Movies About Turkey

From Ron Fricke, starring Balinese Tari Legong Dancers, Ni Made Megahadi Pratiwi, Puti Sri Candra Dewi, Putu Dinda Pratika
Rated PG-13

Samsara is a non-narrative documentary film directed by Ron Fricke and produced by Mark Magidson. The film takes viewers on a journey through the wonders of the world, from the towering heights of the Himalayas to the barren desert of the Middle East, from the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat to the bustling city of Tokyo. Along the way, the film examines the human experience and its connection to the natural world. Through stunning visuals and a hypnotic soundtrack, Samsara meditates on the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that is at the core of all life. The film is an ode to the beauty and mystery of the world, and an exploration of the power of human connection.

From Nuri Bilge Ceylan, starring Haluk Bilginer, Melisa Sözen, Demet Akbag, Ayberk Pekcan
Rated Not Rated

Winter Sleep is a 2014 Turkish-language drama film directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Set in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) in the winter, the film follows the story of Aydin, a wealthy, middle-aged former actor who now runs a small hotel in the country's rural countryside. As winter sets in, Aydin's relationships with his estranged wife, divorcee sister, and the people living and working in the area are tested. As Aydin struggles to make sense of his life, he is forced to confront his own mortality and his legacy. Through a series of conversations and vignettes, Ceylan examines rural life in Anatolia, relationships, religion, and the human condition. Ultimately, Winter Sleep is an exploration of the struggles of modern life, and the consequences of not being able to find one's place in the world.

From Sam Mendes, starring Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Judi Dench
Rated PG-13

Skyfall is a 2012 James Bond film directed by Sam Mendes. The film follows Bond (Daniel Craig) as he faces off against the evil Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), a former MI6 agent turned cyberterrorist. Bond must fight to protect M (Judi Dench) and MI6 from Silva's schemes and save the world from his evil plan. Along the way, Bond is aided by allies such as MI6 agent Eve Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and trusted field agent Bill Tanner (Rory Kinnear). Skyfall is an action-packed film that combines classic Bond elements with a modern twist. The film also features exciting and memorable moments, including a thrilling train chase and a dramatic showdown at Bond's ancestral home.

From Nuri Bilge Ceylan, starring Muhammet Uzuner, Yilmaz Erdogan, Taner Birsel, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan
Rated Not Rated

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is a 2011 Turkish drama film directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. The story follows a group of men, including a doctor, a prosecutor, a police commissioner and the suspects of a murder, as they search for a body in the dark countryside of Anatolia. During the night, the group travels through a range of emotions and experiences, with the search unfolding in an almost dreamlike atmosphere. Along the way, the men's conversations, their thoughts and desires, their doubts and fears, and their relationships with each other are revealed. As the film progresses, the search for the body becomes increasingly surreal, as the men confront their own inner turmoils and the mysteries of the Anatolian landscape. Ultimately, the film serves as an exploration of the human condition and its relationship with the natural world.

From Tarsem Singh, starring Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru, Justine Waddell, Kim Uylenbroek
Rated R

The Fall is a visually stunning 2006 film by director Tarsem Singh. It tells the story of an injured stuntman, Roy, who is hospitalized after a fall on the set of a film. While he lies in traction, Roy uses his imagination to tell a story to a young girl, Alexandria, who is visiting him in the hospital. The story is set in a magical kingdom, and follows Alexandria and Roy as they battle a wicked ruler, Governor Odious, and his minions in order to restore justice and freedom. Along the way, they enlist the help of an eclectic cast of characters who help them in their quest. The film is an imaginative journey of redemption and self-discovery, and features stunning visuals and a unique style of storytelling.

From Fatih Akin, starring Alexander Hacke, Ahmed Ulug, Cem Yegul, Mehmed Ulug
Rated Not Rated

Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul is a 2005 documentary film directed by Fatih Akin. The film takes viewers on a musical journey through the diverse cultural landscape of Istanbul. As the title suggests, the film follows the rhythms and sounds of the city, exploring its traditional and contemporary music. Along the way, the film introduces viewers to some of the city's most renowned musicians and shows how their music reflects the unique history and culture of Istanbul. The film is an immersive experience that captures the soul of Istanbul, providing an insightful look into the city and its people.

From Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin
Rated R

Argo is a 2012 American historical drama film directed by Ben Affleck. Set during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, the film is based on the true story of a CIA "exfiltration" specialist who, with the help of the Canadian government and Hollywood make-up artists, successfully extracted six U.S. diplomats from revolutionary Iran by posing as a film crew scouting locations for a science fiction film titled Argo. The film stars Affleck as the specialist, and also stars Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, and John Goodman. Argo received critical acclaim upon its release and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning three for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.

