90s Turkish Cinema: Exploring the Untold Stories of 13 Nearly-Legendary Domestic Films
Turkish cinema experienced a surge of creativity and potential, with numerous domestic films on the verge of making a significant impact on the industry. However, these films, for various reasons, fell short of their full potential and never quite reached the acclaim they deserved. Join us as we uncover the untold stories behind 13 remarkable films that almost brought Turkish cinema to life in the 90s.
1. Eşkıya (The Bandit) (1996)
2. Tabutta Rövaşata (1996)
3. Ağır Roman (1997)
IMDb: 7,7
On a street called Kolera, a group of people who manage to exist in their own perceptions live on the edge of life. Like everywhere else, there is an order within this street. For example, Arab Sado hands over his dominance over this street to Salih. Salih is the younger son of the family and is not really ready for such a responsibility. One day there is a riot and an incident in the back streets. During this time Salih falls in love with a woman. Tina fascinates him. The movie is based on Metin Kaçan's novel of the same name, which presents slices of lives torn between the simplicity of life and the cruelty of people.
4. Masumiyet (Innocence) (1997)
IMDb: 8,2
Released from prison for an honor killing, Yusuf now has an aimless life. After he crosses paths with Bekir and Uğur in a secluded corner of a boarding house, events that shake the lives of all the people in the story will occur, everyone will pursue their own innocence; these choices will cause deep wounds in all of them. Uğur is a powerful prostitute, Bekir is a man obsessed with her. But Ugur has Zagor in her heart... Derya Alabora, Güven Kıraç and Haluk Bilginer, remembered for his unforgettable tirade, star in this impressive film by Zeki Demirkubuz, one of the most important directors of Turkish cinema. In the year of its release, the film also received 4 Golden Orange awards at the Antalya Film Festival and four awards at the Golden Boll Film Festival.
5. Propaganda (1999)
IMDb: 7,4
Based on a 1948 true story, the film is one of Sinan Çetin's most acclaimed productions. The film tells the poignant story of a village that is divided into two by a wire fence on the orders of the political authority, only to be divided socially, emotionally and spiritually along with the border. As the people of the village who have been living together for years, especially customs officer Mehdi and his childhood friend Rahim, lose their friends, love and faith in life because of the border, the lives torn apart by political and political games are once again revealed.
6. Piano Piano Bacaksız (1991)
IMDb: 7,8
Kemal, an aging man living in an old mansion in Istanbul in the 1940s, recounts his memories that are now almost forgotten. Piano Piano Bacaksız is an impressive story about a group of people trying to hold on to life despite the difficulties brought by the war in a mansion where each room is rented out to completely different people. Master director Tunç Başaran won the Best Director award at the Istanbul Film Festival in 1991 for Piano Piano Bacaksız.
7. Dönersen Islık Çal (1993)
IMDb: 7,5
Beyoğlu, Istiklal Street is one of the most magnificent places in Istanbul... However, when night falls and the lights go out, a thousand kinds of filth appear on these dark streets... It is at such moments that the drama of people who are excluded and marginalized from society intensifies. One of these born losers is a 'dwarf' who works as a bartender in a dirty bar. When his path crosses one day with a transgender person who makes a living as a prostitute, a friendship that defies fate and life begins between these two outcasts, two unwanted people. This friendship is a rebellion against the society that marginalizes them. One of the most melancholic and darkly atmospheric films of the 90's, the film deserves attention especially for the performances of Fikret Kuşkan and Mevlüt Demiryay in the lead roles.
8. C Blok (1994)
IMDb: 6,2
Tülay, a resident of Block C, has a paper marriage and happiness is just a word she knows the meaning of. But when she coincidentally sees her maid and the apartment's doorman in her bed together, it's time to start reviewing her already troubled life. She is so moved by this event that she decides to seize the opportunity and build a new and completely different life. The debut feature of Zeki Demirkubuz, one of the most original directors of Turkish cinema, proves what the director will do in the future. C Blok is considered to be a successful first film due to its cast consisting of quality actors such as Fikret Kuşkan, Güler Ökten and Selçuk Yöntem and the subject matter it explores.
9. Tatar Ramazan (1990)
IMDb: 8,0
Tatar Ramadan, a solid prison movie, has gained an important place in the eyes of the public by addressing social issues. Integrated with Kadir İnanır's magnificent acting, the movie has taken its place among the cult movies.
10. Gölge Oyunu (1993)
IMDb: 7,8
Abidin and Mahmut are two friends who work as stand-up comedians in pavilions and have made a habit of being on the losing side in life. Abidin used to work as a sailor and is very fond of women. Mahmut, who grew up in an orphanage, differs from his comrade with his shy attitude towards the opposite sex and his sensitive nature. Their itinerant life on the back of an antique motorcycle with a sidecar will be turned upside down when a deaf and mute but beautiful young girl enters their lives. The events they will experience will lead them to get to know themselves better and to exercise on the meaning of life and the dream/reality that surrounds them. Of course, the audience will also be involved in this exercise. One of Yavuz Turgul's strongest scripts, this is a work that is crowned with a strong use of lighting and cinematography, as well as surprising faces such as Füreyya Koral.
11. Salkım Hanım'ın Taneleri (1999)
IMDb: 6,5
Durmuş and Nimet are suffering from poverty in the village where they live. They decide to go to the big city for a more prosperous life and end up in Istanbul, where they meet Bekir, a fellow countryman. Bekir is the assistant of Mr. Halit, a rich man. This favor of Bekir, who also finds a job for Durmuş in the big inn where they live, will create a break in the fortunes of all the innkeepers. Durmuş, whose destiny is moving in a different direction, is an extremely ambitious man who always wants to have more. The small business he is given here will not satisfy him, and his greed will be everyone's undoing. The Wealth Tax levied on non-Muslim minorities will drive all non-Muslim citizens, especially Halit Bey, from their homes.
12. Aşk Ölümden Soğuktur (1994)
IMDb: 6,5
Belgin, a dancer from Sulukuleli, meets Ali during a police raid and falls in love. As a result of this passionate love, the young woman becomes famous and becomes a singer. Belgin's fame will be an obstacle for her love.
13. Gemide (1998)
IMDb: 8,0
In this production, which can be considered the milestone of the generation of truly alternative films in Turkish cinema, in which Serdar Akar exploded the New Filmmakers school, we follow the adventures of four crazy-headed crew members. When a boxer who has had his money stolen in Laleli tells the captain of the ship about the situation and the captain goes to ask for the money, events get more complicated and they are left with a girl and a man whose head has been smashed to death against the concrete. The girl, who is supposed to leave the ship, is hidden by the boxer, and as the stoned, junkie captain starts to sober up, he slowly starts to remember everything. At the time of its release, the film was heavily criticized by conservative circles for its heavy use of slang. Despite this, Gemide is now considered a cult movie in Turkish cinema. Erkan Can's performance is the most important factor in the success of the movie.
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