Ferahfeza

"Ferahfeza", alternatively titled "Ships" in English, is a mesmerizing 2012 Turkish film hinged between a tangible reality and an ethereal dream state. This idiosyncratic, dreamy, and poetic movie is directed by Elif Refig, marking her debut as a feature film director. The movie stars Ugur Uzunel, M. Sitare Akbas, and Mert Asutay providing performances that linger in memory long after the end credits roll.

Ugur Uzunel plays the lead character, Ali, an introverted shipyard worker in Istanbul who exists in a somewhat mundane existence - the noise of machinery, tales of mundane living, and the monotony of work consume his life. However, Ali is not your average shipyard worker; he has dreams that stretch far beyond the industrial backdrop of his everyday life. He has a creative side and sketches ships that he dreams of building one day. This dream is not just a vague wish, but a lifelong ambition and a driving force in his life.

Interestingly, "Ferahfeza" also captures the whimsical beauty of Istanbul, its diverse people, and its changing landscapes. The movie is set against the backdrop of the booming construction industry that is rapidly transforming the city. The stark contrast between Ali's dream world and the gritty realities of the changing city works as an engaging juxtapose throughout the film.

M. Sitare Akbas plays the character of Eda, an independent and spirited woman who also works in the shipyard and shares Ali’s dream of a life beyond staid realities. Like Ali, she dreams of a world far from the grimy shipyard. Eda is a modern-day Turkish woman enamored by a secret graphic novel project and endlessly fascinated by the cosmos, promising a life of ideas bigger than the confines of reality.

When Ali and Eda’s paths cross, there’s a touch of the fantastical. The two are drawn together by their shared daydreams of escape, their powerful yearning for freedom, and their joint fascination for the concept of the ‘other place’. Their meeting sparks a friendship and an inevitable journey, both literally and figuratively. This unspoken bond between them acts as a reaffirmation of their dreams and engulfs both in a world of anticipation and curiosity in equal measure.

Actor Mert Asutay gives a compelling performance as Ali and Eda’s authoritarian boss, perfectly depicting a man tethered to the practicalities and harsh realities of life. His character offers a brilliant contrast to the free-spirited dreamers, establishing an important plot point that shapes the course of the movie.

The unique blend of reality and fantasy in "Ferahfeza" is underlined by charming elements of magical realism. The imageries in the film often balance on a fine line between the two extremes, beautifully juxtaposing the harsh and rugged shipyard and the dreamy space of the protagonists' minds through careful cinematography. Director Elif Refig exhibits an exceptional skill for visual storytelling, complemented by the cast’s brilliant performances and the beautifully haunting score.

"Ferahfeza" is about boundless dreams, youthful vigour, and the unflinching spirit of curiosity. It's a film that pushes viewers to contemplate their own dreams and capacities to dream. All while evoking an array of emotions, from youthful joy and romantic anticipation to deep introspection.

The movie paints an incredibly compelling portrait of modern Istanbul along with its social, cultural, and industrial shocks and changes. It's about how individuals respond uniquely to their surroundings, and the idea of wonder and searching that lies within a seemingly mundane existence.

Overall, the film is an artful portrayal that forces us to recognize and question our reality while suspending the viewer between the ethereal and the tangible. "Ferahfeza" resonates with anyone who's ever found themselves dreaming of distant places or reaching for the cosmos from their corner of the world. It is a unique and creative exploration of the universality of a human nature that yearns for something transcendent.