
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.
Henry Barakat Award for Best Artistic Contribution
Special Screening
Best First Film, Best Director, Best Actress
Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Award


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