Winter Sleep (2014)

DVD CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  196 Minutes

Rated: 15

Genre: Drama

Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Starring: Haluk Bilginer, Melisa Sözen, Demet Akbag, Ayberk Pekcan, Serhat Mustafa Kiliç, Nejat Isler

IMDB Rank: 8.1/10

Part 1 Time:  142 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  54 Minutes

***The DVD format of the film separates the chapters in intervals of 10 minutes, thus starting in the middle of scenes. The best suggested intermission point is two minutes into chapter 14.

Where does the first part end? At night, Aydin (Haluk Bilginer) releases his new horse into the wild.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Go on,” Aydin whispers to the horse.

First line of dialogue on the second part: Aydin prepares to leave for Istanbul, Söför Hidayet (Ayberk Pekcan) prepares the automobile. “Should we check again before we set off?” Aydin asks his assistant Söför.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal/ Somewhat, Aydin does not agree with the fundraising efforts of his wife Nihal (Melisa Sözen) and questions her ability to be successful, resulting in increasing tension between Aydin and Nihal. How will this impact their marriage moving forward?

Which part is better? The film is quite slow with long drawn out dialogue scenes. The interactions between characters show the significant divide between the powerful and powerless in Turkey. Part one, is better due to the various character interactions showing the divide between rich and poor as well as the growing tensions between Aydin and Nihal.

Awards: 2014 Palme d’Or (Winner)