OUR GRAND DESPAIR

a film by Seyfi Teoman

The peaceful cohabitation of bachelors Ender and Çetin is disrupted when they allow a friend’s sister to move in with them. The 30-something longtime friends are overwhelmed by the presence of the uncommunicative Nihal. What possessed them to accept the responsibility of a university student in their home? Especially a girl struggling with the trauma of recently losing her parents in a car accident. But simple daily rituals like sharing meals eventually bring the three roommates together for more pleasant moments. Nihal soon comes out of her depressed shell and the two men discover a vibrant beautiful young woman. Always caring and protective gentlemen, Ender and Çetin are intent on being conscientious guardians. Nihal enjoys discussing literature and poetry with scholarly Ender, and she finds comfort in boisterous Çetin’s earthy humor. Nihal is touched by the men’s loyal friendship: in a sort of bromance since high school, Ender and Çetin now seem like an old married couple… Before they see what’s coming, both men fall in love with the enchanting Nihal. But Ender and Çetin don’t want to disrespect their good friend nor confuse his still-fragile sister. Ender and Çetin seesaw between feeling like protective fathers to acting like nervous school boys, wondering if they should confess their true feelings to Nihal…

Seyfi Teoman was born in Kayseri, Turkey in 1977. After studying economics at Bogazici University in Istanbul, he worked as assistant director in various short films and advertisements. He lived in Lodz in Poland for two years, studying film directing at Polish National Film School where his tutor and supervisor was acclaimed Polish director Mariusz Grzegorzek. He shot his graduation movie, Apartman (Apartment) in 2004 which has been officially screened in many international film festivals. His feature debut, Tatil Kitabı (Summer Book), was the only Turkish production accepted to the 58th Berlin International Film Festival. After its world premiere at Berlinale’s Forum section, the film won Best Film and Fipresci Prize at the 27th Istanbul International Film Festival. His second feature, Bizim Büyük Çaresizliğimiz (Our Grand Despair), is selected for the competition at Berlinale 2011.

World Premiere: 61st Berlin Film Festival, Competition (2011)

Awards:
-30th International Istanbul Film Festival, The Golden Tulip Special Prize of The Jury, Best Director of Photography , People’s Choice Prize

-16th Filmfestival Turkei/Deutschland Nuremberg, Best Film Award, Film Critics’ Award

Festivals:
12th Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival, New Directors Program (2011); 24th Tokyo International Film Festival (2011); Oslo Films from the South Festival (2011)

a production of
BULUT FILM (TURKEY)

in co-production with
UNAFILM (Germany)
CIRCE FILMS (Netherlands)

EURIMAGES
MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM OF TURKISH REPUBLIC
TRT (TURKISH RADIO-TELEVISION CORPORATION)
MEDIENBOARD-BERLIN BRANDENBURG
HUBERT BALS FUND
THE NETHERLANDS FILM FUND
EFES PILSEN

world sales
THE MATCH FACTORY

Cast

İlker Aksum, Fati̇h Al, Güneş Sayin, Baki̇ Davrak, Taner Bi̇rsel, Mehmet Ali̇ Nuroğlu, Beri̇l Boz, Damla Kabakçı, Durak Bülbül, Tamer Yurtbaşı, Meliha Çörek, İlker Burma, Seli̇m Gürata

Crew

Director

Seyfi Teoman

Screenplay

Barış Bıçakçı, Seyfi Teoman (Adapted Of The Novel “Our Grand Despair” By Barış Bıçakçı)

Producers

Nadı̇r Öperlı̇, Yamaç Okur Bulut Film (Turkey)

Co-Producers

Titus Kreyenberg Unafilm (Germany), Stienette Bosklopper Circe Films (Netherlands)

Director of Photography

Adam Jandrup

Editor

Osman Bayraktaroğlu

Casting

Ezgi Baltaş

Production Designer

İsmail Durmaz

Sound Design

Cevdet Erek, Cenker Kökten

Costume Designer

Nurten Ti̇nel

Make-Up & Hair Stylist

Medi̇ha Şafak, Ayşegül Şahi̇n

Sound Designer

Cevdet Erek, Cenker Kökten

Re-recording mixer

Niels Barletta