As the political tension from Turkey's tumultuous struggle for modernity builds, an old widow Fatma waits with her faithful servant Recep for her grandchildren to descend for their annual visit. Faruk, a failed historian; his sensitive leftist sister, Nilgun; and Metin, a high school student who lives the fast life of the nouveaux riches while dreaming of escape. The arrival of Recep's nephew Hassan, who has recently fallen in with right-wing extremists, draws the family into the growing political cataclysm. As the country wavers towards tragedy, the family are forced to confront their past and decide where they stand.