Defne, who grew up in an orphanage, begins to see ghosts in adulthood. Yet this ability proves to be more a burden than a blessing. Despite being kind and good-hearted, figures such as Hüseyin, a radical leftist whose murder remains unsolved, and Nazife, a nightclub singer who seeks forgiveness from her daughter, are at the end of the day “ghosts”, refusing to leave Defne alone. Running to their aid may at times become a tiring task. Defne’s real goal, however, is to use her newfound ability to search for her own missing mother. Following a few fragments of information left behind, she arrives at the ancient city of Side. On his fantastical journey, a priestess from antiquity also joins the company of ghosts escorting Defne.

Written and directed by Emine Yıldırım, this debut feature stands out with a sense of humour rarely seen in recent Turkish cinema. Whether through certain characters, the cast of actors, or the repeated presence of Atıf Yılmaz on a hotel television screen, the film evokes his spirit as a fitting reference point. Apollon by Day Athena by Night balances drama and comedy with maturity, offering an experience that addresses weighty themes without weighing down its audience.

İstanbul 2025

New Visions - SİYAD Award

Tokyo 2024

Asian Future - Best Film