Synopsis
 

German-born Umay flees her oppressive marriage in Istanbul, taking her young son Cem with her. She hopes to find a better life with her family in Berlin, but her unexpected arrival creates intense conflict. Her family is trapped in their conventions, torn between their love for her and the traditional values of their community. Ultimately they decide to return Cem to his father in Turkey. To keep her son, Umay is forced to move again.

 Program Note
 Early in the morning, a young woman leaves Istanbul with her son. Her name is Umay. She is heading for her hometown, Berlin, to get away from her savage husband. But when she arrives her home, she finds she is not really welcomed by her family. According to the common law, which still strongly binds Istanbul and Berlin, she is forced to send her son Cem back to her husband in Istanbul. Umay runs away from her family and stays in a shelter dreaming of a new life, but the Turkish community declares a honor killing on her.
 A newcomer Feo ALADAG talks about notorious honor killing in When We Leave. She clearly shows the ordeal of Islamic woman through Umay who has no place to go and being lost between Western culture and the Muslim community. The strength of this film lies in the persuasive description of the characters and the way in which the film avoids the cliché about situations leading to the honor killing. The main actress Sibel KEKILLI, well known for Head-On, should not be overlooked as she presents herself with a solid and resounding performance. (KWON Eun-sun)