Summer in a small provincial Turkish town is the theme for director Sefi Teoman's film, 'Summer Book'.

This enchanting movie gives a portrait of family life in Silifke, focusing on the Unals – father Mustafa, his wife Gular, two sons Ali and Veysel and brother/uncle Hasan.

But its understated tone, sparse dialogue and detached point of view may limit its appeal to a wider audience.

Set during a summer holiday and seen mainly, but not exclusively, through the eyes of 10-year-old Ali, 'Summer Book' starts on the last day of the school year and ends with the first day of the new term.

In between, it covers Ali's conflict with a bully and encounters with the grown-up world, as well as his elder brother Veysel's desire to quit military school against his father's wishes and lead his own life and their mother Gular's suspicions that her husband has a mistress.

However, standing in their way throughout, is Mustafa, who rules his business and his family with an iron fist. And in the background, Hasan, once an aspiring businessman himself and now a humble butcher, has to take over when an unexpected turn of events happens on Mustafa's visit to Urgup on business.

The plot centres around an activity book which Ali is given by his teacher on the eve of the summer vacation and then stolen by his bully, shaping the rest of the story.

Indeed, the family's travails are a running theme throughout the film, from Ali's persecution by the bully to his strict father making him sit at his work all day and sell bubble gum on the streets, while Veysel finds himself drawn by the vices of life, including smoking and playing cards in cafes and having fantasies about women, and Gular struggles to overcome fears of her husband's infidelity and the lack of family cohesion.

As a proud father, Mustafa tries to keep the whole unit intact, denouncing his wife's accusations, instructing Veysel to go back to the academy to continue his studies, but, at the same time, showing some sense of humanity by treating Ali as an equal and entrusting him with important information in his hour of need.

Teoman captures the pace of life in places like Silifke, while exploring a number of issues ranging from the value of money to respect for religion, the routine of life and the balance of power.

He also keeps viewers guessing right until the end about some key underlying themes, such as the truth about Mustafa's illicit relationship, along the way.

9.15 p.m. tonight