The coming-of-age movie Make a Wish follows Kaan, a young boy living a happy life in the countryside, until one day he learns that his family are moving to Istanbul. Upset by the news, and not wanting to leave his friends behind, Kaan finds a solution in a book titled “Make A Wish,” given to him by his aunt for his birthday.
The film was produced and directed by Meta Akkus and shot in Mardin, near the Syrian border in Turkey.
The book follows another young boy, Berke, an 11-year-old student who lives in Mardin. Berke’s best friends are İhsan and Meryem and he has feelings for Su, the most popular girl in school. Although he has good friends, Berke does not want to go to the school. He is bullied by Berat and his gang, who make Berke’s school life miserable.
One day, Berke discovers his pet turtle has the magical power of granting his wishes. He becomes popular by using his turtle to grant wishes, the bullying comes to an end and Berke’s self-confidence increases. Everyhing is great until he loses his turtle. Then Berke’s grandfather steps in to teach him the truth. The secret is actually not some magical turtle,but the true belief in yourself. We all have the power to make our own wishes come true.
Through the tale of Berke’s coming-of-age journey, Kaan uncovers the secret of how to make his wishes come true. The book offers him new horizons and opens the door to a world he had never imagined.
Meta Akkus is a Turkish-born French film director. While completing her studies in Paris she developed an interest in acting in an attempt to overcome her natural shyness. After being part of Theatre de Mercure for several years, she put her acting on hold and started to write and direct her first play, Le Temps N’existe Pas. She then directed her first short film, La Solitude, in 16mm, which in turn led her to London to study and to work in films. After her second short film, Unsatisfaction, she started directing commercials and music videos in different countries. Make a Wish is her first feature film.
The cast includes well-known Turkish actors Altan Erkekli, Ihsan Berk Aydın, Vildan Atasever, Almira Tuana Albay, Mehmet Turan Doğan, Deceren Reis, Yusuf Kemal Kılkış, Melisa Giz Cengiz, Arda Kalaycı, Melis Kara, Bartu Mutlu, Özer Tuncer, Gün Akıncı. The movie was released on April 8, 2022.