What Is Sivas About?
The premise of Sivas in 276 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a stark, wind‑swept village perched on the edge of Eastern Turkey’s rugged highlands, daily life moves to the rhythm of tradition and the unforgiving terrain. The landscape itself feels like a quiet character, its cracked earth and distant mountains shaping the moods of those who call it home. Within this world, the modest homes, a modest school, and the communal gatherings hint at a tightly knit community where every glance carries history and every silence holds unspoken tension.
Aslan, an eleven‑year‑old boy with a restless curiosity, navigates this environment between schoolrooms and the responsibilities of his family’s chores. He carries the ordinary hopes of a child—yearning for acceptance, a crush on a classmate, and a desire to prove himself—while also feeling the weight of the village’s expectations. One day, amidst the ordinary hum of his surroundings, he discovers a wounded fighting dog abandoned by a stream. Naming the animal Sivas, the boy begins a tender, instinctual bond that offers both a refuge from his daily pressures and a doorway to deeper self‑discovery.
The film’s tone is contemplative, its visuals lingering on the raw beauty of the countryside and the subtle interplay of light and shadow that mirrors the inner lives of its characters. Rather than relying on dramatic plot twists, the story dwells on the quiet moments of trust, the unspoken language between boy and dog, and the way their connection quietly reshapes the contours of Aslan’s world. Through muted dialogue and a patient pace, the narrative invites viewers to feel the pull of the land, the ache of growing up, and the simple, profound hope that can blossom in the most unexpected of friendships.
What Happens in Sivas?
The complete story of Sivas, from the first scene to the last, in 443 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The film follows an eleven-year-old boy named Aslan and his growing bond with a fighting dog named Sivas. The opening sequences paint Aslan’s days at school and at home, where everyday moments with classmates and family carry a tense undertone, hinting at conflicts simmering beneath the surface of a tight-knit village.
At school, the teacher Okan Avci announces a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Ayşe, a girl Aslan admires, is chosen to play the princess, while Osman takes the role of the prince. Aslan, however, longs for the prince part, hoping it will win Ayşe’s attention. He pleads with the teacher to be cast as the prince, but the request is denied, leaving his feelings unfulfilled and his aspirations unfulfilled for the moment.
Back at home, Aslan is tasked with moving the family’s old horse to pasture. He attempts to shoo the animal away with stones, and one strike knocks the horse down as if it were dead. Fearing that he has harmed the creature, Aslan runs to fetch his brother, Sahin. They return to find the horse gone, adding to the sense of upheaval that threads through his days.
A secluded stream becomes the scene of a dog-fighting gathering attended by the village men. There, Sivas fights another dog, is wounded, and left for dead. Aslan stays behind when he notices the dog isn’t dead and pleads with his brother to let him bring the dog home. When Sahin refuses, Aslan remains with the wounded animal as Sahin departs, trying to coax the dog toward warmth and safety using his own coat.
Sahîn eventually returns to take both boy and dog home, and Aslan begins to care for Sivas as the dog recovers. He introduces Sivas to his friends and uses the dog’s presence in hopes of catching Ayşe’s eye. The taunting grows louder—the owner of the defeated dog challenges him—and, driven by a mix of hope and stubborn loyalty, Aslan allows Sivas to fight again. Sivas answers the challenge and emerges victorious, boosting the boy’s confidence and deepening the dog’s reputation.
One day, a troubling turn arrives when Aslan comes home to find Sivas tied up. His family reveals plans to sell the dog, and the old owners return, pressing for another fight. They all pile into a car and travel to a large dog-fighting gathering, where Sivas again proves formidable by winning.
On the return journey, Aslan declares that Sivas will not fight again. Yet the harsh reality of the world around him is echoed in the belief that Sivas was meant to be a fighter, and the cycle of blood and tradition seems hard to break.
Sivas Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
10 key events in the order they happen, from “Snow White casting announced; Aslan aims to be prince” to “Ending: loyalty, violence, and the dog-fighting culture”. 10 events name a place, across 8 locations.
- 1
Snow White casting announced; Aslan aims to be prince
The teacher announces that Snow White and the Seven Dwarves will be performed by the students. Ayse is chosen as the princess and Osman the prince, a setup that makes Aslan want the prince role to impress her. He tries to convince the teacher to give him the part, but she stands firm and rejects him.
