A sensitive character study of a young woman after a trauma.

After Gülizar is sexually assaulted, her future husband Emre does not report the incident, but later decides to go after the attacker himself. Gülizar's wedding preparations slowly turn into a claustrophobic, silent journey as she fears that her attacker will be exposed. Her flame of silence burns not only herself, but also the love she feels for Emre.

Following the short films “The Apartment” (2018) and “Cemile” (2021), “Gülizar” is the courageous debut feature of writer-director Belkıs Bayrak. Bayrak’s vision for her protagonist as she struggles in the aftermath of the attack is as precise and assured as her filmmaking. Told through the gaze of a woman yearning for her own internal locus of control, Gülizar delves into the complexities of trauma, societal expectations, and the universal search for self-discovery and determination, which – despite all the obstacles – Is the only way forward. (Toronto FF)

Belkis Bayrak's gripping debut feature has been successfully screened in both Toronto and San Sebastian competition programmes.