Director

Nuri Bilge Ceylan

1959

Who they are

Born: 26 January 1959, Istanbul, Turkey
Known for: Distant, Climates, Once Upon a Time in Anatolia

Nuri Bilge Ceylan is a Turkish director, screenwriter and photographer, born in Istanbul in 1959. He is known for slow, contemplative dramas shot in long takes and natural landscapes, exploring alienation and everyday life. He is one of the leading figures of contemporary art-house cinema.

Where to start

Distant (2002)Log in to add it to the library
Brought him international recognition and won major prizes at Cannes, including the Grand Prix.
Climates (2006)Log in to add it to the library
A study of a fracturing relationship, co-starring his wife Ebru Ceylan; his first film with a larger budget.
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011)In the library
A night-long police investigation across the steppe that won the Cannes Grand Prix.
Winter Sleep (2014)Full guide
A long, dialogue-driven drama that won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
The Wild Pear Tree (2018)In the library
A young writer returns to his home village; a reflective later work on family and ambition.

Their films in the library

Awards

2014 Palme d'Or, Cannes Film Festival (Winter Sleep)
2014 FIPRESCI Prize, Cannes Film Festival (Winter Sleep)
2008 Best Director Award, Cannes Film Festival (Three Monkeys)
2003 Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival (Distant)
2011 Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival (Once Upon a Time in Anatolia)

The full list · 23

1993Seviyorum Ergo SumLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1995CocoonLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1997The Small TownLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1997Making The Small TownLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor
1999Clouds of MayLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1999Making Clouds of MayLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor
2002DistantLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2002Making DistantLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor
2006ClimatesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Isa
2006Making ClimatesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor
2008Three MonkeysLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2008Making of Three MonkeysLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor
2011Once Upon a Time in AnatoliaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2011Making of Once Upon A Time in AnatoliaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor
2012Kusturica - Balkan's Bad BoyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Himself
2013Balkan SpiritLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self - Director
2014Winter SleepLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2014A Long Cold WinterLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor
2018The Wild Pear TreeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2018Making of The Wild Pear TreeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Himself
2023About Dry GrassesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2024A Long Cold WinterLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2025The Legend of the Palme d’Or ContinuesLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.