2002
Directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
This was an extraordinarily dull film. I suppose the dullness was intentional. I think we were supposed to observe the characters' dreary existences and isolation from society and feel some sort of kinship that is hopefully worth the two hour running time. I can achieve the same goal by simply driving to the local Sheetz (which would only take ten minutes).
Mahmut is a wealthy photographer who lives a pretty aimless life of loneliness and pretension. His relative, Yusuf, comes to stay with him after losing his job at a factory. Yusuf is Mahmut's intellectual counterpart and the two do not get along. And um...that's pretty much it.
Okay, perhaps that wasn't an entirely fair assessment, but man, was I bored. I am trying to think of some positive insights to share. I suppose the filmmakers were effective in creating a very distinct environment and mood. Unfortunately, it just wasn't very compelling. Maybe it's because I am toward the end of my journey but I seem to be losing patience.
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
The film Mahmut was watching on television was Tarkovsky's Stalker.
