fiction 21’ Turkey 2025
Hakkı, a university student earning his keep through Drag Queen performances in Istanbul, is jolted by the news of his mother's passing one night. Concealing his sexual orientation from all but his late mother, he returns to the family home after three years, confronting the weighty expectations of being the only male offspring and his relatives' ignorance. In his childhood room, poignant discoveries await: a vibrant sweater begun by his mother, a stash of cash, and a clandestine photograph capturing a shared moment during her covert visit. Despite grappling with guilt over his mother's demise and his father's aloofness, this journey catalyzes his journey towards self-acceptance.
Cast & Crew
Director & Writer: Atakan Yilmaz
Starring: Onur Gözeten, Ceren Taşçi, Savaş Emrah Özdemir
Producers: Ece Bozkaya, Atakan Yilmaz
Cinematographer: Ece Latifaoğlu
Music: Tuğçe Şenoğul, HAFTW
Festivals & Awards
Clermont-Ferrand IFF
BFI Flare London FF
Wicked Queer Boston
Atakan Yilmaz
Born in 1996 in İzmir, Atakan Yılmaz is a filmmaker with an educational background in political science, theater and cinema. Active since 2010, he has taken on roles in acting, directing, screenwriting, and post-production. A graduate of Istanbul University and Kadir Has University, he co-founded Chronotope Film in 2024. Yılmaz has directed various commercials and music videos, continues to work in this field, and contributes to screenplay teams for diverse projects. His latest short film Hi Mom, It’s Me, Lou Lou is currently on the festival circuit.
