November 8th, 6pm – Molière Theatre
CROSSING THE BRIDGE
THE SOUND OF ISTANBUL
At the Heart of Turkey’s Underground Music Scene
Faith Akins · 2005 · 90’ · ALL
As early as 2005, German-Turkish filmmaker Fatih Akin (Head On, Soul Kitchen, Rheingold) and Alexander Hacke, bassist of Einstürzende Neubauten, sought to capture the musical diversity of Istanbul—a scene that, since the early 70s, has given birth to a unique style blending traditional folk and psychedelic rock. It took a few years for it to gain widespread recognition, but today it thrives, as evidenced by the success of their direct heirs, Altin Gün.
This documentary spans nearly all genres: rap (Ceza), punk (Duman), traditional music (Orhan Gencebay), underground psych (Baba Zula), pop (Erkin Koray), and more. Hacke, as the film’s driving force, guides Akin’s camera into the heart of this buzzing hive of sound. The film invites you to cross the cultural bridge symbolized by the city, linking Asia, the Orient, and Europe, and discover the sounds of Istanbul.
