This year's filmekimi gives us the opportunity to enjoy award-winning films before they've made their way into general theaters. Esen Boyacigiller and Seda Pekcelen

IKSV’s Filmekimi takes place from 16-25 October this year, a full 10 days rather than the usual one-week we are used to. You can purchase tickets on from Biletix (biletix.com) starting at the beginning of October. Filmekimi is the best place to enjoy films by directors such as Woody Allen, Costa Gavras, Jane Campion etc., who have received acclaim at Sundance, Cannes and more. However, those who wish to enjoy films from unknown or up-and-coming directors, will have to wait for !f Istanbul Film Festival or Istanbul Film Festival in the spring. For now, here are our top picks.

 

More info on tickets (box)

You can purchase tickets starting on 3 October from Emek Sinema or Biletix. However, after factoring in the Biletix service charge, if you have the time (and plan to attend many films) we recommend purchasing straight from Emek. Keep in mind that there will be a crazy line, so try to get there on time, or even early. During the week, show times (11.00, 13.30, 16.00) are discounted, at 3.50TL. During the week, 19.00 show times and weekend show times at 12TL, discounted, 8TL. Every weekday, there is a gala at 21.30 for a film, which is 15TL.

 

Whatever Works

Last year Woody Allen’s ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ was first shown at Filmekimi, and was only available in theatres months later. This year again, Allen’s latest will be shown at the festival. You’ll want to be one of the first to see it, and let’s not forget that the director returns to his beloved home-base of New York City, which is where all his best films have taken place. The film is classic Woody Allen: focusing on love, and heavy on quick, witty dialogue, as always. Yet, he’s probably the only director who manages to make such a clichéd theme seem fresh every single time. The film stars another neurotic, older New Yorker, Larry David (‘Seinfeld’, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’) and Evan Rachel Wood, as his love interest, as lovers. One would assume Allen was inspired by his own unexpected love affair with the much younger Soon-Yi Previn. Well, we can hope! Don’t delay on getting your tickets for this film, which is sure to sell out quickly.

 

Dust of Time

The third film in a trilogy by Theo Angelopoulos, Dust of Time, as suggested by the title, deals with the question of time. The director actually believes that all of his films are a continuation of each other, or in his own words: ‘Chapters of a big book, about human destiny, about the times passed and about the times coming’. The film tells the story of an American director (played by a brilliant Willem Dafoe), who goes back in time to trace his family history.

 

Bright Star

Jane Campion’s latest film, ‘Bright Star’, was in the running for the Palme D’Or, the highest prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The film tells the story of British poet John Keats, who tragically died at the age of 25 from tuberculosis, and Fanny Brawne. The film takes place during the last 3 years of Keats’ life and stars Ben Whishaw (‘I’m Not There’) and Abbie Cornish. The title of the film comes from one of many love poems Keats wrote for Brawne, ‘Bright Star’, that goes: ‘Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art’. The two famously never consummated their love affair; yet, the electricity between the actors will have you at the edge of your seat. 

 

Eastern Plays

Commercial and music video director Kamen Kalev has directed his first full-length feature film, ‘Eastern Plays’. The list of actors is sure to interest Turkish viewers. The film includes Saadet Işıl Aksoy who you might recognize from his work with Semih Kaplanoğlu. In addition to Aksoy, Hatice Aslan, who hit the big-time after starring in a film by legendary Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and Kerem Atabeyoğlu also star. The film tells the story of the hopelessness of Christo Christov, who also stars in the film and is a close friend of the director’s. Depressive types might not prefer this film, as after the film was shot, Christov passed away. However, we are curious to see this strong cast in action in Kalev’s first feature film.

 

Eden is West

This film tells the story of a handsome young man who immigrates from somewhere along the shores of the Mediterranean to France. Though you can tell that director Costa-Gavras (himself a France transplant from Greece) was hoping for this to be some sort of ‘Odyssey’, about traveling far from home, and making friends along the way, he falls short- the story is just too depressing. The main character’s most useful currency is sex, which wouldn’t be quite so funny were he a she, would it? It’s a fun ride but only if you can silence the serious underlying message: life is hard and often dangerous for immigrants who don’t speak the language.

 

Humpday

We recommend this film to anyone who is looking for something different, and fans of comedy. Directed by Lynn Shelton, ‘Humpday’ earned the director the ‘Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence’ at Sundance. Though we support any film that accurately portrays gays, as they are few and far between, Humpday unfortunately gets most of its laughs from the heterosexual characters’ homophobia- not so funny and overdone if you ask us. The premise: two close male friends (one of whom is married) take part in a gay porno, after consuming a lot of alcohol, of course. This film could really go either way…

 

The Informant

While waiting for the low-budget ‘Girlfriend Experience’, suddenly Steven Soderbergh’s last film popped up on our radar. He’s quite the hard-working director- we can barely keep up! You might know him from mainstream, blockbusters such as ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, ‘Traffic’ and ‘Erin Brockovich’. He even received a ‘Best Director’ Oscar for ‘Traffic’. Matt Damon stars in ‘The Informant’, and famously gained 30 pounds for the role. The film is executive produced by George Clooney and based on New York Times writer Kurt Eichenwald’s book of the same name. The main character is Mark Whitacre, a schizophrenic who also happens to be a top manager at a firm.  Whitacre is bugged by the FBI and meant to share all the secrets of his firm; the only problem is, being that he is a schizophrenic, there is a lot of excess and confusing extraneous info that gets mixed between the useful privy info. Soderbergh has already begun work on his film ‘Cleo’, which will be released in 2011.

