Ayla: The Daughter of War
A heart-wrenching wartime drama painting an intimate portrait of love found amidst chaos, like a single moonbeam piercing the darkest night of conflict.
Ayla: The Daughter of War
Ayla: The Daughter of War

Ayla

27 October 2017 Turkey 124 min ⭐ 8.0 (377)
Director: Can Ulkay
Cast: İsmail Hacıoğlu, Kim Seol, Çetin Tekindor, Ali Atay, Murat Yildirim
Drama War History
Humanity in the Midst of War The Nature of Family and Fatherhood Promise and Unbreakable Bonds Cultural and Language Barriers
Budget: $4,200,000
Box Office: $21,107,423

Ayla: The Daughter of War - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

Ayla olsun mu? Ay gibi yüzü var, ay ışığında da bulduk zaten. Ayla!

— Süleyman

Context:

Spoken shortly after Süleyman finds the girl and brings her back to the base. As the soldiers debate what to call the non-responsive child, Süleyman christens her with a name that perfectly captures the circumstances of their meeting and her appearance.

Meaning:

Translation: "Should we name her Ayla? She has a face like the moon, and we found her in the moonlight anyway. Ayla!" This quote marks the moment the nameless orphan is given an identity and a connection to Süleyman. The name itself is deeply symbolic, representing the light she brings into the darkness of war.

Babalar evlatları için mücadele eder. Onlara verdiği sözler için yaşar. Gelicem söz.

— Süleyman

Context:

This is part of Süleyman's internal monologue and resolve as he struggles with the reality of leaving Ayla. It solidifies his commitment that their separation is not an ending, but a temporary state that he will spend his life trying to rectify.

Meaning:

Translation: "Fathers fight for their children. They live for the promises they give them. I promise I will come." This line encapsulates the film's central theme of fatherhood and unbreakable promises. It defines Süleyman's life mission after he is forced to leave Ayla behind.

Anne yok. Kardeş yok. Baba!

— Ayla

Context:

This is said after Ayla has been with the soldiers for some time and is beginning to feel safe. When she finally speaks and calls Süleyman 'Baba', it's an intensely emotional moment for him and the other soldiers, cementing their father-daughter relationship.

Meaning:

Translation: "No mother. No siblings. Father!" This is one of Ayla's first significant lines. After being mute from trauma, her declaration of Süleyman as 'Baba' (Father) is a powerful affirmation of their bond and her acceptance of him as her new family. It shows that she has found a sense of security and belonging with him.