Music Docs - Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul

Last night I watched Fatih Akin's Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul. The film essentially tracks ex-Einsturzende Neubauten frontman Alexander Hacke across this Turkish metropolis in 2005, as he interviews and records various Turk musicians from different generations and different traditions.

To me the most interesting material was found in younger musicians either resurrecting, or re-envisioning traditional Turkish music. The Turkish tradition of composing a dirge was seen through the lens of metal, postrock and rap, and the translated lyrics would make most Smiths fans feel like glee-club members.

While these younger musicians often cited the musical influence of groundbreakers such as Erkin Koray (once stabbed for having long hair!), Orhan Gencebay (whose acting career is briefly summarized in a hilarious montage) and Sertab Erener, I found Crossing the Bridge spent too much film-time showcasing their often sentimental pop hits. Far more interesting was hearing the struggles of younger artists singing in Kurdish tongue, which was outlawed despite being a native language in Istanbul, or reconciling living in a city culturally divided between Asia and Europe by the Bosprus Strait.

As noted, the film drags in places, and Alex Hacke often seemed a little too aware of when the camera was following him, but Crossing the Bridge offers a unique view of music in a city of contrasting cultures and traditions, and is an inspiring example of how musicians strive to follow their own artistic vision.

Plus, there was Turkish breakdancing.