AYŞE Film Logo

AYŞE

Producer

Maara Film

Genre

Art, Drama

Duration

1 hour 17 minutes

Access

Worldwide

Subtitles

Turkish, English, French

Ayse is a quiet, emotionally grounded drama about care, resilience, and the weight of responsibility.

Set on the outskirts of Istanbul, the film follows Ayse, a woman working long shifts at a small gas station while caring for her brother Ridvan, who has Down syndrome and depends on her entirely. With a dying father, limited income, and no real support system, her life is shaped by duty, exhaustion, and the quiet sacrifices that go unseen.

When an international truck driver who regularly stops at the station proposes marriage, Ayse is faced with a possibility she never allowed herself to imagine. The film observes her inner conflict through long, intimate moments where longing and responsibility collide.

Rooted in the director's own family experience, Ayse approaches its characters with deep empathy and restraint. It never looks away from the realities of care work, poverty, and gendered expectations, yet it remains tender and unsentimental throughout.

Directed by:Necmi Sancak
Written by:Necmi Sancak, Binnur Kaya
Cast:Binnur Kaya, Rıdvan Sancak, Menderes Samancılar, Ali Seçkiner Alıcı, Nazlıcan Demir, Orkuncan İzan

Awards & Screenings

Cairo International Film Festival

Henry Barakat Award for Best Artistic Contribution

Goa IFFI

Special Screening

Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival

Best First Film, Best Director, Best Actress

Istanbul Film Festival

Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Award

Bonus Features

Available with purchase
Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

Explore the making of AYŞE with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.