportunists just accept their fate.
So, as an opportunist asshole,
do you accept your fate?
Shit!
Yes.
Opportunists are a little stupid.
I gave you a chance, but you didn't take it.
If I let you go, you'll tell everyone where I am.
What are we going to do?
I think so too.
Good morning.
Sir, you've started early.
You didn't start early. You forgot to finish.
What happened? Is there a problem?
Some shit happened, Civan.
Okay?
They completely fucked up my life.
How can you make such a mistake, Özlem? You said everything was going well!
Sir, I'm sorry.
I thought we could get the houses easier when I found about the bills.
Özlem!
Stop apologizing.
We need to start demolishing the buildings we already have.
Where are the title deeds for them?
-The contractor has them. -Good.
Tell the contractor to come here.
I'm sorry, sir, but that's not possible.
Why not?
Because he is dead.
Actually, he was killed.
Who killed him?
Hello.
You can curse me all you like.
I won't be offended.
How do we manage to go backwards while we're going forward?
How can you do business with this guy?
What the hell is this thing?
"This thing"?
That's a bit offensive.
You've shown me very well how you can put someone down without cursing. Thanks.
No matter what happens, we're going to finish this project.
That neighborhood will be demolished!
He wasn't as angry as I thought.
I'll go back to the neighborhood now.
Don't worry. I will get all the title deeds by force, one by one.
Mesut, it's finished.
Our collaboration is over.
What do you mean, "it's over?"
But you can't do anything without me.
You can't find anybody who knows that area better than me.
We still have the body and the murder weapon.
So don't you dare do anything stupid. Okay?
What?
That's a real low blow.
You said you were going to get rid of the gun.
Goodbye, Mesut.
Right.
That was a real low blow.
Careful, sir. Come here, wait.
-Come, lean on me. Let me help you. -Who the hell do you think you are?
I can stand on my own feet.
I don't need the help of a cripple like you, thank God.
Welcome.
Thank you.
-Do you want both inside and out done? -Sorry?
I mean the car.
I'm not here for that. Is Mesut here?
No, he just left.
When will he be back?
He won't be back today.
Can I help you?
-Would you like more tea? -Thanks. That's enough.
So, basically, Mesut tried to go behind my back,
and that tailor tricked him and took the title deeds from him.
So, I'm here to resolve things myself.
I want to hear what his problem is.
You know, maybe,
it's not my place to say this,
-and who am I to give you advice, but… -Go on. Just say it.
There's an easier way to get those title deeds.
What's that?
Maybe you should just ask the owners?
How come we never thought about that?
What if they don't want to sell their properties?
It's not like that.
Listen. Let's get in your fancy car, and drive around the neighborhood.
Have a look around. No one is happy here.
Okay, these people managed to buy some properties at some point,
and they're afraid to lose them.
But at the same time,
they want more.
It's human nature to want more, anyway.
Some get what they want, and some don't.
Right.
And these people
are the ones who didn't get what they wanted.
Why?
Because they're afraid to lose.
Especially when there's someone like Mesut
who has set his eyes on what they have.
And the more afraid they are, the more they come together.
They act as one.
You must have a plan if you think that.
-Shit. -You didn't wash your face.
Mom, I'm a man. This is inappropriate.
Only children wash their face, right?
No, how old… Why?
Don't show the brand. On television…
CLOSED
Yes? Carrier pigeon. What do you want?
-I'm here to talk to you about something. -Me?
What could you possibly have to talk to me about?
Can I come in?
Sure. Come in.
-Come in. -Thanks.
So, tell me, carrier pigeon, did you bring me another message?
You took the bills from Mesut.
So what? Did he complain about me to you?
I came here to thank you.
That's interesting.
I thought you were working for him.
I was.
But now I'm working for someone else, and he wants this place.
-The shop? -The whole area.
Come on! Back to square one.
No. It's not like that.
This man isn't like Mesut. He's different.
He's not trying to take anyone's property by force.
They can either sell or get a new flat in the new buildings and live there.
So? What do you want from me?
I don't want you to make things difficult.
Listen, Adem. You don't belong here.
So you stay out of this.
You have no right to take people's futures away from them.
Mr. Servet has some plans for this place.
Don't get in his way.
Look, whoever this Servet is…
This Servet is the person you're talking about? Servet Nadir?
Yes.
Great!
No way!
So, he's gone into construction now?
-Why are you laughing? -This is great.
So, he's the one behind all this?
Now tell me. Are you going to make things easy?
Go and tell Mr. Servet,
"Adem the tailor said he isn't selling his shop,
and your money isn't enough to buy it." Okay?
