list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Distant on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Distant/226351/default.aspx Title: Distant
Year: 2002
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Plot: Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan writes and directs the taciturn drama Uzak (Distant). Following a major economic crisis, the young dreamer Yusuf (Mehmet Emin Toprak) leaves his small village in search of employment on a ship. He arrives in Istanbul to stay with his relative Mahmut (Muzaffer Özdemir). Living alone and working as a photographer, Mahmut's ordered life is disrupted by the presence of Yusuf. He is also disturbed when he learns that his ex-wife, Nazan (Zuhal Gencer Erkaya), is moving to Canada with her new husband. Mahmut cannot speak with his mother (Fatma Ceylan), Yusuf cannot talk to a girl he likes (Ebru Ceylan), and the two men barely communicate with each other. Uzak won the Grand Jury Prize while both leads won Best Actor at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
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SpoutRating: 4
]]>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:12:37 GMTDistant2002Nuri Bilge CeylanTurkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan writes and directs the taciturn drama Uzak (Distant). Following a major economic crisis, the young dreamer Yusuf (Mehmet Emin Toprak) leaves his small village in search of employment on a ship. He arrives in Istanbul to stay with his relative Mahmut (Muzaffer Özdemir). Living alone and working as a photographer, Mahmut's ordered life is disrupted by the presence of Yusuf. He is also disturbed when he learns that his ex-wife, Nazan (Zuhal Gencer Erkaya), is moving to Canada with her new husband. Mahmut cannot speak with his mother (Fatma Ceylan), Yusuf cannot talk to a girl he likes (Ebru Ceylan), and the two men barely communicate with each other. Uzak won the Grand Jury Prize while both leads won Best Actor at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide124http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t56997twagf.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Distant/226351/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/jscott/archive/2009/1/6/39142.aspx Post By: JScott
Post To: JScott Blog
Post Date: 1/6/2009 11:12:37 AM
Body: Nuri Bilge Ceylan has been a name on the international film circuit since 2002 with Distant - a "well-paced" character study - and has continued his success with Climates (2006) and now Three Monkeys (2008). Ceylan is putting Turkish film on the map through unorthodox shots and unconventional story telling techniques. Three Monkeys succeeds on many levels while being quietly devastating. Aesthetically we are presented with images of civilization on the brink. The dark nature of the film’s content and meaning is echoed beautifully in the cinematography. The clouds thicken as the plot does. As Eyüp (Yavuz Bingol) throws a tantrum so does Zeus. The breadth of darkness that cinematographer Gokhan Tiryaki is able to achieve adds a noirish richness to the film. The lingering shots place emphasis on the inner-workings of the characters. The deliberate pace could be mismanaged by lesser actors. Ismail - convincingly acted by Rifat Sungar - is the son. Eyüp, the father, goes to jail to cover the crimes of his boss, small-time politician Servet (Ercan Kesal: co-writer of Three Monkeys). Eyüp is virtually absent from the first half of the film while serving a jail sentence but leaves a heavy depression through an impactful performance. Hacer (Hatice Aslan) is the mother who is a lonely yet empowered persona. The entire cast worked through a minimalistic style with deliberate themes rooted deep in their character. These characters are shown often shown with animalistic undertones: Ismail's eating habits and hygiene, Hacer's lounging, being surrounded by birds, the soundtrack, and so forth. . These people are all capable of anything and in a moment’s notice will revert to a survival state. The animals that the title refers to are the three wise monkeys - see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil - from the Japanese parable. Today it is commonly used to describe someone who doesn't want to be involved in a situation, or someone turning a willful blind eye to the immorality of an act in which they are involved. This goes back to the underlying political message of the film that the rich can often sidestep their legal responsibility. All three members of the family are guilty in covering a crime for the bourgeoisie politician. Ultimately the less fortunate and marginal will have it fall back on them. Ceylan leaves potentially excessive and cliché scenes (i.e. sex, murder, etc.) to the viewer's imagination. What he chooses to show us is more impactful than blood, lust or other stimulate. It's the aftermath of an accident or the reaction to hearing something you shouldn't have. The silence between a father locked away by his duties and the son who is caged up in his own guilt can tell so much. Nuri Bilge Ceylan has successfully created another emotive film. Three Monkeys has well choreographed pace, award worthy acting and a story that is deep in tone and text.
