FIRST FEATURES, FIRST EXCITEMENTS
THE GRAND SIEGE
Director: Sinan Kesova
Türkiye / 2024 / Colour / 97’ / Turkish, Uzbek, French; English subtitles
Screenplay: Arda Ekşigil, Sinan Kesova
Cinematography: Emre Kabaşabanoğlu
Editing: Lisa Aksel Ayhan
Cast: Alp Öyken, Dolunay Soysert, Yiğit Sertdemir, Asiye Dinçsoy, Samal Yeslyamova, Tarık Papuççuoğlu, Eraslan Sağlam
Producer: Alara Hamamcıoğlu Bayraktar, Ilgım Coşar
Production Company: Glasgow1980, Vigo Film
World Rights: Glasgow1980
Berna Tuna, a renowned academic has just died. Her husband, Macit, will take this opportunity to face past wrongdoings and reconnect with his long-neglected daughter İpek. His hope for a fresh start is put to test by his son Alp and his wife’s assistant Feyza, who are strongly attached to Berna’s legacy.
Awards
- 2024 İstanbul Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize
- 2024 Ankara Best Actor (Alp Öyken), Best Art Direction SIYAD – Best Film
- 2024 Turkish Film Critics Association (SIYAD) Best Actor (Alp Öyken), Best Art Direction, Best Supporting Actress (Asiye Dinçsoy)
Sinan Kesova
Kesova graduated from McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management. He then returned to Istanbul where he worked as assistant director in various commercials and music videos under Kamara Film. He also worked with directors such as Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Tayfun Pirselimoğlu and Mehmet Can Mertoğlu. Kesova is a producer and director under Vigo Film. His last short film “Outskirts” (2017) won the FIPRESCI award at the 36th Istanbul Film Festival and the Special Jury Prize at 23rd Belgrade Auteur Film Festival, and screened in international festivals such as Sarajevo, Les Arcs. Kesova’s first feature “The Grand Siege” won the Best First Feature Award at the 43rd Istanbul Film Festival.