Kasaba (The Small Town) (1997)

Nuri Bilge Ceylan scripted and made his directorial debut with this Turkish family drama, based on an autobiographical story (Cornfield) by his sister, Emine Ceylan. The black-and-white film is structured around vignettes of seasonal changes. Winter: Turkish life is seen from the perspective of a young schoolteacher. Spring: A student from the first segment and her little brother experience the world of nature as they walk home. Summer: The children join their parents and grandparents in a family gathering, talking and eating roast corn around an outdoor fire on a summer night. Fall: In a symbolic sequence, the youngsters find their roles in society. This low-budget film premiered at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival and won the international critics jury prize (a $30,000 cash award) at the 1998 Istanbul Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi