Yurt

I found this film to be exceptionally well-made. From the actors to the scenes, everything evoked a sense of nostalgia. The realism was top-notch. In my opinion, it beautifully portrayed the struggles of a child torn between Kemalism and Islam. It captured the essence of being caught in the middle, feeling trapped, with remarkable accuracy. These aspects were all very valuable. I was particularly struck by the line, "Who is greater, Allah or Atatürk?" I believe it was a significant statement.

Moreover, the film sheds light on the intense impact of religion and nationalism on children in Turkey, often unnoticed by society. This depiction of children feeling trapped between these powerful forces makes it a crucial piece of work. I hope it reaches a wide audience and that everyone has the chance to see it.

If you only knew how sorry I feel for our children who experienced this and similar things. Unfortunately, things like this can still happen. Children who are sent to such dormitories for a purpose without even consulting their children may face many psychological problems throughout their lives. They always filter the events they experience through a religious filter and forget who they are. They lose their own character because they constantly shape their perspectives according to the moral values imposed on them. As someone who has many friends around him, like our main character Ahmet, and who has talked to people who have experienced such things many times, I was amazed. The director touched on the sensitive points so correctly that I felt like I had experienced these things. An incredible expression, so emotional. In my opinion, every viewer can find something from themselves in this movie... Congrats all the actors, especially precious director Nehir Tuna.

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!

Dormitory offers a compelling portrayal of a politically chaotic era, seen through the eyes of a young boy navigating his early teenage years. The film's intricate details stood out to me, particularly the metaphor of the rat, symbolizing the ego, and how it subtly intertwines with the narrative. I also admired the way rituals were adapted into the storyline, enriching the plot with cultural and symbolic depth. The casting was well-thought-out, with actors delivering performances that brought authenticity to the characters. The music was another highlight, complementing the film's atmosphere and emotional tone. The use of a black-and-white aesthetic, which transitions to color during a pivotal moment, was not only visually striking but also symbolically powerful, marking a shift in the protagonist's inner world. Overall, Dormitory encapsulates the shared struggles of boys growing up under the heavy weight of familial and societal expectations in a deeply religious community, making it a poignant and universally relatable story.

"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.