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The film "Death of Truth" (Hakikatin Olumu), directed and written by Huseyin Karabey, made its world premiere at the 63rd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in Türkiye, bringing a story of guilt, unresolved violence and personal reckoning to the big screen.
Competing in the festival's National Feature Film Competition, the production stars Mert Firat, Mehmet Gunsur, Yagmur Elif Seber, Umit Cirak and Emre Yildizlar.
Following the screening at the Aspendos Hall of Antalya's Ataturk Cultural Center, the director and cast met with audiences for a discussion about the film, its characters and the challenges of bringing a difficult story to the screen.
The film follows Feridun, whose quiet life is turned upside down when his former friend Timucin unexpectedly returns to confront their shared past.
Haunted by guilt over murders he committed years earlier, Timucin considers turning himself in to the authorities. However, Feridun attempts to prevent him from surrendering, knowing that his own freedom is also at stake.
As their confrontation unfolds behind the locked doors of Feridun's home, buried secrets and complicated relationships come under scrutiny.
Karabey said he was drawn to stories that explore problems passed down and accumulated across generations.
Reflecting on the production, he welcomed both praise and criticism, crediting the collaborative efforts of his team for the film's achievements while taking personal responsibility for any shortcomings.
Firat, who portrays Feridun, thanked moviegoers for supporting the screening despite the rain.
He explained that he first encountered his character through the novel and described the film as an opportunity to examine the human experiences behind the dark events of the 1990s.
According to Firat, the production team worked to bring a harsh story to the screen while exploring how individuals caught up in such circumstances could become emotionally devastated.
Gunsur, meanwhile, emphasized the responsibility actors carry when portraying characters connected to real experiences, arguing that such roles require particular care and sensitivity toward those who have lived through similar events.
He also thanked supporters of independent cinema and stressed that the film's underlying themes extend beyond Türkiye.
"Darkness uses you first, then destroys you," Gunsur said, adding that the events portrayed in the story are not confined to Türkiye but occur around the world.
He said the filmmakers wanted to ensure that such experiences would not be forgotten.
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