Master of Turkish cinema in US

Hilal İşler NEW YORK

Ceylan’s ‘Winter Sleep’ will be released in the US in December.

The work of acclaimed Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan will be on display in two American cities this fall, including his critically acclaimed latest film, “Kış Uykusu” (Winter Sleep).

On Oct. 29, Ceylan premiered “Winter Sleep” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The following day, the director introduced two more of his films at the venue, “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” and “Climates,” before appearing at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This was Ceylan’s first official visit to the Twin Cities.

“After seeing ‘Winter Sleep’ at the Cannes film festival in May, 2014, where it won the top prize – the Palme d’Or – I collaborated with Jytte Jensen of the Museum of Modern Art, to extend an invitation for Mr. Ceylan to come to the United States,” said Sheryl Mousley, senior film curator for the Walker Art Center.

The Walker exhibit, “Master of Turkish Cinema: Nuri Bilge Ceylan,” is part of the MoMA’s Filmmaker in Focus series. The exhibition coincides with the 100th anniversary of Turkish cinema (1914 – 2014). All films showcased are in Turkish with English subtitles.

Of Ceylan’s seven feature films, the last four have won top prizes at the Cannes Film Festival. “Winter Sleep,” will have its American theatrical release at the end of the year. Much like the director’s prior work, the film explores the political, social, and civic tensions that complicate contemporary Turkish life.

Ceylan is known for his lingering, attentive shots of landscapes, and people. He often casts family members, including wife and fellow writer, Ebru Ceylan, in his films.

Ceylan’s work will be shown through Nov. 5 at the MoMA, and through Nov. 12 at the Walker Art Center.

Visit the Walker online for more information at http://www.walkerart.org/calendar/2014/master-turkish-cinema-nuri-bilge-ceylan.