A young man from rural Turkey arrives in Istanbul with dreams of working on a ship and stays with a cousin while he searches for work. Over time, the former’s struggles to find employment and the latter’s troubles and disappointments strain their relationship and living situation.
Cinematography
Snowy Istanbul streets that breathe loneliness into every frame.
Acting
Non-actors who lived these lives; devastating authenticity.
Director
Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Mehmet Emin Toprak died in a car accident shortly after filming; the film is dedicated to him.
Shot during Turkey's 2001 economic crisis—Yusuf's unemployment wasn't acting, it was documentary.
TR
