Distant (2002)

Synopsis
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