Friday, July 17, 2009

Metin Erksan's KADIN HAMLET!

Just bought a copy of this rare and weird Turkish drama on DVD, a version of HAMLET set in the 70s and with a female lead. Below are a couple of clips from the movie that have whetted my appetite for this unique film. I think they may do the same for you. Director Erksan is best know in the west for having directed the ultra-cheesy SEYTAN but he is hailed as a great auteur in his home country. His films of the 1960s are acclaimed fantasy-infused melodramas like SEVMEK ZAMANI, SUCLULAR ARAMIZDA or OLMEYEN ASK and are high on my "must-see" list.



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please! Where did you buy a DVD copy of Kadin Hamlet???? I've been trying to watch it for the last 4 years but it has been impossible to me. I would deeply thank you this information

My email is hugomsalas@yahoo.com.ar

xanthor fek said...

about a 1.5 years ago, KADIN HAMLET and SEVMEK ZAMANI were released on DVD in Turkey. KH ('76) is not in the best condition and has no subtitles. SZ ('65) is B&W, is subtitled, and is FANTASTIC! A gorgeous print. don't know why KH has no subs as I know it was shown at the time in LA (at a film fest?) and not well-received.

here's another turkish director to look for:
KEMAL HORULU. a former turkish olympian, he became a director in L.A. and made a way cool roughie called SOME LIKE IT VIOLENT about '67. after that he started making porn and is now considered a 'cult porn director' in the USA. SOME LIKE IT VIOLENT was released on videotape in the USA (about 15 yrs ago?). I thought it was released by something weird but visiting that website provided no clue, and another search said it had never been released on tape or DVD; however, I watched it with a friend about 11 years ago on a legit release tape he got from america and any
WORLDWEIRD CINEMA afficienado would greatly appreciate it. Kemal currently resides in Pasadena.

Jared said...

I've been looking for that SEVMEK ZAMANI DVD for awhile now. Haven't tracked one down yet. Any ideas, Xanthor?
Now I'll also be on the lookout for SOME LIKE IT VIOLENT and other films by Kemal Horulu. Thanks for the heads up!

xanthor fek said...

I'll see if I can find a copy in the shops here (I live in Istanbul) . . . KEMAL HORULU is completely unknown here as his career was entirely in the USA. his porn career was in the '70s; I've never seen any of these although I wouldn't mind checking one out, though I'd prefer to see SOME LIKE IT VIOLENT again.

xanthor fek said...

By the way, Erksan's film from '64 A DRY SUMMER is available from theAuteurs website. I watched it last week for free. It is an excellent film.

Jared said...

Is that the one with Erol Tas? That won a prize at the Berlin film festival or something like that?
If so I've seen it on YouTube too. I wonder if these free versions floating around will prevent an eventual DVD release?

xanthor fek said...

Yes, A DRY SUMMER starred Erol Tas, who appeared in many films that readers of this blog would enjoy. theAuteurs is associated with Martin Scorsese's foundation that restores films from around the world. I have no idea if it will affect a possible DVD release. That 2 films from Erksan's are available to see-- in good condition and with subtitles is-- amazing. I live in istanbul now and very little of turkey's cinema has been preserved and only one erksan film and a couple by yilmaz guney films are available with english subtitles (here). ever heard of LUTFI AKAD? he's considered the 1st great turkish director--good luck finding his films. a friend once rented DUNYA'YA KURTARAN ADAM to show at the Bosphorous University film club. the guy who rented it to her offered to sell it for $25. she still kicks herself for not buying it. many films are lost and most are in terrible condition. there is no institution to save or preserve turkish film. Thank god for Onar Film, Mondo Macabro, and that US co. that released RAMPAGE. Its too bad they dont get better support. BTW: although BORN OF FIRE isnt turkish it was shot here and is a fantastic film-- check it out.

Jared said...

Yeah, can't wait for BORN OF FIRE. Hopefully it will be reviewed here soon! What are the Yilmaz Guney films with subtitles? I might assume YOL is one of them, but what's the other?

xanthor fek said...

re: Yilmaz Guney: DUVAR (the wall) was released in USA on vhs- perhaps the most depressing film you'll ever see. I'll have to check on dvds here but I would guess SURU (the herd) and DUVAR would have subs; UMUT (HOPE)- beautiful B+W neorealist influenced film has subs. also recommended for all you oiled wrestling fans is PEHLIVAN (early '80s with subs) directed by Zeki Okten (who made SURU with Guney).
for those interested in learning more about turkish film there are only 2 books in english: one really sucks, but I can highly recommend TURKISH CINEMA (identity, distance, and belonging) by Gunul Donmez-Colin and published in England; however, be warned that if you're interest is only in worldweird-type stuff you won't find it here but there is a nice chapter on Guney. Its emphasis is on more arty turkish cinema of the past 40 years.
while looking thru my turkish dvds I came across tony richardson's CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE on which Fikret Ucak worked behind the scenes on a variety of tasks. He told me all about his experiences on the film and it was great fun listening to his stories.

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