EPISODE 3
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PROLOGUE
FADE IN:
INT. BIG ROOM IN ILMI’S FAMILY HOUSE – BEFORE SUNRISE
Ilmi wakes up in the morning hearing voices under the window.
UNUS (O.S.)
At dawn, Young Shepherd came from the Far Pasture in the Distant Valley. I’m leaving for the square. All the men are gathering there. Young Shepherd brought bad news . . .
A leopard appeared and took two sheep. We need to stop this.
Mariam went to help Fatiha. She will come back to make breakfast – tell her I will be back soon, so she doesn’t worry. Ilmi hears the sound of footsteps leaving. He quickly jumps up and runs out into the yard.
EXT. YARD BY ILMI’S FAMILY HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Ilmi overtakes Unus near the gate. He greets Unus with concern.
ILMI
Dad, take me to the square!
Unus stops and looks at Ilmi in surprise.
UNUS
How do you know where I’m going?
ILMI
Sorry . . . I overheard through the window.
Unus looks at him thoughtfully and nods.
UNUS
Well, let’s go!
EXT. VILLAGE STREET – SUNRISE
Unus and Ilmi are walking along the road.
/The village is very big. It is located along the foot of the Mountain and stretches like a thin
ribbon. On one end of the village the Mountain begins, and on the other end are the orchards.
The village square is in the center of the village. Ilmi’s family house is located on the
outskirts, so to get to the square takes some time./
Unus walks very quickly and Ilmi runs to keep up. Both are silent.
The sun rises, Unus smiles and points it out to Ilmi. Both stop to look at it and then quickly
continue to the square.
EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE – EARLY MORNING
All the men of the village gather in the square. In the middle stands a scared Young Shepherd. For the umpteenth time, he tells what happened in the night. Some men are hotly discussing his story. The rest are silent, looking around guardedly.
Unus and Ilmi approach the crowd of men. When they see Unus with Ilmi, the men fall silent and respectfully greet Unus. Unus greets everyone. Ilmi follows. Young Shepherd hurries to Unus.
UNUS
Tell me what happened.
YOUNG SHEPHERD
It was so scary! It was elusive, like a shadow! I saw him from afar . . . Like a ghost: he is and he’s not . . . He appeared quietly and just as quietly disappeared! He took the best sheep. We could not do anything!
The voice of Young Shepherd trembles with tension and excitement, his hands are shaking.
Unus and Ilmi listen to him attentively. Unus frowns and crosses his arms over his chest.
ILMI’S MEMORIES: CLIFF OF THE MOUNTAIN – NOON
Silver Leopard stares back at Ilmi for a long time. Then he sits closer and licks Ilmi’s nose. Ilmi laughs.
ILMI
Oh, thank you! But your tongue is a little rough . . .
Ilmi hugs the neck of Silver Leopard with his arms and drops his face into his fur. He again looks at Silver Leopard.
ILMI
In your eyes, there is so much strength, but there is also sadness. Why?
You live in such a wonderful place. Why is there sadness in your eyes?
Where are the other Silver Leopards? Where is Kitten’s Mom?
Kitten jumps up and licks the face of Silver Leopard then Ilmi’s. They sit again and look out over
the land.
HIGH WIDE: the Mountain, the river, the road, the orchard, the sky, White Eagle in the sky.
PRESENT TIME: EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE – EARLY MORNING
UNUS
How many sheep did the leopard take?
Young Shepherd begins to tremble again.
YOUNG SHEPHERD
The first one was at midnight. Then the second one was in the morning.
(pause)
He came so silently. So quiet!
We couldn’t do anything! I felt helpless. I’m afraid that he will return. Young Shepherd begins to get more and more agitated. Unus puts his hand on his shoulder.
UNUS
I understand.
(pause)
Today we need to go to the Far Pasture in the Distant Valley. We need nine men. They need to be able to move quickly on the Mountain paths and be very good with a weapon. The men begin to make noise. Voices are heard from the crowd.
MEN FROM THE CROWD (O.S.)
Let’s all go! Let’s show him! Once and for all we shall put an end to it! This is a dark force! Only grief and misfortune can come from him! We need to kill him!
Unus raises his hand. Everyone is silent.
UNUS
We need those who can leave their home until we find the leopard. You know who we are talking
about.
(pause)
Yes, some consider it a dark force, some an evil spirit of the Mountain. I believe that this is not an evil spirit, but a strong opponent. We will show that we also have power and we will protect what belongs to us.
(pause)
If the leopard understands this, he will leave. If not, we will have to kill him. Unus smiling, turns to Young Shepherd.
UNUS
It is believed that if you are alive after meeting him, then you have a special power! Don’t be afraid anymore. Everything will be good!
Young Shepherd smiles and proudly raises his head. Ilmi stands next to his father and closely watches everything that is happening.
CLOSE ON: Ilmi whispers.
ILMI
He can understand! He will just leave. He just needs to know everything!
Unus leans toward him.
UNUS
Did you say something, son?
Ilmi wants to answer, but the men start to make noise. Unus raises his hand and again everyone stops talking and listens to him.
UNUS
I know that each of us has a home, wives, and children. I’m going. We need nine more men.
There is a long silence. Then men gradually begin to approach Unus. They slap Unus on the shoulder and stand next to him. Unus turns to them, puts his hand on his heart, and greets everyone.
END OF PROLOGUE
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ACT ONE
Will be soon