Yurt

The movie makes us watch the panorama of Türkiye in the 90s. This panorama is so narrow, so cramped that it looks like it is inside a dormitory. Ahmet and Hakan are stuck like each of us, looking for freedom. There were parts where I watched with bated breath. Spoiler: The only part I couldn't understand was what was Ahmet's father's motivation for a radical change? Would it make a big difference if the movie showed us this? I don't think so. Definitely a must watch. The movie Yurt reminded me of this quote. "Yours is not despair, it's boredom. Everyone alive has hope." Everyone alive has hope. No matter what our choices are. Just like the action of running away, which Ahmet sees as a last resort.

Dormitory The film radiates corners, longing and monochromatic volumes. It is a heart where the blooming childhood enters in the forest of demarcations. The picturesque of black and white creates an enigmatic frame of emotions. It fleshes the character into the nuances of humanity of the bygone era and question about it. Promising frames, detailed costumes, classic editing, layered actors. The child Ahmets vulnerability, innocence and understanding goes through the tones of revolution. The film showcases an individual revelation of Godhood, companionship, parental relationships and openings of love.

"Yurt" is one of the most quietly disturbing films I've seen in recent Turkish cinema.

It doesn't shout, it doesn't accuse - it simply watches.

What we see: a religious dormitory, modeled after the real-life.

What we feel: a subtle, almost invisible tension - the pressure to conform, to shrink, to obey.

The film never overstates its message. It trusts its audience.

It trusts us to recognize that these "disciplined" environments are actually machines - not for education, but for ideological shaping.

The scariest part? The best child is the one who speaks the least.

Yurt doesn't judge its characters, but it quietly exposes the system.

And that's what makes it powerful cinema.

This is a film that doesn't just disturb - it lingers.

The story takes place in 1996 in Turkey, but the film is also a reflection on Turkey today, a very divided country, although the power dynamics has changed a lot.

The film fits many categories: a family drama, a story of class and religious struggle, a love story, and maybe most importantly a coming of age story.

The director was probably influenced by many films, one of them may have been Truffaut's 400 blows.

The relationship between Ahmet and Hakan is complex, beautiful and tormented. Contemporary films from Turkey are not afraid of addressing queer feelings and homophobia (Not knowing, Burning Days, and Black Night -Karanlik Gece-), and Yurt is a powerful contribution to this praise of sexual freedom.

The actors give an impressive performance and the photography is stunning. A real treat!

Yurt is truly an impressive and thought-provoking piece. It masterfully narrates a child's struggle to find themselves within the constraints imposed by society. Nehir Tuna's direction, atmosphere, and storytelling are highly successful.

In particular, the scenes reflecting Ahmet's inner world deeply affected me. On one hand, he is caught between his father's and society's expectations, and on the other, he begins to question the rules after meeting a freer character like Hakan. This internal conflict is portrayed very realistically. The anxiety, helplessness, and curiosity in Ahmet's eyes were palpable in every scene.

The film's way of depicting the environment of the dormitory, the pressure, and how individuality is disregarded was quite striking. The dark and oppressive tones perfectly matched the story's atmosphere. In some scenes, I truly felt as if I were inside that environment.

Additionally, the film subtly weaves in elements of the political atmosphere of the era. Details like Sevinç's use of the word "Aczmendi" remind viewers of 1990s Turkey and its conservative structure. These elements are integrated into the narrative in a natural flow, without being overly blatant.

While watching this film, I couldn't help but put myself in Ahmet's shoes. His internal conflict, the obligation to conform, and the burgeoning desire for freedom all felt incredibly familiar to me.

Ahmet's growth in an environment trying to box him in-caught between the desire to belong and the need to be free-reminded me exactly of my own experiences. That silence, the waiting to be understood without saying anything, questioning whether he is doing the "right" thing with every move he makes...

I was reminded that courage is contagious, but it also comes with a cost. In the final scenes, Ahmet's eyes perhaps showed for the first time that he truly understood things. At that moment, Ahmet was no longer present; I was.

Hakan's fate and Ahmet's inner journey seem to be left for the audience's interpretation. For some, this might appear as an unresolved ending, yet I believe it makes the message the film aims to convey even stronger.

In conclusion, Yurt is not just a coming-of-age story, but a film that questions the impact of society on the individual. It is definitely one of those productions that should be watched.