Clair Obscur (Turkish Title: Tereddüt) is a 2016 Turkish film, drama by Yeşim Ustaoğlu. This is a riveting work that raises issues on the concepts of gender, trauma, and the traditional-modernism balancing act in today Turkish society.
Synopsis
Two women, one of them French and the other Moira and both facing distinct conflicts are the focus of the film. Sehnaz (with Funda Eryiğit succession) is a sophisticated junior sociologist working in a metropolitan area implying dedication and hard work. On the other end of the spectrum is Elmas (with Ecem Uzun performing) a rather naive villager still encumbered by an abusive marriage to a mature spouse and the roles imposed.
In the event that Elmas gets to Sehnaz’s office as a cognitive taboo over the event which saw her succor, there are emotional and psychological forces which both women can pursue in their struggles. During the sessions, specific development, tentative attempts from them are presented – changes to their behavior, thought processes, and foreigners’ ideas that influence their self-perceptions.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Yeşim Ustaoğlu
- Writer: Yeşim Ustaoğlu
- Producers: Yeşim Ustaoğlu , Muhammet Çakıral
- Cast:
- Funda Eryiğit as Sehnaz
- Ecem Uzun as Elmas
- Mehmet Kurtuluş as Cem
- Okan Yalabık as Tarık
Awards & Recognition
Clair Obscur was nominated many awards for its detailed story, plot, and wonderful performances:
- Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival (2016):
- Best Actress for Ecem UZUN.
- Best Film.
- Istanbul Film Festival: Best Director (Yeşim Ustaoğlu) and many more.
- Thin Red Line that was directed by Terrence Malick, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was able to screen specific portions of the film.
IMDb Ratings
The film has been rated 6.7/10 on the IMDb platform, showing remarkable ratings for acting as well as tackling difficult subject matters.
Personal Insights
In a way, the film Clair Obscur successfully dissects both individual and cultural constraints of women in patriarchal societies. Yeşim Ustaoğlu is a director who does not have to overtake, she has to make images reflect what the screen characters are going through internally.
As Elmas, Ecem Uzun is extremely engaging, bringing both fragility and strength to her performance. Features of Sehnaz played by Funda Eryiğit are also remarkable, but in a different way: they underline the challenges common to women of all strata of society.
The title of the film, which is the French term for ‘light and dark’, suggests that the film is about the opposite in the life of its heroes, ‘in the light and dark – the free and the enslaved; the modern and the traditional; the hoped for and the despised’.
Cultural Significance
Clair Obscur addresses the oppression of women in the turkish society as well as the practice of forced marriages, violence on the basis of gender, and social narratives concerning women as such. This film relates the lives of Sehnaz and Elmas and draws attention to the struggles facing women, while placing them in their socio-cultural contexts.
Where to Watch
The film can be streamed on MUBI and other regional servicess that focus on arthouse and international fils, the latter being more likely. For a physical copy, one might use the Turkish film distribution companies or other stores that specialize in obscure movies on DVD or Blu Ray formats.