A Voyage Into the Heart

Read Time:3 Minute, 46 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Afloat
–

Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2023, 2024
Runtime: 1h 55m
Director(s): Aslihan Unaldi
Writer(s): Aslihan Unaldi
Cast: Nihan Aker, Nazan Diper, Zafer Diper, Lila Gürmen, Elit Iscan, Oscar Pearce, Eren Çigdem, Sehat Ünaldi
Language: Turkish with English subtitles
Where To Watch: premiering exclusively on IndiePix Unlimited on October 18, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: AFLOAT guides us through the emotional depths of a family reunion set against the backdrop of the Aegean Sea. Director Aslihan Unaldi makes her debut with a film that maps out the personal worlds and mirrors contemporary Turkey's tumultuous political climate. The story captures Zeynep, portrayed by Nihan Aker, as she returns home, accompanied by her American husband, Stephen, played by Oscar Pearce. Their arrival, under the shadow of her father Yusuf’s (Serhat Ünaldi) imminent imprisonment, unearths long-buried resentments and secrets.

The narrative's genuineness springs from Unaldi's personal experiences, lending the family interactions an intimate, palpable tension. As portrayed by Serhat Ünaldi in his first role, Yusuf embodies broader socio-political tensions, grappling with free speech and state oppression. The confined yet boundless vessel mirrors their emotional entrapment, setting the scene for a high-stakes confrontation.

Zeynep stands at the crossroads of Western ideals and Turkish traditions, attempting to bridge generational and cultural divides. Her interactions with her rebellious younger sister Yasemin (Elit Iscan,) who channels the frustrations and aspirations of youth, delve into the complex terrain of identity and heritage. Unaldi's film challenges the traditional gender roles depicted in Turkish cinema by presenting women who are both resilient and vulnerable, enhancing the discourse on roles within the narrative framework.

The film’s measured pacing allows for a deep exploration of its themes, rewarding those who appreciate a narrative that slowly unfolds. Yusuf’s story introduces a sense of urgency that reflects ongoing challenges in Turkey, connecting personal trials to broader societal issues.

The cinematography by Andre Jäger captures the Aegean's mesmerizing beauty, which almost acts as a silent character in the film. This reflects the undercurrents of tension within the family. Each frame beautifully isolates and exposes the characters' deepest emotional currents. The Aegean Sea is not just a picturesque backdrop; it reflects the volatile emotions and situations the characters navigate. The sea’s calm surfaces and sudden storms parallel the family's fluctuating dynamics, a metaphor for the unpredictability of human relationships and personal crises. This element of nature underscores the narrative’s themes of confinement and freedom, as the characters find themselves isolated and exposed while surrounded by water. The sea acts as a boundary, a threshold between the old lives the characters cling to and the new realities they must face. This interplay between the characters and their environment enriches the film’s visual and emotional texture, adding a layer of depth that invites viewers to reflect on the broader implications of the setting in their lives.

Unaldi’s AFLOAT is a poignant cinematic journey that explores the intricate dynamics of family relationships, tested by society’s pressures and the relentless march of time. Through a critical and empathetic lens, it offers a window into the struggles shaping contemporary Turkish society. This film is not just a journey through these uncertain seas but an exploration of the forces that shape the waters in today’s world.

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[photo courtesy of INDIEPIX FILMS]

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