Muleteers (1987)

Muleteers (1987). 1h 26m

“u0026quot;Katircilaru0026quot; (Muleteers) stands as one of the most accomplished films in the realm of u0026quot;Turkish Cinemau0026quot; that purports to depict the people of the southeastern region without uttering a single word of Kurdish or even acknowledging the existence of Kurds.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMy father was particularly fond of this film, frequently revisiting his VHS copy. Itu0026#39;s disheartening to witness the current state of Kadir Inanir, who once graced the screen in such powerful roles.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAysegül Aldinç, on the other hand, remains as timeless as ever. Itu0026#39;s a blessing that time has been kind to some individuals.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHowever, the fact that the film was shot in southeastern Turkey (Bingöl) without a single word of Kurdish spoken creates a sense of artificiality that I find hard to overlook.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eLet no one regale me with tales of u0026quot;it was forbidden back then.u0026quot; The very actors who starred in these films were frequenting Istanbulu0026#39;s nightlife, engaging in activities far more illicit than speaking Kurdish, and gracing the covers of gossip magazines.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Katircilar,u0026quot; directed by Serif Gören, tells the story of a group of villagers, soldiers, and a journalist who embark on a perilous journey through the snow-covered mountains of southeastern Turkey. The filmu0026#39;s stunning cinematography captures the harsh beauty of the landscape, while the performances, particularly that of Kadir Inanir, are both nuanced and powerful.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe filmu0026#39;s narrative, while ostensibly apolitical, subtly critiques the social and political realities of the region. The charactersu0026#39; struggles against the elements and their own internal conflicts mirror the broader challenges faced by the people of southeastern Turkey.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDespite its flaws, u0026quot;Katircilaru0026quot; remains a powerful and thought-provoking film that deserves recognition for its artistic merit and its subtle commentary on a complex and often misunderstood region. Itu0026#39;s a testament to the power of cinema to transcend political boundaries and to illuminate the human condition in all its complexity.”