Children of the Soil (Film)

Children of the Soil is a Turkish drama film released on September 14, 2012, directed by Ali Adnan Özgür and written by Dilşah Özdinç. Produced by Erkan Can, Tamer Çiçek, and Tolga Karaçelik, the film examines the historical context of the Village Institutes and the social, cultural, and political transformations shaped through these institutions.

Children of the Soil Film Trailer (YouTube/Box Office Türkiye)

Plot

The film focuses on the final years of the Village Institutes in Turkey during the 1940s. The story begins with the rescue of a young girl named Karika, who escapes a raid on a Romani encampment and is saved by Cevher, a student at the institute. With the support of İsmail Hakkı, Cevher secures shelter for Karika at the institute. However, Karika’s admission to the institute provokes backlash from the local villagers and generates pressure on the institution.

Commander Necip, representing the military authority in the region, has long been opposed to the institute. Exploiting these events, he launches a raid and arrests the school’s principal, Teacher Kemal. During this period, the students are occupied with preparations for the planned amphitheater when they learn of their principal’s arrest.

The film unfolds against the backdrop of historical developments in postwar Türkiye, including the transition to a multi-party system, the removal of İsmail Hakkı Tonguç from his position, and the resignation of Hasan Âli Yücel. Social themes such as Romani identity, social exclusion, and child marriage are explored through the characters. Aybike, one of the characters, is a thirteen-year-old Tatar girl who has been married and forms a deep personal bond with Kerim, a connection that deepens through her experience at the institute.

Themes and Historical Context

The film examines, within a historical framework, how the Village Institutes—established as part of early Republic of Türkiye’s educational policies—were designed to promote rural development and social transformation, and the obstacles they encountered. The political climate of the era, the impact of World War II, and rising ideological tensions—such as Turanist movements and accusations of communism—targeted the institutes’ independent structure.

The character of İsmail Hakkı Tonguç in the film represents the ideological foundation of the system as the Director General of Primary Education, while Teacher Kemal emerges as the figure implementing this ideal at the local level.

Scene from Children of the Soil (IMDb)

Cast

• Erkan Can – Teacher Kemal
• Ufuk Bayraktar – Cevher (Student)
• Türkü Turan – Aybike (Student)
• Müge Boz – Karika (Romani Girl)
• Bahtiyar Engin – İsmail Hakkı Tonguç (Director General of Primary Education)
• Suzan Kardeş – Melek (Karika’s Grandmother)
• Şebnem Sönmez – Nazife (Servant)
• Menderes Samancılar – Hanro (Karika’s Father)
• Serdal Genç – Sündüz (Village Head)
• Bertan Dirikolu – Necip (Sergeant)
• Haluk Cömert – Ahmet (Master)

Technical and Production Information

• Director: Ali Adnan Özgür
• Screenplay: Dilşah Özdinç
• Producers: Erkan Can, Tamer Çiçek, Tolga Karaçelik
• Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Genre: Drama, Historical
• Release Date: September 14, 2012

Box Office Data

The film was watched by 8,398 viewers during its opening weekend and generated ₺93,589 in revenue. Over its total 12-week run, it reached 57,905 viewers and earned ₺532,123 in revenue (Box Office Türkiye).^【1】

Awards and Nominations

Children of the Soil was nominated in two categories at the 2012 Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.

• Best Cinematography: Yusuf Aslanyürek
• Best Film: Ali Adnan Özgür

Language and Narrative

The film dramatizes Türkiye of the period within its historical and educational context, centering on the social discrimination, ideological pressures, and struggles for education experienced by individuals. The function of the Village Institutes, along with the social resistance they faced and their historical trajectory, is presented through a chronological narrative.