To say that Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is a long movie is an understatement. It is arduous, subtle and slow, and it's a work that doesn't stop after the credits roll. The characters are the central pieces of this motion picture albeit not being given any light on their personal background. The story's focus begins with Naci, followed by Arap, it shifts to the prosecutor then to the doctor. But everything is in its right place. Characters do more than talking, they converse, they discuss about their life, the everyday and the mundane, getting into humor, sharing a biscuit or a meal. It also has its moments of solemnity, characters staring at the window or to a picture, looking at a young beautiful woman - reflecting on her life that will not be fully realized, possibly relating it to their own existence which makes them sad and teary eyed. I find that scene with the Doctor looking at his photographs when he was a much younger man very enlightening. We can relate to him when you look at those pictures, it makes you smile knowing you had these moments of bliss, and it makes you sad at the same time because you will never be the same person again. At the end of the movie I think my initial reaction with the ending and my question on "what's the point" is a shared opinion akin to everybody else's before realizing how good this movie was, which is a necessary thing because that's how you appreciate this film: by asking questions in order to get to the truth.

The film is so layered and dialogue heavy. Despite being laden with lots of dialogue it's a movie that moves along the plains of anatolia. Exceptional cinematography and a must watch.

arap ali ayni ben