 

Looking for Eric

We are particularly excited for the latest film from one of our favorite directors, Ken Loach. Best known for ‘The Wind that Shakes the Barley’ and ‘It’s a Free World’, Loach was nominated for the Palme D’Or at this year’s Cannes Festival. The main character is Eric, a postman. In his dreams, he constantly sees Eric Cantona of Manchester United. Eric is a troubled character who has an unhappy family life and cannot even open up to his girlfriend. He also suffers from panic attacks. Turns out Ken Loach himself is also a football fanatic. This will definitely be a must-see of Filmekimi.

 

The White Ribbon

You must see Michael Haneke’s latest film during Filmekimi as we are not sure whether it’ll be shown in theaters thereafter for general audiences. The film received the prestigious Palme D’Or at Cannes and the FIPRESCI award. If you aren’t familiar with Haneke’s work, you should know he does not make comfortable, simple films- he enjoys making the viewer uncomfortable and pensive. The film focuses on a village in Germany’s Protestant north, during World War I, 1913-1914. Some have said it has a Bergman feel about it. Fans of the genre and director shouldn’t hesitate to purchase tickets.

 

Che

Che, which took 7 years of research, is produced by Benicio Del Toro and Steven Soderbergh. The film consists of two separate sections, totaling 268 minutes, and thus is shown in two separate showings. The film does not follow a chronological timeline; each section has its own style, and different cameras were used for each. Benicio Del Toro brings Che to life; he received the ‘Best Actor’ award at Cannes and Goya film festivals. There is no doubt that Che will appeal to many audiences.

 

A Serious Man

This film is directed by the Coen Brothers, who last brought us the chilling and unforgettable ‘No Country for Old Men’. Don’t worry if you miss this at the festival, as it is sure to move to all theaters soon enough. The subject is said to have been inspired by the Coen brothers’ own kids. The film tells the story of Larry Gopnik, who is a teacher’s assistant at a university, just like his mother and father. In 1967, his family life hits rock bottom. Michael Stuhlbarg plays Larry Gopnik. The film was also released in October in the States.

 

Cheri

Cheri, directed by Stephen Frears, takes place during The Belle Époque in Paris. The film stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Lea de Lonval and Rupert Friend as Cheri; the two become lovers, albeit illicit ones, as Lea is much older than Cheri’s 19 years.  Lea was actually commissioned by Cheri’s mother to teach him a thing or two about women; soon they become involved in a dramatic love affair and each learn something from the other, as the boy who doesn’t want to grow up falls in love with the woman who doesn’t want to get old.  Ain’t love grand?

 

Five Minutes to Heaven

Might it be enough to tell you that this film won both ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Screenplay’ at Sundance? If you’re still not convinced, here’s a little more: the film focuses on the history of the Irish. Those that want to know more or are interested in the topic, will not be disappointed.

 

Vengeance

Yet another film that competed for the Palme D’Or at Cannes this year is Hong Kong-born Johnnie To’s latest work, ‘Vengeance’. Fans of action and gangster films might already be familiar with To’s work. This, however is a neo-noir gangster film. A chef whose daughter, son-in-law and grandchild are killed, travels to Hong Kong to get his revenge. Except not everything is what it seems; turns out our dear chef used to be a hired assassin. The killer chef was originally going to be played by Alain Delon, who pulled out at the last minute, making way for French Johnny Hallyday.

 

Don’t Look Back/ Ne Te Retourne Pas

Those who enjoy French thrillers shouldn’t miss this one. Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci star in this film, which was shown during Cannes, but outside of the competition. The film’s main character is Jeanne, who begins to discover changes both in her home and in herself. The film progresses and soon Jeanne finds herself chasing a woman in Italy. Hold on for the ride, as Jeanne soon turns into that woman! If you like these sorts of psychological thrillers, don’t miss ‘Don’t Look Back’.

 

Polytechnique

This film focuses on the Montreal Massacre of 1989, an event in which 14 women were brutally killed by a disturbed, misogynist killer. What’s striking about this film is that the horrific event happened years before many other similar massacres: Before Columbine. Before Virginia Tech. We see the events through the eyes of the students, in black and white. The film which was shown at Cannes is a must-see, but not for those who are looking for something uplifting, clearly. The film also doesn’t provide any answers, much like Gus Van Sant’s ‘Elephant’, so expect to leave the cinema with more questions rather than fewer.

 

Thirst

If you haven’t heard of Korean director Park Chan Wook yet, you aren’t a true movie fanatic. Far Eastern cinema has topped our list of favorites recently and Park Chan Wook is one of the best. The director even came to Istanbul a few years back during the Istanbul Film Festival, and even taught a master class. ‘Thirst’ won the ‘Special Jury Prize’ at Cannes this year. The main character is Sang-hyun, a priest who devotes his life to helping others. During a medical trial, he catches a virus and becomes a vampire. This film was particularly popular in South Korea. If you haven’t had enough of the vampire genre yet, check out ‘Thirst’.

 

Valhalla Raising

This Finnish film, directed by Nicholas Winding Refn, is being called an ‘Epic Viking’ film. The main character is a mute fighter, who goes by the name ‘One-Eye’ Tek Goz’. The film takes place around 1000A.D. If you enjoy bloody, action scenes and Viking boats, ‘Valhalla Raising’ is right up your alley.

 

Must-See 

From the mainstream

Whatever Works- Woody Allen

A Serious Man- Joel & Ethan Coen

 

For the true cinemaphiles:

Thirst- Park Chan Wook

The White Ribbon- Michael Haneke

Dust of Time- Theo Angelopoulos