you (too) are part of some Turkish movies

What I’m writing here is a homage to several Turkish movies from the 70es and 80es some consider trash cinema. They’re avant-garde and show a high do-it-yourself abilities and a good management of resources (see the golden gloves used in Dünyayı kurtaran adam (1982), by the sci-fi hero Murat –Cüneyt Arkın, the great, of course- then being used in Son savaşçi (1982) by one of the ninja.
*

When you watch the movie you’re creating it too. There’s place left for the imagination of the viewer/the one enjoying the movie. Simple items become symbols, something sophisticated if you want. You identify all objects, unlike in modern movies full of expensive special effects.Turkish actors in the 70es and 80es must have been happy since they could play plenty of different roles, even within a year. For example, Cüneyt the great, in 1982, in a couple of movies directed by Çetin Inanç, was a sci-fi hero who had to save the world (actually he didn’t save it since there was a second part of the movie, dünyayi kurtaran adamın oğlu in 2006, not directed by Çetin Inanç –oh- but by Kartal Tibet, where Murat again had to face many enemies to save the world)...and in Son savaşçi he was a rather modern hero who could fight against Turkish ninja (I say Turkish ninja because they’re not old-school ninja since they’re dressed uhm...how to say...differently and their swords aren’t katana but some kind of Arabic-style swords –I don’t know how to describe them- made of cardboard –but I heard Cüneyt’s character pronouncing “katana” as he was holding and trying one!!!). Then, another example is dünyayı kurtaran adam’s blonde (Füsun Uçar) and I’m quite sure that some of the nice monsters in Dünyayı kurtaran adam became ninja...or the supposedly-scary monster in Ölüm savasçisi (1984) (also known as Death Warrior).

***



and I’d choose the second one. Neither have I seen superman movies but I’ve seen some parts of the Turkish version (Süpermen dönüyor, 1979)...again the Turkish version wins.

***

These Turkish movies are kind of more human and not so violent (you see that when they hit each other they DON’T hit each other...and they don’t hit the rocks or stones, as is the case of Murat’s training sessions in Dünyayı kurtaran adam and actually, most weapons are made of cardboard, including the huge ninja stars, also used in Dünyayı kurtaran adam, of course). Seeing these films makes you feel that you too can be a hero, a sci-fi character, a ninja, a monster who demands hugs (they are like toys...ooooh...the nice red hairy monsters in Dünyayı kurtaran adam)...and above all, they have a great sense of humour. Any comedy made me laugh as much as these Turkish film.

Some facts to bear in mind:

-superman’s glasses. Where did they find them???? Pay attention to his shoes, making him even taller...strangely taller wearing those bell-bottomed trousers. I like the Olivetti typewriter in the movie

-if you have an old lovely-junk car, moskovitch, seat supermirafiori or whatever...don’t forget to have a look at the boot! There might be a man (...or a ninja; the scene would have been even better if it had been a ninja...)

-the enemies drive slowly in süpermen dönüyor and ninja move strangely.

-you can’t expect the way the stories go and end.... Ninja and ballet dancer beneath the sea and an oyster in Son savaşçi (?!) golden brain and swords in Dünyayı kurtaran adam (?!)

-stones are like dynamite. Don’t throw stones as they might explode.

-heroes MUST jump and Cüneyt is the Master. He was 45 when he starred Dünyayı kurtaran adam and Son savaşçi and most time he’s jumping, fighting and doing acrobatic shows. Well, Cüneyt is not human! Uhm..by the way, Cüneyt Arkın had studied medicine (...and Çetin Inanç, Law)



-sci-fi characters can wear fashionable 80es clothes and accessories, including silver colour headbands. Cüneyt’s Murat still wears the light blue eighties-style sweater in 2006.

-X-Mas decoration can be used to make your own galaxy (see süpermen dönüyor)
-there will be always some comment to add....

son (the end)