Documentary About Street Cats of Istanbul Coming to North America!
No visit to Istanbul, Turkey is ever complete without meeting some of the city’s notorious street dogs and cats. Istanbul native Ceyda Torun decided to bring the story of the unique cats that roam the streets to the big screen in KEDi (cat in Turkish), her documentary produced with Charlie Wuppermann. According to the website:
“KEDi is a film about the hundreds of thousands of cats who have roamed the metropolis of Istanbul freely for thousands of years, wandering in and out of people’s lives, impacting them in ways only an animal who lives between the worlds of the wild and the tamed can. Cats and their kittens bring joy and purpose to those they choose, giving people an opportunity to reflect on life and their place in it. In Istanbul, cats are the mirrors to ourselves.”
The film follows seven specific cats, with nicknames including the hunter, the social butterfly, the hustler, the player and the gentleman, and their relationships with the residents of Istanbul. Torun writes:
“I grew up in Istanbul and I believe my childhood was infinitely less lonesome than it would have been if it weren’t for cats - and I wouldn’t be the person I am today. They were my friends and confidants and I missed their presence in all the other cities I ever lived in. This film is, in many ways, a love letter to those cats and the city, both of which are changing in ways that are unpredictable.”
Earlier this year, Variety reported that Oscilloscope Laboratories had acquired North American rights to the documentary, and will “release the film theatrically in early 2017, following a festival run throughout the fall.” The website confirms that KEDi is “coming to a theater near you on February 10th” for those living in the United States and Canada. Until then, you can watch the touching trailer below:
Photo Credit: www.kedifilm.com