Inaugural winner of the Gibson Award announced at the closing gala of the 2024 Chichester International Film Festival. A young teacher hopes to be transferred to Istanbul after four years of mandatory service in a remote village, but an accusation may derail his work and private life.
Nestled away in wintry East Anatolia, public-school art teacher Samet (Deniz Celiloğlu) yearns to leave the sleepy village for cosmopolitan Istanbul. Further disenchanted when he and colleague Kenan (Musab Ekici) come under public scrutiny, Samet fears circumstances will keep his dreams of a new life permanently out of reach. A silver lining is a budding relationship with fellow teacher Nuray (Merve Dizdar) who develops connections with both Samet and Kenan. As with all of Ceylan’s films, this features compelling patient storytelling, it is often mesmerising and is filled with an undeniable atmosphere. (Subtitles) Will include a short comfort break.
Turkey 2023 Nuri Bilge Ceylan 197m
