Tolga Karaçelik’s Toll Booth is a film which meanders around the themes of not belonging, restlessness and alienation as it deals with the clash between a ‘non-reclusive’ father and son. At 35, Kenan is a quiet, socially inept toll booth attendant, who would sooner live in his own fantasy world than talk to other people. He has been living with his father since his mother died at the age of five. As with everyone else, the relationship he has with his father is one of distance, reserve and little in the way of sharing. Stuck in a groove between home and work, Kenan’s dreary life takes a dramatic turn when the newly appointed operations manager shows up for a toll booth inspection. Toll Booth, the debut film by director Tolga Karaçelik, addresses a series of interrelated issues such as alienation, the father syndrome and antisocial behaviour. And Karaçelik emerges with flying colours, giving us reason to eagerly anticipate his next film. Şenay Aydemir
