Saturday, January 24, 2026

1386. About Dry Grasses (2023)



Director : Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Cinematographer : Kursat Uresin

Genre : Drama

Country : Turkey

Duration : 197 Minutes

🔸About Dry Grasses feels like a natural continuation of everything that makes Nuri Bilge Ceylan such a powerful filmmaker. The film follows a schoolteacher living in a remote, snowy region, waiting for a transfer that represents escape, meaning, and relief. His daily life is quiet but heavy, filled with routine, suppressed frustration, and complicated interactions with students and colleagues. The plot itself is simple and unfolds slowly, but the emotional and psychological layers are deep. Ceylan is not interested in quick explanations or clear moral answers. Instead, he allows situations to grow uncomfortable and sit there, forcing the audience to observe rather than judge.

🔸The performances are outstanding and feel completely lived in. Characters speak at length, often revealing more than they intend to. Conversations drift, repeat, and sometimes collapse into silence, just like real discussions do. The main character is difficult and flawed, but never simplified. Supporting characters are given space to exist as full individuals rather than narrative tools. Ceylan’s love for human complexity is clear in how he directs his actors. Emotions are rarely expressed directly, but they are always present beneath the surface. Loneliness, resentment, desire, and moral confusion quietly shape every interaction.

🔸Visually, the film is striking and carefully composed. The winter landscapes feel endless and isolating, while interiors feel tight and emotionally charged. The cinematography is calm and precise, using natural light and still framing to reflect inner states. Ceylan’s direction shows complete control and patience, trusting time, silence, and performance to carry meaning. Some plot points remain unresolved, and not every thread finds closure. This may feel frustrating, but it also feels intentional. Life, as the film suggests, rarely offers neat conclusions. About Dry Grasses is demanding, reflective, and deeply human, a film that stays with you long after it ends.

Verdict : Must Watch

DC Rating : 4.5/5

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