ANALYSIS THE AYLA FILM

 

 *Name of the Film: Ayla: The Daughter of War  

*Year of Release: 2017  

*Director: Can Ulkay  

*Genre: War Drama, Historical, Biographical  

*Star: smail Hacıoğlu, Kim Seol, Ali Atay, Murat Yıldırım  

*Characters:The film centers around Süleyman Dilbirliği, a Turkish sergeant, and a five-year-old Korean girl, Ayla, whom he rescues during the Korean War. Their bond, forged in the chaos of war, becomes the emotional core of the story.

*Expectations: As Turkey’s official submission for the 90th Academy Awards and a major festival favorite, expectations were high for Ayla. Audiences anticipated a deeply emotional, historically resonant film exploring humanity amidst conflict.

*Acting Performances: İsmail Hacıoğlu delivers a powerful and heartfelt performance as Sgt. Süleyman, portraying vulnerability, warmth, and strength with authenticity. Kim Seol, as the young Ayla, is incredibly expressive, conveying innocence and attachment even in silence. Their chemistry makes the central relationship incredibly moving.

*Direction:Can Ulkay directs the film with a sensitive touch, balancing the brutality of war with the tender humanity at its core. He avoids excessive melodrama and instead lets the story’s natural emotional weight speak for itself. His direction emphasizes both the tragic backdrop and the intimate bond between man and child.

*Story: Based on true events, the film narrates how a Turkish soldier unofficially adopts a young Korean girl separated from her family during the Korean War. Their father-daughter bond develops through war, bureaucracy, and ultimately separation. The film spans decades, emphasizing hope, loss, and reunion.

*Genre and Iconography: As a historical war drama, Ayla follows genre conventions such as battle scenes, military codes, emotional hardship, and post-war trauma. Iconography includes military uniforms, war-torn landscapes, and period-specific set design, reinforcing the realism of the early 1950s.

*Mise-en-Scène: The mise-en-scène effectively transports viewers to the Korean War front and 1950s Turkey. The contrasting settings—harsh battlefield, warm military camp, and cold bureaucratic offices—visually support the emotional journey of the characters.

*Cinematography: The cinematography by Martin Szecsanov captures both the vastness of war zones and the intimacy of personal moments. Soft lighting and warm palettes are used for moments of connection, while harsher tones emphasize the war’s brutality.

*Lighting and Sound: Lighting reflects emotional shifts—dim and cold during battles or separation, bright and golden during scenes of bonding. The sound design enhances realism, with immersive battle sounds, emotional scores, and moments of quiet that underscore the central relationship.

*Editing: The film's pacing is well-crafted, balancing quieter character-driven scenes with intense war sequences. Flashbacks and time jumps are smoothly handled, keeping the narrative coherent and emotionally impactful.

*Realism: Though emotional, the film remains grounded in its historical roots. The attention to military detail, language barriers, and post-war consequences adds authenticity. Its realism is heightened by the fact that the story is based on true events.

*Signs and Codes: The film uses powerful signs—Ayla’s doll, Süleyman’s uniform, and official documents—to convey deeper meanings such as loss, hope, and identity. The bond between the characters symbolizes universal compassion that transcends language and nationality.

Ayla stands as a poignant tribute to unlikely love born in war, with strong performances and a heartfelt story that resonates long after the credits roll.