And also tell him
that his past is following him like a shadow.
Whatever he does, he won't be able to get rid of his past.
Okay? Go on now.
Adem.
What?
I'm not anyone's carrier pigeon.
If there's anything you want to tell him, go and do it yourself.
I just came here to make you an offer.
But if your answer is no, then that's up to you.
Wow.
Well done. You're learning how to be a man. Really.
But if you want to be taken seriously, sharpen your style,
or nobody will take you seriously.
You don't know this area, Adem.
One day, everyone will leave,
and you'll be left on your own.
Don't forget that, okay?
Okay.
-Bye, then. -Bye.
I'm telling you, this guy is dangerous.
Did you notice how calm he was when Mesut shot that man?
I didn't notice.
You were unconscious all night, Uncle Turan.
I wasn't unconscious.
I threw myself on the ground in case they called me as a witness.
And then I dozed off.
Get real, for God's sake.
I'm telling you, this guy isn't what he seems.
Let me ask you something.
Do you remember what you told me when I first brought Yakup to the neighborhood?
Of course I do.
"Don't bring him into the neighborhood. He'll create trouble for everyone."
-You see. -"If he was a decent boy,
his parents wouldn't have kicked him out."
"You shouldn't pity an orphan or he will... "
Fuck you over, Turan?
You didn't like me at all back then?
I still don't like you.
Why would I like you?
Turan, okay. For God's sake. Enough.
Son, what I mean is, it's hard to embrace an outsider, someone who's different,
but Adem is just a normal person like you and me after all.
Please, Mukhtar, for God's sake.
God created that bastard in his spare time.
He took all our shares and gave it to him.
He got more than his fair share.
But what I don't understand is how Adil had a son like him?
That's exactly what I was saying.
Maybe he isn't even Adil's son.
Come on!
He's just jealous, Mukhtar. Don't be harsh on him.
Why would I be jealous of him? He's shorter than me.
I'm trying to tell you something else.
We haven't been free of trouble since that guy arrived.
Right.
This place was like Sesame Street, Smurfs' Village before he came.
Oh, Turan, enough. Okay, stop it. Stop.
Stop winding him up.
Son, look, jealousy isn't a good thing.
Really. It starts with jealousy and turns into hatred.
It will harm everyone, starting with you.
Go and get some fresh air. Get your head together.
Okay, Mukhtar. I'll go now,
but I will show you that this guy is not who he seems.
I'll show all of you.
Okay, son. Okay.
"Press pass."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADEM
Are you really this naive?
-Hello. -Hello.
There's a house on the corner there. Do you know whose house that is?
You mean the reporter's house.
-Do you know which newspaper he works for? -I don't know.
Are you that woman's friend?
What woman?
Aslı. She stops by every once in a while and checks if anyone has been there.
-She must be that guy's friend. -How can I reach her?
I have her phone number.
-So? -What?
-Are you going to give me the number? -No.
She gave you her number to let her know if anything happens.
Yes, she did.
But she didn't tell me to give her number to every punk that shows up.
Man, are you kidding me?
Just call her.
Tell her there's news about Adem.
Yes, what do you want?
Tea, for now. I'm waiting for someone.
What will you do when that person comes?
It's me. I'm Aslı. Go on, I'm listening.
When he said you were waiting for me at the cafe.
I didn't realize you worked here.
By the way, the man you gave your number to is a real nitwit.
You better hurry because I only have a 15 minutes.
You said it was about Adem.
Yes.
I'm looking for Adem Yılmaz.
I have something that belongs to him.
-I think he works for a newspaper. -We were. Both of us.
When you said it was about Adem,
I thought you knew where he was or something.
-Why? Is he missing? -He is.
I mean, we were working for the same newspaper.
He was after a jerk called Servet.
He had prepared a file about him.
I didn't take him or his file seriously. Nobody did.
Then one day, he just disappeared. Servet's business expanded a great deal.
The file also disappeared with Adem, I assume.
Exactly.
I'm sure those jerks killed Adem.
Well…
Adem might not be dead.
CAR WASH
Where have you been?
It's the middle of the day.
-What kind of businessman are you? -Fuck off.
Hey! What kind of language is that?
-What? Are you not talking to me? -Listen.
I know what I'm going to do to you, but I have bigger problems right now.
So I don't have time for you. But we're not done yet, Adem.
Your owners have shortened your leash.
-You'll get used to it. -Civan, where the hell are you?
Your carrier pigeon has set himself free.
What?
He's after the title deeds. Didn't you know?
Right, how could you know?
