My Aunt

My Aunt occupies a distinct and significant place among the films of Turkish director Halit Refiğ. Written by Ümit Ünal, the film broaches a series of real-life problems that generally attract little discussion, even in Turkish cinema. Üftade is the daughter of fanatical parents... Although bright and attractive, being trapped in this environment leads her to act differently. No one can comprehend the profound loneliness she feels. But her silent, introverted world becomes more colourful with the arrival of a young nephew. All through her life Üftade has had to bottle up the abuse she suffers at the hands of her stepfather; with her nephew’s departure her reticence gradually draws her into a world outside the reality of her life. The film knocks a powerful punch in its portrayal of the enduring effect on women of abuse within the family. The effect is further underscored by the mother’s helplessness and inclination to turn a blind eye, the rush by the others to judge her ‘not all there’ without making the slightest effort to understand and the stepfather’s hypocrisy. Without recourse to melodrama, Refiğ exposes the hypocrisy that begins in the family and extends to society as a whole, and reveals the drama that women experience within this. By virtue of its content and masterful cinematic language, My Aunt ranks among the most powerful, enduring and laudable films of Turkish cinema; but a great deal of credit is also due to the realistic performances of Müjde Ar in particular, as well as Tomris Oğuzalp, Mehmet Akan and the rest of the cast. Ayla Kanbur
Turkey
'
1986

Director
Derek Jarman

Script
Umit Unal

Cinematography
Ertunc Şenkay

Editing
Sedat Karadeniz

Production
Fedai Ozturk

Cast
Haldun Ergüvenç
Mehmet Akan |
Müjde Ar
Necati Bilgic
Tomris Oguzalp
Yasar Alptekin

Festivals
15th Festival on Wheels
IN MEMORIAM: HALİT REFİĞ