When:Daytime Where:School
- 2
Aslan pleads for the prince role but is denied
Aslan argues his case for the prince role, hoping for a change in the casting. The teacher's decision remains unchanged, leaving him disappointed. The moment highlights the gap between his desires and the authorities’ choices.
When:Daytime Where:School
- 3
Pasture incident with the family horse
At the family farm, Aslan is tasked with putting the old horse out to pasture. He shoos the animal with stones, and one hit causes the horse to stumble as if dead. Terrified he may have killed it, he returns with his brother Sahin to find the horse gone.
When:Daytime Where:Family farm
- 4
Secret dog fight at a secluded stream
By a secluded stream, men gather for a dog fight away from the police. Sivas is matched against another dog and is wounded, left for dead. Aslan stays back and begs his brother to let him take the dog home, and Sahin eventually agrees to bring both dogs back.
When:Evening Where:Secluded stream
- 5
Sivas recovers and Aslan tries to impress Ayse
Aslan cares for Sivas as he recovers, showing him the same care he would show a pet. He introduces Sivas to his friends and tries to impress Ayse with the dog's progress. A bond forms between boy and dog as the animal heals.
When:After recovery Where:Home
- 6
Dog fight rematch; Sivas wins
The owner of the dog that previously beat Sivas goads Aslan into fighting again. Reluctantly, Aslan agrees to let Sivas enter the rematch. Sivas emerges victorious, proving his fighting prowess.
When:Evening Where:Dog fighting ring
- 7
Sivas is tied up; family wants to sell him
Back at home, Aslan discovers Sivas is tied up and that his family wants to sell the dog. He throws a tantrum in protest. The original dog owners arrive, insisting on another fight, and they drive off to a larger dog-fighting gathering.
When:Daytime Where:Home
- 8
Car trip to a large dog-fighters meetup; Sivas fights again
Together with the others, they travel by car to a large meetup of dog fighters. Sivas fights again and wins, reinforcing his status in the brutal circle. The journey itself underscores how deeply the community cycles through violence.
When:Day Where:Car and meetup site
- 9
Return home; Aslan vows no more fighting
On the way back, Aslan declares that Sivas will not fight again. He is confronted with a grim reality when someone tells him that Sivas was always meant to be a fighter, and that destiny may override his wishes.
When:Return trip Where:Car/Home
- 10
Ending: loyalty, violence, and the dog-fighting culture
The story closes with the tension between Aslan's love for Sivas and a culture that normalizes dog fighting. The future of their bond remains uncertain as the boy navigates loyalty and the harsh reality of the sport.
When:Evening Where:Village outskirts
Who Are the Main Characters in Sivas?
12 characters, among them Aslan (Doğan İzci), Sivas (Çakır) and Ayşe (Ezgi Ergin): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- A(
Aslan (Doğan İzci)
Played by Doğan İzci
An eleven-year-old boy eager to impress Ayşe and navigate a rough village world. He forms a bond with Sivas, showing kindness to the dog even as his surroundings pull him toward fighting for status and belonging.
- 🎭 Young protagonist
- 🐶 Compassion toward animals
- 🧭 Moral conflict
- S(
Sivas (Çakır)
Played by Çakır
A fighting dog who endures wounds and neglect, embodying the brutal edge of the village’s dog-fighting culture. His rescue by Aslan and his eventual stand against continuing fights highlight a fragile glimmer of mercy within a harsh system.
- 🧷 Animal in danger
- 🐕 Loyalty
- 💪 Endurance
- A(
Ayşe (Ezgi Ergin)
Played by Ezgi Ergin
The girl Aslan admires; she is chosen as Snow White for the school play, representing a touch of normal childhood desire against the backdrop of conflict.
- 💃 Love interest
- 👧 School life
- 🎭 Stage role
- O(
Osman (Furkan Uyar)
Played by Furkan Uyar
Aslan’s friend who participates in the dog-fighting culture and is chosen as the prince in the school play, embodying the social pressure and competition among the boys.
