Interview: Selman Nacar – Hesitation Wound

Every few years, a notable new Turkish filmmaker emerges, and in this instance, we find Selman Nacar floating to the top of major film fests. Front-loaded with moral and legal quandaries, Hesitation Wound (Tereddüt Çizgisi) blurs the lines, seamlessly intertwining the contemplative moments both within and outside the courtroom. In a determinist, high-stakes kind of paradox, a criminal lawyer weaves between systems — even those who attempt to fight corruption will use their influence when it suits their needs/agenda. Some crusades are a bit more ambiguous.

His 2020 debut feature Between Two Dawns premiered at the San Sebastián Intl. Film Festival and this new film premiered in the Orizzonti section at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. At the 2023 Red Sea Film Festival I got to speak to Selman Nacar about the depiction of rural Uşak, his short-hand with cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru and finding the rare pearl in Tülin Özen who took the reins. He is currently working on a Netflix series.