About Dry Grasses

(Turkey/2023—directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan)  

In a village in the East Anatolia region of Turkey, the weary Samet (Deniz Celiloglu) is struggling through his last year as an elementary school art teacher. He's further disillusioned when a girl in his class appears to accuse him of inappropriate behavior.

The only light in Samet's life is his growing friendship with—and clear attraction to—Nuray, a teacher from a nearby school. Politically engaged and confident, she's not afraid to put the self-absorbed Samet in his place; one of their conversations ranks among Ceylan’s greatest sequences.

Best Actress Prize, 2023 Cannes Film Festival. In Turkish with English subtitles. (197 min.)