Migrant Birds (Gurbet Kuşları) (translated)

Gurbet Kuşları (Birds of Exile) is a 1964 Turkish drama film directed by Halit Refiğ. Adapted from Orhan Kemal's 1962 novel of the same name, it is regarded as one of the earliest Turkish films to address internal migration. After their business in Kahramanmaraş collapses, the Bakırcıoğlu family sells their shop and gardens and moves to Istanbul in search of a better life. Arriving at Haydarpaşa Station full of dreams, they are swindled over the auto repair shop they hoped to open, and their struggle to hold on in the big city begins. Despite patriarch Tahir's authority, the family slowly unravels as its members adapt to urban life: Murat becomes a taxi driver and falls for nightclub singer Seval, Selim gets involved with the wife of the neighboring Greek mechanic, Fatma drifts into a corrupting circle, while Kemal, who enters university, meets Ayla. In the end the family decides to return to Maraş and start over. Starring Tanju Gürsu, Filiz Akın, Pervin Par and Cüneyt Arkın in a breakthrough role, the film won Best Film and Best Director at the 1st Antalya Film Festival.