Ayla (2017) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Ayla: The Daughter of War (2017) is a Turkish-Korean war drama based on a true story, following a Turkish soldier, Süleyman, who rescues a 5-year-old Korean girl, Ayla, during the Korean War. The film's ending is emotionally charged, depicting their forced separation when Süleyman is repatriated to Turkey and Ayla is sent to an orphanage. Decades later, they reunite in a poignant finale, highlighting the enduring bond between them despite time and distance. The ending underscores themes of love, loss, and the enduring impact of war on human connections.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The ending of Ayla is a heart-wrenching culmination of the deep, father-daughter relationship between Süleyman and Ayla, forged amidst the chaos of the Korean War. After Süleyman rescues Ayla from the devastation of battle, he names her and raises her within his military unit, treating her as his own child. However, as the war ends, Süleyman is ordered to return to Turkey, while Ayla, being Korean, cannot accompany him. The separation scene is devastating - Ayla clings to Süleyman, crying as she's taken away to an orphanage. This moment encapsulates the cruel realities of war, where even the purest bonds are torn apart by political and logistical barriers.
The film then jumps forward 60 years, revealing that Süleyman never forgot Ayla and spent decades searching for her. Through the help of a television program, they are finally reunited in a deeply emotional scene. An elderly Süleyman meets an adult Ayla, now a grandmother, and their tearful embrace signifies the enduring power of their connection. This reunion is bittersweet; while it brings closure, it also emphasizes the decades of separation they endured. The film suggests that love transcends time and circumstance, but it doesn't shy away from the pain of what was lost during those missing years.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. Why didn't Süleyman adopt Ayla officially?
- International adoption laws during the 1950s were stringent, especially post-war.
- The Turkish military may have prohibited soldiers from taking war orphans home.
- Süleyman might have believed Ayla would have a better future in Korea.
How did Ayla's life unfold after the orphanage?
- The film implies she grew up, married, and had a family, but details are sparse.
- She likely faced hardships, given Korea's post-war struggles, but found stability.
What happened to Süleyman's life after Korea?
- The film shows he never stopped searching for Ayla, suggesting he carried her memory deeply.
- He may have had his own family, but the film focuses solely on his longing for Ayla.
Themes and Symbolism in the Ending:
The reunion symbolizes hope and the resilience of human connection, but it also serves as a critique of war's lingering scars. The fact that Süleyman and Ayla's separation was dictated by geopolitical forces underscores how ordinary lives are disrupted by larger conflicts. The ending doesn't offer a fairy-tale resolution; instead, it acknowledges the irreparable loss of time while celebrating the persistence of love. The juxtaposition of their youthful bond and their elderly reunion reinforces the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing relationships.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and Film:
The ending of Ayla is profoundly moving, thanks to its raw emotional honesty and avoidance of melodrama. The reunion feels earned rather than manipulative, and the performances-particularly by the actors portraying Süleyman and Ayla-elevate the material. However, the film could have delved deeper into Ayla's adult perspective, as her absence in the narrative's middle section leaves her character somewhat underdeveloped. Overall, Ayla is a powerful tribute to the real-life story it's based on, and its ending lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. It's a reminder of both the cruelty of war and the extraordinary bonds it can inadvertently create.