Without Heaven is a moving psychological drama that delves into the complexities of trauma, forgiveness, and the enduring impact of family relationships. The story follows Deniz, a woman returning to her childhood home only to discover her mother’s Alzheimer’s disease has progressed significantly. Thrust into the role of caregiver, Deniz must look after her mother as though she were a child, a situation that forces her to confront her own troubled past.

As Deniz navigates the challenges of her mother’s condition, painful memories of abuse at the hands of her father resurface. She recalls the beatings and the unsettling moments when her father would leer at her, moments that left deep scars on her psyche. Even after her father’s death, his presence continued to haunt her in the form of a terrifying apparition. Now, as she revisits her past, the ghost reappears, reigniting her unresolved trauma.

Deniz struggles to stay composed, but her mother, fixated on an old family photograph, insists on invoking the past. This triggers a wave of resentment in Deniz, who recalls her mother’s silence and inaction during her childhood. Her mother, now lost in the silence of dementia, becomes a target of Deniz’s pent-up frustration, leading to a volatile confrontation. When Deniz accidentally tears the cherished photograph, she uncovers a startling realization: her mother is also haunted by the same ghostly apparition, a shared torment that had remained unspoken.

This revelation transforms Deniz’s perspective. For the first time, she recognizes her mother’s suffering and devastation. In a moment of profound empathy, Deniz is finally able to forgive her, finding a sense of healing and closure. Without Heaven is a deeply emotional exploration of the lingering effects of trauma, the struggle for understanding, and the power of forgiveness, shedding light on the hidden burdens we carry and the potential for reconciliation.

funds & awards

• in the palace international short film festival – filmer forge pitching – finalist
• international sarajevo film festival – sarajevo talents, pack & pitch – finalist
• izmir international short film festival – filmworks pitching – color grading award
• turkish ministry tourism and culture – short film production support

IMDB Link