New Turkish Cinema

WHITE ANGEL (Beyaz Melek)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 9 p.m.
Kendall Square Cinema
One Kendall Square, Cambridge
(Validated parking available for $2.70 for 4 hours)

2007, 115 minutes. 35mm. In Turkish with English subtitles.
Directed by Mahsun Kirmizigul
Cast: Yavuz Bingol, Sarp Atak, Yildiz Kenter, Gazanfer Ozcan, Erol Gunaydin, Emel Sayin, Nejat Uygur, Mahsun Kirmizigul, Ali Surmeli, Arif Erkin, Cezmi Baskin

Synopsis

Beyaz Melek (White Angel is about the universal drama of "old age". Mala Ahmet, the elderly leader of a tribe, suffers from cancer. While running away from the hospital to avoid chemotherapy and two sons on his trail, he suddenly finds himself in a nursing home where he is confronted by a different kind of life and culture. Mala Ahmet decides to invite this group of abandoned people in the nursing home to his village where seniors are treated with utmost care and respect by their relatives. Their journey turns into an adventure into the heart of the country and its people.

A touching debut film by the talented musician Mahsun Kırmızıgül with outstanding performances of the actors of Turkish theater.

"You won’t be able to forget this film easily, a symphony of sadness. Mahsun passes his first exam as director with great success." -- Atilla Dorsay, Film Critique

Festivals and Awards

Yesilcam Film Festival, Turkey: Best Debut Film (2008)
Houston International Film & Video Festival, USA (2008): Vision Award for Best International Film, Special Jury Award for Best New Director (2008)
Adana Golden Boll Film Festival, Turkey (2008): Best Studio

Director MAHSUN KIRMIZIGUL

Mahsun Kırmızıgül was born in March 26, 1969 in Diyarbakır, Turkiye. He is graduated from Istanbul Technical University Conservatory of Music.

“White Angel” is Kırmızıgül’s debut film as a scripwriter and director.