Life (Hayat)

Life (Hayat) is a 2023 drama film written and directed by Zeki Demirkubuz, produced as a co-production between Turkey and Bulgaria. Miray Daner and Burak Dakak head the cast, supported by Cem Davran, Umut Kurt, Melis Birkan, Doğu Demirkol and Osman Alkaş. Running around 193 minutes, it is among the director's longest works and marked his return to feature filmmaking seven years after Kor.

The plot follows Hicran, a young woman whose father forces her into an engagement she does not want. Refusing the life imposed on her, she flees her family home. Her fiancé Rıza initially pays little attention to her escape, but as time passes the humiliation of being unwanted begins to sting, and he travels to Istanbul determined to find the woman he has met only once and confront her.

The film premiered on 20 October 2023 at Filmekimi and opened in Turkish cinemas on 15 December 2023. It was chosen as Turkey's submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards, though it ultimately received no nomination.