Hooray!
Istanbul is famous for its many cats, owned by no-one but cared for by everyone. Kedi follows seven of those cats, each with a distinctive personality, and each cared for by someone with a story to tell. The film has no central narrator - the only voices you hear are those of the folks who take care of these cats. What makes the film special for me is that although it is a film about Istanbul's cats, in reality it is a peek into the soul of these carers.
It is fascinating to listen to these people speak about the cats that very clearly have adopted them. The personalities of these people come through clearly as they describe the personalities of the cats they love. These cats, of course, live a rough and tumble life, dealing with the encroachment of development as well as other cats in territorial disputes. Through taking care of these cats, and admiring the qualities that allow them to survive and even thrive, their carers seem to have learned much about their own lives and about themselves.
Kedi is beautifully filmed, and it is possible at many moments in the film to simply sit back and let the beautiful scenery wash over you. The film is also accompanied by a marvelous original soundtrack. As one might expect from a Turkish production, the music is highly percussive, with sounds that enhance the surprisingly spiritual dimension of the film.
If you harbour empathy for cats, then you will love this film.
P.S. I've read a handful of reviews on the net, and my favourite one opens this way (paraphrasing): "Where have all the good men gone? Apparently they are in Istanbul taking care of cats."
