Distant tells the story of Mahmut, a 40 year old independent photographer living in Istanbul. After his wife leaves him, he falls into an existential crisis.
Then, his cousin Yusuf arrives in Istanbul seeking a job on board a ship to support his family in their poor village. The contrast between the two men is evident, with Mahmut being accustomed to city life and Yusuf being a lonely country worker with unique habits.
This intimate drama was filmed in the director's apartment in Istanbul, using his own belongings as props. The actor playing Yusuf is the director's real-life cousin, while the actor playing Mahmut is a non-professional actor.