Alone (2008)

Alone (Issız Adam) is a 2008 Turkish romantic drama written and directed by Çağan Irmak, one of Turkey’s most celebrated modern filmmakers. The film, starring Melis Birkan and Cemal Hünal, captivated audiences with its emotionally raw portrayal of love, loneliness, and the subtle, tragic ways in which relationships unravel.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Two Lonely Souls in Istanbul

The film introduces Alper, a 30-something, successful chef who owns a chic restaurant in Istanbul. While charming and intelligent, Alper lives an emotionally disconnected life, full of casual flings and one-night stands. His world is neat, aesthetically pleasing—but hollow. On the other hand, Ada, a kind-hearted and modest woman who works as a children’s book translator, leads a simple yet emotionally rich life. They meet in a secondhand bookstore, and despite their differences, sparks fly almost instantly.

The Blooming of Love

Their courtship unfolds in a dreamy, almost vintage Istanbul. The city, with its winding streets, ferry rides, and dimly lit apartments, becomes a third character in their evolving romance. Alper’s hardened exterior slowly softens, while Ada cautiously lets down her guard. The chemistry is undeniable, and the viewer is drawn into their deepening intimacy, marked by passion, shared silences, and quiet vulnerability.

Cracks in the Foundation

Despite their growing love, Alper begins to feel suffocated. His fear of commitment and loss of independence surfaces. He sees the future closing in like a trap and begins to distance himself emotionally. This internal struggle isn’t communicated to Ada, who is left confused by his increasingly erratic behavior. Tension builds, not through loud arguments but through missed connections, growing silences, and unspoken disappointments.

The Heartbreaking Breakup

In one of the most gut-wrenching moments of the film, Alper ends the relationship. His reasons are vague, cowardly, and wrapped in emotional detachment. Ada, devastated but dignified, accepts it without begging or drama. The breakup is quiet, final, and unbearably human. Alper continues his life as if nothing happened, but he is clearly haunted by his decision. Ada, meanwhile, moves forward, broken but not defeated.

Movie Ending

Years later, Alper and Ada run into each other by chance on a street. Time has passed. Ada is now married and has a child. Alper is still alone. They exchange polite small talk, but the pain lingers just beneath the surface. As Ada walks away, Alper looks at her with longing and regret.

In the final moments, we see Alper walking alone on a crowded Istanbul street, consumed by the life he chose—the life he thought he wanted. The camera lingers on his face as he silently confronts the consequences of his emotional cowardice. It’s a powerful, melancholic end that leaves viewers reflecting on the price of fear and the permanence of some choices. There is no reconciliation, no second chance. Just silence and time.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Alone (Issız Adam) does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes with finality and emotional closure, leaving no hint of a continuation or further resolution. The last scene, where Alper walks alone, serves as the thematic and emotional punctuation mark of the film.

Type of Movie

Alone is a romantic drama with strong elements of psychological realism. It explores themes of emotional intimacy, fear of vulnerability, and the bittersweet nature of love lost due to one’s own choices. It’s a deeply character-driven film, relying on emotional nuance over melodrama.

Cast

• Cemal Hünal as Alper
• Melis Birkan as Ada
• Yıldız Kültür as Alper’s Mother
• Şerif Bozkurt as Ada’s Father

The performances are natural and restrained, particularly from Melis Birkan, whose subtle expressions convey complex layers of emotion.

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack of Alone is unforgettable. The film makes hauntingly beautiful use of vintage Turkish songs, most notably “Issız Adam” by Sezen Aksu and “Ben Böyleyim” by Ajda Pekkan. These songs are not just background music; they are narrative devices that enhance the emotional impact of key scenes. The music captures nostalgia, heartbreak, and longing with painful accuracy.

The score was curated rather than composed from scratch, but it was Çağan Irmak’s careful selection of songs that helped turn the film into an emotional powerhouse.

Filming Locations

Shot entirely in Istanbul, the city plays a central role in shaping the atmosphere. Key scenes take place in:

• Beyoğlu: Alper’s restaurant and apartment
• Karaköy and Galata: Settings for intimate walks and ferry scenes
• Secondhand bookstores and antique shops: Important as meeting places and symbols of memory

Istanbul here is not glamorized—it’s lived-in, historic, intimate. It reflects the characters’ inner lives: vibrant yet weathered, beautiful yet complicated.

Awards and Nominations

Alone was not heavily decorated in international awards circuits, but it received:

• Best Director and Best Film nominations at Turkish cinema awards
• High audience acclaim, becoming a box office success and a cultural phenomenon in Turkey
• Cult status, particularly among urban Turkish audiences

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The script was inspired by Çağan Irmak’s observations of modern relationships and emotional isolation in urban life.
• Cemal Hünal and Melis Birkan had never worked together before, but their chemistry became one of the most praised aspects of the film.
• The crew used natural light and handheld cameras for many scenes to heighten realism.
• The title Issız Adam is a play on words: “Issız” means desolate, lonely—but also sounds like “asılsız” (without essence), hinting at emotional emptiness.

Inspirations and References

The movie is not based on a book but is inspired by:

• Contemporary urban loneliness in Turkey
• Films like Before Sunrise and In the Mood for Love, in terms of tone and atmosphere
• The director’s interest in emotional trauma and memory, themes he’s explored in other films

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No official alternate ending exists, but:

• A few scenes between Ada and her family were trimmed for pacing.
• A longer version of the final encounter between Alper and Ada was reportedly filmed but shortened to enhance emotional restraint.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Alone is an original screenplay, not adapted from a book. However, its literary tone and introspective style have led some to wish for a novelization. It reads like a story that could easily exist on the page.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The first meeting in the secondhand bookstore.
• The intimate breakfast scene set to Ben Böyleyim.
• The silent breakup conversation in Alper’s apartment.
• The final street encounter years later.

Iconic Quotes

• “Sen benim hayatıma misafir geldin, ev sahibi değildin.”
  (“You were a guest in my life, not its owner.”)
• “Bazı insanlar hayatınıza girer ve çıkar. Bazıları ise kalıcı izler bırakır.”
  (“Some people enter and leave your life. Others leave permanent marks.”)

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Ada’s name, meaning “island” in Turkish, symbolizes emotional isolation.
• The books she translates are about animals finding their homes—mirroring her own emotional search.
• The camera often lingers on clocks and windows, visual metaphors for time passing and emotional barriers.

Trivia

• The film’s soundtrack saw a resurgence in vinyl sales in Turkey.
• “Issız Adam” became a slang term in Turkish pop culture, describing emotionally unavailable men.
• Çağan Irmak reportedly received thousands of letters from viewers relating to Ada’s heartbreak.
• The bookstore scene was improvised more than scripted.

Why Watch?

Watch Alone if you:

• Appreciate emotionally honest, dialogue-driven storytelling.
• Are drawn to films about modern love, commitment, and regret.
• Want to see Istanbul portrayed with raw, poetic realism.
• Have ever looked back on a past relationship and wondered, “What if?”

It’s not just a romance—it’s a postmortem of one, dissected with elegance and melancholy.

Director’s Other Movies

• My Father and My Son (2005)
• My Grandfather’s People (2011)
• Ulak (2008)
• Are We OK? (2013)

Irmak is known for emotionally resonant films that blend realism with poetic symbolism.

Recommended Films for Fans

• Before Sunset (2004)
• In the Mood for Love (2000)
• My Father and My Son (2005)
• Once (2007)
• Blue Valentine (2010)
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)