Mùa Hè Năm Ấy - Last Summer / Son Yaz (2021)

In 'Last Summer' (Geçen Yaz), director Can Evrenol remarkably pivots from his known dark horror aesthetic to deliver a haunting psychological coming-of-age drama. This film transcends a mere melancholic slice of youth, presenting instead a profound study of loss and nostalgia. Evrenol employs a sophisticated cinematic language to craft an oppressively atmospheric yet idyllic Mediterranean summer setting, where the secrets and burgeoning desires of adolescence are laid bare under the scorching sun, evoking a sense of both yearning and underlying menace.

Evrenol's directorial vision shines through deliberate pacing and intimate cinematography, focusing intently on gazes and subtle expressions, particularly in the nuanced performances. Haluk Bilginer delivers a masterclass in gravitas and unspoken emotion, while younger talents like Hazar Ergüçlü and Funda Eryiğit authentically portray the precariousness and intense emotionality of transitioning youth. The evocative score and sound design further immerse the viewer in a wistful, almost elegiac atmosphere, akin to the whispers of a fading past. Far from a conventional romantic coming-of-age story, the film delves into themes of inevitable change, the death of innocence, and the burden of memory, cementing its place as a contemplative and significant piece within contemporary Turkish cinema.