Istanbul Modern screens films of bosphorus

As a part of the YAP Istanbul Modern: Young Architects Program film screening sessions, Istanbul Modern Cinema screens three Turkish films, each of which takes place on the shores of Istanbul. The films will be screened at the open-air cinema that is to be set up in Istanbul Modern's courtyard, reviving the memory of the area where the museum currently stands. The Istanbul featured in the films gives a unique and touching setting to the plots of the films as well as creating visual counterparts to the emotional world of the characters.

The screenings will start at 9:30 p.m. beginning with Nejat Saydam's 1966 film "Boğaziçi Şarkısı" (Bosphorus Song), which has the characteristics of a musical dedicated to the Bosphorus thanks to the music of legendary Turkish musician Tanju Okan. On July 3, "Yalnızlar Rıhtımı" (The Quay of the Lonely), starring veteran Turkish actors Sadri Alışık and Çolpan İlhan and shot on the very spot where Istanbul Modern's "ALL THAT SOLID" exhibition is currently being displayed. On the last day of the film sessions, the romantic comedy "Tophaneli Ahmet: Bir Aşk Hikayesi" (Tophaneli Ahmet: A Love Story), starring Kadir İnanır and Münir Özkul, will be screened. The screenings will be in Turkish without English subtitles.

"Boğaziçi Şarkısı" (The Bosphorus Song), 1966

Turkey / DVD, Black & White, 100 / Turkish

Director: Nejat Saydam

Cast: Selda Alkor, Tamer Yiğit, Atıf Kaptan, Adnan Şenses
Escorted by teacher Vildan Hanım, a group of female students who come to visit Istanbul begin touring the Bosphorus, intoxicating everyone. A group of young boys also escorts them during their journey and everybody has a great time. However, the good times end with a sea accident. An inescapable love begins between Mine, who falls into the sea, and Tarık, the handsome young man who saves her. The first 20 minutes of the film takes the audience on a tour around Istanbul, accompanied by a potpourri of songs from the period played one after another. Enriched by a historical view of Istanbul, the film has an important place in Turkish cinema for its visual success as well as the music by Tanju Okan.

"Yalnızlar Rıhtımı" (The Quay of the Lonely), 1959



Turkey / DVD, Black & White, 113"/ Turkish

Director: Ö. Lütfi Akad

Cast: Sadri Alışık, Çolpan İlhan, Turgut Özatay, Melahat İçli
Captain Rıdvan is a lonely man who finds peace in the harbors he visits until he meets Countess Güner who lives in the care of Ali, a bar owner. Ali will not easily forget about Güner who is a character who lost all of her hope for the future. The setting, which shows seedy places in a foggy Istanbul, corresponds to the state of mind of the main characters who find themselves trapped in a pessimistic world. Written by late Turkish poet and author Atilla İlhan, the film features traces of French poetic realism. Through the film, Istanbul Modern and devotees of Turkish cinema will commemorate actress Çolpan İlhan who passed away last year.

"Tophaneli Ahmet: Bir Aşk Hikayesi" (Tophaneli Ahmet: A Love Story), 1971



Turkey / DVD, Black & White, 87" / Turkish
Director: Sırrı Gültekin

Cast: Kadir İnanır, Münir Özkul, Nükhet Egeli, Melek Görgün, Suna Pekuysal

Taxi driver Tophaneli Ahmet falls in love with Hülya, whom he has met in a dream. One day by pure coincidence as he and his older brother take a tour in one of the luxury cars his brother has repaired, he finds the woman of his dreams, Hülya, in real life and falls in love with her. However, Hülya is on the verge of marring a man who falsely introduced himself as a rich construction businessman. A thrilling rivalry begins between the deceitful suitor and Ahmet, a poor young man who is truly in love with Hülya. An entertaining romantic comedy, the film gives the audience an opportunity to see the shores and islands of Istanbul in the 1970s as well as a number of historical places such as Sultanahmet Square and Rumeli Hisarı.