The Things You Kill

Directed by Alireza Khatami

Türkiye

2024

113 mins

Unclassified 15+

In this surreal psychological thriller, a Turkish professor confronts his inner demons as he investigates the circumstances around his mother’s death. Winner of Best Director at Sundance.

University language professor Ali (Ekin Koç, Burning Days, SFF 2022) reluctantly returns home to Turkey with his wife in order to care for his ailing parents. There, he learns of disagreements and secrets between his parents. Before long, Ali’s mother passes away but he is plagued by suspicions. He enlists the help of a mysterious gardener to investigate – and avenge – what he believes is foul play. Acclaimed Iranian-American director Alireza Khatami (Oblivion Verses; Terrestial Verses) imbues his deceptive thrillier with Lynchian overtones, as the story takes cerebral twists and turns as it explores ideas of masculinity, corruption and parentage. A film guaranteed to spark post-film debates.

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.

“It’s absorbing, suspenseful, and deeply moving – a case study in how to make an effective psychological thriller.”

Bilge Ebiri, Vulture

Tickets

Thu 12 June 2025, 6pm

Past Event

Dendy Newtown - Cinema 3

Fri 13 June 2025, 8:15pm

Past Event

Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 3

Event George St - Cinema 3

Sun 15 June 2025, 4:30pm

Past Event

Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 9

Event George St - Cinema 9

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Program Strand
Features
Year
2024
Classification
Unclassified 15+
Country
France, Poland, Canada, Türkiye
Language
In Turkish with English subtitles
Director
Alireza Khatami
Producer
Elisa Sepulveda-Ruddoff, Cyriac Auriol, Mariusz Włodarski, Alireza Khatami, Michael Soloman
Cast
Ekin Koç, Erkan Kolçak Köstendil, Hazar Ergüçlü
Screenwriter
Alireza Khatami
Cinematographer
Bartosz Świniarski
Editor
Selda Taşkın, Alireza Khatami
Genre
Thriller & Crime, Award Winner, Middle East
Premiere
Australian Premiere
Company Credits
World Sales: Best Friend Forever

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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