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Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

Posted By: Someonelse

Date: 16 Jul 2019 05:27:03

SD / DVD IMDb

Director: Selim Evci
Stars: Mediha Didem Türemen, Yusuf Nejat Buluz, Rüçhan Caliskur

Murat is a sound recordist who lives in Istanbul. He makes an unexpected connection in his records between a grandmother and a grandchild, which becomes a trip to the family's past to strengthen their ties.

IMDB

Selim Evci, one of the rising stars of Turkish cinema, now releases his second film, “Rüzgarlar” (Winds), which premiered last year at the Adana Altın Koza (Golden Boll) Film Festival.

Evci's first film “İki Çizgi” (Two Lines) premiered at the 2008 Venice Film Festival and went on to travel to many major international festivals.

In the spirit of a creative documentary, his sophomore feature follows the forgotten stories of the Greek Orthodox population of the Aegean island Gökçeada, who were systematically ostracized throughout the years and bullied into leaving their beloved island.

An introspective and visually stunning journey, it is a pleasure to see that this independent film actually has gotten the chance to be distributed in Turkey amid a brutal distribution system that excludes Turkish independents for the sake of Hollywood profits.

Evci and his longtime collaborator, Didem Türemen (who is not only the art director of the film but also the leading actress), sat down with Today's Zaman on Sunday in İstanbul to talk about the film's journey and what it means to be a filmmaker in Turkey.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

After the successful “İki Çizgi,” did you feel under any pressure shooting your second film “Rüzgarlar”?

Selim Evci: The second film is always more difficult than the first, because in the debut, you get a feeling of your potential as a filmmaker and what you can achieve the next time. Also, you have less responsibility and because it's your first film you can always say, “It was my first film, mistakes can happen.” You give it your best shot, but there is huge pressure in the second film, it's a very difficult process. We felt this pressure while doing “Rüzgarlar”; we thought it should be better than the first film. All these expectations, they are actually very tiring.

Didem Türemen: It's also more advantageous when you are doing your first film because international film festivals have special sections for them. You have a chance to get more visibility.

S.E.: In Turkey I also hear and witness directors having a difficult time with their second films. In many aspects, the second film contributes to the cinematic growth of a director – what you can do, what you can't do, what you're supposed to do, etc. You understand these concepts a lot better in your second film.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

What did you learn during this process?

S.E.: Many things. After the first film, you feel an immense confidence. For example, you are more relaxed and confident. But you always have to be disciplined and prepared, no matter what. There is an illusion at this stage that a director mustn't get carried away with. In my third film I will definitely be more prepared. Making a film is a long process; everything is an experience that must be savored. One of the things I criticize myself for with regards to the second film is that I was very enclosed during the production process. It's sometimes an advantage to be so introspective, to listen to you own voice, but before the third film, I will definitely work with more people who share my enthusiasm in a more sharing way during the creative process.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

How did you come up with the story of “Rüzgarlar”?

S.E.: I have a handful of small stories that I've been collecting since my school days. As for this film, in 2005, way before the production of “İki Çizgi,” I had gone to Gökçeada to take photographs. I wanted to make a film about this place, but of course the process takes a long time. The more we got to know the people of the island and the island itself, I realized that I had to do something about the island's history.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

Your first film was also shot in the same region. Could we say that you like the North Aegean region?

S.E.: [Laughs] Yes, I do like the North Aegean. But it was more of a coincidence actually that both films were set in the same location. They were both summer films. The third film will be a winter film. I always want to try new things. For example, this time I want to make a film that listens to the emotions and sounds of winter.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

Didem, you and Selim have been working together for a long time behind the camera. But you also play one of the leading roles, Eleni, in this film. How did this decision come about?

D.T.: I trained as an actor even though I am not a graduate of any conservatory. I always wanted to act. It was certain that I would be the art director of the project, but the acting became certain a while later. We had auditions, and I auditioned for the part, too. Being an art director allowed me to prepare for the role of Eleni, because I went to the island and recorded sounds during pre-production. We also made many Greek friends on the island. I also have a family member from the island of Crete, so I felt close to the part since I grew up witnessing a similar culture.

S.E.: Didem had internalized the story and the character so much before we even started filming that I wasn't sure that another actress would feel the same strong connection to the role.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

When did the project take off?

D.T.: We got the Hubert Bals Scriptwriting Fund in 2009 [from the International Film Festival Rotterdam]. And then we shot the film in 2010. It was 2012 by the time we finished.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

So the editing period took some time?

S.E.: I do love the editing process. I love all the processes – writing, shooting, editing. Trying new things, trying new versions on the screen; these are very important things that allow you to grow as a director. I love the technical part, too.

D.T.: We are independent filmmakers. If we had a classical producer, then we would have felt more pressure to finish the film earlier. We didn't have any pressure to make it for any deadlines.

S.E.: But making a film is something I don't see as a job, I love it. Once you love what you do, it's a part of life. I am so happy because I have a clear conscience that I was able to tell this story in Gökçeada.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

Did you show the film to the people at Gökçeada?

S.E.: We haven't held a screening on the island yet. However, during the filming process, there were many people from the island who supported and helped us. We showed the film to them. They were very affected. This film is important in the sense that despite all that happened to the Greeks of Gökçeada, it is a light of hope for the younger generations. They said, “For the first time, we feel that we were understood.” This is very important for me. This is very positive feedback.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

How did you manage to get the film distributed?

S.E.: It's the hardest part of the equation. There are so many of the same films, especially Hollywood productions, in movie theaters. I think many viewers are fed up with the distribution system and they are prisoners to DVDs. There are many people who want to see these kinds of independent films. But people can't find these films in cinemas any longer. I think that theater owners have to do something about this.

D.T.: Thank God for the festivals. Right now the digital theaters are fully booked by commercial films.

S.E.: The state should support this, too. They should have quotas. Right now we have 12 copies – in 35mm [film] and also in digital [format]. We first started with İstanbul and Ankara, and then we will move to [theaters in] İzmir and Eskişehir. We waited for the summer season because you can't find room in the winter season.

Winds (2013) Ruzgarlar

What about your third film?

S.E.: I can't say for sure. I'm also very curious how the third will be. I'm still at the beginning, and I am still getting to know myself as a director. Right now I can't say “this is the kind of film” I will do.

D.T.: I think it's going to be a very different film. It's about the urban characters and about the taboos of the middle class.
Today's Zaman

Special Features:
- Behind the Scenes (26:12, in Turkish only)
- Trailer
- TV interviews (16:41, in Turkish only)
- Documentary: "Duvarın Arkası" (11:57, with English subs)

Many Thanks to Original uploader.

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