Ozan is a 10 year old boy living in a smallcoastal town on the Aegean. His friends make fun of him, calling him an ‘infidel’ because his grandfather Mehmet is an immigrant from Crete. Ozan is afraid of being isolated. He gets angry at his family, especially his grandfather, and stubbornly challenges them, insisting, We are Turks. Mehmet Bey, Ozan’s grandfather, is a respected shopkeeper in the community. He takes the people of the town under his wing, and helps them with their problems. Mehmet Bey is known for his tolerance and his grandson’s attitude not only has him worried but grieves him as well. Mehmet Bey and his family were torn from their land and forced to migrate from Crete during the population exchange when he was just seven years old. Mehmet Bey’s greatest desire is to see the land of his birth before he dies. My Grandfather’s People describes the spectacular transformation of a family and their country through the eyes of a 10-year old child and his grandfather living in a small town. |
