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| Turtles Can Fly |
Turtles Can Fly movie review
Iraqi-Kurdish cinema
Brief Movie Story of Turtles Can Fly
Setting and Context
The film “Turtles Can Fly” is set in a Kurdish refugee camp near the Iraqi-Turkish border on the eve of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. It portrays the lives of children who are refugees, grappling with the harsh realities of war and survival.
Main Characters
The story revolves around thirteen-year-old Soran, known as Kak Satellite, who is a resourceful leader among the children. He installs satellite dishes to help villagers stay informed about the impending war. Other key characters include Agrin, a sorrowful girl burdened by her traumatic past; her disabled brother Hengov, who possesses clairvoyant abilities; and a blind toddler named Riga, whom Agrin struggles to care for.
Plot Overview
As tensions rise with the approach of American forces, Kak Satellite organizes efforts to clear landmines for trade. He develops feelings for Agrin while trying to support her and her brother Hengov. The film delves into themes of innocence lost amid violence, as Agrin’s tragic backstory unfolds—she gave birth to Riga after being raped by soldiers during an attack.
Throughout the narrative, Agrin battles her demons and contemplates suicide due to her inability to accept Riga as anything but a reminder of her trauma. The climax occurs when she ultimately ties Riga to a rock and throws him into a lake before taking her own life by jumping off a cliff.
In the aftermath, Hengov experiences visions that foreshadow tragedy but is unable to save his family from their fates. The film concludes with Kak Satellite witnessing the arrival of American soldiers but feeling disillusioned about their intervention.
Themes and Messages
“Turtles Can Fly” explores deep humanistic themes such as loss, despair, and the impact of war on innocent lives. It critiques both Saddam Hussein’s regime and Western intervention while highlighting the resilience of children caught in conflict.
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