Watchtower

The small village of Tosya is located in a remote mountainous region of Anatolia. No one actually moves here voluntarily. And yet Nihat (Olgun Simsek) and Seher (Nilay Erdonmez) have independently chosen this deserted place of all places to escape their previous lives. While Seher works as a tour guide for a bus company and gets to live in Tosya's small bus station, Nihat has taken a job as a fire watchman. From the high watch tower he is supposed to keep an eye out for forest fires. Only radio contact with his colleagues and occasional visits to Tosya prevent complete loneliness. Like Seer, Nihat carries a secret that has brought him here. And it is also the secrets that bring these two people together. For when her back is against the wall, the young Seher is left with only the broken guard to make a fresh start without having to take on an unspeakable guilt.

With Watchtower, director Pelin Esmer has created a quiet, yet intense drama that tells its story with intense imagery and carried by two strong lead actors. Esmer often lets the images or the looks of her characters do the talking, dispensing with lengthy, all-explaining dialogue. At the same time, the story is so simple that it doesn't need many words. It quickly becomes clear to the viewer what secrets the protagonists are carrying around with them. But even if the dramaturgical course is very predictable and there are no big surprises, this doesn't mean that the story isn't captivating.

Because exactly the opposite is the case. By refraining from forcing any additional conflicts, Esmer's production is able to focus on the essentials and build tremendous strength despite the very quiet, sustained narrative. Moreover, the subtlety with which Esmer draws, for example, the social picture that has just driven Seher to Tosya, allows the oppressive atmosphere of the landscape to unfold fully. The interplay between the intense naturalness of the two leads' acting, the restrained staging and the engaging imagery creates exactly what makes Watchtower so moving and powerful.

For those who appreciate sophisticated arthouse dramas and strong acting, for those who don't need a lot of pacing and expansive dialogue to be captivated by a story, and for those who enjoy being captivated by stirring imagery, this touching portrait of two people searching for a new beginning can be warmly recommended. Worth seeing

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp