free admission
Friday, 26 August 2005 | 16:00
Saturday, 27 August 2005 | 16:00
Gecekondu / Built Overnight
41 min., Germany, 2003, Turkish with German subtitles
Directed by: Ebru Karaca
Camera: Anja Hansmann
Gecekondu has been a phenomenon in Turkish big cities since the 1950s: dwellings erected overnight by poor migrants from other parts of Turkey soon form entire neighbourhoods that are organized by the inhabitants themselves, since the municipal authorities sit on their hands. The film focuses on life in the gecekondu districts of Istanbul, showing the possibilities available to the poor population via the individual neighbourhoods and their development. It shows people on the fine line between legality and illegality with their conflicts and contradictions, and gives them space to tell their own story. (Ebru Karaca)
Ebru Karaca, born 1976 in Hanau, lives in Istanbul
Anja Hansmann, born 1977 in Freiburg, lives in Mainz
HUMAN CITY, ANIMAL CITY
45 min., Germany 2005
Directed by: Ayse Buchara
ISTANBUL: We approach the city from above, like on a map. District by district. Each district has its own anecdotes about animals living wild on the streets. Local residents tell these stories. Accompanied by pictures of an unusual cohabitation. The rich and the poor alternate, but the coordinates of this cohabitation are the same everywhere. The film seeks to present the animal’s point of view, followed by the people’s perspective. Their view goes towards Europe. What picture does the EU present? Can Turkey’s own culture be perceived and made acceptable?
The critical view calls for direct images. Is there any danger in the air? What will be lost?
Istanbul is constantly changing. Do long-standing ways of life have a chance? Is their disappearance a modernization or a destruction of culture?
The voice-over commentary – poetic and piercing – helps to keep our bearings. (Ayse Buchara)
A project by Ayse Buchara (Berlin) and Dr. Yagmur Denizhan (Istanbul)
Ayse Buchara, born 1959 in Ankara, lives in Berlin
Film Programme
of the exhibition “Urban Realities: Focus on Istanbul”