Luxbox Acquires ‘One of Those Days When Hemme Dies!’ Before Venice Premiere

Sales agency Luxbox has acquired the rights to “One of Those Days When Hemme Dies!,” which premiered in the Horizons section of the Venice Film Festival. This film marks the feature debut of Turkish filmmaker Murat Firatoglu.

The story follows Eyüp, laboring under the scorching sun during a grueling tomato harvest in southeastern Turkey. His relentless work is driven by an urgent need to settle an impending debt. After clashing with his supervisor, Eyüp roams the city searching for a radical solution.

Jennyfer Gautier, head of international sales at Luxbox, and Fiorella Moretti, president of the company, commented on the film’s impact. “We were impressed right away by the highly graphic imagery of ‘One of Those Days When Hemme Dies.’ We felt a strong connection to Eyüp as he tries to channel his anger, and the film’s subtle humor enhances this connection. We are confident the audience will feel the same.”

The film juxtaposes tradition and modernity, reflecting the changes occurring in Turkey. “The main character, Eyüp, embodies Turkey itself — a nation grappling with its own contradictions. This wasn’t a deliberate intention but naturally emerged as the story took shape,” Firatoglu noted.

The film reveals the growing polarization within Turkish society, contrasting wealthy investors with smart cars against a struggling working class. “Polarization is a significant issue in Turkey, but it’s not unique to us — it’s a global phenomenon,” Firatoglu said. His political stance and background as a lawyer, which remains his primary occupation, naturally influence his work. “The film has a left-leaning perspective, aligning with my own views. The polarization we’re experiencing feels symptomatic of a larger global issue. It feels like the world is losing its mind, much like that old comedy, ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy.’”

The film touches on themes of masculinity, violence, and pride. Firatoglu explained: “These themes are central to the story but relatively trivial to me. What really matters are basic human needs like food, shelter, security, and human honor. These are the concerns of people struggling to survive.”

Visually, the film opens with striking scenes of the tomato harvest. “Sometimes a scene profoundly impresses and captivates us, even if we can’t articulate why. For me, it was the imagery of this landscape devoid of people — dry yellow mountains, red tomatoes, blue sky, and yellow sun. However, when you add people to this seemingly Eden-like setting, workers toiling in harsh conditions without social security, it suddenly turns the description of heaven into something that makes us ashamed to be human,” Firatoglu said.

Source: Variety