The Reeds

Ali feels closest to his wife Aysel in dreams. Their village in Anatolia is picturesque like a dream with its serene lake, snow-capped mountains along the horizon, mysterious mists, moonlight reflected on the water, and colorful clouds. Yet life here is harsh. Locals make a meagre living by collecting reeds and making them into mats. Brutal gangsters take what profits the villagers make and rough up whoever gets in their way. Lately this is Ali. With Aysel longing for more from life, Ali grows desperate and impulsive with the men who attempt to control him. In a local legend the lake is bottomless and at times it swallows people. It begins swallowing them now.

The Reeds is full of gorgeous cinematography and soothing ambient sounds of bird song, waves, and wind. The beautiful photography captures the brooding moods of the characters and the increasing tension. "We are full of surprises," said director Agacikoglu at the world premiere screening in Toronto. "Personalities can change in an instant, especially when we are desperate and in danger." With the help of an intriguing female writer and good performances from the actors, Agacikoglu captures the unpredictability of human nature and the constant war between evil and good. The story is based on a real village in Anatolia and central Turkey.