Sideway (2017)
A slow-burning Turkish drama in which a coastal town's residents lose their minds as apocalyptic omens multiply around them.
Sideway - Movie Information
- Original Title: Yol Kenarı
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Tayfun Pirselimoğlu
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 54m
- Original Language: Turkish
- Spoken Languages: Turkish
- Production Companies: Mitra Filmcilik, Bad Crowd
- Production Countries: Turkey
Sideway - Plot
The residents of a small town set between a stormy sea and an ominous forest are becoming insane. They are convinced that successive signs appearing in the town are indications of doomsday.
Sideway - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the dread of Sideway unfold for yourself:
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Sideway - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Tayfun Pirselimoğlu
Main Cast
- Tansu Biçer
- Nalan Kuruçim
- Taner Birsel
- Ercan Kesal
- Rıza Akın
- Haydar Şişman
- Müfit Kayacan
- İsrafil Köse
- Sencar Sağdıç
- Sarp Aydınoğlu
Writers
- Tayfun Pirselimoğlu
Sideway - FAQs
What is Sideway about?
Sideway follows the inhabitants of a remote Turkish town caught between a raging sea and a foreboding forest. As strange, inexplicable signs begin appearing one after another, the townspeople grow increasingly convinced that the end of the world is near, and their grip on sanity slowly unravels.
What does the ending of Sideway mean?
The ending of Sideway resists easy interpretation. Pirselimoğlu leaves the fate of the town deliberately ambiguous — whether the apocalyptic signs are real or a collective psychological collapse is never resolved. The film invites viewers to sit with that unease rather than offering a tidy answer.
Is Sideway based on a true story?
No, Sideway is not based on a true story. It is an original work written and directed by Tayfun Pirselimoğlu. The film draws on universal themes of collective fear, superstition, and the fragility of reason rather than any specific real-world event.
Who directed Sideway and what is his style?
Tayfun Pirselimoğlu directed and wrote Sideway. Known for slow-burn, atmospheric Turkish cinema, he crafts films that dwell in psychological dread and social alienation. Sideway fits squarely in that tradition, using landscape and silence as much as dialogue to build its suffocating sense of doom.
Who are the main actors in Sideway?
The cast features Tansu Biçer, Nalan Kuruçim, Taner Birsel, and Ercan Kesal among the leads, with Rıza Akın, Haydar Şişman, Müfit Kayacan, İsrafil Köse, Sencar Sağdıç, and Sarp Aydınoğlu rounding out the ensemble of townsfolk descending into collective hysteria.
What genre is Sideway and who is it for?
Sideway is a drama, but one that leans heavily into psychological and atmospheric horror territory. It will appeal most to fans of slow-cinema and art-house filmmaking — viewers who enjoy films like Take Shelter or Sibel and are comfortable with ambiguity and deliberate pacing.
Is Sideway worth watching for art-house fans?
If you appreciate meditative, visually striking cinema that prioritizes mood over plot, Sideway is absolutely worth your time. Pirselimoğlu and cinematographer Andreas Sinanos craft an oppressive, beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after the credits. It is challenging but deeply rewarding for patient viewers.
What are some movies similar to Sideway?
If Sideway resonates with you, check out Take Shelter (2011) for another portrait of apocalyptic dread, Sibel (2019) for more Turkish art-house atmosphere, or The Truth About Emanuel (2013) for psychological unease. I Saw the Sun (2009) and Electricity (2014) also share thematic common ground.
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