Istanbul, last days of 2014... The luxurious Hotel Constantinige (as it has been called for centuries by the Ottomans and the Arab world) celebrates its inauguration, combined with the early celebration of New Year's. Distinguished personalities and influencers of the city gather in this celebration, at the hotel that was built on the ruins of the old Byzantine palace. The entire high society is there. Politicians, mayors, the American ambassador, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, journalists, newspaper owners, television stars, old and new millionaires, businessmen... In this festivity, even the deceased who have been lying in the depths of the earth of Istanbul for hundreds of years participate, as they see no reason not to honor the celebration with their presence. And of course, the hotel staff, the waiters, the assistants, the security guards...

Zouli Livaneli attempts a dive into the depths of Istanbul, a city of many millennia. A city that changes and recycles, while the violence it houses, unknown how, remains the same...