KEDI

(director: Ceyda Torun; cinematographer: Charlie Wuppermann; editor: Mo Stoebe; music: Kira Fontanarainer; cast:  Bülent Üstün, Sari, Duman, Bengü, Aslan Parçasi (Little Lion), Gamsiz, Psikopat, Deniz; Runtime: 79; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Ceyda Torun, Charlie Wuppermann; Oscilloscope; 2016-Turkey/USA-Turkish with English subtitles)

“A family friendly love poem to cats.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Ceyda Torun, raised in Istanbul but currently living in the States, in her feature debut, helms a YouTube Turkish documentary on the stray cats that roam around Istanbul. It’s a family friendly love poem to cats. We learn such things as the cats began arriving in the city thousands of years ago on cargo ships, that the cats can bring out a kindness in people that otherwise might not happen, and that it’s simply amazing at how the gentle cats survive in this cold world.

The filmmaker interviews a number of people who interact with the strays, as we follow a number of adorable strays being fed by restaurant workers, foraging in the streets and in the open-air markets for food, being petted by pedestrians and hanging around in their secret hide-outs. We are left with the impression cats are like people and each has a unique personality. We are also warned that cats unlike dogs do not look upon humans as gods.

By the way Kedi is cat in Turkish.

REVIEWED ON 12/26/2017       GRADE: B