I found that the film Turtles Can Fly stayed with me long after i had finished watching it. The content of the film certainly burned an impression into my mind. It is hard to believe that while we are living our lives peacefully and sheltered in a free nation, that things as cruel as what we witnessed in the film could take place worlds away. The story of Argin is truly heartbreaking and disturbing. At such a young age, her parents were murdered, she was raped and impregnated, and forced to find work and care for the unwanted child. Argin and her brother struggle everyday as refugees. Every time the camera panned to Argin's face, it was clear the ghosts of her past weighed heavy on her mind. Her thoughts of suicide throughout the film were not without reason. The young girls life is filled with tragedy and misfortune, and she could not find a reason or a will to want to live. To have to carry such a heavy burned at that age would be too much to bare.
I found her brother to be an amazing character. Despite having lost his family, and both arms his heart seemed to be in all the right places. As argin struggles to accept and like the child that was a product of rape, her brother shows compassion and maturity in trying to do what is right. It is evident he truly cares for the child, and i found this to be moving. The end of the film was the most heartbreaking part in my opinion. Argin's inner turmoil over wanting to leave the child while she and her brother run away ends in her killing the child and then committing suicide. It was devastating to me that at her young age she has already had enough of life, and felt that the only way to seek release was to end her own. This film was truly gripping, and I will definitely remember it for the rest of my life.
I agree with your take on Agrin's brother. He definitely held their small family in balance by valuing life over death. The care he had for the little blind boy also offset the apathy and disgust that Agrin held towards him. I found myself having an emotional connection with this family just like you. I dont even want to think about the reaction the brother had to discovering the murder of his nephew and the suicide of his sister. Agrin was truly the face of the injustices caused by war.
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that this movie will stick with me for quite some time. I was really shocked to find out that Agrin was raped, but at that same time angered by her suicide. I cannot imagine being that age and feeling like there is nothing left to live for let alone even understanding the concept of suicide. Her brother truly was the saving grace of the film, I agree that is was very moving to see this young boy who has truly lost everything act so nurturing towards the little boy who serves as a constant reminder of their past.