Distant Review (2002) — 84% Celluloid Score
Directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan · 2002 ·
Is Distant worth watching?
Yes. Distant (2002) earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as Uzak Lejano Uzak - Weit 冬の街 우작 远方 遠方
Theatrical release Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists TV+, HBO Max in Turkey. Check local listings for your region.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (94/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (88%).
- Metascore signals universal acclaim (84/100).
- Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.1/5).
- Celluloid Score 84% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick
- Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
Not ideal for
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Distant worth watching?
Yes — Distant earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick. Read our full review (4/5).
Celluloid verdict
Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s quiet Istanbul drama won Antalya’s Golden Orange for Best Film — the breakthrough that put contemporary Turkish art cinema on the world map.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is Distant about?
A young man from rural Turkey arrives in Istanbul with dreams of working on a ship and stays with a cousin while he searches for work. Over time, the former’s struggles to find employment and the latter’s troubles and disappointments strain their relationship and living situation.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Distant (2002) Review: Two Cousins, One Frozen City
★★★★☆
Distant (Uzak) is Nuri Bilge Ceylan's spare, wintry Istanbul drama about two lonely cousins sharing a flat, and the quiet breakthrough of a major director.
Yes, for patient viewers. It is a precise, often wryly funny study of loneliness, though its long silences and slow rhythm will test anyone after plot.
Distant stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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Distant: frequently asked questions
Is Distant worth watching?
Yes. Distant (2002) has a Celluloid Score of 84%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Distant?
Elsewhere: TV+, HBO Max in Turkey. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Distant?
Distant runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).
What is Distant rated?
Distant is rated 15 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Distant?
Distant is directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and stars Muzaffer Özdemir, Mehmet Emin Toprak, Zuhal Gencer, Nazan Kesal, Feridun Koç.
What is the Metascore for Distant?
Metacritic's Metascore for Distant is 84 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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