The sea is both placid and violent. It is a sanctuary for those who wish to feel alive, and a tomb. Even when the sea is calm there are dangerous undertows beneath the surface. So too with women's souls.
Chenaz and Elmas move in vastly different currents. Chenaz, a psychiatrist, enjoys a life of privilege and luxury. She likes to think of herself as cosmopolitan, modern and successful. However, Chenaz is not sure if her partner, Cem, is in love with her or himself. She is indifferent too, not only in her relationship with Cem, but in her work – where she is clinical rather than friendly or loving - and even in how she views herself. Young Elmas is a hard worker, gentle and kind, yet she was abandoned by her parents and sold to a demented and abusive mother and son who have nearly driven all the kindness out of her. Elmas breaks down in the face of this abuse and before long she appears in Chenaz's office as both patient and prisoner, accused of murder.
Chenaz has a dream where the sea comes flooding into her home. With the appearance of Elmas in her office, long suppressed emotions come flooding back for both women. Despite their differences, both have much in common. Each faces alienation and abuse, only for Elmas it is forced and for Chenaz it is chosen.
Clair Obscur explores a range of abuse; mental, emotional, physical and self-inflicted, and also possibilities and limitations for Turkish women in the face of such abuse. Film imagery mirrors the emotions; the calm sea represents potential, for example, and close- ups depict confinement. The acting is wonderful, especially considering the heavy demands in portraying Elmas. The director capably allows the audience to feel what is going on, and not just see. In the question and answer session after the film someone asked her what Turkish men thought about the film, and she replied that not everything is about Turkish men (also, this is the world premiere after all). I only wish the imagery of the sea and the dreams were further developed. I couldn't get enough of this imagery (as you can tell from this review). World premiere seen at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.
