There’s a film called Barda in theatres in Turkey at the moment, and it’s being billed as the most disturbing and violent Turkish film ever. It was released on the 2nd of February, but I just got around to seeing it today (I’m slow like that), and although there was a lot of violence and blood, I don’t think it came across as Reservoir Dogs as it intended to. There was plenty of extra room in that direction, as well— Barda is based on a true story, and from what I understand, what actually happened in real life (i.e. what the public knows via what the media reported from the trial) was much more horrendous and complicated than what the film depicts, both in terms of straight-up violence, and also regarding the nature of the sexual assaults that occurred.
I never understand it when directors aim to make The Most Twisted Film Ever and then fail to do so, especially when they’re working from a true story that’s more than twisted enough. I’m not sure what the Turkish film ratings system is like, but perhaps that has something to do with it. I guess maybe there’s also a limit to what sorts of violence a Turkish audience (or indeed most audiences) will cope with. I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews of this film, and I understand the controversy— there always seems to be a clash when an already cloudy truth meets with an even cloudier artistic medium.
In any case, if you live in Turkey the film is currently still in the cinéma, but as far as I’m aware it’s Turkish only, without subtitles, so if you’re a foreigner like me and still need a little help with the language you might want to read an online synopsis first (and don’t forget to Google the true story while you’re at it, or have a Turkish friend fill you in). I’m sure when the DVD comes out there will be several sets of subtitles available, but until then, I’d be curious to hear from those of you who have seen Barda and have anything enlightening to say about it, or about the story that inspired it.
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