Turkish writer-director Nisan Dağ rose to prominence six years ago with her debut feature, “Across the Sea”, which she co-directed with Esra Saydam and which was awarded at multiple festivals. Inspired by the hip-hop culture of Istanbul, she is presenting her much anticipated sophomore feature “When I’m Done Dying”.

Set in a rough neighbourhood of Istanbul, the story follows Fehmi (Oktay Çubuk), a talented 19-year-old rapper who is addicted to bonzai, a cheap synthetic and deadly drug, jeopardizing any success for his music career. Fehmi will cross paths with Devin (Hayal Köseoğlu), a 25-year-old upperclass DJ, who is also a lost soul. They will fall hard for each other, and by spending time together, they will find love and the inspiration they were lacking, which will be expressed through music. However, the simultaneously passionate and troubling relationship between this odd couple will soon become quite toxic.

Fascinated by the passion of Istanbul’s raging youth for rap, Dağ portrays their subculture by delivering an emotional rollercoaster that is blending elements of independent cinema, harsh reality, and animation. By working with emerging talents and non-actors, she is recreating the underground environment where her heroes live in, while she is also collaborating with acclaimed Turkish rappers, including Da Poet, offering a subtle authenticity to a film that can touch everyone.

Vassilis Economou

Jury Prize for The Best Director