A family battles against the odds to stay together when small lies grow into an extravagant cover-up. In order to avoid hardship and responsibilities that would otherwise be impossible to endure, the family chooses to ignore the truth, not to see, hear or talk about it. But does playing “Three Monkeys” invalidate the truth of its existence?
Cinematography
Gökhan Tiryaki's shadow-drenched Anatolian landscapes
Direction
Ceylan's agonizing static shots that refuse to blink
Acting
Hatice Aslan's devastating wordless suffering
Director
Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title references the Japanese 'three wise monkeys' proverb—Ceylan specifically requested his family of actors never discuss the hit-and-run off-camera to maintain authentic tension.
Ceylan won Best Director at Cannes 2008; the film cemented Turkey's slow cinema movement alongside Zeki Demirkubuz—this is misery you can't look away from.
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