- 🤝 Friend
- 🐕 Competition
- 🎭 Social pressure
- T(
Teacher (Okan Avcı)
Played by Okan Avcı
The schoolteacher who assigns Snow White to the students and resists Aslan’s demand to be the prince, highlighting authority and the friction between ambition and rules.
- 🏫 Authority
- 👨🏫 Education
- 🎭 Performance
- F(
Father (Hakan Yazılıtaş)
Played by Hakan Yazılıtaş
A parental figure whose stance and involvement reflect family expectations and the generational gap in handling violence and discipline.
- 👨 Father
- 🏤 Family dynamics
- 🧭 Generational gap
- VH
Village Headman (Muttalip Müjdeci)
Played by Muttalip Müjdeci
A local authority figure in the village, representing traditional power structures that supervise or condone dog fighting events.
- 🏛️ Local leader
- 🧭 Tradition
- 🗺️ Community control
- HF
Headman's Friend (Muharrem Ayan)
Played by Muharrem Ayan
One of the men associated with the headman, participating in the dog-fighting gatherings and echoing the social circle surrounding violence.
- 👥 Accomplice
- 🐕 Dog crowd
- 🔗 Social circle
- HF
Headman's Friend (Hac Ielik)
Played by Hacı Çelik
A member of the same circle who stands as part of the dog-fighting milieu and the village’s rough social code.
- 👥 Accomplice
- 🐕 Dog crowd
- 🔗 Social circle
- HF
Headman's Friend (Yasin Yazlıtaş)
Played by Yasin Yazılıtaş
Another participant in the dog-fighting milieu and local gatherings, contributing to the tension surrounding Sivas.
- 👥 Accomplice
- 🐾 Tension builder
- 🗣️ Gossip
- HF
Headman's Friend (Mustafa Müjdeci)
Played by Mustafa Müjdeci
A member of the headman’s circle, representing the village clique that pushes Sivas toward fighting.
- 👥 Accomplice
- 🐕 Dog crowd
- 🧱 Social pressure
- M(
Mother (Banu Fotocan)
Played by Banu Fotocan
A family figure who represents care and the domestic world Aslan returns to, balancing the dog's fate and his own desires.
- 👩 Family
- 🏡 Home life
- 💖 Caring
Where and When Is Sivas Set?
Sivas is set in Turkish village. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The narrative unfolds in a contemporary present-day setting, blending school life with family routines and hidden violence. The events span a short period, highlighting how quickly childhood routines intersect with adult conflicts and local customs.
Where
Turkish village
Set in a small Turkish village, the story centers on a close-knit community and the secretive dog-fighting scene by a secluded stream. The rural setting includes a school, family homes, and a rough landscape that frames the boy’s world. The atmosphere balances warmth of home with the harsher undercurrents of tradition.
- 🏘️ Rural village
- 🐶 Animal life
- 🌊 Secluded stream
What Are the Themes of Sivas?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Violence, Family Pressure and Coming-of-Age.
-
01
Violence
The film probes the cycle of dog fighting and the status it creates, showing how cruelty masks under a veneer of pride. Aslan’s compassion for Sivas challenges the men who profit from the fights and tests his willingness to break a brutal tradition. The theme asks whether mercy and empathy can outpace entrenched norms.
-
02
Family Pressure
Aslan navigates expectations from family and the village, including the urge to prove himself and win affection. The school play becomes a venue for social competition and desire, shaping his choices. Family dynamics and community pressures push him toward or away from violence.
-
03
Coming-of-Age
The story traces a boy’s growth from impulsive action to responsibility. Aslan learns to balance longing for attention with empathy for a living being, choosing to reject further fights. The arc frames growing up as a confrontation with harmful traditions and the courage to change.
What Kind of Film Is Sivas?
Bittersweet in tone, with slow pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A melancholic and atmospheric drama set against a harsh landscape, where a young boy's tender bond with a fighting dog is shadowed by the grim realities of tradition and violence.
- melancholic
- harsh
- lonely
- loyal
- contemplative
- atmospheric
- coming of age
- boy and his dog
- man vs tradition
- rural life
Content notes: animal cruelty, dog fighting.
Quiz
How well do you remember Sivas? Test yourself on the story.
