Turtles Can Fly

The story unfolds in a Kurdish refugee camp located on the Iraq–Turkey border, just before the US invasion of Iraq. At the heart of the narrative is a thirteen-year-old boy, Soran Ebrahim, who is affectionately called Kak Satellite. Known for his skill in installing satellite dishes and antennas for local villages eager for updates about Saddam Hussein, Kak Satellite’s limited grasp of the English language stems from his interactions with the American forces during their invasion. He stands out as a dynamic yet manipulative leader among the children, orchestrating the perilous task of sweeping and clearing minefields. Despite many of these youngsters suffering various injuries, they maintain a spirited chatter as they devote themselves to their work amidst their challenging lives.

Kak Satellite is not just a leader; he is resourceful in trading undetonated mines. His feelings deepen for Agrin, a girl from Halabja who has recently joined the camp and is confronting her own demons. Agrin, often somber and lost in her thoughts, travels with her disabled brother Hengov, who bears the burden of his clairvoyant abilities that have marred his reputation. They care for a blind toddler named Riga, whom they consider their “little brother.” The backstory of Agrin is harrowing; she gave birth to Riga following a tragic incident with Ba’ath soldiers, which involved gang rape and violent attempts to drown her and her brother. Unfortunately, Agrin perpetually sees Riga as a reminder of her trauma, unable to view him without feeling tainted by her brutal past.

In her desperate struggle, Agrin attempts to abandon the child and even contemplates suicide on several occasions, including a failed attempt to burn herself in a nearby lake. Her anguish leads her to tie Riga to a tree to rid herself of the burden. However, the situation worsens when he wanders into a minefield. During a harrowing rescue attempt, Kak Satellite is injured by an explosive. After numerous desperate tries, Agrin ties Riga to a rock and tragically throws him into the lake before choosing to end her own life by jumping off a cliff.

In a heartbreaking twist, Hengov perceives a vision of their loved ones in peril and rushes out of their tent, only to arrive too late to save them. He ultimately discovers his nephew’s body at the lake’s bottom but is powerless to free him due to his disability. In a moment of deep sorrow, Hengov mourns on the cliff where Agrin made her fateful jump. Meanwhile, a severely injured Kak Satellite watches as the American soldiers pass by, their earlier charm and hope has vanished, leaving him disillusioned by the intervention.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 20:16