Pek Yakinda

He is really a man! He does good job. For me, it started and finished in a moment. Not boring. Many emotions . Congratulates!

Those who need to sort movies into various categories, who see drama as a baddies versus goodies game, who think heroes are only deadly serious supermen on a mission to save the world, those who think that digital effects can substitute the absence of creative imagination and that improvisation and clowning around pertain only to stand-up comedies... those people should not try to understand this wonderful film. Because nothing is as it seems in the world of cinema, only the people involved in it are real, their fates and their professional objective to complete the project. "Pek Yakında" was made by clever people for a creative audience and leaves a lot open to interpretation. Each cast and crew member find their own way, and the theme grows and matures without losing its integrity. There are no minor roles in the usual sense. Two characters, Zafer and Boğaç, seem to be pivotal to the plot, oscillating between self-deception, self-destruction, flight of fancy, despondency and a fatal love of their profession. Cem Yılmaz' and Ozan Güven's splendid acting performances make these characters natural and convincing, and create them with an engaging self-irony, far from any showy pathetic effects. Well plotted, creatively done. Directing, music, camera and so on, deserve respect. One of the most inspirational films about filmmaking and the people around it.

The new feature film by Cem Yilmaz is about a man who was an unsuccessful background actor who sells pirated DVDs who wants to save his marriage. That is the curious background of the main actor, Zafer (Cem Yilmaz), finally decides to make a movie to save his relationship. The film they're making is actually an old script, written in 70s, never had a chance to put in act, for various reasons. Therefore, the movie has some funny (and also sad) references to Green Pine era.

The basic idea 'film inside of a film' is often used in world cinema, if not in Turkish cinema. Nevertheless, Mr. Yilmaz manages to bring some fresh ideas which makes the movie good and original. He knows when to make people laugh, when to cry; and he uses time almost perfectly. I cannot simply say that there was any flow in the script. Mise-en-scene is great, which is an issue in New Turkey Cinema I often criticize. The use of a Turkish Cinema Museum is so original that I've heard people talking about it after the movie. I saw the movie with my 14-year-old cousin, who of course knows nothing about Turkish movies before 2000. He said now he has great interest about these old movies. I'd say Cem Yilmaz has done something great for not only artistic issues, but also inspirational purposes. The youngsters who are fan of great comedian now have a desire to know the things that inspired Cem Yilmaz. Acting is also adequate. Suat character (Cengiz Bozkurt) may be the coolest character in the movie, a really bad guy and you cannot simply get mad at him. (You will know when you see it) Cem Yilmaz uses actors who are familiar to him, several years, so many films together... This is something I approve because he know what they can do, and what they cannot. He also used references to his previous works, which are the 'alienation effect'. This is consistent with the idea of film inside of a film. Lastly, there might be one thing to be critical about the film. That is, using so many commercials during the film. Yet, he handles the issue with alienation effect, that make people laugh. One of his conversations, Yilmaz stated that there is an issue of making a budget- free film, but you have to make sacrifices, like the whole crew eating cheddar bread sandwiches in the film set (kaşar-ekmek) when you ran out of money. This is something Yilmaz disagrees. He uses sponsorship delicately. You may be disagree with him. You may be idealistic filmmaker, but then again, Kaşar Ekmek...

Cem Yilmaz is the genius of telling the hilarious and sarcastic stories about the dramas, worst conflicts and deep sorrows of human life. The movie has all the elements a good movie is supposed to perform such as good character descriptions, attention to details, a unique message, interesting plot, a clear theme plus lots of ironi, humorous accidents, epic paradoxes and twists, some righteous criticism, etc are top of the cherry. This is another of his work that has many lines still make me laugh whenever I watch the movie again or come across with the excerpts. Pek Yakinda also finely reflects love, loyalty and admiration he has for Yesilcam and its actors and actresses. But the best part of the movie is its ending as I like happy endings.

Outcomes:

• It means a lot to Turkish because in the movie many terms and names including Sadri Alisik, Gulyabani, Hafize Ana , Body Ekrem and Eskiya are associated with Yesilcam.

-In early 70's, cinema halls started to get empty due to the creation of public TV network. This was the start of shooting erotic film in Turkey. Interesting fact for those who did not know.

• Soundtracks, Kimse Bilmez, Neden Bana Ask Sarkisi Yazan Olmaz, and Sevemez Kimse Seni perfectly fit with the scenes.

• Istanbul Toy Museum is the only toy museum in Turkey. Must-see place in Istanbul.

• White lies are not bad as long as you avoid hurting someones feeling.

• Turkish men are jealous.

• People may break promises after so long time.

• An end can be a beginning.

• Celebrities do not have a wonderful life.

• Fathers are sometimes just amazing.

• Never loose hope.

• Money rules.

...

Although Cem Yilmaz works with the same faces again, he did a great job. I appreciate to see how much he loves his culture and values. And wants to demonstrate how unique they are.

Cok Tesekkurler Cem. Gurbette Iyi Geldi.