BTF Documentary & Short Film Competition

Documentaries 1

Available in 01d 08h 53m 43s
Available November 25, 2024 5:00 AM UTC
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Harvest of Light

Işığın Hasadı

Documentary


Capital city Ankara’s Evren district is home to a community of seasonal workers. The workers, who come to Evren with their families to harvest onions, are trying to cope with various difficulties while holding on to life. The documentary is centered around the generator, used as a symbolic beacon of hope in the film, and operates for only two hours a day. In this short time, the workers tell their stories amidst the chaos of labor, perseverance, and the struggle to catch up with life. Alternating between light and darkness, these people forget their troubles with the light emitted by electricity, escape their daily lives, and enter a completely different world. As the documentary progresses, it crosses the boundaries of time and delves deeper into the workers' lives. Their never-ending hopes illuminate their search for a better life for themselves and their families. Through intimate interviews and captivating visuals, "Harvest of Light" interweaves the stories of seasonal workers to create a portrait of their dreams, aspirations, and daily struggles. The documentary seeks to raise awareness of workers' rights, child labor, women's empowerment, and the universal right to education. Focusing on the lives of onion harvest workers in Evren, this documentary exposes a broader global issue; the vulnerability of seasonal workers worldwide. The documentary invites viewers to reflect on their consumption habits and reminds us of our responsibility as a society. Through its compelling storytelling and visuals, the documentary encourages viewers to question the deeper consequences of their actions and reflect on what they can do for a more just and equitable society.

  • Year
    2024
  • Runtime
    52 minutes
  • Country
    Turkey
  • Subtitle Language
    English
  • Awards
    Sweden Film Awards (2024): Best Woman Filmmaker, Best Feature Documentary; Eastern Europe Film Festival, Romania (2024): Best Cinematography; Rolling Ideas, Romania (2024): Best Documentary for Medium Length; Accolade Global Film Competition, USA (2024): Awards of Merit: Documentary Short, Liberation/Social Justice/Protest; USA Film Festival International Short Film & Video Competition (2024): Finalist; Cannes Film Awards, France (2024): Finalist
  • Director
    Esin Özalp Öztürk
  • Screenwriter
    Esin Özalp Öztürk
  • Producer
    Esin Özalp Öztürk
  • Cinematographer
    Ayaz Bilgiç
  • Editor
    Şahin Yıldız