Dry Summer (Susuz Yaz)
Directed by Metin Erksan
Written by Metin Erksan, Kemal Inci, Ismet Soydan; story by Nekati Kumali
1963/Turkey
Hitit
First viewing/FilmStruck
[box] “Human kind is made up of two sexes, women and men. Is it possible that a mass is improved by the improvement of only one part and the other part is ignored? Is it possible that if half of a mass is tied to earth with chains and the other half can soar into skies?” ― Mustafa Kemal Atatürk[/box]
This brutal and infuriating film really got under my skin.
Kokabas Osman has the heart and soul of a bully. One fine day he decides that the land he owns with his brother Hasad requires every bit of water supplied by the spring on their property. So he dams the spring, preventing water used downstream by farmers for irrigation from reaching its destination. Hasad is totally opposed to this tactic but is too weak or bound by tradition to defy his older brother. Violence between the downstream and upstream users ensues.
In the meantime, Kokabas has persuaded Hasan to steal away his betrothed, Bahar, before the wedding date her family has selected. This is basically to get added labor for the farm. But from the time of her arrival Kokabas’s lust knows no bounds.
Never have I longed more for a movie death than for the demise of the evil, greedy elder brother in this movie. It’s another bleak 1963 entry but has so much energy and was so absorbing that I can recommend it. Warning: Brief graphic footage of animal slaughter.
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