Once Upon a Time in Anatolia

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is a critically acclaimed Turkish drama film directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. The story revolves around a group of men searching for a dead body in the rural areas of Anatolia. The movie is a meditative exploration of human nature, society and fate, as the characters face the reality of their lives and their own morality.

The film opens with a long tracking shot of three cars moving through the expansive countryside of Anatolia at night, with only the headlights visible in the dark night. The occupants of the vehicles - a prosecutor, a doctor, a police officer, and a group of police officers and villagers - are searching for the body of a murder victim. The journey is long and tedious, and the hope of finding the body is slowly ebbing away.

As they travel the countryside, the group interacts with each other in different ways, revealing their personalities and characteristics. The prosecutor, played by Taner Birsel, is the most empathetic of the group, and tries to understand the situation and the people involved. The doctor, played by Muhammet Uzuner, is a more reserved figure, trying to distance himself from the gruesome events. The police officer, played by Yilmaz Erdogan, is the most pragmatic of the group, and tries to keep things moving forward.

As the night progresses, the group moves through different landscapes, each one evoking different emotions and moods. The fields of wheat, the hills, the forests and the rivers are all part of the journey and we see the beauty of Anatolia, sometimes in contrast with the dark mood of the story.

As they get closer to the body, the tension in the group grows. The murderers have given no clues as to the location of the body, and the group has to rely on their own instincts and intuition to find it. Along the way, they encounter a number of obstacles and distractions, including a stop at a rural village where they spend the night in a local mayor's house. During this stopover, the group experience some of the social and political tensions of rural life in Anatolia, including superstitions, local rivalries, and political corruption.

Throughout the film, there are long periods of silence, where the landscapes and the interactions of the group convey the mood and the themes of the movie. The dialogues are sparse and cryptic at times, and the viewer has to pay attention to the subtle changes in behavior to fully understand the characters and their motivations.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its visual style. The cinematography is exceptional, with long, sweeping shots of the landscapes and the movements of the group. The colors are muted and natural, and the use of light and dark creates a haunting atmosphere that perfectly suits the mood of the movie. The sound design is also top-notch, with the use of ambient sounds and music adding a layer of tension to the film.

Overall, Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is a masterful meditation on human nature, morality, and the complexities of rural life in Turkey. It is a slow-burning and evocative movie that rewards those who are looking for a profound cinematic experience. This movie is a must-see for fans of moody dramas and those who appreciate masterful storytelling.