Watch Avlu: The Yard

Avlu: The Yard is a Turkish drama that was first aired on Star TV, and later made available on Netflix from 2018 to 2019. The show, which is directed by Yüksel Aksu, features a story of a woman named Deniz who gets falsely accused and convicted of killing her husband. The series then follows her journey as she adjusts to life in a high-security women’s prison facility by forming new relationships and learning new skills.

The show starts with Deniz, a loving wife and mother to a young daughter, who is taken into custody by the police on suspicion of murdering her abusive husband. Despite her protests of innocence, she is convicted of the crime and sent to a women’s prison called ‘Avlu,’ which is a Turkish word for ‘yard.’ The Avlu is notorious for being a place of violence, corruption, and injustice, with the prisoners forced to live in cramped and unsanitary conditions. Inside the prison, Deniz is bullied and targeted by some of the other inmates, but she manages to find solace in the friendship of some of the other prisoners and the kindness of a prison guard.

Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to various characters who make up the fabric of life in the Avlu. The main supporting characters include Azra, a fierce, street-wise woman who’s in prison because of her loyalty to her criminal boyfriend; Kudret, a manipulative prison gang leader who runs the place with an iron fist; and Zerrin, a seemingly innocent inmate who is just learning the ropes.

One of the main themes of Avlu is the idea of redemption, and viewers watch as Deniz goes through the process of coming to terms with her new life. She is initially overwhelmed by the prison environment but eventually finds ways to adapt, such as learning how to make soap and selling it to the other prisoners. Through her interactions with her fellow inmates and the prison staff, Deniz begins to develop a sense of purpose and starts to believe that she might be able to prove her innocence.

The show does an excellent job of portraying the harsh realities of life inside a women’s prison and the psychological effects of confinement on the inmates. Avlu also tackles important social issues such as women’s rights, family values, and corruption in the justice system. There are discussions in the show about how women are often victims of domestic abuse and how they can sometimes become trapped in vicious cycles of abuse and violence.

The Avlu prison environment is also presented as a microcosm of Turkish society and its social problems. The prisoners come from diverse backgrounds and reflect the different social classes in Turkey. At the same time, the show examines the challenges of prison reform in Turkey and highlights some of the significant gaps in the country’s justice system.

The cinematography and pacing of Avlu are impressive, and viewers are treated to dramatic scenes that keep them engaged and entertained throughout the series. The show’s use of flashback sequences allows the viewers to learn more about the characters’ backstories and motivations, which helps to create a sense of empathy towards the characters.

In conclusion, Avlu: The Yard is an engaging, well-acted series that offers a compelling and immersive look into life in a women’s prison. The show tackles important social issues and does an excellent job of humanizing the characters and their struggles. The series is a testament to the high-quality drama that is currently coming out of Turkey, and it offers audiences a glimpse into the complexities of modern-day Turkish society.