It’s hard to find another word for it; this film truly feels like a masterpiece. The 2023 Palm D'Or nomination was well-deserved, as Nuri Bilge Ceylan has delivered something remarkable, unfolding in the snowy Turkish mountains. It centers on daily existence within an elementary school and the people—teachers and students—who populate that small village. Seems straightforward enough, doesn’t it? However, this might be the most impactful examination of evil I've encountered. There isn't any gore or visible brutality; instead, it emerges through understated conversations, pauses, and a profound look at control and influence. It strikes me as odd that Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s films consistently receive top honors in Turkey, particularly considering the nature of their government. But what great filmmakers accomplish when they live under such conditions is an ability to shift the focus of evil from official institutions into places like a school for children. When wickedness appears subtly and those who might intervene do nothing, the consequences for those affected are terrible.

Source on TMDB