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
Spring After Spring
Three daughters strive to live up to the standards set by their mother Marie Mimi Ho, and keep Vancouver Chinatown's Spring Parade going through thick and thin, in this enormously affectionate local documentary by Jon Chiang.
The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes
A beautiful portrait of E.J. Hughes, who quietly helped reshape the artistic landscape of British Columbia in the 20th century. This extraordinary documentary explores Hughes’s legacy not only as an artist, but as a devoted, humble human being.
My Father's Shadow
Akojo Film Collective is proud to present My Father's Shadow, launching African Cinema Now into a new year of vibrant programming at the VIFF Centre. The BAFTA-nominated film follows two boys on an adventure with their father through the streets of Lagos.
The Chronology of Water
Kristen Stewart's fearless directorial debut is based on the best-selling memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch (Imogen Poots), a chronicle of her abusive childhood, traumatized adulthood, and escapes through swimming, drugs, sex, and ultimately writing.