Watch Times and Winds

Times and Winds, released in 2006, is a Turkish drama film directed by Reha Erdem. The movie is set in a remote Turkish village near the Black Sea that is struggling with poverty and survival. The story revolves around three different families living in the village and their daily lives. The first family is that of a strict and abusive imam (religious teacher) and his submissive and unhappy wife, who constantly dreams of escaping from her miserable life. They have a son, Omer, who suffers from severe asthma and spends most of his time alone, watching the movements of the sky and the sea from a high cliff near the village.

The second family is that of a farmer, Yakup, who lives with his wife, Meryem, and their three sons. Yakup is a hard-working and responsible man who struggles to provide for his family and keep his sons in line. Meryem is a kind and loving woman who cares for her children and her husband but has her own secrets and desires.

The third family is that of a wealthy man, Musa, who owns the only car in the village and his teenage daughter, Lale. Musa is an arrogant and selfish man who enjoys showing off his possessions and intimidating others. Lale, on the other hand, is a rebellious girl who longs for freedom and adventure and hates being controlled by her father.

The film is divided into three parts, each focusing on one family and their perspective of the same events that occur during one week in the village. The movie is narrated by the main characters and occasionally interrupted by dream sequences and poetic descriptions of nature and the elements.

The first part follows Omer, who spends his time on the cliff, observing the wind and the sea and dreaming of a better life. He befriends a young boy, Yakup's son, who shares his passion for flying kites and dreams of becoming a pilot. But their innocence and joy are crushed when they witness a gruesome act of violence that shatters their world and forces them to face the harsh realities of their society.

The second part focuses on Yakup and Meryem's family, and their struggles with poverty and tradition. Yakup's eldest son is forced to drop out of school and work in a factory to support his family, while his youngest son is punished by his father for stealing fruit from a neighbor's tree. Meryem, meanwhile, has a secret affair with a younger man who offers her a glimpse of freedom and passion, but also exposes her to the judgment and gossip of the village.

The third part centers on Musa and Lale's family, and their clashes with the rest of the village. Musa's car breaks down, and he demands that the other villagers help him fix it, threatening them with violence if they refuse. Lale, who is bored with her father's controlling ways, sneaks out at night to explore the village and the nearby forests, where she encounters a mysterious young man who intrigues her and challenges her worldview.

Times and Winds is a poetic and visually stunning film that explores the themes of love, loss, freedom, and fate. The movie captures the beauty and harshness of the Turkish countryside and the complexities of its society, where tradition and modernity clash, and people struggle to find their place and their voice. The film's ensemble cast delivers powerful and nuanced performances, portraying characters who are flawed, vulnerable, and human. Overall, Times and Winds is a moving and thought-provoking film that invites viewers to reflect on their own lives and beliefs.

Times and Winds is a 2008 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.