Kedi cats of Istanbul

While visiting friends George and Judy in Miami recently, they surprised us with movie tickets: we were going to see Kedi cats of Istanbul, a documentary which I’d never heard of, but hey…it’s about cats!

This description of the movie is from rottentomatos.com

KEDi is not a documentary about house cats or the strays you occasionally see in your back yard. KEDi is a film about the hundreds of thousands of cats who have roamed the metropolis of Istanbul freely for thousands of years, wandering in and out of people’s lives, impacting them in ways only an animal who lives between the worlds of the wild and the tamed can.

still from Kedi cats of Istanbul

All four of us loved the movie. Yes, we are also all admitted cat people, and the movie delivered cats, lots of cats. All of them feral cats, and like every cat, they have their various personalities, temperments and breeds. But Kedi cats of Istanbul is even more than that (as if that’s not enough!) it’s about how these cats and people interact, and how those relationships are mutually beneficial; those connections between people and cats profound. Our introduction to each of the cats also reveals a fascinating view of Istanbul itself as we visit numerous neighborhoods. The movie is beautifully shot and well edited – it was the right length (runtime). It’s sweet without being cloying, endearing without being cutsie. This is a wonderful experience for kids and adults alike who love cats and love being reminded about the universal compassion people have – for cats.

still from Kedi cats of Istanbul

Kedi cats of Istanbul directed by Ceyda Torun, who said

I grew up in Istanbul and I believe my childhood was infinitely less lonesome than it would have been if it weren?t for cats – and I wouldn?t be the person I am today. They were my friends and confidants and I missed their presence in all the other cities I ever lived in. This film is, in many ways, a love letter to those cats and the city, both of which are changing in ways that are unpredictable.

read more Kedifilm.com

Entrance to Miami Beach Cinemateque
photo by shari smith dunaif ©2017

The screening was at the fabulous Miami Beach Cinemateque, a wonderful small theater in South Beach

Miami Beach Cinematheque
photo by shari smith dunaif © 2017

Kedi cats of Istanbul was released in US theaters Feb 10, 2017 Limited screenings
Runtime: 79 minutes
Studio: Oscilloscope Laboratories

available to download Kedi cats of Istanbul