NEW TURKISH FILM
WOMEN WITHOUT FEAR
”In Istanbul there is a youth that is more modern and open than in Western Europe, but also
dark men that may take us back many years.” Says Deniz Gamze Ergüven whose debut film
”Mustang” (2015) was a big success with critics and audiences. The tone in current Turkish
film is to a large degree set by female directors, whom are fearless in the choice of subject and
dare to confront taboos. This applies to Pelin Esmer’s film “Watchtower” among other about
incestuous abuse and Cigdem Sezgin’s “The Wedding Dance” about arranged marriages.
However, the female directors also carry on proud traditions in Turkish film, among other
through their use of nature symbolism. Several of the new films are aesthetically breath-taking
and clearly inspired by Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s long settings, minimal movements with the picture
frame and dwellings on the main characters’ faces.
The main characters in the seven films, which we present, are almost all divided between
tradition and modernity and they are generally not portrayed in a very positive light – perhaps
to avoid that they are only discussed from a feminist agenda. The film “Zefir” has also been
criticised by female Turkish film critics for the unlikeable portrait of a female main characters
whom leaves her daughter in order to pursue her own film career. To this, the film’s director,
Belma Bas, says: “I long for the day where one will not talk of male and female directors.
The film series will open on Saturday 15 October with the beautiful love drama “Across the
Sea” and a reception in Asta Bar with the participation of the directors Esra Saydam and Nisan
Dağ. On 26 October, we will screen “Zefir” with a visit by the director Belma Baş. The series
has been arranged in collaboration with The Turkish Embassy.
Across the Sea
Pregnant Damla returns to her childhood town with her American husband Kevin after many
years of studies in New York. Everything seems delightful until Damla’s ex-boyfriend, the
bachelor Burak, enters the scene. It quickly turns out that Damla has not been telling the truth
about her pregnancy. An emotional and beautiful film, which portraits the warmth of the
Mediterranean crystal clear.
Zefir
The strong-willed girl Zephyr spends the summer holiday with her grandparents in a
mountainous region in northern Turkey and longingly awaits her mother to come and collect
her. When the mother finally arrives, it is only to say goodbye. The perfectly composed images
of the fogy, ominous landscape creates a rich atmosphere around the minimalistic plotline –
which offers a surprising ending.
Watchtower
A beautiful neo-western from Turkey’s dark forests. The young woman Seher is on the run
from a conservative home, and the man Nihat mends his personal wounds in a watchtower far
removed from civilisation. On a fateful and highly dramatic morning, their roads will cross.
The film examines the breakdown of the family institution, but also its possible resurrection.
The Bad Cat
Meet the alcoholised, extremely violent and 100 per cent repugnant cat Shero, who during 80
crisp minutes manages to commit premeditated murder, be evicted, discover that he has a son,
be chased by a psychopath and rob a bank. Yes, it sounds insane – and it probably is. The brand