During the development of this idea, I quickly decided to tell this story through the conflict of two brothers. Family discord has always fascinated me, and I repeatedly return to these conflicts in my work. Their struggle is a reflection of society. It’s the cracks and the scars which interest me, and the contradictions of human existence. Despite their father being a prominent general, the brothers have grown up in a society suspicious of them because their mother was not of Turkish origin. In such an environment, one mistake can ruin a lifetime's work. 

In the writing phase, I was intrigued by the brothers' different strategies to navigate these issues and the conflicts that arise from the very same strategies. How does one brother act within the system, and how the other one? Is there still a desire for unity despite all the conflict? How do they cope with the constant mistrust and suspicion they encounter? Assimilation or rebellion? 

I have always wondered what it would be like to have your very existence constantly questioned. Is it still possible to be a part of society? What impact does this have on your identity? What must you do to be accepted? How long will that acceptance last? Can you remain true and loyal to yourself and others? Which orders do you follow, and which do you refuse? What is the price of saying no? 

This story holds particular significance for me. Growing up in Germany with Turkish roots, I've always felt that acceptance and recognition can be revoked at any time, much like a residence permit. One wrong move, and everything you've built up so far can lose its value. It's like living under constant probation. This is exactly what both brothers face: endless monitoring and a feeling of always being on the verge of losing everything. 

Filming in Türkiye was profoundly meaningful for me. I feel deeply connected to this country and it will be always a significant part of me. Shooting a film in Türkiye was a dream since the very beginning of my ambitions as a filmmaker. My perceptions of this country were confronted with the reality of a film shoot. But I relish these confrontations, when expectations and reality clash and shake each other up. It is a true pleasure. And sometimes, well, it’s hell. 

I found great joy in working with all the actors, especially with the two lead actors, Ahmet Rıfat Şungar and Berk Hakman. I embarked on this journey with both of them, and it was thanks to their gifts as actors and human beings that I could fully explore the complex facets of these two brothers. 

The story may take place in Türkiye, but the questions asked are truly universal in my view and can be applied to any society: How do I act within an increasingly authoritarian system that stifles differing views on life? It’s about the impossibility to be oneself. In this way, the story reflects current global trends of polarization and uncertainty in personal relationships.

"EDGE OF NIGHT" tells the story of a man ordered to lead his own brother to his doom, and how they both deal with it. It is the story of a journey of two human beings, both lost, reflected in the changing landscapes of Türkiye. The two brothers, with all their differences, as well as the rest of the characters, convey a complex picture of society — a society on the verge of losing its humanity.

Türker Süer