Programs Calendar Films

A story of friendship, courage and a politically naive man’s transformation into someone painfully aware of the social realities in contemporary Turkey… Mehmet and Berzan, two young men from different regions of Turkey bond together as lower-class citizens in Istanbul. When Mehmet is unjustly arrested, his frightened roomates evict him and he loses his job. Mehmet’s loyalty to Berzan will eventually force him to disregard an uncompassionate bureaucracy and embark on a journey eastward across Turkey.

Yesim Ustaoglu received international recognition for her 1999 film, Jouney to the Sun. In competition at the Berlin Film Festival, Journey to the Sun received the Blue Angel Award (Best European Film) and the Peace Prize. Journey to the Sun swept the Istanbul Festival by winning Best Film, Best Director, the FIPRESCI Prize and the Audience Award. After making several award-winning shorts, Ustaoglu made her feature film debut with 1994's The Trace (IZ). The film was presented at numerous international venues, including Moscow and Gotenburg.