What Is Davaro About?
The premise of Davaro in 272 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sun‑baked hills of southeastern Turkey during the 1980s, a modest village clings to age‑old customs while the outside world nudges at its borders. Memo has spent years abroad, working in Germany and gathering enough savings to bring his childhood sweetheart home for a wedding that promises to stitch his past and future together. The simple pleasure of returning to familiar streets is amplified by the eager anticipation of his mother, his friends, and the ever‑watchful village leader, the Ağa, who sees the ceremony as a chance to reaffirm communal bonds.
Yet the celebrations are shadowed by a binding tradition that insists a son must avow his father’s honor before he may claim his own happiness. On the very day the festivities should begin, the man responsible for the father’s death, Sulo, walks out of prison, thrusting the whole community into a tense moral crossroads. Memo, whose heart leans toward compassion rather than vengeance, finds himself trapped between personal conscience and the weight of collective expectation. In a bid to honor his love while sidestepping bloodshed, he and the reluctant Sulo concoct a scheme meant to satisfy the village’s demand without a fatal conclusion.
The film unfolds with a warm, slightly mischievous tone that mixes rustic charm with subtle social satire. The chemistry between Memo and Sulo, layered with reluctant camaraderie and unspoken respect, fuels a gentle humor that undercuts the seriousness of the tradition they navigate. As the villagers’ watchful eyes shift and whispers swirl, the audience is invited to wonder how far the duo’s inventive compromise can stretch before the delicate balance of honor, love, and community is tested.
What Happens in Davaro?
The complete story of Davaro, from the first scene to the last, in 571 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Memo Kemal Sunal returns from Germany to his village in southeast Turkey in the 1980s, having saved enough money to marry his love Cano Pembe Mutlu. The village—especially Memo’s mother, Cano, and the village leader, the Ağa İhsan Yüce—press him to kill the man who murdered his father, though the culprit remains in jail. Memo pleads that if the killer is freed, he will fulfill his duty.
On the day of the wedding, Sülo Şener Şen, the killer of Memo’s father, is released from prison. The crowd waits for Memo to carry out the revenge, but he does not want to take another human life, even one who has already taken his father. Instead, Memo and Sülo hatch a plan to fool the village by staging Sülo’s death. The scheme backfires, and Memo is charged with murder because the villagers believe Sülo died at Memo’s hand.
The two men end up on the same bus to the town while being chased by the law. The bus is halted by bandits, and their leader Bekiro Sırrı Elitaş recognizes Memo, pulling him away to a mountain hideout so he won’t face jail. Sülo is also taken along, since Memo shows him a form of pity. In the mountains, Memo gradually slips into the bandit lifestyle, while Sülo remains mostly in a subordinate role, doing the chores and receiving little reward.
Bekiro hints at a larger treasure when he warns Memo about a vase stuffed with money hidden among the bushes. Memo wrestles with the idea of betraying his old friend, but loyalty remains a powerful force. After a lull in danger, Bekiro cannot bear the loneliness and the distance from his wife back in town, and he tries to bring Memo and Cano back together by infiltrating the village.
The bandits’ operation is uncovered by the police, who wipe out the group except for Memo, who is captured again for the murder of Sülo. While Memo sits in jail, Sülo engineers a breakout to show Memo where the vase of money is hidden. The plan works, and the two escape with the treasure, heading to Istanbul to lay low while Memo remains a wanted man in his village.
In Istanbul, trust frays between Memo and Sülo as money changes hands and temptations mount. Sülo finally steals the entire fortune from Memo and spends it on lavish dinners, drink, and company. Memo catches up with Sülo in a tavern and drags him back to his hotel room to confront him for the betrayal.
Memo then receives a letter from Cano revealing that the Ağa intends to marry Sülo’s wife, who is technically a widow because of Sülo’s “death.” The idea of that marriage fuels a desperate plan: Sülo intends to kidnap his wife, but Memo warns that such an act would reveal that Memo never truly killed his father’s killer. Still, Sülo makes it to the village with the intention to seize Cano, though the town would soon learn the truth.
In the end, Memo learns that the drive behind the Ağa’s demand to kill the murderer was to secure Cano’s future by removing the obstacle of the true killer. Memo decides to use the money to pay off the villagers’ debts, freeing them from the Ağa’s control. With a sense of resolution and a new beginning, Memo returns to the mountains—not alone this time, but with Cano by his side as his wife.
Davaro Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Memo returns home from Germany” to “Return to the mountains with Cano”. 14 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Memo returns home from Germany
Memo arrives back in his southeastern Turkish village after years abroad, having saved enough money to marry Cano. The return stirs excitement and worry: the village, especially his mother, Cano, and the village leader Ağa, press him to act on revenge for his father's murder.