]]>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:12:37 GMTJScottJScott Blog1/6/2009 11:12:37 AMNuri Bilge Ceylan has been a name on the international film circuit since 2002 with Distant - a "well-paced" character study - and has continued his success with Climates (2006) and now Three Monkeys (2008). Ceylan is putting Turkish film on the map through unorthodox shots and unconventional story telling techniques. Three Monkeys succeeds on many levels while being quietly devastating. Aesthetically we are presented with images of civilization on the brink. The dark nature of the film’s content and meaning is echoed beautifully in the cinematography. The clouds thicken as the plot does. As Eyüp (Yavuz Bingol) throws a tantrum so does Zeus. The breadth of darkness that cinematographer Gokhan Tiryaki is able to achieve adds a noirish richness to the film. The lingering shots place emphasis on the inner-workings of the characters. The deliberate pace could be mismanaged by lesser actors. Ismail - convincingly acted by Rifat Sungar - is the son. Eyüp, the father, goes to jail to cover the crimes of his boss, small-time politician Servet (Ercan Kesal: co-writer of Three Monkeys). Eyüp is virtually absent from the first half of the film while serving a jail sentence but leaves a heavy depression through an impactful performance. Hacer (Hatice Aslan) is the mother who is a lonely yet empowered persona. The entire cast worked through a minimalistic style with deliberate themes rooted deep in their character. These characters are shown often shown with animalistic undertones: Ismail's eating habits and hygiene, Hacer's lounging, being surrounded by birds, the soundtrack, and so forth. . These people are all capable of anything and in a moment’s notice will revert to a survival state. The animals that the title refers to are the three wise monkeys - see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil - from the Japanese parable. Today it is commonly used to describe someone who doesn't want to be involved in a situation, or someone turning a willful blind eye to the immorality of an act in which they are involved. This goes back to the underlying political message of the film that the rich can often sidestep their legal responsibility. All three members of the family are guilty in covering a crime for the bourgeoisie politician. Ultimately the less fortunate and marginal will have it fall back on them. Ceylan leaves potentially excessive and cliché scenes (i.e. sex, murder, etc.) to the viewer's imagination. What he chooses to show us is more impactful than blood, lust or other stimulate. It's the aftermath of an accident or the reaction to hearing something you shouldn't have. The silence between a father locked away by his duties and the son who is caged up in his own guilt can tell so much. Nuri Bilge Ceylan has successfully created another emotive film. Three Monkeys has well choreographed pace, award worthy acting and a story that is deep in tone and text. http://www.spout.com/blogs/usesoap/archive/2009/1/5/39115.aspx Post By: usesoap
Post To: usesoap Blog
Post Date: 1/5/2009 4:37:37 PM
Body: So often, when a film is described as 'deliberately paced,' it's can be read as being 'slow.' 'In the Bedroom' initially comes to mind off the top of my head. And while the camera may stay statioary to soak in the scenery, the electrical undercurrent of 'Three Monkeys' (Uc Maymun in Turkish) is anything but lethargic. Cinematographer Nuri Bilge Ceylan uses natural and man-made elements as supporting actors. A rolling storm cloud here, a thundering train there, all signify struggles the main characters face as they attempt to lie and cheat their way out of the dark corners in which they've found themselves. A middle-aged politician (Ercan Kesal) drives down a desolate road, eyes heavy with sleep, when he is jolted awake by his car slamming into and killing a pedestrian. In a panic, he bolts the scene and later persuades his longtime driver, Eyup (played by Yavuz Bingol), to take the fall and and serve the jail time in exchange for large chunks of change for him, Hacer his wife ( played by Hatice Aslan) and Ismael, his young son (played by Ahmet Rifts Sungar). As often does happen with money, problems arise. Ismael is of limited motivation and feels that only if the money were spent on a new car, his dream career could be attained. Hacer, on the other hand, begins an affair with her hubby's boss -- yes, the man Eyuap's serving time for -- and is reluctant to let it go upon his prison release. The film's title refers to those little chimps that cover their eyes, ears