Sour Apples (Film)

Ekşi Elmalar is a 2016 Turkish drama-comedy film written and directed by Yılmaz Erdoğan. Set across a time span from the late 1970s in Hakkâri to the late 1990s in Antalya, the film examines Türkiye’s social transformation and individual struggles for freedom through the lens of a strict-minded mayor’s family.

The film explores the transformations within the conservative and repressive family structure of Aziz Özay, a authoritarian mayor renowned for his apple orchards in Hakkâri, and his three daughters—Muazzez, Türkan, and Safiye. The narrative unfolds through the efforts of these three young women to shape their own lives. Despite their father’s rigid attitudes, the daughters strive to make independent choices, and their personal journeys unfold in parallel with Türkiye’s political and social transformation. The film portrays the conflict between individual freedom and traditional structures, supported by period-accurate settings and costumes.

^{Scene from Ekşi Elmalar (}IMDb⁾

• Yılmaz Erdoğan – Aziz Özay
• Farah Zeynep Abdullah – Muazzez Özay
• Songül Öden – Türkan Özay
• Şükran Ovalı – Safiye Özay
• Devrim Yakut – Ayda Özay
• Fatih Artman – Halit
• Şükrü Özyıldız – Özgür
• Ersin Korkut – Şino
• Caner Cindoruk – Servet

The film was produced by Necati Akpınar and shot under the banner of BKM Film. Gökhan Tiryaki served as director of photography, while Hakan Yarkın was the production designer. Filming took place in various regions of Türkiye, primarily in the districts of Köyceğiz, Ortaca, and Marmaris in Muğla. The natural landscapes of these areas were chosen to authentically reflect rural life during the period. The film was released in Türkiye on 28 October 2016.

Ekşi Elmalar addresses themes such as traditional family structures, patriarchy, individual freedom, the position of women in society, and political authority. The struggles of the female characters regarding marriage, education, and autonomy are contextualized within the socio-political framework of Türkiye during the era. Through the character of Aziz Özay, the film emphasizes the intergenerational impact of authority and repression, while the daughters’ stories convey narratives of change and personal transformation.

Ekşi Elmalar reached 1,294,000 viewers nationwide in Türkiye and generated a total revenue of 14,044,523 ₺ (Box Office Türkiye, 2024). This figure positioned the film as one of the most successful domestic productions of 2016. Made on a mid-range budget, the film is regarded as a standout production in Turkish cinema for its attention to set design, costumes, and the recreation of the period’s atmosphere.

Sadri Alışık Theatre and Cinema Actor Awards (2017)

• Jury Special Award; awarded to Farah Zeynep Abdullah, Songül Öden, and Şükran Ovalı.