Week 8: Off the Rails!

I thought I walked into the wrong class this morning when I saw a young, slightly tanned man standing by the door greeting me with a smile. I was about ready to turn and walk out the door but in my confusion I noticed my classmates sitting in their usual seats. I sat close to them, relieved that I wasn't going crazy and waited to find out what was going on. Seemed like everyone was just as clueless as I was. The man stood at the front, and rather enthusiastically introduced himself.

Paul had been replaced by Murat Akser, and he was introducing us to the world of cinematic's in Week 8.

Week 8: Cinematic Arts

When Murat told us he was the new lecturer for a course starting next year about Cinematic's and film making, I wasn't sure what to think. After just completing a two year course in Creative Media where my teacher focused heavily on films I thought I'd never have to go so deep into that subject again. Sadly, Fate made this happen. However, unlike my course Murat decided to tell us more about films from a Turkish society. Reluctant as I was, I decided to look at this class as a challenge from Paul to see if we could write a blog about something only slightly related to our subjects. I knew this was going to be a challenge for me, as I didn't understand the reason behind the lesson over all but all the same... Challenge accepted! Let's give it a go.

Bringing us together..

He explained to us that cinema is used as a form of 'cultural construction', it is used as a way to help different people connect under one roof. All the people who go to see a horror film for example all share the likeability for that genre. Cinema in it's own right is a form of modern conceptual art, whatever way you look at it. Films are art, and quite incredible pieces of art at that. It is something that everybody can enjoy, there is something somewhere for somebody! Even myself. I'm not much of a film person but there is always one film every blue moon that will catch my attention, and like a predator hunting it's pray I will not rest until I've seen it.

Film's weren't always a method of expressing the particular culture of the country they were made in. Silent movies were a perfect example of this, Murat explained to us. When there is no language or sound being heard, the audience has to use their imagination and adapt what they are seeing visually to their own views on life. Meaning everybody can watch the same film and take whatever they want to away from it. Sounds pretty good but after sound was added to films, people were more interested in making it about specific cultures and films suddenly became a National thing instead of Universal.

What did they consist of..?

Night of Silence, 2013
Winner of the Turkish Film Festival.

He showed us a few examples of films that were made in Turkey while the film industry was at it's peek. A common theme that I saw is that they were all action based, war-like and strangely were about women being abused by men. As a female, it seemed a little biased to me but these films were made a long time ago, by people with very different opinions. Different cultures have different tastes, and I could certainly see that in the montages of films he showed us. After a few examples he did explain that those particular themes were common in Turkish films because of the countries history. Films are made to portray the culture and nature of the country it has been made in so in a sense that didn't make those themes acceptable for us British or Irish to watch and understand but they weren't made for us. American and British films have a wide range of genre's to choose from based on our history and cultures, just like Turkish films.

Of course, as time went on then the theme's would slightly change but even as we were shown a montage of films as they progressed I didn't see that much of a change. Though, after the year that women were given free rights like men I never saw much of the women abuse and films focused more on relationships and romance. Apart from that, I never daw much else of a change. To me, the films continued to represent the history of the country in a modern perspective. I don't know if British films do the same sort of thing, as I'm not a big film expert and I haven't been one to notice. So don't shoot me!

What did I take from the lesson?

"If you don't take risks, you can'tcreate a future."
- Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece.

Unlike the films I'm used to seeing, apparently a lot of film makers in Turkey take the money from their own pocket or 'the future' in order to make their productions. I know, they must be MAD! But taking such a big risk shouldn't always be considered a bad thing. If the title is a success then the Director is making back the money, with a bit of profit. Like the property development industry I guess. Morat explained that Turkish cinema's would approach Directors and tell them what they want made, in accordance with what their audiences have asked for. They tell the Director that they will pay 'x' amount of money on a future date if the film is made and is successful. Seems a little backwards but it certainly seems successful. That's why such incredible films are produced all around the world. If old is good, then let's just recycle!

I must admit that Murat opened my eyes in a way. He showed me that the world does not consist of the bright stared Hollywood blockbusters but there is a fantastic range of International Cinema right at my finger tips. It's inspired me to watch more films from countries across the globe. I've never been judgemental of International films I guess it's been a case of staying in my comfort zone. Well, not any longer!

Next week, Paul should be back and we'll be back into the Issues module. Though, this week hasn't really been a waste of time. I think it's shown us that if we step outside our comfort zone then we could reach new highs, and maybe even be inspired by a great director in Denmark, for example! So, thanks Morat. It was lovely meeting you and I hope your new course goes well next year!

Before I go for this week, Here are two trailers of Turkish films that we were shown and I would like to share with you. Enjoy!

Head-on Trailer (2004)                                   The Edge of Heaven Trailer (2007)

Until next time. :)