Short Films

{{item.headline}}

> DETAIL INFO

BITTER LIFE
ACI HAYAT

• Director: Metin Erksan
• TÜRKİYE / 1962 / DCP / B&W / 94' / Turkish; English s.t.

• Screenplay: Metin Erksan
• Original Work: Muzaffer Arslan
• Director of Photography: Ali Uğur
• Editing: Özdemir Arıta
• Music: Fecri Ebcioğlu
• Art Director: Semih Sezerli
• Cast: Türkan Şoray, Ayhan Işık, Ekrem Bora, Nebahat Çehre, Hüseyin Baradan, Memduh Alpar, Muadelet Tibet
• Producer: Muzaffer Arslan
• Co-Producer:
• Production Co.: As Film
• World Sales: Burç Film

1964 Antalya Best Cinematography, Best Actress (T. Şoray)

A mature product of Metin Erksan’s 'Social Realist' period, Acı Hayat / Bitter Life deconstructs classic Yeşilçam melodrama patterns through a sociological lens. Meticulously restored for Istanbul Film Festival by Atlas Post Production with the support of Zurich Insurance Group Türkiye, the film tells the story of Mehmet, a poor welder, and Nermin, a manicurist, whose love is shattered by the destructive power of money and the desire for social mobility. Today, revisiting Bitter Life with its restored copy is an indispensable way to witness filmmaker and thinker Metin Erksan’s vision once again, to watch the acting genius of Türkan Şoray, Nebahat Çehre, and Ayhan Işık, and to comprehend the sociological transformation of Turkey. Bitter Life is a timeless masterpiece depicting the tragedy of an individual trying to overcome the coldness of wealth with the fire of love.

This film was a Meetings on the Bridge participant.