Awarded film comes to screen

ISTANBUL

‘Şimdiki Zaman’ tells the story of a Turkish woman who is trying to make a living as a fortune teller.

Turkish director Belmin Söylemez’s film, “Şimdiki Zaman” (Present Tense), which made a tour of film festivals across the United States, will be released in Turkey today.

The film, which tells the story of a Turkish woman who is trying to make a living as a fortune teller, is being shown in exclusive screenings across the country.

Best Actress Award

The film had its national premiere at the 31st Istanbul Film Festival, while lead actress Sanem Öge won a best actress award in the festival’s national competition for her role as Mina. The movie provided Öge with her first-ever lead role in a feature film. The prize was given to Öge by acclaimed German actor Alexander Fehling, a member of the International Golden Tulip jury, at the closing ceremony of the festival.

In the film, Mina applies to a fortune-telling café under the pretext that she actually has experience in the field. While she reads the coffee cups of different women, she also tries to determine a life path for herself. Divorced, disconnected from her family and about to be evicted from her flat, she is surrounded with troubles. Mina soon decides to escape to America.