Sour Apples (Ekşi Elmalar in Turkish) , a 2016 Turkish drama-comedy film, was both written and directed by Yılmaz Erdoğan. The film explores Türkiye's social transformation and individual struggles for freedom through the family of a strict-tempered mayor, spanning a period from the late 1970s in Hakkâri to the late 1990s in Antalya.

Synopsis

The film focuses on the transformations within the conservative and oppressive family structure established by Mayor Aziz Özay, an authoritarian figure famous for his apple orchards in Hakkâri, and his three daughters, Muazzez, Türkan, and Safiye. The story unfolds through the efforts of these three young women to build their own lives. Despite their father's rigid stance, the daughters' lives, driven by their desire to make their own decisions, are shaped parallel to Türkiye's political and social transformation. The film explores the conflict between individual freedom and traditional structures, accompanied by settings and costumes that reflect the period.

^{A Scene from the movie Ekşi Elmalar (IMDb)}

Cast

• 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

Production Process

The film was produced by Necati Akpınar, and filming was carried out under the umbrella of BKM Film. Gökhan Tiryaki served as the cinematographer, and Hakan Yarkın was the art director. The film was shot in various regions of Türkiye, primarily in the Köyceğiz, Ortaca, and Marmaris districts of Muğla. The natural landscapes in these areas aimed to authentically reflect rural life of the period. The film was released in Türkiye on October 28, 2016.

Thematic Structure

"Sour Apples" explores themes such as traditional family structure, patriarchy, individual freedom, women's position in society, and political authority. In the film, the struggles experienced by female characters regarding marriage, education, and freedom are particularly linked to the socio-political structure of Türkiye during that period. While the intergenerational impact of authority and oppression is emphasized through the character of Aziz Özay, change and individual transformation are narrated through the stories of his daughters.

Budget and Box Office Performance

"Sour Apples" reached 1,294,000 viewers across Türkiye and grossed a total of ₺14,044,523 (Box Office Türkiye, 2024). This figure positioned the film as a successful production among domestic films released in 2016. The film was shot with a medium-sized budget and was considered a standout production in terms of local cinema standards, especially in creating decor, costumes, and period atmosphere.

Awards and Nominations

Sadri Alışık Theatre and Cinema Actor Awards (2017)

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

^{Sour Apples Movie Trailer (Beşiktaş Kültür Merkezi)}