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Zeynep's days are spent working as a hotel housekeeper. Her nights are hellish due to her father's inappropriate behavior. The only person with whom she can build a relationship is Mustafa, a young man who works at the same hotel and who is interested in Zeynep. Though she never responds to the interest of this young man, who is younger than she, she does not put him off either. Zeynep is trying to escape from the vicious circle in which she finds herself. In another part of the city, Selçuk, a sound technician, is struggling with the guilt he feels over the recent death of his wife. The suitcase that contains Selçuk's wife's clothes will change Zeynep's fate in a most unexpected manner.

"The director Semih Kaplanoğlu uses an oblique narrative style and non-linear editing to give us a somber view. We are led by his use of mystical symbols and references. Although the film is composed of long takes, contains no action at all, and its compositions are carefully balanced, he is able to keep the tension at a thriller-like high level so that we feel Zeynep's fear and agony. We are disturbed; we cannot get away from this harsh reality. We are as desperate as Zeynep." Alin Tasciyan

Production: Kaplan Film Prod. (Istanbul), Inkas Film Prod. (Athen), Highway Prod.

Screenplay: Semih Kaplanoğlu, Leyla Ipekçi, Uygar Asan

Cinematographer: Eyüp Boz

Cast: Tülin Özen, Budak Akalin, Musa Karagöz, Engin Doğan, Yeşim Ceren Bozoğlu

Format/screen ratio: 35mm, 1:1.85, Color

Running time: 98 min., 24 frames/sec.

Language: Turkish

Funded by:

  • Logo Minister of State for Culture and the Media
  • Logo des Programms NeuStart Kultur