About Dry Grasses (2023) *****

Complex and fascinating film about a Turkish teacher in a small Kurdish village and his ambiguous relationships with a young female student, a handicapped woman and a male colleague. Gorgeous cinematography, profound philosophical discussions, and surprising narrative developments.

Mustang (2015) ***

A Turkish film (set in Turkey, in Turkish, written and directed by a Turk) that somehow was submitted by France as a French candidate for a Foreign Film Oscar.

Winter Sleep (2014) ***

Turkish drama, set in Cappadocia. Winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Festival.

Three Monkeys (2008) ***

2 Girls (2005) ***

According to a comment on imdb, ''this is one of those rare films we see in the world today that will change one's life. It is also a revolutionary film for the Turkish cinema, finally an intelligent and sensitive departure from the stupid slap sticks of the recent years toward bone dry reality about everyday Turkish life.'' The film in question is ''2 Girls'', directed by E. Kutlug Ataman. It tells a story of two young girls from Istanbul who develop a very close friendship. One girl, Behiye (Feride Cetin) is a rebellious lesbian firebrand with a shock of vermillion-colored hair, flaming purple lipstick and a temper to match. She falls in love with Handan (Vildan Atasever), a vivacious blonde raised by a single mother. Unfortunately, Handan is straight (complete with an asshole boyfriend), but that seems only to excite Behiye even more. So, instead of being a predictable melodrama about a pair of lesbians persecuted by a puritanical Islamic society, ''2 Girls'' is a complex, nuanced film about sexual attraction, unrequited love, jealousy and betrayal. 

Kebabaluba (1995) ***

Hilarious little cartoon about an eager Turkish vendor.