Noah's Hill (Film)

Nuh Tepesi is a 2019 Turkish drama film directed and written by Cenk Ertürk. The production was filmed in Türkiye. The film centers on the conflicts between Ömer, who wishes to be buried beneath a tree planted by his father 49 years earlier, and his sick father İbrahim, as they navigate life in a village. Released in 2019 at film festivals in Türkiye and internationally, the film was praised for its acting performances and thematic depth.

^{Nuh Tepesi (}Anadolu Agency⁾

Director: Cenk Ertürk

Screenplay: Cenk Ertürk

Production Country: Türkiye

Year of Production: 2019

Duration: 109 minutes

Genre: Drama

Ali Atay – Ömer

Haluk Bilginer – İbrahim

Mehmet Özgür – Muhtar Cevdet

Arın Kuşaksızoğlu – Imam Ahmet

Hande Doğandemir – Elif

Kerem Alp Kabul – (Supporting character)

The film explores the conflicts arising when Ömer, who has brought his ailing father İbrahim to the village, learns that his father wishes to be buried beneath a tree he himself planted. However, the villagers believe the tree is sacred and was planted by the Prophet Noah. The film examines the tension between personal desires and communal beliefs.

• Best Film – Cenk Ertürk
• Best Director – Cenk Ertürk
• Best Cinematography – Federico Cesca

• Best Screenplay – Cenk Ertürk
• Best Actor – Ali Atay

• Best Actor – Ali Atay

Cenk Ertürk both directed and wrote the film. Ertürk aimed to authentically portray the inner lives of the characters and the nuances of village life.

Cinematographer Federico Cesca plays a pivotal role in shaping the film’s atmosphere. Through his use of color palette, natural lighting, and framing choices, he conveys the village’s cold, somber, and realistic ambiance. The frequent depiction of overcast skies and misty environments effectively mirrors both the characters’ emotional states and the seasonal conditions of rural Türkiye.

Nuh Tepesi was shot on location in rural areas of Türkiye, within authentic village settings. The use of natural environments adds uniqueness and realism to the film, enhancing its credibility. Mud-brick houses, muddy streets, and stone-paved paths support the production’s authentic atmosphere.

The film’s music and sound design are constructed with minimal and natural sounds to support its emotional intensity. The musical elements are restrained and harmonize with the emotional tensions experienced by the characters.

The film has a total runtime of 109 minutes, providing sufficient time for the narrative to develop and for the characters to be explored in depth.

Nuh Tepesi primarily explores familial bonds, confronting the past, and the conflict between societal beliefs and individual desires. At its core is the father-son relationship; the estrangement between Ömer and his father İbrahim is examined in depth through themes of abandonment and forgiveness. The film also questions the clash between traditional superstitions and modern individual freedoms. The villagers’ belief in the sacred tree linked to the Prophet Noah illustrates how communal loyalty and faith can conflict with personal rights.

Another significant theme is the sense of “soil” and belonging. İbrahim’s desire to be buried beneath the tree is not merely a personal wish but an expression of his connection to his roots, his past, and his spiritual bond with the land.

The film constructs its dramatic structure through the characters’ internal conflicts and external societal pressures. The narrative unfolds chronologically, but Ömer’s past and his relationship with his father are gradually revealed through dialogue and emotional outbursts. This allows the audience to deeply penetrate the characters’ psychology and motivations.

Additionally, the film features three primary conflict axes:

1. Father-son conflict: The emotional estrangement and reconciliation between Ömer and İbrahim.
2. Individual-society conflict: The tension between Ömer and his father and the village’s beliefs and traditions.
3. Internal conflict: Ömer’s struggle with his divorce and his own emotional vulnerabilities.

By intertwining these conflicts, the film creates a layered narrative about the individual’s inability to detach from the past and society’s resistance to change.