Across the Sea (Deniz Seviyesi), a 2014 Turkish-American drama directed by Nisan Dağ and Esra Saydam, offers a tender and haunting exploration of love, remorse, and emotional reckoning. The story follows Damla (Damla Sönmez), a successful Turkish woman residing in New York City with her American husband, Kevin (Jacob Fishel). Though expecting a child, Damla finds herself emotionally detached from her current life, burdened by memories left unresolved in her homeland.
Yearning to reconnect with her origins, Damla persuades Kevin to accompany her to the coastal town in Turkey where she grew up. However, what Kevin sees as a simple getaway conceals deeper intentions—Damla is returning to a place filled with the ghosts of her past, especially her once-intense romance with her childhood sweetheart, Burak (Ahmet Rıfat Şungar). Their unexpected reunion stirs up long-buried feelings and compels Damla to reckon with difficult truths, including a past betrayal and a secret abortion she never disclosed to Burak.
As emotions come to the surface, tensions build between the trio. Kevin begins to notice the emotional gap between himself and his wife, while Burak struggles with unresolved heartbreak and lingering affection. The peaceful seaside backdrop starkly contrasts the inner turmoil each of them experiences. Through these emotional collisions, Damla is forced to decide whether to keep burying her past or confront it in order to heal.
Across the Sea is a quietly powerful and introspective film that delves into identity, nostalgia, cultural disconnection, and the intricacies of human connection. It weaves personal conflict with broader reflections on gender roles, societal expectations, and the push-pull of tradition versus autonomy. Featuring subtle, genuine performances and evocative visual storytelling, the film captures the sting of lost love and the fragile hope of redemption. It stands as a heartfelt portrayal of a woman navigating the emotional divide between where she comes from and where she hopes to go.
