A factory girl trades love for luxury — but the price comes due in Turkish lira and tears.
The film tells the story of Elif, who has her sights set high, and her quest to find the truth. Elif is the daughter of Ömer, a foreman at a factory. Murat, who works at the same factory, is in love with Elif but cannot bring himself to tell her. Necdet, the factory owner, visits Ömer, who has been injured in an accident at the factory, and takes a liking to Elif. They begin to see each other. Elif, who dreams of a wealthy life, believes she can achieve this dream by marrying Necdet. However, Necdet's intentions are not marriage. Elif's aunt Leman, who left the neighborhood years ago to live in better conditions and ended up on the wrong path, will not allow her niece to be dragged down the same path.
Acting
Filiz Akın's luminous desperation as Elif.
Production
Istanbul's industrial margins shot like moral battlegrounds.
Director
Ülkü Erakalın
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of Turkey's 1960s 'fantezi' wave, where rural-to-urban migration anxieties played out in tear-streaked close-ups. Elif's dilemma mirrored millions of new Istanbul residents.
Director Ülkü Erakalın was rare female voice in Yeşilçam; she reportedly fought producers to keep Leman's 'fallen woman' sympathetic rather than punished.
TR
