REHA ERDEM
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Biography:
Born in Istanbul, Reha Erdem began his studies in History at Bogazici University in Istanbul. He graduated from Cinema Department of Paris 8 University. He obtained his M.A. in Plastic Arts at the same university. He shot his first feature-length film "Oh Moon" in 1989 as a French-Turkish co-production. He shot "Run for Money" in 1999, "Mommy, I'm Scared" in 2004, "Times and Winds" in 2006, "My Only Sunshine", a Turkish-Greek-Bulgarian co-production, in 2008 and "Kosmos" in 2009. His latest two films are "Jîn" (2012) and "Singing Women" (2013), a Turkish-French-German co-production. He wrote all of his films except for "Mommy I'm Scared", for which he was one of the co-writers. He also has short films and directed a theater play, "Maids" (Les Bonnes) by Jean Genet.
Read more on Wikipedia | Watch an interview on YouTube | Filmography on IMDb
Selected Films
My Only Sunshine dir. by Reha Erdem (2009, 116 min., Turkey) In Turkish with English subtitles
14-year-old Hayat, no longer a child but not yet a woman, lives with her father and grandfather by the shores of the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Her father works as a fisherman but makes most of his money through shady dealings. Even more corrosive than the family’s poverty is their neglect toward Hayat.
Times and Winds (Bes Vakit) dir. by Reha Erdem (2006, 111 min., Turkey) In Turkish with English subtitles
The intensely lyrical Times and Winds, winner of both the FIPRESCI and Best Turkish Film Awards at the 2006 Istanbul Film Festival, is the fourth feature from director Reha Erdem. The film depicts the bumpy emotional lives of three preteen friends and the ways their families curb their dreams and desires as surely as the mountain and sea confine their isolated village. This magical film is a haunting portrait of the tensions that lie beneath the seemingly placid surface of a remote, beautiful and rugged mountain village perched between sea and sky, untouched by the modern world.
Deniz türküsü (Song of the Sea) dir. by Reha Erdem (2001, 4 min., Turkey) In Turkish with English subtitles
“One can only live so long as he dreams.” A dreamlike journey inspired by Yahya Kemal Beyatlı’s poem. A short movie by Reha Erdem, shot in the mid 90s, financed by The Turkish Ministry Of Culture as part of a project called "10 Poets 10 Directors".
What's a Human Anyway? (Mommy, I'm Scared) dir. by Reha Erdem (2004, 128 min., Turkey)
Set in an urban apartment building where neighbors, friends, and family are living in close quarters, the film focuses on male protagonists through whom the three phases of stepping into manhood in Turkish society are explored. Ali, suffering from temporary amnesia, is the main focus for the narrative twists in this circus-like environment. But, there is also a little boy who refuses to be circumcised, a young man who refuses to do his military service, and a 30-year-old man refusing to leave home. the nicely paced film with well-written characters is treated to director Reha Erdem's light touch and slyly amusing style without missing the opportunity to illuminate some serious points in a strictly patriarchal society.
We are currently seeking more links to complete films by Reha Erdem:
Sarki Söyleyen Kadinlar (Singing Women) (2013, 128 min.) View Trailer
Jîn (2013, 122 min.) View Trailer
Cosmos (Kosmos) (2010, 122 min.) View Trailer
Run for Money (Kaç Para Kaç) (1999, 100 min.)
Oh Moon (A Ay) (1998, 100 min.) View Trailer
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