Toprak Films

Niyazi makes a living as a thief. Living in a small Aegean town with his brother Hasan and mother Gülizar, Niyazi also drives children around in a classic car at circumcision ceremonies. His brother spends his time gambling and trying to make his girlfriend Gözde happy. One night, unexpectedly, the arrival of Azrael completely changes Niyazi's life. By convincing Azrael, who has come to take his life, to play backgammon with him, Niyazi manages to extend his life by a week by winning the game. Niyazi has a short time left, and he wants to leave a mark on life before he dies. Meanwhile, an unexpected love story begins between Azrael and Gülizar.

In focusing his attention on the competitors of Mr Gay Syria, director Ayse Toprak shatters the one-dimensional meaning of “refugee”. Using the pageant as a means of escape from political persecution, the organiser Mahmoud — already given asylum in Berlin — hopes to offer the winner a chance to travel as well as bring international attention to the life-threatening situations faced by LGBT Syrians.