The concept of going behind someone's back is doing it in secret.
What the hell are you talking about?
Bro, I'm here to tell you about that, but you won't let me.
Obviously, Servet has given up on you.
Civan is going around asking everyone to sell their homes.
Fuck off. That's not possible.
There are two types of people in this world.
Those who think about how to deal with bad news
and those who prefer to act like there's no problem.
You fall into the second category.
But if you don't do anything, you will lose everything.
And I'm not only talking about your reputation in the neighborhood.
You'll lose this place too.
I'm just letting you know.
Hey. Look at me.
-Why are you telling me this? -Because I'm trying to help you.
Get out of here! Help me, my ass. As if I don't know you.
You must be planning something, and you're trying to use me.
Do you think I would tell you this?
No, you wouldn't.
I know you. I know what you're capable of.
No.
You have no idea what I'm capable of.
What are you gonna do? Shoot me?
I'm not an easy target like that contractor.
Did you know that?
I told you. You're a predictable man.
But Civan is not. I don't know him.
So I can't predict what he's capable of.
I prefer dealing with you instead of with him.
This is just a friendly warning. The rest is up to you.
Dilara.
Think about it before you say no.
Think about what, Civan?
Closing the bakery I fought so hard to get back?
Dear God. Nobody's telling you to close the bakery.
They're even promising you a bigger one.
-Why? -What do you mean why?
Why would they take this place and give me a bigger one?
I'm quite happy here.
Yes, you're happy, yeah.
But you're happy for now.
Tomorrow, this area is going to grow.
Then this shop will seem small to you.
Do you hear what you're saying?
You sound like Mesut.
They want to destroy the area you were born in and grew up in.
-And you're okay with that? -No.
They don't want to destroy it. They want to rebuild it.
The world is changing, but we're staying the same.
Aren't you tired of falling behind the times?
You're saying we should sell our memories.
You can't live with your memories.
Listen, you can sell it if you want
and make a new start with brand new memories.
It's up to you. Really.
But just take a look at this contract. Talk to Mukhtar too.
Just take your time before you decide. Really think about it.
Please.
Okay. Give it to me. I'll have a look.
Are you a psychopath?
Why?
What if he kills the guy?
No, he can't do anything.
Fucker!
-Sir? -"Sir?"
Fuck your sir.
What's going on?
What the hell do you think you're doing?
You know what you're doing? It's known as shitting where you eat.
How can you be so sure?
He can't do anything other than what Servet tells him to do.
I was once like that too.
I didn't do such a thing.
I'll make you pay for this, you fucking cripple!
You hideous bastard!
He'll just beat him up and let him go.
What? Do you think you're man enough to work on your own?
Then Civan will go to Servet and tell him that Mesut beat him up.
And if I know Servet just a little, and I know him very well,
he'll have Mesut killed.
Asshole!
And then?
The rest is easy.
That only leaves Civan.
How hard could it be to deal with a carrier pigeon with a limp?
Where is he?
You've placed the future of the project into the hands of someone with a limp,
and now you're waiting for him to show up?
I don't see his limp. He's ambitious.
And his eyes are burning with a lust for vengeance.
If he's half as determined as he makes out to be,
he'll get this job done.
Hello.
Civan. What happened to you, son?
Am I bleeding?
It's nothing.
I didn't want to show up like this.
I'm sorry, but that's life.
I brought some of the contracts.
And the majority of the area is leaning towards it.
Forget about the area now. Come in and sit down.
Sure.
Who did this to you?
Who did this?
-Sorry? -Was it that asshole, Mesut?
No.
-Not him. -Who?
Adem.
The tailor?
Exactly.
He did it.
He's not going to give up.
He got mad when he heard your offer. He flew at me.
He started hitting me.
He'll do anything to talk the people in the area out of it.
Then we'll do what we have to do.
Özlem, call Stain.
But, sir...
Özlem, call Stain.
Yes, sir.
Don't worry.
This will be the last night of the tailor's life.
What? What's wrong? Tell me.
Are you going to trade me for something?
Are you going to demand a ransom?
Look, nobody will pay a dime for me. Just so you know.
I'm not going to trade you for anything.
What are you going to do to me? Help!
Fucking…
I'm coming.
Where were you?
-I had some things to do inside. -Okay. Move. It's cold.
What is that?
It's a gluten-free cake.
-No way! Did you make it for me? -Well. Kind of.
I wanted to try something new. Taste it.
I think it'll be delicious.
In fact, I'm sure it is. So I don't need to taste it.
Get a fork from inside and try it. It won't kill you, don't worry.
