Irish critics name Ceylan best director

DUBLIN - Hürriyet Daily News

Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s movie ‘Once Upon a Time in Anatolia’ tells the story of the police looking for a dead man in the hills of Anatolia. Ceylan has been choosen as the best director at Dublin film fest and received Grand Jury Prize at the 64th Cannes Film Festival in May 2011.

Turkish film director Nuri Bilge Ceylan has been chosen as best director at an international festival in Dublin.

Ceylan received full marks from Irish critics in the 10th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF) that took place between Feb. 16 and 26, and was named best director for his film “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia.”

This year the JDIFF welcomed Al Pacino, Martin Sheen, Glenn Close, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Madsen, Whit Stillman, Kenneth Lonergan, Agnieszka Holland and Marjane Satrapi. Established in 2003, the JDIFF has fast become Ireland’s premier feature film festival. Each year the festival presents the Volta Awards to outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of film.

Other movies in the festival

The Dublin Film Critics Circle selected “Nuala: A Life and Death” as best Irish film; Michael Fuith as best actor for his role in Markus Schleinzer’s “Michael;” and Greta Gerwig as best actress for her role in Stillman’s “Damsels in Distress.” Best screenplay went to Joseph Cedar’s “Footnote” and best documentary to Ron Fricke and Mark Madigson’s epic “Samsara,” while “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” won Ceylan the best director award.

Special jury awards were given by the critics to director Ivan Kavanagh for “Tin Can Man;” director Ruben Östlund for “Play;” actress Aisling Loftus for her role in “Death of a Superhero” and director/writers Vincent Paronnaud and Satrapi for “Chicken with Plums.” The annual Michael Dwyer Discovery Award was presented this year to Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhride for his work on “Silence.”
Ceylan’s “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” was also awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 64th Cannes Film Festival in May 2011.

Produced by Zeynep Ozbatur Atakan, the 2.35-hour film tells the story of the police looking for a dead man in the hills of Anatolia. When the body is at last dug up, themes of guilt and adultery come to the surface.

The Volta award honoring career achievement was given to Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, who celebrated the festival’s 10th birthday and program launch for 2012.