Nuri Bilge Ceylan scripted and made his directorial debut with this Turkish family drama, based on an autobiographical story (Cornfield) by his sister, Emine Ceylan. The black-and-white film is structured around vignettes of seasonal changes. Winter: Turkish life is seen from the perspective of a young schoolteacher. Spring: A student from the first segment and her little brother experience the world of nature as they walk home. Summer: The children join their parents and grandparents in a family gathering, talking and eating roast corn around an outdoor fire on a summer night. Fall: In a symbolic sequence, the youngsters find their roles in society. This low-budget film premiered at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival and won the international critics jury prize (a $30,000 cash award) at the 1998 Istanbul Film Festival.
by Bhob Stewart
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