SIVAS

Set in a bleak Anatolian village in Eastern Turkey, Sivas features the story of eleven-year-old Aslan and Sivas, a weathered fighting dog, who develop a strong relationship after Aslan finds Sivas wounded in a ditch, left to die. Meanwhile, a school play of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves dominates the background as Aslan is disappointed at losing the role of the prince to Osman, his rival-in-love and son of the head of the village. While Osman gets ahead in the boys’ race to win the hand of Ayse, the “princess” of the village, Aslan tries to impress her with his new-found friend. And Sivas, having found a new lease on life, wins one fight after another, strengthening Aslan’s hand against Osman. However, as Sivas’s success in the arena attracts more attention by the village head, the roles subtly change and Aslan finds himself hurled headlong into adulthood, leaving the princess behind.