Yeralti, which in Turkish means "underground', is based on Dostoyevsky's Notes from Underground. The setting has been changed from St.Petersburgh to Ankara. The protagonist, Muharram, is a failed writer now trapped in an empty and boring existence working as a civil servant and living alone. He tries to be honest to himself and others and tell people exactly what he feels. However, this non-conformity has backfired on him and he has become a recluse with no real friends and the object of ridicule by those around him. He values real friendship based on honesty and trust but not on that based on false compliments and hiding the truth. For him time passes very slowly (emphasized by long static shots) and he feels neglected and suffocated. The film, like the book, is a combination of observations (provided by Muarram in the form of voice over) and events. Yeralti is very well directed and acted and is a thought provoking film. It picked up the Best Film and Best Actor prizes at the 2012 Dubai International Film Festival.
Review of Inside
