Dormitory

Twelve-year-old Ahmet is devastated when his newly religious father sends him to an Islamic dormitory, a Yurt, to learn Muslim values. Recently converted, his father sees it as the righteous path for his son, and an opportunity for self-redemption. For Ahmet, it's a nightmare. In 1997, the political polarization in Turkey makes for a charged atmosphere, with tensions between religious and secular Turks increasingly present. Devout Muslim are ostracized, and religious dormitories, "Yurt"s, are regularly raided by soldiers. Ahmet works hard to be the "perfect son" but it isn't easy. He has trouble fitting in with rough kids at the Yurt, and feels isolated in his day secular school, where he hides his new home from his classmates. His only solace is a new friend Hakan, a street-smart kid who knows how to work the Yurt system. Together they dream of being older and making their own decisions. Their friendship emboldens Ahmet, who becomes a target for the ire of Yakup Hodja, the dormitory manager. Hodja resents Ahmet's family wealth, and believes his father has bought his way into the religious leaders' good graces. His cruel treatment of Ahmet escalates until Ahmet's father is forced to take action; Hodja is transferred. Only then, Ahmet recognizes he will never meet his father's expectations. He decides to escape; together with Hakan, they steal a car and run away. What begins as the best day of their lives soon turns dangerous, and Ahmet is faced with a choice. Though neither his previous life nor the oppressive nature of the Yurt feel like home, he has to decide where he belongs.—yusufpiskin