Kedi embodies the indescribable chaos, the culture and the uniqueness that is the essence of Istanbul. Without them, the city would lose part of its soul. – Kedi the film
For the first time in a loooong time, I got my butt to the movie theater…to see Kedi, an endearing Turkish documentary that follows 7 kediler (Turkish for cats) around the streets of Istanbul. They prowl, they hunt, they beg, they steal, and they paw their way into the hearts of Istanbullus.
When I went to Istanbul 2 years ago — and fell head over heels for the most magnificent city in the world — I noticed the streets filled with stray dogs and cats. I also noticed bowls of kibble and water and raw meat and cardboard shelters lined with sweaters that people left outside storefronts and street corners. Locals treated the master-less animals with as much tenderness as they would their own pets.
As the camera lurks at cat-eye-level through the streets and alleyways of Istanbul, it finds its way to the humans that have bonded with and fallen in love with the felines. Their stories about how kediler weaseled their way into their lives melt not just my heart, but my entire being into a big fat puddle. I literally smiled throughout the 79 minute-long film. And I’m allergic to cats!!
I forget her exact words, but someone in the film says something along the lines of if we, humans of different shapes and sizes, could co-inhabit the earth as the stray cats and Istanbullus do, then our world would be a better place.
If you don’t watch the film, then at least read this other lovely review or watch the trailer.
Below are some of my photos of/with cats during my trip to Turkey in 2015. Meowmeowkküler (Cat for “thanks for reading!”) !!
