About Dry Grasses

The teacher Samet is well-liked in the tiny countryside where he works, but after almost four years in rural areas, he has become both melancholic and resigned. He and the other teachers see themselves as the vanguards of enlightenment in an area inhabited exclusively by farmers, shepherds and their sheep. During a search of the students at the school, a fateful love letter surfaces. It is written by 14-year-old Sevim, one of Samet's students. The letter is confiscated, but Samet demands to have it in order to sort out the situation. But instead of giving the letter back to Sevim, he keeps it. This becomes the focal point of a tense confrontation, which leads to an uncomfortable situation for both Samet and his colleague Kenan, as the two are accused of inappropriate behavior towards students. Simultaneously, the two teachers meet the intellectual and politically engaged Nuray, which turns into an intricate triangular drama.

This cinematic and lingering narrative takes time for discussions, confrontations and contemplative melancholy. Merve Dizdar's portrayal of Nuray, which earned her the accolade of Best Actress at Cannes, adds a layer of brilliance to this cinematic tapestry. This is Ceylan's ninth feature film. He is known for Once Upon a Time in Anatolia from 2011 and Winter Sleep from 2014, which received the coveted Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.