Ahlat Tree (Film)

Ahlat Ağacı is a Turkish drama film released in 2018, directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and written by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Ebru Ceylan, and Akın Aksu. The film had its world premiere at the 71st Cannes Film Festival and was selected for competition for the Golden Palm.

Plot

The film centers on the life of Sinan, a young man who has just graduated from university and finds himself caught between his desire to become a writer and his complicated relationships with his family in his hometown of Çan. The story unfolds through his father’s debts, his extramarital affairs in the countryside, his mental introspections, and his personal dead ends, exploring themes of belonging, disillusionment, intellectual loneliness, and generational conflict. The narrative progresses through a dramatic structure, lengthy dialogue scenes, and a character-driven approach.

Production and Release Information

• Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
• Screenplay: Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Ebru Ceylan, Akın Aksu
• Producer: Zeynep Özbatur Atakan
• Production Companies: NBC Film, Zeyno Film
• Co-Production Countries: Türkiye, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• World Premiere: 18 May 2018, Cannes Film Festival
• Türkiye Release Date: 1 June 2018
• Duration: 188 minutes
• Genre: Drama
• Language: Turkish

Cast

• Doğu Demirkol – Sinan Karasu
• Murat Cemcir – İdris Karasu
• Bennu Yıldırımlar – Asuman Karasu
• Serkan Keskin – Nazmi
• Akın Aksu – Imam Veysel
• Tamer Levent – Mayor
• Hazar Ergüçlü – Hatice

Filming Locations

The film was shot in the Çan district of Çanakkale, as well as in Bayramiç, Yenice, and surrounding areas. Wide-angle natural landscapes and the atmosphere of rural life play a defining role in the film’s visual language.

Festivals and Awards

• 2018 Cannes Film Festival – Main Competition (Golden Palm Nomination)
• The film was featured in special screenings and award ceremonies at festivals such as the Antalya Film Festival, Sarajevo Film Festival, and Adana Golden Boll.
• The film was nominated for the FIPRESCI Prize, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor.

Ahlat Ağacı (Independent Cinema)

Thematic Structure

Ahlat Ağacı is structured around themes such as the individual’s relationship with rural life, writing, and existential inquiry. The film’s extended dialogue scenes center on philosophical, sociological, and religious debates. The observational camera style, use of natural lighting, and static framing are characteristic elements of Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s cinematic approach.