Winter Sleep

Winter Sleep (Kis uykusu) is a remarkable Turkish drama set in Cappadochia, central Anatolia. With a lengthy duration of 196 minutes, it intrepidly reels you in within the first scene. Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s decision to maintain the unconventional length of this narrative is purely for indulgence, and it makes for an entertaining experience. The film spills from one scene into another effortlessly. You feel as though you’re watching these people’s lives unfold in real-time as it progresses.

It delivers strong performances from the cast. In particular, former actor turned hotel owner Aydin (Haluk Bilginer), his wife Nihal (Melisa Sözen), and her recent divorcee sister Necla (Demet Akbag). With extensive dialogue throughout, it takes some effort to sit through certain moments as some characters merely speak because they want to say something, not because they have something to say. However, that is the basis of this decadent, daring film, and ultimately why it will be praised. (RBM)

****/5

By Rocio Belinda Mendez