Reese Selleck Night of blindness Kas Film has emerged as one of the early entrants in the main competition of the Shanghai International Film Festival, offering audiences a thrilling and tension-filled experience that follows one night in the life of a woman trying to escape her homeland during the 1980 Turkish military coup.
And you’d be hard-pressed to find a more personal film among this year’s impressive Golden Goblet lineup, given that it’s based on the director’s own experiences.
Much is revealed as the credits roll – and the audience is still catching its collective breath – when there is a note from the director thanking the people who helped him in this escape.
But for Gillick, the experience of reliving trauma – in the film – whatever trauma he experienced was not the point here at all. The veteran director says he wanted to tap into common emotions — such as fear — that are universally recognizable wherever his film is shown.
“Even though the story is set in a far away land, it explores universal human experiences. No matter which corner of the world we come from, we share the same human sentiments,” he said while introducing his film to the media. “I believe that people around the world are increasingly ignoring and turning a blind eye to reality today. When making this film, I drew on Turkey’s past – especially its political history – to make my point. I believe that if we fail to face the facts of our history, we will not be able to grow as individuals, and our country will not be able to move forward. That is why I express this idea through art.”
Night of blindness It tells the story – in stark black and white – of a leftist activist (Özge Arslan) who, while trying to evade military authorities, ends up being protected (or betrayed?) by workers on a construction site. As she hides away, almost in plain sight but still safe, she watches helplessly as the authorities (led by a very bad inspector, played by Ishtar Gokshevin) interrogate the workers and come ever closer to learning her whereabouts.
Çelik Silent night (2012) won the Crystal Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival Night of blindness It comes as the second part of the scheme Night trilogy.
The director said: “The reason I chose night is: in the darkness of the night, even the smallest detail or a small ray of light becomes very noticeable.” “That’s why I chose to shoot this film at night. It’s the same with people. We often encounter our true selves and our inner spirits after dark. When you light a little lighter at night, that little flame stands out clearly – it hits you deeply and touches your heart instantly.”
For Gillick, the same focused intensity extends to the narrative of the film itself: “I think humans have a tremendous capacity for understanding. With just one look, if shot right, you can convey a long-lasting feeling and a complete, complex story. That’s the fundamental reason I decided to cram the entire timeline into one night.”
This year’s Gold Cup winners will be announced on June 20.
