Stray

This documentary film is absolutely terrific, it gives you such an amazing view of Istanbul from just the perspective of the dogs that wonder free in the city. With no words or back story, you feel so emotionally attached to Zeytin and certain other dogs and people she encounters on her travels. A must watch for any animal lover.

This is the story of a lucky stray dog. Not many of them find leftover food or a warm corner to sleep during freezing winter times. In rural parts of Turkey, stray animals are treated like insects and no one can change this fact but in Istanbul some lucky ones even star in documentaries.

As a dog lover and someone who loves and has visited Istanbul I was excited to see this documentary. It's nice that it portrays a couple of stray dogs roaming free in the streets of Istanbul along with some Syrian refugees and sheds light on their similar conditions, but it doesn't deliver anything else. It's an interesting and important watch but it feels like something is missing. It needs some interaction and probably some more depth to the plot.

In 2016 we got a look at the life of untamed cats that roam the ancient streets of Turkish city Istanbul with the lovable little documentary Kedi, so its only right that now we have a look at the other paw thanks to Elizabeth Lo's documentary Stray, that this time around follows the adventures of wild street dogs including the films main focus Zeytin.

Mostly wordless and only featuring humans when its absolutely needed, Stray is literally a dogs eye view of life on the streets of the hustling and bustling city that has a blanket ban on anyone owning or hunting stray animals, meaning dogs just like their feline friends have free reign across the city to explore and enjoy as they rustle out an existence in the harsh but also sometimes beautifully warm world they find themselves in.

Proving once more that pictures can tell a thousand words, Lo has done well in keeping Stray in tune with its unique animal centric delivery and while there is no real plot to hold onto in a typical sense of what a narrative might be, Stray never falters in its 70 minute run-time as it holds our attention as Zeytin and her friends Nazar and the adorable puppy Kartal journey alongside one another and some lost human immigrants who all find solace in one another's company.

Anyone who counts themselves a dog fan will instantly recognise the human parallels that can be found in this tale and particularly Zeytin's trials and tribulations and whether its about finding ones place in the world or being one of those almost invisible bystanders as life and others pass you by, Stray and Lo have an honest way of exploring everyday life that feels relatable and warm for anyone that lives in the now.

The film may've benefited from more focus or a designated end goal but at days end Stray is an often adorable examination of a dogs way of life and one that refuses to shy away from the harsh realities of such an existence, even if the splattering's of warmth and love ensure you as a viewer are reminded that in life, the good often far outweighs the bad if we just keep pressing on.

Final Say -

Never outstaying its welcome and beautifully capturing life on the streets of Istanbul, warts and all, Stray is a neat companion to the feline Kedi and a must-watch for any die-hard canine fans.

3 1/2 bones out of 5.

Stray is a brilliant film about three beautiful dogs living on the streets of Istanbul, Turkey. Director Elizabeth Lo gives a unique perspective that allows viewers to venture into dogs' lives and learn a lot about the country of Turkey and the people there, as well. Through the eyes of the dogs we learn about their lives on the streets and the lives of others they interact with. We gain a better understanding of the people as we overhear conversations the citizens are having which tell us a lot about the personal lives of the people there and the living conditions. For both the dogs and some of the people, there is danger and the struggle to survive. There are also touching moments. It is an unforgettable film that helps people understand a different part of the world, the people and animals that live there, and that they all have the same basic needs of food, shelter, and friendship.

This documentary follows three dogs named Zeytin, Nazar and a puppy named Kartal. The camera follows the dogs at their level which is a very ingenious and a creative touch. As the camera rolls, we follow along and see how these dogs interact with other dogs and the humans they encounter. Not only do we get to experience a stray dog's life, but the lives of a young group of boys also living on the streets. The dogs in Istanbul are allowed to roam around the city freely since the citizens fought to save them. We're taken into these dogs' lives and live it with them, seeing all the sights and sounds they see.

One of my favorite scenes in Stray is when Zeytin is in the park and notices another dog approaching. You can tell from the beginning, when we first get to know Zeytin, that she is a sweet dog. She doesn't seem to mind the other dogs she comes in contact with and is friendly towards them. Watching Zeytin and the other dogs in the park was very enjoyable. I just loved watching them run around and being very playful. It is a scene that could have been in any part of the world. I also enjoyed watching the puppy, Kartal. The puppy's expressions are very sweet and, the way people react to Kartal, it adds a nice touch to the film.

The message in this film is to step up for what you believe in. The citizens of Turkey made sure their voices were heard, so that dogs can freely roam, and are not to be held captive or destroyed. Every life is worth something. The dogs provide comfort to many people there. There are some warnings. Some scenes can be graphic that go with life on the streets. Some of the topics and language spoken by some of the people is also for older viewers.

I give Stray 5 out of 5 stars. I was glued to the screen and I am now a much bigger fan of documentaries after watching this film. I plan to watch more in the future. I recommend this film to ages 13 to 20. Reviewed by Carlee S., KIDS FIRST!