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Turtles Can Fly Details

2004 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 992 members

The first feature film to emerge from Iraq after the American-led take-down of Saddam Hussein, Bhaman Ghobadi's TURTLES CAN FLY is a profoundly moving reminder that war spares nobody not even a child in its horrid wake. Between the borders of Iran and Turkey, the residents of an Iraqi Kurdistan village wait anxiously for the .. Read more

Starring Avaz Latif, Soran Ebrahim, Hirsh Feyssal
Director Bahman Ghobadi
Genres Drama, World Cinema

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Turtles Can Fly

The first feature film to emerge from Iraq after the American-led take-down of Saddam Hussein, Bhaman Ghobadi's TURTLES CAN FLY is a profoundly moving reminder that war spares nobody not even a child in its horrid wake. Between the borders of Iran and Turkey, the residents of an Iraqi Kurdistan village wait anxiously for the violent arrival of the United States military. Satellite (Soran Ebrahim) is an ambitious adolescent who organizes the clearing of minefields and helps to install equipment that brings news from the outside world to his sheltered community. Meanwhile, three orphans are wandering aimlessly. Agrin (Avaz Latif) is intent on ditching the helpless three-year-old that she and her armless brother Henkov (Hirsh Feyssal) have been caring for. Henkov has the gift of premonition, yet unfortunately all of his visions point towards a tragic end. As the planes arrive and Saddam is removed from power once and for all, these innocent children must still confront the bleak reality that awaits them.

Starring Avaz Latif, Soran Ebrahim, Hirsh Feyssal
Director Bahman Ghobadi
Studio DRAKES AVENUE
Run time DVD: 1 hr 35 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama, World Cinema
Language DVD: Iranian, Iraqi
Released DVD: 20 Sep 2005
Production year: 2004
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews of Turtles Can Fly

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    Set in a camp on the Iraqi-Turkish border shortly before coalition forces launched their attack on Saddam Hussein, Bahman Ghobadi's hellish drama makes an unlikely vehicle for absurdist comedy. But it's impossible not to be amused by Kurdish teenager Soran Ebrahim's wheeler-dealing or his liberal translations for the anxious elders of various US satellite news broadcasts. Similarly, the plight of the countless orphans who survive by collecting landmines and the despair of demure refugee Avaz Latif (whose post-rape mental scars contrast with the physical deformities of Ebrahim's artful dodgers) bring home the reality of childhoods shattered by tyranny and conflict. Unflinchingly truthful and heart-rendingly tragic.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Turtles Can Fly

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  • 16 out of 20 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 0 stars

    Something wrong with me?

    There obviously must be something wrong with me as I see the average rating for this film is 3 and a half, however I could not stand to watch anymore than about 20 minutes of it.

    It just seemed to entail a lot of children shouting at each other.

    Perhaps I should have persevered.

      • susiesu from Bicester
      • Posted 11 Oct 2007 12:33

  • Most recent members' review of Turtles Can Fly

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    A film the world should be made to see

    A film that gives a different perspective on the effects of war and poverty. Not 'educational' nor propagandist. Just a sad beautiful film.

      • A customer from Bath, England.
      • Posted 29 Dec 2006 22:39

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Rating breakdown

992 Member ratings
  • 100
169
  • 90
117
  • 80
221
  • 70
173
  • 60
123
  • 50
73
  • 40
53
  • 30
24
  • 20
26
  • 10
13

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      • The first feature film to emerge from Iraq after the American-led take-down of Saddam Hussein, Bhaman Ghobadi's TURTLES CAN FLY is a profoundly moving reminder that war spares nobody not even a child ...