Written and Directed by: Zeki Demirkubuz
Edited by: Mevlut Kocak
Cinematography: Ali Utku
Sound-Mix: Metin Cesmebasi
Music: Cengiz Onural
Cast: Derya Alabora, Haluk Bilginer, Guven Kirac, Melis Tuna, Yalcin Cakmak, Ajlan Aktuğ and Nihal G. Koldas

Production: Mavi Film
Produced by: Zeki Demirkubuz
Production Date: 1997, Turkey

35 mm / Color / 105 minutes / Aspect Ratio: 1.66
Number of reels: 6
Footage: 3250 m
Sound: Ultra Stereo

Distribution:

World Sales: Mavi Film (Turkey)

Festivals and Special Screenings:

Sanart Film (Europe)
info@sanartfilm.com

Moon and Stars Project (U.S.A.)
kaan@moonandstarsproject.org

Story

Yusuf, released from prison after having served a ten-year sentence, goes to Izmir to visit his sister. Facing past family troubles and having no other place to go, he settles down in a cheap, run-down hotel. Soon, his path crosses with that of a strange family. In Yusuf’s struggle to survive, Bekir, Ugur and their daughter, Cilem, are initially a glimpse of hope, which, later on, turns into a devastating destiny.

Festivals and Awards

1999 Tebessa Film Festival (Algeria): Grand Prize, Best Actor (Guven Kirac)

 

1998 Premiers Plans Festival D’Angers (France): Grand Prize, Best Actor (Guven Kirac)

 

1998 George and Ruta Sodoul Awards (France): Grand Prize

 

1998 Films from the South Film Festival (Norway): Grand Prize

 

1998 Brussels Mediterranean Film Festival (Belgium): Jury Special Award

 

1998 Innsbruck Film Festival (Austria): Audience Award

 

1998 International Istanbul Film Festival (Turkey): Best Film

 

1998 Ankara Film Festival (Turkey): Jury Special Award, Best Actor (Guven Kirac), Best Actress (Derya Alabora)

 

1998 Orhon Murat Ariburnu Awards (Turkey): Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Guven Kirac), Best Actress (Derya Alabora), Best Supporting Actor (Haluk Bilginer)

 

1998 Film Critics Association (SIYAD) Awards (Turkey): Best Film, Best Director, Best Script, Best Actor (Guven Kirac), Best Actress (Derya Alabora)

 

1997 Köln Turkish Film Festival (Germany): Third Prize

 

1997 Venice Film Festival (Italy)

 

1997 Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival (Turkey): 2nd Best Film, Best Actress (Derya Alabora), Best Supporting Actor (Haluk Bilginer), Best Editing

 

1997 Adana Film Festival (Turkey): Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Guven Kirac), Best Actress (Derya Alabora)

 

1997 Golden Objective Awards (Turkey): Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Guven Kirac)

 

1997 Contemporary Screen Actors Association (CASOD) Acting Awards (Turkey): Haluk Bilginer, Derya Alabora, Guven Kirac

Press

There Should Be a Door. L’Humanité. July 14, 1999. Review.

The Innocence of Cinema. Radikal 2. November 9, 1997. Review.

Innocence. Mental Minefields: The Dark Tales of Zeki Demirkubuz. 2007. Review.

Innocence. Five Films by Zeki Demirkubuz. 2003. Review.
Rotterdam Film Festival. www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com. January 27-February 7, 2010. Review.