Distant
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Muzaffer Ozdemir
Mehmet Emin Toprak
Zuhal Gencer
Fatma Ceylan
Feridun Koc
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Mahmut is a relatively successful commercial photographer who has been struggling to come to terms with the growing gap between his artisitc ideals and his professional obligations. His tedious workload, coupled with the lingering loss he still feels for his ex-wife (newly married and on the verge of leaving Istanbul for Canada), leaves Mahmut clinging to the melancholic and obsessive routines of solitary life. Without warning, Mahmut's distant relative Yusuf arrives in Istanbul determined to find a job aboard a ship so that he may fulfill his dream of traveling around the world. In need of a place to stay as he searches for work, Yusuf imposes himself on Mahmut, who resents the sudden intrusion, but nonetheless feels obliged to help his family. It doesn't take long for Yusuf to discover that the the work he is looking for isn't available, but he manages to prolong his stay by formulating stories that would suggest otherwise. His hope waning, Yusuf resorts to spending his days drifting through the streets of Istanbul, slowly coming to the realization that without work he may soon need to return home. Mahmut tries to help by offering him a job as his assistant during a photography shoot, but the fix is temporary. As the two men struggle to make a connection, communication is slowly reduced to bare minimum, and their time together must come to an end.
Director
Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Cast
Muzaffer Ozdemir
Mehmet Emin Toprak
Zuhal Gencer
Fatma Ceylan
Feridun Koc
Ebru Ceylan
Ercan Kesal
Nazan Kesal
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Winner of Best Turkish Film and Best Director at the 2003 International Istanbul Film Festival.
Winner of the Grand Prix (Grand Jury Prize)and Best Actor (Muzaffer Özdemir and Mehmet Emin Toprak) at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.
Winner of the Silver Hugo award at the 2003 Chicago International Film Festival.
Released in United States Spring March 12, 2004
Released in United States September 24, 2004
Released in United States on Video March 22, 2005
Released in United States 2003
Released in United States September 2003
Released in United States October 2003
Released in United States January 2004
Shown at San Sebastian International Film Festival September 18-27, 2003.
Shown at Chicago International Film Festival October 2-16, 2003.
Shown at New York Film Festival October 3-19, 2003.
Shown at Palm Springs International Film Festival January 8-19, 2004.
Released in United States Spring March 12, 2004 (NY, LA)
Released in United States September 24, 2004 (Los Angeles)
Released in United States on Video March 22, 2005
Released in United States 2003 (Shown at Telluride Film Festival August 29-September 1, 2003.)
Released in United States September 2003 (Shown at San Sebastian International Film Festival September 18-27, 2003.)
Released in United States October 2003 (Shown at Chicago International Film Festival October 2-16, 2003.)
Released in United States October 2003 (Shown at New York Film Festival October 3-19, 2003.)
Released in United States January 2004 (Shown at Palm Springs International Film Festival January 8-19, 2004.)