I don't have a sweet tooth.
I put a lot of effort into it. Just taste it, man!
Wow. It really is delicious.
See? I told you.
This morning, we talked about how everything changes,
so I decided to try something gluten-free.
I'll have at least one regular customer, that's for sure.
Slow down, you're going to choke.
It seems I didn't know what I was missing. What did you put in this?
A good chef never reveals her secret.
But if you think about helping me at the bakery, maybe I'll tell you.
You need a drink.
Let's make some tea. Where's your teapot?
It's inside.
Hey, Dilara! Wait!
I'll get it.
-All right. -It's a real mess in there.
Okay, but why are you yelling? How big of a mess can it be?
As big of a mess as my life.
This really is delicious, by the way. It's great.
Enjoy it.
Wait!
You're all in a tizzy, just for this.
Okay. That's it.
Why are you fighting with the carboy because of this?
I've always had to fight to get what I wanted in life.
I don't know any other way.
Then we need to teach you that there are ways other than fighting.
But I'm a slow learner. It might take a while.
Do we have that much time?
As long as you want to learn, no problem.
We're all here anyway.
Adem?
Sorry.
Were you expecting someone? I'm sorry.
-Hello, I just... -Dilara!
I'm Dilara, by the way.
I just brought a cake.
Enjoy it. See you later.
-Good evening. -Dilara.
Dilara, wait.
I'm sorry. I think I interrupted you.
How can I help you?
-Well, I am... I was looking for Adem. -I'm Adem. How can I help you?
You are not Adem.
These are the letters he wrote to the family he abandoned,
and this photo is of his wife and son.
And this photo is their baby.
I'm not this baby.
I'm not Adem Yılmaz.
You can't even imagine how hard it is to live another person's life,
but I had no choice other than to take his place.
It was the only way to get away from the men after me. I mean Servet.
That's the whole story.
It's good to finally be able to tell someone all this.
What about Adem?
-What happened to him? -Adem?
Adem is fine.
I helped him go abroad.
Okay, but
why didn't he let me know?
He probably didn't want to get you into any trouble.
Maybe.
-Did you know Adem for a long time? -No. We had just met.
We were both searching for our pasts.
But with a little difference. He was braver than me.
I was running away from mine, and he was chasing after his.
And he finally found it.
But I had to live his life.
Since Adem disappeared,
I always thought he had been killed.
I prepared myself for the worst.
Hearing all this now,
I thought that would make me feel a little bit better, but I don't.
I guess I won't feel relieved until I see him.
Adem has never been better.
He might be writing letters like his father did.
Writing, but not being able to send them.
Maybe he will show up out of the blue one day.
I hope it doesn't take that long.
Let's leave him to decide when he'll come back.
-Because if you can find him then... -I know.
I know, the people who are after him can find him too.
But if you do happen to hear from him, give me a call.
Sure.
By the way, you're the only person who knows I'm not Adem.
Are you gonna tell anyone?
Look, I don't know you. I don't have to trust you or believe you.
But no matter who you are, everyone deserves a second chance.
I hope you make good use of this chance.
By the way,
here are the letters that Adem's father wrote.
You can take them if you want.
No.
You keep them.
See you.
Besides,
you better read them.
After all, they belong to you,
Adem Yılmaz.
Aslı.
How did it go?
What?
Is he really Adem?
Yes, he is.
Thanks for letting me know.
Thank you very much.
Give me your wallet.
Why?
Give me your wallet.
So this is your unwritten poem, huh?
What?
The woman you love. Is this her?
Don't worry, I won't hurt her.
Yes, she is my girlfriend.
You said you had a family and kids. That was all a lie, right?
I lied.
Why do we lie so much?
Everything starts with a single lie. Then it just doesn't stop.
It gets bigger and bigger.
Then we end up drowning in that sea of lies. We just can't breathe.
But from now on, I want to breathe.
So you're free to go. You can go. Here. There's clean clothes for you too.
What? You're going to just let me go?
Everyone deserves a second chance.
If I deserve one, then you most definitely do.
What if I tell everyone that I found Shadow?
What do you want me to do? I have to trust that you won't.
I either trust you,
or I kill you right here.
Which one would you choose?
I would choose to trust too. Trust.
I won't tell a soul. I swear.
Okay.
I'm going now.
If you're still here when I come back,
you can't even imagine what I will do to you. Deal?
Adem!
You really have changed.
You're not Shadow anymore. You're Adem now.
Adem Yılmaz, huh?
Nobody would believe me even if I told them,
but these photos will come in handy.
Subtitle translation by: Faruk Berk