Sen Aydinlatirsin Geceyi

I felt i had to write this review because the movie was kinda misunderstood. So the real intention of this review is, bringing an important correction under the lights.

It is an extraordinary movie, filmed totally in black and white. I never thought i would be able to watch a black and white movie till the end but this movie was absolutely worth it. The disturbing reality mixed with the real texture of a small Aegean town. Ignorent people, shy female male interactions, romance, a great story which is partially given and you need to solve the other parts.

Let's make one point obvious; this movie has nothing to do with supernatural powers or super heroes. The protagonist is suffering schizophrenia. Some people are real, some people are not and some people are being seen different through his eyes.

First of all I want to explain why Onur Unlu didn't screen this excellent movie in theater.

In our country the sector of cinema is organized by a particular group which have an exclusive possession in this sector. I can't remember the percentage accurately but he said that %30 (or 40) of the movie theaters belong to this group. Besides these theaters have a significant role in box office as they are all fully booked. ( Turkish members could know these theaters easily i.e. FORUM CINEMAS ).

I mean these cinemas determine the box office indeed and others not much important. That's way the terribly awful movies have great amount of box office. (just like Ozcan Deniz's Evim Sensin). And this group doesn't want to accept Onur Unlu's films to screen their movie theaters.

So Onur Unlu was aware of ( and I think he is still) the condition that he couldn't have had the opportunity to do good things without help of this group. And then he decided to not to screen his last film in theaters. In my opinion it is something humiliating to be at the same theater with terrible films one of which written above. Hence I've found Unlu's decision so correct.

There are lots of thing to talk about the movie. But it doesn't deserve any spoiler. I think there is not only one main idea in this movie.

You must really watch it.

Thanks and best regards to the director Onur Unlu and all who contributed to this.

This is a very special movie, truly not for everyone.

The director have an amazing imagination and surprises the viewer with countless visual effects.

The soundtrack plays an important role in building the final product.

A must see.

"There used to be a bird you shot, right? It's not there anymore, is it?" Cemal says. What would have happened if we had never existed? What would change? Does our existence in this world mean anything or should it? Philosophical questions abound in this movie. While watching Cemal, the audience feels as if they are being abstracted from their surroundings and constantly residing in the realm of thoughts as if they were Cemal himself. Superheroes have superpowers. But these superpowers don't create characters who live without worries or as if they've come to this world to have fun. Cemal has a concern, and this concern doesn't seem like it can be resolved with superpowers. These concerns are related to very basic things, the existence of life. This concern is about love and the delicate balance of love.

Cemal is a very contemplative and thoughtful character. His thoughtfulness is constantly reflected as worry to himself. He doubts small things, experiences his emotions. He is a person "created from worry." These worries push him towards inquiries that will develop him as a human while also causing him to engage in behaviors he does not want and will regret. He beats the woman he loves (Yasemin). Then he reads her poetry. Cemal is confused, his actions are contradictory. Just like all of us. Even if he could see inside the walls and pass through them, he would not be able to overcome the emotional wall with Yasemin, drowned in his worries and obsessions, which have taken over his entire life.

The cinematography of the film is important in understanding the characters' inner worlds. Cemal's scenes shot with a fixed camera show his eyes and what's behind them to the audience. The poetry scene on the balcony is a nod to Romeo and Juliet. Cemal, the guilty lover trying to win his wife's heart, reads poetry to her. Light shines on his face as if it is from Yasemin, her light giving meaning to his life, he can't do it without her, but his worries are also visible on his face. Cemal stands below the balcony, looking at Yasemin as if she were a goddess. A goddess he can never reach, a goddess who will "definitely" betray him or leave him.

Don't we all have a bit of Cemal in us, after all? Cemal "lives in the church in our ribs."

In a Marquezian town, while people are minding their daily business, extraordinary things happen to a man on a daily basis. Among daily struggles characters are filled with questions about life and death like many of us. When love and jealosy comes around, things get complicated and messy.

If you wanna have an evening "watching" some sonnes of Shakespeare in black&white while hearing the song Mreyte ya Mreyte in several scenes, here's your pick, don't miss!