Archive of films Motherland Hotel / Anayurt Oteli

Turkey
1986, 110 min

Section: Ten Best Turkish Films
Year: 2004

The film concerns solitude and loneliness, obsession and depression, and is arguably one of the most painful movies in the history of the Turkish film industry. Zebercet pins his life on one hope: that a beautiful woman who once spent the night at his grim little hotel will turn up again. This hope gradually transforms into a dangerous obsession.

Synopsis

Ömer Kavur recreates Zebercet, the receptionist of a sad, bleak hotel in a small Anatolian town, adapting him from Yusuf Atılgan’s novel in an attempt that seemed risky to others. A film about loneliness and solitude, obsession and depression, evidently one of the most painful films in Turkish cinema. Here we have the story of the disintegration of someone who is unaware of the thin ice he stands on. The tragic Zebercet, hopelessly awaits the return of a mysterious woman who once came with the Ankara train and stayed a single night in the hotel, turning this ‘dream-real’ woman into an obsession. He gradually moves away from the reality of everyday life and becomes increasingly introverted, a process reflected in the hotel itself. The film creates the reality of closed spaces and a dream-like atmosphere reminiscent of Kubrick’s The Shining.

About the director

Ömer Kavur (b. 1944, Ankara) studied sociology, journalism and film in Paris. He has directed many documentaries and commercials. His films were awarded prizes at the Antalya Film Festival and were highly recommended in the film critics’ annual selections. Motherland Hotel (Anayurt oteli)has won many awards - the Golden Orange in Antalya and a prize from the Nantes IFF, particularly for its economical and simple narration, where the director succeeded in creating a universally comprehensive work. Blindfold (Körebe) Desperate Road (Amansız Yol) and Night Journey (Gece Yolculuğu) were awarded by the Ministry of Culture. Kavur has also won international awards and his films have been screened in retrospectives at various international festivals.

Contacts

Festival on Wheels - Ankara Cinema Association
Abay Kunanbay Cad 33/6, 06700, Ankara
Turkey
Tel: +90 312 466 3484
Fax: +90 312 466 4331
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.festivalonwheels.org

Alfa Film
Istiklal Cad. Halep Ishani No 140, Kat 5, Beyoglu, , Istanbul
Turkey
Tel: +90 212 243 6340
Fax: +90 212 245 3508
E-mail: [email protected]

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About the film

Color, 35 mm

Section:	Ten Best Turkish Films

Director:	Ömer Kavur
Screenplay:	Ömer Kavur podle románu / based on a novel by Yusuf Atılgan
Dir. of Photography:	Orhan Oğuz
Music:	Atilla Özdemiroğlu
Editor:	Mevlüt Koçak
Producer:	Cengiz Ergun
Production:	Alfa Film
Cast:	Macit Koper, Serra Yılmaz, Orhan Çağman, Şahika Tekand, Osman Alyanak, Yaşar Güner
Contact:	Festival on Wheels - Ankara Cinema Association, Alfa Film

Guests

Ahmet Boyacioglu

Festival Organizer, Film Director, Producer