Men on the Bridge-Köprüdekiler (2009)

Directed by: Asli Özge | 87 minutes | drama | Actors: Cemile Ilker, Umut Ilker, Fikret Portakal, Murat Tokgöz

In the Turkish arthouse drama ‘Men on the Bridge’ we meet three inhabitants of the metropolis of Istanbul. What they have in common, in addition to their work in the vicinity of the Bosphorus Bridge, is the task of holding their own in a modern metropolis. While police officer Murat has trouble finding a suitable husband and taxi driver Umut to keep his, it is difficult enough for the young flower seller Fikret to scrape together his daily fare.

Director Asli Özge and her actors need little time to bring the characters to life. No doubt that’s because the actors play themselves, with their own gestures, facial expressions and deeply personal quirks. Everyday worries, the inability to keep up with the ever faster world and the difficult relationship with others and with themselves, make these characters recognizable to a worldwide audience.

In addition to the personal drama, this art-house film has an implicit warning against the dangers of a society of winners and losers. In ‘Men on the Bridge’ we experience the nationalist Republic Day and a demonstration against the PKK. Although the characters have little to do with politics or nationalism, the film shows how attractive nationalism or opposition to other population groups is for the bottom layer of the population. To restore a damaged sense of pride or to have a scapegoat for one’s own failure.

Visually, the film is a treat. Özli alternates a documentary style with compositions cast in tight frames, which show a preference for vistas and striking colours. We see Istanbul as a city with many faces: as a metropolis with speeding motorists, western shops and big-city rubbish. And we see the quieter sides of the city: a deserted street where you can smoke a cigarette at your leisure, an elevated restaurant where you can take an internet date with you.

It’s a shame we’re only allowed to roam around that fascinating city with these characters for 87 minutes. You would like to know what happens to them next, what happens to their dreams and desires, their search for happiness. That lack is the only thing that you can blame this fine film.