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A couple are taking pictures on a beach in Turkey. The woman has a round belly. She seems pregnant, but that's not actually the case. They are taking pictures so the baby they will soon adopt will believe that they are the biological parents. In the debut film by Mehmet Can Mertoğlu, everyone creates their own history. Mertoğlu unveils his critical perspective on the social structures in his homeland.

Bahar and Cüneyt are a typical middle-class couple. Their prospects, wishes and dreams closely connect to their life in a provincial town. The only thing missing is a child. But – especially when you have specific preferences – adoption is a long and bureaucratic process, as are many things in Turkey. Persistence and the right connections do come in handy in those circumstances, and Cüneyt is fortunately amply blessed with both.

However, adopting a child in Turkey is still a big taboo. That is why the couple will move to a different town, so they will be able to lead a happy new life with their little one. The fear of being discovered is always intense. But whether their fear of social ostracism is also justified, or merely a product of their own prejudice, is not yet apparent.

In his debut film, Mehmet Can Mertoğlu balances on the edge of absurdism and social criticism, a mix that has earned him several film awards.