Longing for the Sun

Synopsis

Nejat Yavaşoğulları and Bulutsuzluk Özlemi, the band he founded at a time when people said “you can’t make rock in Turkish,” are celebrating 40 years in music. From small stages in Taksim to huge stadium concerts, the band became the voice of an era with songs about city life, the environment, and freedom. Edited from 300 hours of material, the documentary shows, through musicians and witnesses, how music became a source of hope despite hardships and inspired future generations. More than the story of a band, it is also the story of a generation’s bond with music and Turkey’s social transformation. Bulutsuzluk Özlemi’s songs make for an enjoyable journey throughout, while footage from their 40th-anniversary concert is truly captivating.

Director Biography

Caner Kaya

Born in 1981 in İzmit, Turkey, he studied at Galatasaray High School before earning his degree in Cinema & Television at Galatasaray University, followed by a Master's in Directing and Screenwriting at the University of Paris-Sorbonne. Back in Istanbul, he launched his career in the film industry as an assistant director. His documentary A City Runs Through the Festival, marking the 25th anniversary of the Istanbul Film Festival, screened at numerous international film festivals. He also directed children's programs for Disney Channel. In 2016, he won the Best Documentary Award at festivals in Lisbon, Buenos Aires, and Glasgow.

Credits

Camera / Kamera

Erdem Yılmaz

Editing / Kurgu

Caner Kaya

Music / Müzik

Bulutsuzluk Özlemi

Sound / Ses

Caner Kaya

Production / Yapım

Ersan Çongar, Cihan Aslı Filiz