From Fatih Akin, starring Baki Davrak, Gürsoy Gemec, Cengiz Daner, Tuncel Kurtiz
Rated Not Rated

The Edge of Heaven is the story of two families from two different countries whose lives come together in unexpected ways. Aydin (Tuncel Kurtiz), a Turkish man living in Germany, is desperate to find a wife for his son Nejat (Baki Davrak). He takes a chance on Yeter (Nursel Köse), a prostitute that he finds in a bar. After Nejat meets and falls in love with Yeter, they decide to marry and move back to Turkey. However, things soon take a tragic turn when Yeter is arrested and sent to jail. Meanwhile, in Germany, Lotte (Patrycia Ziolkowska), a young German woman, meets Ali (Tuncel Kurtiz), a Turkish immigrant who has been living in Germany for some time. When Ali is suddenly deported back to Turkey, Lotte follows him, hoping to find him and start a new life together. The Edge of Heaven follows the stories of both families as their lives become intricately intertwined through tragedy, love, and redemption. Through this journey, the film explores themes of identity, displacement, and the search for belonging.

From Deniz Gamze Ergüven, starring Günes Sensoy, Doga Zeynep Doguslu, Tugba Sunguroglu, Elit Iscan
Rated PG-13

Mustang is a 2015 French-Turkish drama film directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven. It follows the story of five young orphaned sisters living in a remote Turkish village who are gradually forced to conform to the restrictive expectations of their family and society. As the sisters become aware of their sexuality and the limits placed upon them, they rebel against their family and the restrictive culture around them, ultimately seeking freedom. Despite the restrictions placed upon them, the sisters form a powerful bond of sisterhood, ultimately finding strength and freedom in their love for one another.

From Alan Parker, starring Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli
Rated R

Midnight Express tells the true story of Billy Hayes, a young American college student who is caught smuggling drugs out of Turkey. He is then sentenced to a harsh prison sentence in a Turkish prison. During his time in prison, Hayes struggles to survive the brutality of the prison guards, the other inmates and the inhumane conditions of the prison. With the help of his lawyer and his girlfriend, he eventually manages to escape and make it back to the United States. The film is a powerful and harrowing depiction of the prison system and the lengths people are willing to go in order to survive.

From Feo Aladag, starring Sibel Kekilli, Nizam Schiller, Derya Alabora, Settar Tanriögen
Rated Unrated

When We Leave is a German-Turkish drama film directed by Feo Aladag. The film follows a young woman named Umay, who is a Turkish immigrant living in Berlin with her family. After suffering years of abuse from her husband and his family, Umay decides to flee her home in order to find a better life for herself and her son. Although she is determined to make a fresh start, she quickly discovers that leaving her family and homeland is not as easy as she had thought. Umay faces a difficult journey of self-discovery as she struggles to come to terms with her own identity, her past, and the traditions of her family. The film is a powerful exploration of the cultural and generational divide between Turkish immigrants and the German culture and society in which they now live.

From Terence Young, starring Sean Connery, Robert Shaw, Lotte Lenya, Daniela Bianchi
Rated PG

From Matthew Heineman, starring Abdelaziz Alhamza, Mohamad Almusari, Hamoud Almousa, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi
Rated R

From Nuri Bilge Ceylan, starring Yavuz Bingöl, Hatice Aslan, Ahmet Rifat Sungar, Ercan Kesal
Rated Not Rated

From Eytan Fox, starring Lior Ashkenazi, Knut Berger, Caroline Peters, Gideon Shemer
Rated R

From Nuri Bilge Ceylan, starring Ebru Ceylan, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Nazan Kesal, Mehmet Eryilmaz
Rated Unrated

From Semih Kaplanoglu, starring Bora Altas, Erdal Besikçioglu, Tülin Özen, Ayse Altay
Rated Not Rated

From Russell Crowe, starring Russell Crowe, Olga Kurylenko, Jai Courtney, Isabel Lucas
Rated R

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong
Rated R

From Joseph Ruben, starring Michiel Huisman, Hera Hilmar, Josh Hartnett, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

From Atom Egoyan, starring Charles Aznavour, Brent Carver, Eric Bogosian, Simon Abkarian
Rated R

From Xavier Gens, starring Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott, Olga Kurylenko, Robert Knepper
Rated R

From Hossein Amini, starring Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, Oscar Isaac, Daisy Bevan
Rated PG-13

From Terry George, starring Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon, Christian Bale, Daniel Giménez Cacho
Rated PG-13