You just forget how it is when you are away.

After a shattering event, Defne drops her PhD studies in Paris, breaks up with her boyfriend Luke and returns to Istanbul. She keeps filmed footage of her best friend Laura as a sweet memento.

Her always-busy ophthalmologist mother blames her for being spoiled and childish. Loving grandfather (who taught her to film) falls ill and requires care. Defne receives an unexpected proposal to restore a late Ottoman era painting for a massive exhibition. We see her heartbreaking quest of discoveries, efforts, losses, and frustrations over the year with several bouts of youthful energy, dancing, and canvases. While Defne learns to repair a damaged historical oil painting, she also heals her heart.

The rapidly rising star of Turkish cinema, Ahsen Eroglu, shines in a rich, passionate performance and exposes a remarkable talent for painting. Debutant director Ozan Yoleri surprises with a modern approach to a fictional drama achieved in a true documentary manner. He depicts the beauty and authenticity of a fine art conservator very gently and carefully.

Deeply emotional, gorgeous, philosophical, and uplifting film until the end credits with a wonderful rediscovery of the ideally chosen meaningful American song “Motherland” by Natalie Merchant.

Edvinas Pukšta