Turtles Can Fly

The story begins in a Kurdish refugee camp located on the Iraq–Turkey border, a place bustling with life just before the US invasion of Iraq. This backdrop highlights the tension and uncertainty facing the refugees as they navigate their precarious existence.

Thirteen-year-old Soran Ebrahim is introduced as Kak Satellite, a nickname earned for his skills in installing satellite dishes. He becomes a central figure in the camp, eagerly connecting local villages to news updates about Saddam Hussein.

Kak Satellite emerges as a dynamic yet manipulative leader among the local children. His leadership is showcased in their dangerous task of sweeping and clearing minefields, where they remain remarkably spirited amidst the risks.

Agrin, a girl from Halabja, arrives at the camp and captures Kak Satellite's attention. Her presence brings both hope and emotional turmoil as she grapples with her trauma and responsibilities for her disabled brother, Hengov.

Hengov, Agrin's disabled brother, struggles with his clairvoyant abilities that have caused shame and hardship. Their family life is further complicated by the care of a blind toddler named Riga, whom they consider family despite the painful memories he represents.

Agrin's backstory reveals a haunting past involving a violent encounter with Ba'ath soldiers, resulting in the birth of Riga. This trauma continues to overshadow her existence, as she battles feelings of anger and guilt towards the child.

In her desperation, Agrin contemplates abandoning Riga and considers taking her life as a means of escape. Her mental state deteriorates further when she attempts to drown herself in a nearby lake, highlighting her emotional turmoil.

While tied to a tree to alleviate her burden, Riga wanders into a minefield, setting the stage for a dramatic rescue. Kak Satellite bravely ventures to save him but is injured by an explosive during the chaotic attempt.

In a tragic turn of events, Agrin ties Riga to a rock and throws him into the lake as a final act of despair. She then chooses to leap off a cliff, believing it to be the only way to escape her pain.

After perceiving a foreboding vision, Hengov rushes from their tent only to find too late that both Agrin and Riga are gone. His disability renders him unable to retrieve his nephew's body from the lake, deepening his grief.

Hengov mourns on the cliff's edge, where Agrin ended her life. This moment captures the power of unresolved trauma and the weight of familial connections as he grapples with the loss.

With severe injuries and a heart filled with sorrow, Kak Satellite watches the American soldiers pass by. The hope that once accompanied their arrival is replaced by a grim realization of lost innocence and shattered dreams.

Despite the tragedies that unfold, the refugee camp continues to operate under the looming threat of danger. The resilience of the children and their pursuit for communication contrasts sharply with the violent reality surrounding them.

As the children of the camp look for ways to connect with the world outside, there remains a flicker of hope for a better future. Their resourcefulness and desire for information symbolize a deeper yearning for freedom and stability.

In the aftermath of the events, the camp is forever changed, with its inhabitants marked by both loss and survival. The story serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of war on innocent lives.