Misafir

On his first night back in his hometown of Kütahya after living in Paris for many years, Oktay is once again confronted with the reasons that have kept him away from home for so long. As he is about to leave the city again, he happens to walk into the home of a distant relative and meets Ayşe. Ayşe is a rural woman who is unhappy in her marriage and cannot fit into the small world confined by four walls. Oktay and Ayşe find happiness in each other after many years. The only way to sustain their happiness is for Ayşe to go to Paris with Oktay. Ayşe, perhaps for the first time, is faced with the opportunity to be happy and must choose between everything she knows as life. Ayşe’s decision will also determine whether Oktay, who has never felt at home anywhere, will end his “guest” status in his own life.

Directed by Ozan Aksungur, Misafir leans on a strong ensemble — Halit Ergenç, Lale Mansur, Yeşim Ceren Bozoğlu — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2011.