Turtles Can Fly

About This Movie

Turtles Can Fly, directed by Bahman Ghobadi, presents a raw and haunting look at childhood amidst war. Set near the Turkey-Iraq border, the film captures the resilience of kids who clean up landmines and await a new dawn with the fall of the Saddam regime. The performances are strikingly authentic; the young actors bring a weight and depth that’s hard to shake off. Ghobadi’s pacing is deliberate, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and a sense of inevitable change. The practical effects serve the narrative well, grounding it in a harsh reality. It’s a film that lingers, not just for its story, but for how it portrays innocence in the face of brutality.

Subtitled, focus on childhood experiences in wartimeThemes of innocence and survival in harsh conditionsRealistic performances from young, non-professional actors