While courtroom dramas where justice is served can restore the audience’s faith in the legal system, films that explore the complexities and grey areas of law often evoke a sense of doubt. Hesitation Wound unfolds on the verdict day of a murder trial in which idealistic criminal attorney Canan, played by Tülin Özen, has been tirelessly preparing to defend her client. She is committed to proving the innocence of Musa, a worker accused of murdering his boss, even though her thoughts are consumed by her mother, who lies brain-dead in the hospital.

As in his debut film Between Two Dawns, director Selman Nacar places his protagonist in a relentless, high-stakes environment. Canan is constantly propelled from one conversation to the next, from one location to another, facing new obstacles and grappling with significant moral dilemmas at every turn. The audience is drawn into this gripping narrative, asking themselves the same difficult questions that Canan faces as the dynamic plot unfolds on screen.

İstanbul 2024

FIPRESCI Prize - National Competition, Best Director, Best Actress (Tülin Özen)