Turkish Cinema |Rotterdam IFF 2009

Signals: Young Turkish Cinema 2009
Important new Turkish films by young film makers and the pioneering middle generation.

Autumn Straight our of prison, the once political active Yusuf returns to his Black- Sea hometown. It isn’t just redemption he seeks but a peaceful asylum for his...Özcan Alper, Turkey, Germany, 2008, 106 min.

Black Dogs Barking A dynamic shooting-style, pitch-perfect written street lingo and a transfixing dog-eat-dog story form the essence of this exciting first feature about two...Mehmet Bahadir Er, Maryna Gorbach, Turkey, 2009, 88 min.

Innocence Society has turned its back on Bekir, Ugur and Yusuf, three marginals who look for love in the most unlikely places. Director Zeki Demirkubuz’s tour-de-force...Zeki Demirkubuz, Turkey, 1997, 110 min.

Journey to the Sun Two men of different origin, a western Turk and a Kurd. A true friendship that goes beyond cultural boundaries. Amidst the chaotic background of Istanbul and...Yesim Ustaoglu, Turkey, 1999, 113 min.

Kasaba Awe-inspiring black-and-white début film of Nuri Bilge Ceylan, shot in a village in Anatolia, about the director's childhood years. Two children are witness to...Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Turkey, 1997, 85 min.

Milk A young emerging poet, his beautiful but unfulfilled mother and their small Turkish town about to be swallowed by industrialization. A contemplative tableaux...Semih Kaplanoglu, Turkey, France, Germany, 2008, 102 min.

On Board First film by the social-realist film collective Yeni Sinemacilar, which became the harbinger of a new style of film making in Turkey: straightforward and...Serdar Akar, Turkey, 1998, 102 min.

One Note Man, The Charming tragicomedy about music and love. Cymbal player in a symphony orchestra has a supporter in the audience.Daghan Celayir, Turkey, 2008, 14 min.

Pandora's Box An estranged family is brought together upon the news of their mother’s worsening illness. But the tough-minded mother is not so keen on spending time with her...Yesim Ustaoglu, Turkey, France, Germany, Belgium, 2008, 112 min.

Slope, The Sober yet effective début about a cleaner's routines in hospital.Mehmet Can Mertoglu, Turkey, 2008, 14 min.

Somersault in a Coffin A social outcast’s daily adventures couldn’t be more endearing; Mahsun looks like he just escaped from Folsom Prison but his genuineness and warm-hearted...Dervis Zaim, Turkey, 1996, 80 min.

Storm, The The 90s were the heyday of Turkey’s student movement, and acclaimed documentarist Kazim Öz’s second feature The Storm is a true-to-life epic of Kurdish...Kazim Öz, Turkey, 2008, 156 min.

Summer Book A long summer vacation by the sea. An ordinary Turkish family whose life takes an unexpected turn. Told through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy, this...Seyfi Teoman, Turkey, 2008, 92 min.

Two Lines Psychologically unnerving and sinisterly suspenseful, first-time director Selim Evci’s Two Lines is an acute observation of the young generation's...Selim Evci, Turkey, 2008, 97 min.