Watch Closed Sea

Closed Sea is a psychological thriller directed by the Turkish filmmaker, Tolga Karaçelik. The movie was released in 2018 and went on to win the Grand Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Closed Sea tells the story of a group of desperate people on a cargo ship headed to Tunisia, who find themselves in a life-and-death struggle as their journey takes a terrifying turn.

The movie opens with the protagonist, Captain Fikret Güneş, struggling to keep his crumbling cargo ship afloat. Fikret is a gruff, no-nonsense captain, who knows the ins and outs of sailing a cargo ship in treacherous waters. He is shown to be deeply attached to his ship, which he considers to be his home. As he battles against the raging sea, he receives a distress call from another ship, the Kaptan Hasan. The Kaptan Hasan is in dire need of medical attention and Fikret, being the only one nearby, has no option but to rescue the crew.

As he brings the crew aboard his own ship, Fikret quickly realizes that something isn't right. The Kaptan Hasan's crew, led by the charismatic but mysterious Ammar, seems to be hiding something. Fikret's suspicions are further confirmed when the Kaptan Hasan's cargo is revealed to be a group of refugees seeking asylum in Europe. The refugees, among whom are women and children, are frail and traumatized, having survived the grueling journey across the Mediterranean. The situation quickly spirals out of control when Fikret's own crew, who have been battling their own demons, become increasingly hostile towards the refugees.

What follows is a tense and claustrophobic game of cat and mouse as Fikret and his crew try to figure out the truth behind the Kaptan Hasan's journey. The movie effectively portrays the fear and desperation of the refugees as they cling to a slim chance of survival. The reluctance of the crew to help the refugees is portrayed in a realistic and harrowing manner, highlighting the challenges faced by humanitarian efforts in the face of widespread apathy and xenophobia.

Through its tight screenplay and competent direction, Closed Sea is able to keep the audience hooked till the end. The movie is shot entirely on a single cargo ship, giving it a sense of claustrophobia and unease. The choppy waves, the creaking of the ship, and the howling wind only serve to accentuate the feeling of impending doom.

In terms of acting, the lead actor, Erdal Besikçioglu, delivers a flawless performance as Captain Fikret. His gruff demeanor and no-nonsense attitude hide a vulnerable and caring side, which is revealed gradually as the movie progresses. The rest of the cast, including actors such as Hakan Kurtaş and Murat Cemcir, also put in noteworthy performances.

Closed Sea is more than just a thriller. It is a commentary on the refugee crisis and the ongoing political turmoil in the Middle East. The movie effectively portrays the human cost of conflicts, and the desperation of people who are forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in foreign lands. The movie also highlights the importance of empathy and cooperation in times of crises, and the need for collective action to address global issues.

Overall, Closed Sea is a gripping, thought-provoking movie that is well worth a watch. The movie successfully combines elements of a psychological thriller with social commentary, and is an apt reflection of the challenges faced by humanity today.

Closed Sea is a documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 3 minutes.