One of the best films of Turkish cinema. Far from American influence, authentic and local enough. We need more good films for the development of Turkish cinema.
9 Reviews
It is desired and needed
nazlm20 January 2019
Touching
tahirakgul23 January 2021
Great film. A must see one. Emotional and touching. A star, family problems and Alzheimer. A life with up and downs. Cagan Irmak at his best again. Humeyra is perfect, she is acting as she sings. Of course some turkish elements but very nice. I enjoyed it very much. Enjoy it.
Stardom, Its Benefits and Its Pitfalls
l_rawjalaurence12 January 2016
There are echoes of several classic Hollywood films in Çağan Irmak's UNUTURSAM FIŞILDA (WHISPER IF I FORGET). In a provincial town two sisters Hatice (Farah Zeynep Abdullah) and Hanife (Gözde Çığacı) become enamored of rich boy Tarık (Mehmet Günsür). Tarık falls for Hatice, and the two of them resolve to become professional singers. They elope to İstanbul and find their fortune in the big time by working for major promoter Kemal (Gürkan Uygun). Only Hatice knows that her entire career has been built on deceit; while claiming to have written the lyrics of her hit song herself, she has actually stolen them from her sister, who was something of a talented poet in her younger days.
In its portrayal of stardom and its pitfalls, especially its effect on Hatice (now given the stage-name Ayperi) and Tarık, Irmak's film has strong echoes of A STAR IS BORN. Hatice/ Ayperi proves to be highly strung, while Tarık cannot endure the star's life and eventually turns to drink. Their star status gradually declines, and Ayperi is left financially destitute, forced to return to her sister after many years to seek shelter.
What renders UNUTURSAM FIŞILDA memorable is not the sequences where Ayperi/ Hatice enjoys her star's life, but the sequences set in the present where the older Hatice (Hümeyra) tries to re-establish a relationship with Hanife (Işıl Yücesoy). There is a lot of peace- making to be done: the two sisters have never spoken since Hatice eloped with Tarık, and Hanife seems less than willing to accommodate Hatice, even though Hatice is in the first stages of Alzheimer's. The only indication we have that all will be well is the lighting: most of the action takes place in bright sunlight, creating an edenic world where everything is eventually forgiven.
The ending is unashamedly sentimental, but along the way Irmak has made some trenchant points about the ways in which people's lives are based on falsehood; not just Hatice but Hanife as well. When times are good, no one really wants to acknowledge that uncomfortable fact; it is only when things go wrong that people are forced to face up to themselves as well as reconsider their relationship to others.
The film is a visual treat for nostalgics, especially those old enough to remember Seventies pop and fashion with its garish colors, banal lyrics and artificially tricky camera-work. Definitely worth a look.
In its portrayal of stardom and its pitfalls, especially its effect on Hatice (now given the stage-name Ayperi) and Tarık, Irmak's film has strong echoes of A STAR IS BORN. Hatice/ Ayperi proves to be highly strung, while Tarık cannot endure the star's life and eventually turns to drink. Their star status gradually declines, and Ayperi is left financially destitute, forced to return to her sister after many years to seek shelter.
What renders UNUTURSAM FIŞILDA memorable is not the sequences where Ayperi/ Hatice enjoys her star's life, but the sequences set in the present where the older Hatice (Hümeyra) tries to re-establish a relationship with Hanife (Işıl Yücesoy). There is a lot of peace- making to be done: the two sisters have never spoken since Hatice eloped with Tarık, and Hanife seems less than willing to accommodate Hatice, even though Hatice is in the first stages of Alzheimer's. The only indication we have that all will be well is the lighting: most of the action takes place in bright sunlight, creating an edenic world where everything is eventually forgiven.
The ending is unashamedly sentimental, but along the way Irmak has made some trenchant points about the ways in which people's lives are based on falsehood; not just Hatice but Hanife as well. When times are good, no one really wants to acknowledge that uncomfortable fact; it is only when things go wrong that people are forced to face up to themselves as well as reconsider their relationship to others.
The film is a visual treat for nostalgics, especially those old enough to remember Seventies pop and fashion with its garish colors, banal lyrics and artificially tricky camera-work. Definitely worth a look.
just beautiful
Kirpianuscus20 March 2016
for the acting, for the smart use of clichés, for the inspired recreation of "60's atmosphere. and, sure, for Gozde Cigaci. a sentimental movie about success and about family. not real original but useful. as moral lesson, as seductive portrait of a period, as tool to discover new side of old Turkey . and for music, the emotions of an age, the war to redefine the present after painful crash. far to be great, it could be useful. as a kind of time travel because it reminds basic facts who remains ingredients of many artistic careers and basis for stardom. because it is an old fashion definition of family. and, sure, for the end who could give a serious dose of sadness to romantic public. a film about the price of success. from an admirable cast and director.
Movie with a soul
zehra_aze11 August 2017
I found this movie quite an original one, although I guess there are similar movies in the Hollywood scene that I have not watched. The most beautiful part of the movie was of course the music - Kenan Dogulu has done an amazing job of creating 70s/80s style music from scratch. And Farah made an amazing work performing them. The scenes are colorful, cinematography is rich, dialogues warm and kind. I liked how the story unfolded slowly and sweetly, opening new layers to the drama. The relationship between the family members was very realistic, very Turkish. Yet there was a lot of modern universal sentiment to it. The actors are superb! Both the old ones and the young ones.
Looking forward to more of Cagan Irmak's original movies like this.
Looking forward to more of Cagan Irmak's original movies like this.
An AMAZING film
khodairaisha10 August 2021
Movie with a soul
nnourrr14 September 2021
READ THIS
sairlekesi25 February 2024
This film make you feel sad but you can that wow after watched it.
Because this story is amazing. Living in a.strict family in that times, it refleckt so truly. In total, it is a magnificent work that should be watched among Turkish films. Do not approach with judgment. Movie soundtracks and far beyond theirs. Even the title is chosen well enough. Their acting is really good. I cried towards the end. I watch this movie from time to time, but not all the time, and whether it's the credits or the scenes, it always gives me the same feeling. It might be a good idea to check out the soundtrack of the series after watching it. Even the lead has a crazy voice.
Because this story is amazing. Living in a.strict family in that times, it refleckt so truly. In total, it is a magnificent work that should be watched among Turkish films. Do not approach with judgment. Movie soundtracks and far beyond theirs. Even the title is chosen well enough. Their acting is really good. I cried towards the end. I watch this movie from time to time, but not all the time, and whether it's the credits or the scenes, it always gives me the same feeling. It might be a good idea to check out the soundtrack of the series after watching it. Even the lead has a crazy voice.
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