Monday, March 20, 2006

Crossing The Bridge – The Sound of Istanbul (12A)

Fatih Akin, 2005, Germany/Turkey (91 mins)
Alexander Hacke, musicians including Sezen Aksu, Erkin Koray

If you know nothing of Turkish-related music beyond Paul Anka’s hoary hit Istanbul (Not Constantinople), here’s a handy catch-up digest. Alexander Hacke, bassist with industrial pioneers Einsturzende Neubauten, hosts this odyssey around the musical spectrum of modern Turkey. It’s certainly a teeming scene, taking in traditional revivalists and street musicians to politicised rappers. The kinetic, refreshing result, with scarcely one silent moment, illuminates a whole culture through its music. Perhaps, though, the enterprise lacks a single human face to engage with. Hacke’s a virtually invisible presence, and the relentless barrage of musical tourism, while undoubtedly fascinating, is a shade overwhelming. Andy Murray

No comments: