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TEYZEM / MY AUNT<br />
One of the giants of filmmaking in Turkey, Halit Refiǧ created one of his finest works with this searing drama based on a screenplay by<br />
respected writer (<strong>and</strong> later filmmaker) Ümit Ünal. Üftade (Müjde Ar) has long been the object of men’s fury. In childhood, her stepfather<br />
constantly abused her, <strong>and</strong> later her marriage descends into vicious psychological domination. Throughout the years, her suffering is<br />
witnessed by her nephew who, despite his warm feelings for his aunt, nevertheless feels helpless to do anything about her condition.<br />
Teyzem (My Aunt) is a powerful indictment of a society that allows individuals—most often women—to be destroyed by those closest<br />
to them, with the excuse that “it’s a family affair.” Refiǧ <strong>and</strong> Ünal detail the support system that allows even the most outrageous <strong>and</strong><br />
arbitrary acts of cruelty to appear acceptable, even normal. As Üftade, the sublime Müjde Ar gives one of her most remarkable<br />
performances.<br />
FESTIVALS AND AWARDS<br />
1986 Milliyet Best Screenplay Award (Ümit Ünal)<br />
HALiT REFiG<br />
Born in Izmir, Turkey in 1934, Halit Refiğ studied engineering at Robert College in Istanbul before he started<br />
to produce documentaries while serving as a military reserve officer in Japan, Korea, <strong>and</strong> Sri Lanka. He<br />
founded the magazine Sinema Dergisi (Turkish Film Review) in 1956 together with fellow film critic Nijat<br />
Özön, <strong>and</strong> in 1957, he became assistant to director Atıf Yılmaz. Refiğ made his directorial debut in 1961<br />
with Yasak Aşk(Forbidden Love), which he followed with a series of nationalistic films through the Sixties. An<br />
ardent Marxist, he has extensively pondered the meaning <strong>and</strong> role of nationalist cinema, <strong>and</strong> advocated<br />
addressing tensions inherent in Turkish society <strong>and</strong> using Turkish narratives <strong>and</strong> traditions. During the late<br />
Seventies, Refiğ taught at University of Wisconsin, where he produced a Victorian period drama entitled<br />
The Intercessors. Upon his return to Turkey, he was asked by the Turkish Radio <strong>and</strong> Television (TRT) to<br />
direct a film based on Kemal Tahir’s controversial novel Yorgun Savaşçı (Tired Warrior). The ensuing film<br />
was banned from broadcast for allegedly containing anti-Atatürk, <strong>and</strong> anti-Turkish Independence War<br />
messages. Refiğ who has created over 50 films since 1961 died in 2009.<br />
SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY<br />
1961 Yasak Aşk / Forbidden Love<br />
1963 Şafak Bekçileri / Watchmen of Dawn<br />
1964 Gurbet Kuşları / Birds of Exile<br />
1965 Haremde Dört Kadın / Four Women in the Harem<br />
1966 Karakolda Ayna Var<br />
1967 Kız Kolunda Damga Var<br />
1969 Bir Türk’e Gönül Verdim / I Lost My Heart to a Turk<br />
1972 Çöl Kartalı<br />
1973 Vurun Kahpeye<br />
1978 Yaşam Kavgası<br />
1982 O Kadın<br />
1986 Teyzem / My Aunt<br />
1989 Karılar Koğuşu / Women’s Ward<br />
1996 Köpekler Adası / Isl<strong>and</strong> of Dogs<br />
TEYZEM/MY AUNT 24
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