Stray is an affecting documentary directed by Elizabeth Lo that provides an inside glimpse into the lives of stray dogs who navigate their way through and around Turkish society.
The film STRAY investigates what it is like to live as a being without status or security by following three strays named Zeytin, Nazar, and Kartal as they make inconspicuous journeys through Turkish society. These journeys provide us with an unfiltered portrait of human life as well as the canine culture that the strays themselves have developed.
Because Turkey does not kill or catch any stray animals, it is not uncommon to see dogs like these running about the country. The story of the film is told through the eyes of three extremely distinct dogs named Zeytin, Nazar, and Kartal, each of whom presents a unique viewpoint on the imperative to survive. This idea is fully mirrored not only in the lives of each dog but also in the lives of each human who makes the effort to spend time interacting with canines.
Kartal, a timid puppy who lives on the outskirts of a construction site, finds companions in the security guards who care for her. Nazar, who is nurturing and protective and easily makes friends with the humans around her; and Zeytin, who is independent and goes on adventures through the city at night. When each of Zeytin, Nazar, and Kartal forms close ties with a group of young Syrians who share the streets with them, the lives of Zeytin, Nazar, and Kartal begin to intertwine in unexpected ways.