‘THREE Monkeys” marks the third winner in a row (after “Distant” in 2002 and “Climates” in 2006) for Turkish critics’ darling Nuri Bilge Ceylan.
In the best tradition of Antonioni and Tarkovsky, Ceylan cares not about being accessible to the masses (“Wolverine,” anyone?), which is why “Three Monkeys” — winner of the best-director prize at Cannes 2008 — will never be found in multiplex land.
It is the story of a politician who kills a man in a hit-and-run on a country road.
Fearing that the accident will harm his political career, the pol convinces his driver, who wasn’t even in the car, to take the rap in return for a hefty financial reward. But, to nobody’s surprise, things don’t work out exactly as planned.
Ceylan mixes close-ups and long shots (the mighty Bosporus, which divides European Istanbul from Asian Istanbul is gorgeous), all beautifully framed. As is customary, he exacts potent performances from amateur actors.
This is powerful filmmaking for discerning viewers. By the way, the title comes from the Asian image of three wise monkeys who see, hear and speak no evil.
In Turkish, with English subtitles. Running time: 109 minutes. Not rated (violence, nudity). At the Cinema Village and the Lincoln Plaza.