'Once Upon a Time in the Future: 2121' (Bir Zamanlar Gelecek: 2121) is a captivating cinematic experience born out of the collaboration of director and co-writer Serpil Altın and co-writer Korhan Uğur. It presents a riveting perspective into a dystopian future where humanity struggles to survive amidst devastating climate crisis and famine.
The film is marked by outstanding performances, particularly from Selen Öztürk, Çağdaş Onur Öztürk, and Ayşenil Şamlıoğlu. It is through their eyes that we gain a profound understanding of what it means to exist and persevere in such a brutal and unforgiving world.
Serpil Altın, the visionary behind this powerful film, has distinguished herself as Turkey's first female director to venture into the realm of science fiction and dystopian narrative, earning her film the prestigious accolades at the 7th International Cinema d’iDEA Women Directors Festival in Rome. 'Once Upon a Time in the Future: 2121' clinched the Best Film award, while Selen Öztürk's compelling portrayal earned her the Best Actress award. The jury commended the film's exploration of unspoken and symbolic elements, emphasizing its importance in voicing overlooked perspectives.
Selen Öztürk's portrayal of a key character trying to navigate the oppressive rules in a claustrophobic dystopian society, managing everything from food to home and work to motherhood, left a significant impression on the jury. The film, an initiative to stay true to Green Film production principles, marks an important milestone for sustainable filmmaking in Turkey.
Previously, 'Once Upon a Time in the Future: 2121' had been recognized at the 19th Phoenix International Horror & Sci-fi Film Festival in the United States and the 23rd London International Science Fiction Film Festival, where it won the Best Sci-fi Film award. The film's universal appeal lies in its bold exploration of survival, sacrifice, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity, making it a must-watch for every science fiction and dystopian genre enthusiast.
'Once Upon a Time in the Future: 2121' serves as a striking exemplar of Turkish cinema's potential in science fiction and dystopian narratives. The film's profound exploration of survival and sacrifice in a future shaped by ecological crises presents viewers with a potent commentary on our contemporary reality. Director Serpil Altın and her team have crafted a world both harrowing and captivating, underpinned by stellar performances that embody the human spirit's resilience.