Fri Sep 20 07:44:04 UTC 2024: ## Turkish Debut Feature “Gülizar” Explores Trauma and Self-Discovery at San Sebastian Film Festival
**San Sebastian, Spain** – Turkish writer-director Belkis Bayrak’s debut feature film, “Gülizar,” is set to make its European premiere at the prestigious San Sebastian Film Festival. The film, which previously premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Discovery strand, has now released its first look trailer exclusively with Variety.
“Gülizar” follows the story of a young woman, played by Ecem Uzun, who is preparing for her wedding when she suffers a brutal assault. The film delves into the aftermath of the trauma, exploring themes of societal expectations, self-discovery, and the complexities of finding one’s voice in a patriarchal society.
Bayrak, who is an alum of the Torino Film Lab and Reclaim The Frame’s Filmonomics Program, explains that she wanted to capture Gülizar’s emotional journey through a calm, measured rhythm, highlighting the struggles of women who experience trauma and feel silenced.
The trailer, which is a mix of subtle moments and tense scenes, highlights the film’s chilling suspense and the protagonist’s internal turmoil as she grapples with the aftermath of the assault. The haunting voiceover and evocative imagery create a captivating and emotionally charged experience.
“Gülizar” is a powerful and timely story that is sure to resonate with audiences. It is produced by Saba Film in tandem with Protim V.P, and co-produced by Planbee Films. The film will be released to the public on Saturday, September 21.
First Piper 