and mouth in order to "see no evil..." etc. And that is exactly what the characters do, they shut down the darker parts and sort of wish their troubles away. And this often justifies the lingering, physically inert stretches, hoping that those dark clouds will just roll over eventually and sunny skies will soon follow. But just as director Ceylan cuts away, so does the hope for a cheerful conclusion. It's not the prettiest portrait of human nature ( as evidenced by Eyup's violent reaction to his wife's affair, but indifference of his boss killing a man and covering it up), but may be more accurate than we're comfortable with. If it's pictures on the TV, we feel brief sadness before turning the channel; if it hits home, we're pissed. The performances are uniformly believable, with Aslan as the true standout. She's the victim of a loveless marriage, and when her husband's jailed for the better part of a year, her flirtation with freedom is palpable. And though Three Monkeys dabbles with excellence throughout, it never fully acheives it. Resolutions come a tad too easy in a film as emotionally messy as this, and while the cinematography enhances, it is too often used as a narrative crutch. Still, Three Monkeys offers further progression of a filmmaker who is not afraid of a few risks, and with each film, Ceylan has been building a solid resume (with 2002's Distant and 2006's Climates) that will most likely reap future rewards
]]>Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:37:37 GMTusesoapusesoap Blog1/5/2009 4:37:37 PMSo often, when a film is described as 'deliberately paced,' it's can be read as being 'slow.' 'In the Bedroom' initially comes to mind off the top of my head. And while the camera may stay statioary to soak in the scenery, the electrical undercurrent of 'Three Monkeys' (Uc Maymun in Turkish) is anything but lethargic. Cinematographer Nuri Bilge Ceylan uses natural and man-made elements as supporting actors. A rolling storm cloud here, a thundering train there, all signify struggles the main characters face as they attempt to lie and cheat their way out of the dark corners in which they've found themselves. A middle-aged politician (Ercan Kesal) drives down a desolate road, eyes heavy with sleep, when he is jolted awake by his car slamming into and killing a pedestrian. In a panic, he bolts the scene and later persuades his longtime driver, Eyup (played by Yavuz Bingol), to take the fall and and serve the jail time in exchange for large chunks of change for him, Hacer his wife ( played by Hatice Aslan) and Ismael, his young son (played by Ahmet Rifts Sungar). As often does happen with money, problems arise. Ismael is of limited motivation and feels that only if the money were spent on a new car, his dream career could be attained. Hacer, on the other hand, begins an affair with her hubby's boss -- yes, the man Eyuap's serving time for -- and is reluctant to let it go upon his prison release. The film's title refers to those little chimps that cover their eyes, ears and mouth in order to "see no evil..." etc. And that is exactly what the characters do, they shut down the darker parts and sort of wish their troubles away. And this often justifies the lingering, physically inert stretches, hoping that those dark clouds will just roll over eventually and sunny skies will soon follow. But just as director Ceylan cuts away, so does the hope for a cheerful conclusion. It's not the prettiest portrait of human nature ( as evidenced by Eyup's violent reaction to his wife's affair, but indifference of his boss killing a man and covering it up), but may be more accurate than we're comfortable with. If it's pictures on the TV, we feel brief sadness before turning the channel; if it hits home, we're pissed. The performances are uniformly believable, with Aslan as the true standout. She's the victim of a loveless marriage, and when her husband's jailed for the better part of a year, her flirtation with freedom is palpable. And though Three Monkeys dabbles with excellence throughout, it never fully acheives it. Resolutions come a tad too easy in a film as emotionally messy as this, and while the cinematography enhances, it is too often used as a narrative crutch. Still, Three Monkeys offers further progression of a filmmaker who is not afraid of a few risks, and with each film, Ceylan has been building a solid resume (with 2002's Distant and 2006's Climates) that will most likely reap future rewards http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/isolation/MemberTagFilms.aspxisolation
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