Sound Dreams of Istanbul

A documentary on improvised music scene in Istanbul (40 minutes - digital, super 8, mini DV) Changez la langue tout en bas à gauche / Change language at the very bottom left Inspired by the dreams of his improviser musician friends, musician filmmaker Anil Eraslan sets out to meet them in Istanbul and to make a fictional documentary film with them. The challenge is that the musicians are asked to improvise in their dream spaces. Between the performances in atypical locations, and roundtable discussions, they question the unconventional ways of listening and music making in Istanbul. Aiming to open up this niche musical world in Istanbul to a wider audience, “Sound Dreams of Istanbul” reveals the avant-garde scene of Istanbul and offers a sonic view of an unknown and unheard Istanbul. Director's Note "I have seen a dream," that's how it's said in Turkish. To see a dream rather than to have a dream. With "Sound Dreams of Istanbul," my desire is to bring to life the dream that I saw and heard several years ago. It involves creating a visual representation of the sonic portrait of Istanbul, crafting a new city, like a new sound piece, an improvised performance with my fellow improviser friends who live there. As a Turkish musician living abroad for 22 years, I have been actively involved in Istanbul's improvised music scene. Every time I am there, when I listen to this city, I perceive it as an experimental music composition. A collage of diverse sounds. A medley of tones ranging from tradition to fresh inspirations. A multi-tonal avant-garde concerto. A visual spectacle! In Istanbul's improvised music, various new and traditional influences can come together. I find this culture of creative and rich improvisation extremely important. Another significant source of motivation for me to create this film is to bear witness to these musicians who continue to face deteriorating conditions day by day. "Sound Dreams of Istanbul" is the shared dream of all those who, despite the difficulty of their circumstances, have not lost the motivation to express themselves through their voices and instruments. The Crew Anil Eraslan - Director, Producer, Editor, Musician Merve Salgar - Direction and Production Assistant, Musician Alexis Baskind - Sound Engineer The musicians The musicians appearing in the teaser: Şevket Akıncı - guitar Tolga Tüzün - piano Merve Salgar - tanbur Zeynep Ayşe Hatipoğlu - cello Elif Canfeza Gündüz - kemençe Anil Eraslan - cello Five other musicians will be featured in the film based on their availability. The Teaser Shot in april 2022 in Istanbul.