Three Stray Dogs Get Star Roles In Turkish Documentary.

Three stray dogs in the bustling city of Istanbul have gotten prominent roles in a documentary that aims to show life in the capital city through the eyes of strays that roam its streets in search of food and companions.

Zeytin, Nazar and Kartal caught the eye of Hong Kong-born director Elizabeth Lo, who inspired by her grief for her childhood pet, decided to make a film simply about dogs and was captivated by Turkey’s law that protects strays and requires that they receive good treatment.

A group of young Syrian refugees would also feature prominently because of their relationship with Zeytin and other strays.

Speaking to Reuters Lo said, “I remember when I went to Istanbul and saw the way the dogs were living, where it felt like they were communally cared for and they could have these transitory friendships with all the people who were around them, I was really amazed by that,” I wanted to document that and capture that for the rest of the world to see, to sort of ask us to reconsider our relationships with other species and in particular dogs.”

The documentary was shot between 2017 and 2019 and Lo would attach her camera to a vest and follow the dogs around, watching them play, eat and form bonds with complete strangers whose conversations they eavesdropped on.

Speaking on what she learned while shooting, Lo said “I had assumed cities with large stray animals are inhumane or not taking care of their animals but I found that it’s actually the exact opposite.”