Ceylan said in his acceptance speech that it was " a great surprise " when he took the stage , noting that it was perhaps a fitting choice in a year that marked the 100th anniversary of Turkish cinema . Tacitly acknowledging the 2013 – 14 protests in Turkey that led to the deaths of 11 people , the director said , " I want to dedicate the prize to all the young people of Turkey , including those who lost their lives " . He also mentioned the workers who were killed in the Soma mine disaster , which occurred on the day prior to the commencement of the awards event . Although it divided critics and audiences with its reams of dialogue and challenging 196-minute running time , the film became an early critics ’ favorite and Palme d'Or contender when it screened on the festival 's third day . The film was selected as the Turkish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards , but was not nominated
87th Academy Awards
87th Academy Awards
Winter Sleep (film)