The upcoming film Confidante, set to release in France on August 6, 2025, promises a gripping political drama. Çağla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti co-direct this intense, socially driven story. It unfolds in 1999 Ankara, just before the devastating İzmit earthquake, adding historical urgency to the narrative.
The film masterfully blends psychological suspense with sharp social critique. As the plot unfolds, a woman chooses to risk everything to do the right thing. However, powerful systems try to silence her at every turn. Still, she refuses to back down, pushing the tension to its breaking point.
Film Overview and Background
Title: Confidante
Directors: Çağla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti
Genre: Political Drama / Chamber Thriller
Language: Turkish (with French subtitles)
Runtime: 88 minutes
Production Countries: France, Turkey, Luxembourg
French Release Date: August 6, 2025
International Premiere: Berlinale 2025 – Panorama Section
Sales Agent: Pyramide International
The film premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim for its intimate direction and socially conscious narrative. It is a collaborative production involving II Films, 3B Productions, Bidibul Productions, and Les Films du Tambour de Soie.
Story Synopsis
Set in Ankara during the summer of 1999, Confidante follows Sabiha, a single mother in her late 30s. She works night shifts under the alias Arzu at a secret erotic call center. Due to a leg injury, she remains confined to her apartment. Meanwhile, a bitter divorce and custody battle strain her finances further.
Each night, Arzu speaks in whispers to strangers—often teenage boys seeking comfort or escape. Then, one evening, a massive earthquake strikes Istanbul, shaking the entire nation. Amid the chaos, one of her regular teenage callers reaches out again. This time, he lies trapped beneath rubble and begs her to alert emergency services.
Now, Arzu faces a critical decision. She can help the boy and risk revealing her secret life. Or she can protect herself but stay silent. As minutes pass, the pressure builds. She must balance her safety, her son’s future, and a growing sense of moral urgency.
Ultimately, Confidante evolves into a tense thriller about choice, courage, and the silent burdens women carry in patriarchal societies.
Main Cast and Performances
- Saadet Işıl Aksoy as Arzu/Sabiha – Delivers a restrained yet emotionally potent performance. Her character’s inner conflict is masterfully conveyed through voice, silence, and minimal physical movement.
- Erkan Kolçak Köstendil as The Boss – Represents systemic exploitation, power, and manipulation within the male-dominated call center.
- Muhammet Uzuner as The Prosecutor – A chilling portrayal of political control and patriarchal corruption.
- Supporting roles are filled by Nilgün Türksever, İlber Uygar Kaboğlu, Elit Andaç Çam, and others who strengthen the claustrophobic realism of the film.
Key Themes and Social Commentary
1. Power, Exploitation, and the Female Body
The film powerfully critiques how women’s bodies and voices are commodified, both in informal labor economies and broader patriarchal systems. Arzu’s voice becomes both her power and her prison.
2. Secrets, Identity, and Social Shame
Operating under a pseudonym, Arzu is a character fractured between roles: mother, worker, protector, and victim. The fear of social exposure creates a powerful undercurrent of suspense.
3. The Personal vs. the Political
What begins as a personal moral dilemma evolves into a political thriller. Arzu’s seemingly simple decision to help someone becomes entangled in broader issues of surveillance, morality, and corruption.
4. Narrative as Resistance
Arzu’s storytelling—her nightly conversations with strangers—is reminiscent of Scheherazade, using narrative to survive. The film reframes language and empathy as tools of power.
Cinematographic Style and Direction
The directing duo Zencirci and Giovanetti build their reputation on humanistic, socially aware storytelling. With Confidante, they shift toward minimalism and deeper psychological tension.
Eric Devin handles the cinematography with precision. He uses close-ups, shadows, and tight framing to amplify emotional intensity. Additionally, he keeps the camera inside the apartment, reinforcing Arzu’s isolation and mental confinement.
Moreover, the sound design plays a central role in creating suspense. The film relies on voice-only exchanges to drive tension forward. This technique recalls works like The Guilty and Locke, where sound becomes the primary storytelling force.
Festival Reception and Critical Response
After its Berlinale 2025 premiere, Confidante quickly gained praise from both critics and audiences. ScreenAnarchy described it as “a brilliantly restrained political thriller that turns silence into suspense.”
Similarly, Cineuropa emphasized its broader impact, writing, “Confidante isn’t just about one woman—it speaks for all who trade silence for safety.”
Meanwhile, viewers on Letterboxd highlighted its bold direction and stripped-down style. They also noted the film’s rising tension and compared it to 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days and The Assistant.
Why This Film Matters
Confidante arrives at a time when global conversations around women’s rights, bodily autonomy, and institutional silence are more urgent than ever. The film doesn’t just entertain—it provokes, questions, and resonates deeply with viewers concerned with:
- Gender and justice
- Ethical action under oppression
- The psychological cost of survival
- How small acts of courage can defy entire systems
Where and How to Watch Confidante 2025
For those who want to experience this exceptional film from home, you don’t need to wait for limited arthouse screenings or festival access.
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Conclusion
Confidante (2025) is a French-Turkish political thriller directed by Çağla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti, starring Saadet Işıl Aksoy as a woman trapped between secrecy and responsibility during the 1999 Turkish earthquake. Premiering at Berlinale 2025 and releasing in France on August 6, it is a masterclass in minimalist suspense and female-centered storytelling. Watch it exclusively at https://frenchiptv.shop/ – the home of premium French IPTV.
