Islamabad
Writer, Director: Nui Bilge Ceylan
Cast: Haluk Beginer Demet Akbag
Lok Virsa Film Club Mandwa has selected one of the most distinguished Turkish film ‘Winter Sleep’ from 2014 for screening today (Saturday) at 5 p.m.
‘Winter Sleep’ takes us to Anatolia where the drama revolves around deep conflict between those who have it and those who do not. The influence and power on one side vs. powerless and helpless on the other.
The film has won many distinctions. It got the highest award Palme d' Or at the internationally celebrated Cannes International Film Festival in 2014. It was also the official Turkish entry for Best Foreign Film at Oscar but was not nominated.
Notwithstanding the long duration, ‘Winter Sleep’ has been appreciated by the serious film critics and intelligentsia as absorbing and demanding. The film has received standing ovation for bold and ruthless depiction of main character: the hero who wears many hats (owner of a small hotel at a resort, an actor, wealthy and educated, a writer, a historian and researcher on Turkish theater).
The screenwriter has portrayed his people neither in black nor in white. All of them have shades of gray and with the end left for the audiences to make their own conclusion and decision. Every action comes with a meaning. The hero, his wife, sister and the tenants confront each other remarkably well and they are full of life and vigor with difficult relationships which range from lack of compatibility, a divorce, the marital miseries and then the tenants. The basic inspiration of ‘Winter Sleep’ comes from Chekov and his basic idea becomes an epic on screen.
However, the film has its own rhythm and pace and it takes time for things to come together. The events and complexity of characters makes it emotional and dramatic. The technical effects, including camera, sound and editing are exceptionally good.
And again , three hours of screening time may be long but strong characters make it involving with even religion and morality knitted in. Dry at times but that is integral part of ‘Winter Sleep’.
aijazzgul@gmail.com
