"Crossing The Bridge": Fatih Akin's cult music film is back

New at the movies - "Crossing The Bridge": Fatih Akin's cult music film is back

Fatih Akin is one of the few German filmmakers with international cult status. Shortly after his successful and critically acclaimed film "Against the Wall," which brought him a breakthrough in 2004, he released a special project that is now returning to the cinema. "Crossing The Bridge – The Sound Of Istanbul" premiered in Cannes in 2005 and received international awards. It's about the rich musical life of the Turkish metropolis.

Akin's mother is from Istanbul. For centuries, the current megacity has been a melting pot of cultures. Along with the diverse musical life from Turkish, Armenian, Kurdish, or even Turkish-Greek traditions, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, Electronik have joined in. The film shows the fullness of the scene in bars, clubs, and on the street.

After almost 20 years, the intimate and vibrant musical journey - with bassist Alexander Hacke from the Berlin Industrial-Band Einstürzende Neubauten as a guide - is back to experience. Starting from Friday (5. July) in selected cinemas and on the Arthouse-Streaming service Mubi.

A restoration of the old material allows it to shine in current 4K resolution. "The film provides more visual information because it is much higher resolution," describes Akin in an interview with the German Press Agency.

Fatih Akin on the changes in Istanbul

What has changed in the cultural scene of Istanbul in the past 20 years? "There is a very interesting Acid-Anatolia scene and the Turkish Hip-Hop scene has developed enormously," says the 50-year-old. "I find it very fascinating that because of the war in Syria, there is a stream of Syrian musicians. Also from DJs and DJanes, whom I hear, who are stirring up the club scene."

He adds: "Istanbul is still for me an exciting city, at an interesting point in the world with many fascinating and incredible stories."

The dpa reports that some of Akin's music rights for the film expired after ten years in 2015. He could no longer be screened. "And it took another nine years to get the film's rights back," the German director explains.

Fans can now see and hear modern Rock at its finest and the wedding dance of a bride in traditional black, soft tones from a 18th-century Hamam, or even temperamental Gypsy guitar music in "Crossing The Bridge – The Sound Of Istanbul." And listen to the comments of the performers on their work and the scene.

Timeless Turkish top-stars like the singer and Saz-virtuoso Orhan Gencebay and the 2015 deceased singer Müzeyyen Senar are part of it. The film shows that differences here do not mean opposites. That the music - as the title suggests - builds bridges, that cultures and subcultures fertilize each other in the crossover.

I've been in touch with some musicians since then, Akin shares. Sezen Aksu has accompanied my childhood and adolescence with her music. I met her through the filming, and we've been friends ever since. I'm also still in contact with the neo-psychedelic band Baba Zula, who mix Rock with oriental elements. Above all, I'm friends with the rapper Ceza – Hip Hop has a lot to do with my socialization in Hamburg. Later, I also made the film "Rheingold" about the rapper Xatar. I consider Ceza one of the best MCs in the world.

Fatih Akin, with his cult status in the movie industry, is bringing his 2005 project "Crossing The Bridge – The Sound Of Istanbul" back to the cinemas and streaming service Mubi.
Istanbul, known for its rich musical life, is a melting pot of cultures, with contributions from Turkish, Armenian, Kurdish, and even Turkish-Greek traditions, along with Electronics, Jazz, Rock, Pop, and Hip-Hop.
Akin's mother is from Istanbul, and the film highlights the vibrant musical scene in bars, clubs, and on the streets of this fascinating city.
The film, returning after almost 20 years, is now presented in 4K resolution, providing more visual information due to its high resolution.
Akin has expressed his fascination with the changes in Istanbul's cultural scene, citing the growth of the Turkish Hip-Hop scene, the Acid-Anatolia scene, and the influx of Syrian musicians.
The film features timeless Turkish stars like Orhan Gencebay and Muzeyyen Senar, demonstrating the crossover of various music genres and cultures in Istanbul.
Akin has maintained connections with several musicians featured in the film, including Sezen Aksu, Baba Zula, and Ceza, whose music influenced his socialization in Hamburg.
In addition to the film, Akin has also made a film about the rapper Xatar, considering Ceza one of the best MCs in the world.