A Turkish queen is asked to give up her beauty in return for the life of her sister. She accepts this price. Later, while on a trip to the city, the queen and her sister meet a talented and handsome painter named Ferhad. Dazzled by Ferhad's looks and hoping to win his affections, the queen appoints him to be the chief artist at her palace.
Ferhad however, falls madly in love with Sirin, the queen's sister. The queen is torn by her love for Ferhad and her jealousy towards her sibling. Alone in her madness, she considers: "Did I do well in forsaking my beauty?"
The persistence of this question gives rise to another: "Do I love my sister?" And then, "Have I ever loved anyone?"
In a rage, the queen orders Ferhad and Sirin to be captured by the palace guards. Both of them undergo torture. Agonized and on the verge of delirium, the queen makes an offer to Ferhad, "The city needs water, for the water in our wells is poisonous. If you want Sirin, go and drill a tunnel in Demirdagi, and bring water to our people."
Ferhad accepts. He toils for 11 years. One day Sirin comes to Demirdagi and says: "The queen has shown mercy. You may stop working, return to the city, and marry me." Ferhad hesitates. Then he declines. He tells her that he wants the city to have fresh water before anything else.
Sirin asks, "Is the city more important than me?"
To which Ferhad replies,
Ferhad however, falls madly in love with Sirin, the queen's sister. The queen is torn by her love for Ferhad and her jealousy towards her sibling. Alone in her madness, she considers: "Did I do well in forsaking my beauty?"
The persistence of this question gives rise to another: "Do I love my sister?" And then, "Have I ever loved anyone?"
In a rage, the queen orders Ferhad and Sirin to be captured by the palace guards. Both of them undergo torture. Agonized and on the verge of delirium, the queen makes an offer to Ferhad, "The city needs water, for the water in our wells is poisonous. If you want Sirin, go and drill a tunnel in Demirdagi, and bring water to our people."
Ferhad accepts. He toils for 11 years. One day Sirin comes to Demirdagi and says: "The queen has shown mercy. You may stop working, return to the city, and marry me." Ferhad hesitates. Then he declines. He tells her that he wants the city to have fresh water before anything else.
Sirin asks, "Is the city more important than me?"
To which Ferhad replies,
- "You are part of the city."