The Fundy Film Society

Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul

A European musician and composer sets out to capture the musical diversity of Istanbul. A lover of experimenting with sound, Alexander Hacke (of the German avantgarde band Einstürzende Neubauten) roams the streets of Istanbul with his mobile recording studio and “magic mic” to assemble an inspired portrait of Turkish music. His voyage leads to the discovery of a broad spectrum ranging from modern electronic, rock and hip-hop to classical “arabesque”. As he wanders through this seductive world, Alex collects impressions and tracks by artists such as neo-psychedelic band Baba Zula, fusion DJs Orient Expressions, rock groups Duman and Replikas, maverick rocker Erkin Koray, Ceza, the breakdance performers Istanbul Style Breakers, digital dervish Mercan Dede, renowned clarinetist Selim Sesler, Canadian folk singer Brenna MacCrimmon, street performers Siyasiyabend, Kurdish singer Aynur, the “Elvis of Arabesque” Orhan Gencebay, and legendary divas Müzeyyen Senar and Sezen Aksu. Infused with cultural and political concerns, Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul weaves together a rich tapestry of musical styles that celebrate the diversity that makes up contemporary Turkish life.