66th THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
31 OCTOBER → 9 NOVEMBER 2025
Balkan Survey: Kutlug Ataman

Turkey 2005 107 35mm Colour
Behiye is angry. In spite of her intelligence and education she feels trapped inside her own life. She is a young girl who constantly shouts but is not heard. She does not accept the role given to her in the outskirts of Istanbul. Giving in to her fate is not for Behiye. She rebels. She is so fragile. She needs a guiding light like everyone. Behiye needs a light more than anyone perhaps. Handan is the exact opposite of Behiye. She is like light: dazzling and happy. She is her mother’s sweetheart; a fairy who will embrace her loved ones and give them unconditional love and warmth forever. Maybe she’s a little selfish, but she’s just a kid, and so she is always forgiven. Handan cannot be real.The real one is the Handan inside this soft exterior. When Behiye meets Handan, Handan’s light says “let’s run away, get out of here” to her. Behiye is the little fish dazzled by the light of torch fishermen in the dark waters. How can she know that behind the light lies the fisherman’s net?