The Girl with the Red Scarf (1977)

Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalim (The girl with the red scarf) is a romantic drama, originally written by Chingiz Aitmatov and later directed by Atif Yilmaz. The film was released in 1978, falling under the "Postmortem Yesilcam" category. This indicates the fact that the film represents some elements that would generally be found in that time period. Some of which include the Turkish mentality in the late 1970s, the connotations of masculinity and a man's possession over his family, the reliance of Yesilcam films on the audience, where they showed the viewers what they wanted to see and what the lower and/or middle class people could relate to. As a further matter, the metaphorical elements of the political differences between one word titles and longer titles in the Yesilcam industry, illustrates the importance of politics in film as well, particularly during this time period. What unites all of these elements together, is the fact that they all relate back to the audience and would not have been as successful without such consideration. The film paints a dramatic picture of the Turkish culture within powerful emotions sending deep messages to the audience, and showing the importance of social and cultural issues which impact the Turkish mindset.

This movie is an adaption of famous Kirghiz writer Cengiz Aytmatov's novel.The unforgettable moment in the movie is a dialogue: "What is love? Love is struggle, love is goodness, love is amity". The main theme in the movie is "love needs struggle". It is a turning point in Turkish cinema and a sheer gem confirmed by many rewards at home and abroad; second best movie in 15th. Antalya Altin Portakal Film Festival, Best Director, Tashkent Film Festival best actress (Turkan Soray). The Soundtrack of the movie is praised as the best soundtrack in Turkey. It was composed by "Cahit Berkay" from the band Mogollar. Especially, the song "selvi boylum al yazmalim" is still unforgettable and considered as one of the most contemporary folk song in Turkey. In order to understand Turkish culture, humanity, sensitiveness and rural life style, "selvi boylum al yazmalim" is the best movie to give a chance. It is an universal epic and the question of "love" through Anotolian point of view...

"Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalim" is further than a milestone for Turkish cinema history and it takes a place among the most impressive and best films in Turkish cinema history as well. The film leaves a dramatic effect and many questions behind after leaving the theater. The story is based on "Cengiz Aytmatov"s novel named in Turkish "Yol Arkadasi" and screened by the direction of "Atif Yilmaz". In my opinion, the film has an allegoric exposition in which love and exertion usually clash each other though, the power of the exertion becomes superior at the end, is analogous with the spirit of communism. Meanwhile, the book mentioned above, also won the 1963 Lenin award. Audience can find great number of details about the praising of the strive. Performance of the players also seem excellent in this movie. Woman character; Asya; Turkan Soray, stuck in the middle of two men. On the one side her love and father of child, Ilyas; Kadir Inanir, whereas on the other side is desperately but constantly struggling man Cemsit; Ahmet Mekik. She is uncertain about where to go, whom to choose; love or exertion ?

Without doubt, one of the most beautiful Turkish movies ever. I have seen this movie on television a while ago and I dont remember the whole details clearly. But I definitely remember bursting into tears many times during the movie. A legendary movie indeed!