The movie explores the conflict between tradition and modern life. This film was made by a Turkish team but received financial support from France, leading to its nomination for the 88th American Academy Awards representing France after the Turkish authorities declined to submit it. The story unfolds in a rural setting and centers on five young orphaned sisters raised by their traditional grandmother and strict uncle. It examines how these girls grow up without parental guidance – highlighting the importance of that care versus other forms of supervision – and the challenges they encounter as they try to embrace modern ways while bound by inherited customs. Many viewers have drawn comparisons to 'The Virgin Suicides,' a thought I shared initially, as others do. While there are some similarities between the two films, it's clear they aren’t identical; cultural differences shape their storylines, though the core narrative remains comparable. Written and directed by a female filmmaker, the storytelling is strong and sheds light on issues concerning women, particularly how intrusive people can impact lives. The film begins with the sisters being disciplined by their grandmother after a neighbor reported them playing on the beach with boys. Following this incident, their happiness diminishes as increasingly strict rules are imposed upon them. Eventually, each sister is compelled into arranged marriages. The youngest, however, is the most defiant and plans to resist, driving the remainder of the story and revealing what becomes of her sisters. > "I don't care about the match, I want to get the hell out." While Turkey often identifies more with Europe than the Middle East despite being a Muslim nation, this film confronts domestic abuse justified by culture and religion among younger generations. There’s an emerging global trend among young people – a desire for freedom from age-old rules, which is increasingly at odds with established traditions. In today's technologically advanced world, those older customs feel outdated, and Islam faces difficulties adapting to the future. From this perspective, the film tells a compelling and insightful story. I’ve heard Turkish viewers question the film’s accuracy, and I acknowledge that they have more direct experience than I do. However, my point is that every nation experiences cultural struggles or revolutions of some kind, particularly in isolated communities where conservative elders maintain control. Despite Turkey's relative progress among Muslim countries, gender equality remains a problem within more traditional families – a situation mirrored across nations and religions undergoing change. I’ve seen numerous Turkish films, but this one stands out for its examination of the positive and negative consequences of old customs and whether they are truly necessary in modern times. I'm not religious myself and respect those who are, but my perspective might upset some viewers. The older generation should allow young people to make choices – with appropriate guidance – rather than forcing them to adhere to practices that have been followed for decades or even centuries. The film certainly deserved its Academy Award nomination, although it didn't win, which is fine because another film was more deserving. This director has a bright future ahead of her and could be the next Sofia Coppola. I hope she undertakes an international project soon. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, I recommend giving it a try; it effectively illustrates the tension between past, present, and future—the pains of what came before, current struggles, and plans for what is to come. 7/10

Source on TMDB