Time of Departure

Nobody will be able to make us do what we don’t want any more

Rebelling against family tradition, the powerful mother Cennet flees with her daughters to Istanbul and protects them in a fierce family struggle, as they go in search of their dreams in the big city.

Life has been hard on Cennet, forced to migrate and then pushed by her father into an arranged marriage as Cemal’s second wife. A strong woman in a world dominated by men, she must flee with her daughters from Mardin in southeast Turkey to Istanbul and protect them in a fierce family battle.

The arrival of Cennet in Cemal’s family home upsets his first wife Hanım, but she accepts the situation as she cannot have children. While he begins to fall in love with the beautiful Cennet, he is unable to leave his first wife because of her wealth.

Hanım is jealous of Cennet, who flourishes thanks to her talent as a carpet weaver. She makes her life a misery and manipulates Cemal against her. When Cennet gives birth to twins, Hanım takes the boy for herself, leaving just the baby girl to Cennet.

Cennet’s suffering grows with the birth of a boy Yemin, who is again snatched away by Hanım. He grows up unaware that Cennet is his real mother. Her misery is only eased by the birth of three daughters: Zümrüt, Kiraz and Güneş.

The cruelty which Cennet must endure becomes too much when she witnesses the treatment of Zümrüt, whom she wants to study in Istanbul. When she reaches her mid-twenties, Cemal gives her away in marriage to landowner Faysal in order to pay off his debts.

Deciding enough is enough, Cennet rebels against family tradition and decides to take her daughters away. Rescuing Zümrüt from her arranged marriage amid a huge family fight, she flees with her daughters to Istanbul. They discover that life in the big city is full of difficulties.

Believing she has brought disgrace on the family, Cemal, Hanım and Yemin go in search of Cennet and her daughters. Cennet finds a place stay in a hotel in Istanbul, but their plight worsens when it is raided by the vice squad and they end up in a police station.

But Cennet has more to worry about, with Yemin determined that she should die in an honor killing for taking her daughters away. Somehow, she must overcome his threats and prove that she is his mother.

Cennet’s only hope of salvation is the wealthy businessman Yılmaz, who is one of the longest-standing customers for her carpets. Trapped in an unhappy marriage with his jealous wife Sevgi, he opens the doors of his mansion to Cennet and her daughters.

Facing hostility from their own family and the hazards of life in Istanbul, Cennet must prove herself as their protective mother. As the children go in search of their dreams and romance, she must also be there to support them as they cope with the challenges that city life brings.