When:1980s Where:south-eastern Turkey village
- 2
Pressure to avenge his father
With the father’s murder unsolved and Sülo still jailed, the villagers pressure Memo to kill Sülo to avenge his father. Memo argues that killing a man would not restore peace, but the pressure from the village grows. He hesitates, knowing the consequences of failing to act on the verdict.
When:1980s Where:village
- 3
The killer released on the wedding day
On the wedding day, Sülo is released from jail. The village expects Memo to fulfill his deadly duty, but Memo hesitates, arguing he does not want to kill a human being, even if it costs his honor. The moment sets the tone for a confrontation between tradition and Memo's conscience.
When:1980s Where:village
- 4
Staging Sülo's death to fool the village
Memo and Sülo decide to stage Sülo's death to fool the village. They pretend Sülo dies, but the plan backfires when the villagers believe Memo killed him, and Memo is charged with murder.
When:1980s Where:village
- 5
Bus stop and the bandit confrontation
On the way to jail, the two are halted by bandits who rob the bus. Bekiro, the bandit leader, recognizes Memo and takes them to a mountain hideout, while also taking Sülo along to spare Memo from jail. This moment marks Memo's first step into the world of banditry.
When:1980s Where:on the road to jail, mountain hideout
- 6
Memo becomes a bandit
In the mountains, Memo evolves into a real bandit as life with Bekiro's crew continues. Sülo stays subservient in the group, doing chores but getting nothing of value. Memo grapples with loyalty, money, and betrayal as his new identity forms.
When:months later Where:Bekiro's mountain hideout
- 7
The vase of money and the lure of betrayal
The vase full of money becomes a lure; Bekiro slips money into an almost full vase buried between bushes, and Sülo tries to persuade Memo to steal it. Memo refuses to betray his old friend, choosing loyalty over wealth. Bekiro begins to plot infiltrating the village to reconnect Memo with Cano.
When:months later Where:Bekiro's hideout and village
- 8
Police strike and Memo is hunted
A crackdown culminates in the police wiping out the bandit group, leaving Memo to be hunted as the suspect in Sülo's death. He is arrested and taken to jail once again for the murder he didn’t commit. The village's fear and confusion deepen as aftershocks of violence ripple through the community.
When:shortly after infiltration Where:mountains/village
- 9
Memo and Sülo's jailbreak for the vase
Sülo engineers a jailbreak, smuggling Memo out of jail so they can retrieve the vase. They travel to Istanbul to escape Memo's pending charges and to claim the money's safety. The escape marks a turning point as trust between them strains under the weight of money.
When:after arrest Where:jail to Istanbul
- 10
Tension in Istanbul and theft of the money
Arriving in Istanbul, suspicion grows between Memo and Sülo as greed and fear test their friendship. Sülo steals Memo's money, leaving Memo to fend for himself in the big city. Memo grapples with trust and survival in the new environment.
When:soon after arrival Where:Istanbul
Show the other 4 events of Davaro Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Confrontation in a hotel room
Memo locates Sülo in an establishment and brings him back to a hotel room to settle the betrayal with a punishment—or explanation. The plan backfires as the rifts widen, forcing them to confront what their partnership has become.
When:after the money dispute Where:Istanbul, hotel room
- 12
Cano's letter and the Ağa's plan
Memo receives a letter from Cano stating that the Ağa plans to marry Sülo's wife, exploiting the widow's vulnerability. This revelation intensifies Sülo's resolve and hastens his decision to take extreme actions.
When:after letter Where:Istanbul
- 13
Memo pays debts to free the village
Memo decides not to escalate violence; instead, he uses the money to pay off the villagers' debts, so the Ağa loses influence over them. This act helps restore balance and marks Memo's shift away from revenge toward protecting his community.
When:final act Where:village
- 14
Return to the mountains with Cano
Memo goes back to the mountains, this time together with Cano by his side. The couple begins a quieter life, away from the village's feuds, signaling a fragile but hopeful new beginning.
When:end Where:mountains
Who Are the Main Characters in Davaro?
6 characters, among them Memo (Kemal Sunal), Cano (Pembe Mutlu) and Sülo (Şener Şen): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- M(
Memo (Kemal Sunal)
Played by Kemal Sunal
Memo returns from Germany to marry Cano and faces pressure from his mother, Cano, and the village leader to kill his father’s killer. He grapples with a moral code that resists killing, yet he becomes entangled in banditry and deception to protect those he loves. Memo evolves from a reluctant participant in violence to someone who seeks a humane resolution, paying debts to free the villagers from coercion and, at the end, returns to the mountains with his wife.
- 🎭 Noble
- 🧭 Moral conflict
- 🪪 Reluctant rebel
- C(
Cano (Pembe Mutlu)
Played by Pembe Mutlu
Cano is Memo's beloved fiancée whose presence motivates Memo’s choices. She embodies the personal stakes of the marriage and the village’s expectations, and she influences Memo’s actions through concern for their future. Cano’s letter about the Ağa's plans adds emotional weight to Memo’s decisions and reflects the family’s fears and hopes.
