Bermuda International Film Festival 2009

A long summer vacation by the sea. An ordinary Turkish family whose life takes an unexpected turn. Told through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy, this is a picturesque and moving début. Summer Book is the seemingly ordinary story of a Turkish family in a provincial Mediterranean town. It’s the end of the school year, and ten-year-old Ali and his classmates receive a study book for the summer. When Ali’s book is stolen by the class bully, his patriarchal father Mustafa, an ambitious merchant, gives Ali a different task: sell a boxful of chewing gum for profit. Meanwhile, Ali’s much older brother Veysel comes home for a break from the military academy and reveals his wish to switch to a civilian school in Istanbul. This infuriates the father. His wife does what she can to calm tempers and keep the family together. Easy-going Uncle Hasan is on Veysel’s side. But when the father suffers a stroke, all the dynamics of this family topple. Summer Book is not only a compelling coming-of-age story but a microcosm of a very distinct feeling in contemporary provincial Turkish life: the yearning for change in conflict with the suffocating comfort of the simple life. The director observes the daily routine of this family and portrays its dramatic potential in a subtle, minimalist way. Convincing acting by the protagonists (often non-actors) and the warm tones and natural lightning combined with meticulous camera work make this a wonderful début full of atmosphere that seduces you into following this meditative journey.