Hakki has a simple life, but a good one. He sells souvenirs and tours at the archaeological ruins at Bergama, in the Aegean; enjoys a loving marriage, takes pride in family, friends, and the home that has been passed down through generations. Another inheritance, poverty, scarcely warrants a second thought until a stroke of good fortune alters Hakki’s way of thinking. While cutting back the troublesome roots of a tree beside his house, he comes across buried treasure: an ancient figurine. This, he senses, will be a life-changing discovery.
And so it proves. Hikmet Özcan’s film is content to tell us a story—a fable, really—without pretension or gratuitous adornment. The early scenes have a pleasing lightness of touch that’s entirely in keeping with Hakki’s unaffected lifestyle. As the tale turns we’re drawn into the protagonist’s determination to stake his claim and prove his worthiness. The movie rests squarely on the psychologically acute performance of Bülent Emin Yarar in the title role. He’s in nearly every scene and commands our attention throughout.
Community Partner
Bülent Emin Yarar, Hülya Gülşen, Cem Zeynel Kılıç, Özgür Emre Yıldırım, Duygu Gökhan, Durukan Çelikkaya
Turkey
2024
In Turkish with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Executive Producer
Zeynep Santiroglu Sutherland, Alex Sutherland
Producer
Oyku Canli, Hikmet Kerem Özcan
Screenwriter
Hikmet Kerem Özcan
Cinematography
Burak Baybars
Editor
Tatlıhan Tuncel, Hikmet Kerem Özcan
Original Music
Ahmet Kenan Bilgic
Hikmet Kerem Özcan
Hikmet Kerem Özcan is director born in Izmir, Turkey. He studied at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in their Cinema & Television department where he learned from important figures in Turkish Cinema. He has worked on commercials and documentaries while also directing his own short films, which have won various awards.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
The Love That Remains
Anna and Magnús have separated, leaving her to raise their three children as he spends long stretches at sea, working as a fisherman. As the seasons pass, their emotions ebb and flow. A richly conceived story with unexpected delight and humour.
Girl
In this Lunar New Year gala premiere, we are delighted to present the directorial debut of Taiwanese superstar Shu Qi (Millennium Mambo; The Assassin; Resurrection). Girl is an autobiographical coming of age film about a troubled teenager in the 1980s.
The Princess Bride
VIFF Kids Club is our monthly family series with films, crafts and more! Doors at 11 am for activities, film at 12 pm. One of the most beloved movies of the 80s, The Princess Bride delivers a romantic, funny, swashbuckling fairy tale for kids of all ages.
Sirât
A desperate father (Sergi Lopez) searchers for his missing daughter through the spiritual wasteland of the Moroccan desert. An unforgettable sensory powerhouse, Sîrat will have you riveted and rattled for hours after the end credits have rolled.
KPop Demon Hunters
The surprise hit of 2025, KPop Demon Hunters is a blast of good vibes and catchy tunes — this generation's Ghostbusters, Gorillaz, or Spice Girls — or some delightfully unholy combination of all three. Rated PG, all ages welcome!