- 💑 Love
- 📝 Influence
- 🧭 Motivator
- S(
Sülo (Şener Şen)
Played by Şener Şen
Sülo is Memo’s friend who becomes entangled in the banditry world. His desire for money drives acts of betrayal, including stealing from Memo. Sülo’s choices create tension and propel the plot toward Istanbul, where wealth and danger intersect. His dynamic with Memo highlights themes of loyalty, greed, and fallout from shared criminal life.
- 🤝 Friend
- 💸 Greed
- 🗡️ Betrayal
- A(
Ağa (İhsan Yüce)
Played by İhsan Yüce
The village leader, Ağa, exerts social and political pressure to compel Memo to kill the murderer. He embodies traditional authority and uses debt and marriage prospects to maintain control over the community. His actions catalyze Memo’s decisions and the villagers’ sense of honor and revenge, until Memo seeks to break free from his influence.
- 👑 Authority
- 🧭 Control
- 🗡️ Pressure
- B(
Bekiro (Sırrı Elitaş)
Played by Sırrı Elitaş
Bekiro is the bandit leader who recognizes Memo and orchestrates Memo and Sülo’s escape from custody. He embodies danger and opportunism, guiding the group's movements from the mountains. His presence intensifies the conflict and ultimately puts Memo at risk as law enforcement closes in on the bandits.
- 🗺️ Antagonist
- 🧭 Manipulator
- 🪓 Threat
- H(
Hamo (Adile Naşit)
Played by Adile Naşit
Hamo serves as the motherly figure in Memo’s life, representing familial duty and care. She is part of the village’s emotional landscape that shapes Memo’s decisions and loyalties. Her presence grounds Memo in family ties amidst the turmoil of revenge and escape.
- 👩👦 Family
- 💖 Support
- 🛡️ Protective
Where and When Is Davaro Set?
Davaro is set in South-East Turkey village, Istanbul and Turkey (1980s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1980s
The events unfold in the 1980s, a period that frames Memo's return from Germany and the village's expectations of revenge and honor. The era provides a backdrop of traditional values clashing with evolving personal desires. Within this timeframe, the film explores how long-standing codes influence decisions and loyalties.
Where
South-East Turkey village, Istanbul, Turkey
Set in a rural village in south-eastern Turkey, the story centers on a tight-knit community governed by local custom. The landscape alternates between dusty streets and surrounding mountains that shape the characters' lives. Later, the journey to Istanbul marks a shift from village life to the wider urban world.
- 🎬 Setting
- 🏞️ Rural
- 🕌 Turkish village and city
What Are the Themes of Davaro?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Duty vs Mercy, Friendship and Betrayal and Imprisonment and Escape.
-
01
Duty vs Mercy
Memo is torn between fulfilling a duty to avenge his father and preserving his own moral code against killing. The pressure from the village and Cano presses him toward revenge, while his empathy and reluctance push him toward mercy. The plot tests whether mercy can coexist with a vow of vengeance. In the end, Memo choices mercy by avoiding murder and seeking a different solution for the village's debts and future.
-
02
Friendship and Betrayal
Memo's friendship with Sülo drives much of the plot, from companionship in banditry to conflicts over money. Sülo's greed and scheming reveal the fragility of trust when wealth enters the equation. The dynamic destabilizes their alliance, culminating in betrayals that threaten both their lives. Their relationship evolves amidst deceit, survival, and shifting loyalties.
-
03
Imprisonment and Escape
Memo's arrest for murder and subsequent imprisonment illustrate how the law and social judgment trap individuals. The escape from jail with Sülo's help rekindles a cycle of crime and risk. Police intervention and the pursuit of freedom push Memo toward new paths, including returning to the mountains with Cano. The theme underlines how confinement, whether literal or social, shapes choices.
-
04
Money and Power
The vase full of money becomes a symbol of power and temptation that tests character and loyalty. Bekiro's manipulation, the lure of wealth, and the plan to relocate money to Istanbul drive much of the conflict. Money changes dynamics within the group, highlighting how wealth can corrupt friendships and alter destinies. Ultimately, Memo chooses a path that prioritizes people over profit.
What Kind of Film Is Davaro?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced Turkish comedy that turns a serious premise of honor and revenge into a chaotic, absurd, and lighthearted adventure filled with misunderstandings and unlikely alliances.
- comical
- chaotic
- satirical
- absurd
- lighthearted
- mischievous
- blood feud
- fake death
- rural life
- social obligation
Content notes: murder (referenced), banditry.
Quiz
How well do you remember Davaro? Test yourself on the story.
