Climates

Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Turkey, 2006 (8.4*)
This is a beautiful film to watch, but those looking for much action will likely be disappointed. On the surface, it's about a marriage of a teacher, played by director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and his tv director wife, played by Ceylan's real life wife, Ebru Ceylan. Their relationship is growing more estranged over time, even though they travel together to have some quality time togehter. Most of the film centers on feelings, thoughts, space, and environments, much like a Bergman film, in which the environments become metaphors for emotions and the dynamics of relationships.

Ceylan is an artist enough with film to keep the discerning fan interested throughout, though the story really doesn't elicit much sympathy for any of the characters; none seem to be very warm or sharing people, instead they appear self-centered and disinterested.

Ceylan's films are so beautifully shot that the story can take a back seat. They are the type of films that approach art, please critics, then gross about 100k nationwide as they get no PR and little attention from the masses, who apparently can't get enough police films, G-rated cartoon movies, and high school comedies.

This film won 8 awards, mostly at film festivals. It won best film and audience favorite at the Istanbul Film Festival, and a FIRESCI prize at Cannes.
Awards page at IMDB