The Blood of the Sea

Denizin Kanı

13+

Based on Turkish writer Tarık Dursun Kakınç's novel of the same title, The Blood of the Sea is set in 1946 and revolves around a community of sponge divers in a small town in the Turkish Aegean. After completing his military service, Kara Mustafa, a sponge diver, seeks to leave the sea behind and earn his living from the land. However, he incurs the wrath of Blind Harun Agha in his village and is forced to return to the town, falling under the control of Hacı, the sea lord. When Kara Mustafa is rejected by Iraz’s family for being a sailor, he kidnaps her but later marries her with her father's consent. During the sponge fishing season, Kara Mustafa is struck down by the bends, leaving his left side paralyzed. Hacı, who has his eye on Iraz, looks to exploit Mustafa’s vulnerable condition.