# Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/once-upon-a-time-in-anatolia-2011/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-25

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 84% |
| Critic Score | 95% |
| Audience Score | 82% |
| Metascore | 82/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.1/5 |
| IMDb | 7.8/10 |
| Director | Nuri Bilge Ceylan |
| Genres | Drama, Crime |
| Runtime | 163 min |

## Quick answer

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) earns a 84% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Ceylan’s nocturnal procedural — Grand Prix at Cannes — remains the international face of the Turkish new wave nurtured a Metascore 82/100. Directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan.

## Critics consensus

Ceylan’s nocturnal procedural — Grand Prix at Cannes — remains the international face of the Turkish new wave nurtured alongside Antalya’s national competition.

## Synopsis

A group of men lead a search for a victim of a murder to whom a suspect named Kenan and his mentally challenged brother confessed. However, the search is proving more difficult than expected as Kenan is fuzzy as to the body's location. As the group continues looking and the night begins dragging on, its members can't help but chat with each other about everyday life, as the conversations turn more and more serious, revealing their deeper secrets and profound stories.

## Cast

Muhammet Uzuner, Yılmaz Erdoğan, Taner Birsel, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan, Fırat Tanış, Ercan Kesal, Erol Eraslan, Burhan Yıldız, Murat Kılıç, Şafak Karali

## Where to watch

Turkey: TV+, HBO Max

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is Once Upon a Time in Anatolia worth watching?**
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia holds a 84% Celluloid Score. Ceylan’s nocturnal procedural — Grand Prix at Cannes — remains the international face of the Turkish new wave nurtured alongside Antalya’s national competition.

**What is Once Upon a Time in Anatolia about?**
A group of men lead a search for a victim of a murder to whom a suspect named Kenan and his mentally challenged brother confessed. However, the search is proving more difficult than expected as Kenan is fuzzy as to the body's location. As the group continues looking and the night begins dragging on, its members can't help but chat with each other about everyday life, as the conversations turn more and more serious, revealing their deeper secrets and profound stories.

**Who directed Once Upon a Time in Anatolia?**
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) was directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan.

**What is the Celluloid Score of Once Upon a Time in Anatolia?**
84% — the average of five public sources: critics 95%, audience 82%, Metascore 82/100, Letterboxd 4.1/5, and IMDb 7.8/10.

**Where can I watch Once Upon a Time in Anatolia?**
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is on TV+, HBO Max in Turkey. Availability varies by region.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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