Persepolis: Waking Call for Turkey?

Persepolis - 5 stars

The Oscar-nominated animated film struck many cords in me. I laughed, I cried, I pondered, but most of the time, I was just scared... scared of how much of Iran's history could repeat itself in my country.

I can't lie that I went into the film with a fair bit of scepticism as I believed it to be the typical Western propaganda against the Middle-East, but what I found was far more accurate, humane, nostalgic and scary, especially considering Turkey's current state. Persepolis explores Iran's sudden change to an Islamic Republic, how that affects the country's well-versed and hopeful, and how there is no place like home. The main character, Marjane, grows up during the Islamic revolution in Iran and then eventually has to flee the country to live the way she used to before the revolution. She eventually makes it to France at the end but with a bitter heart, as she absolutely doesn't belong in Europe but can't belong to Iran any more either. Her country has changed and has become a place where she doesn't fit.

I personify with Marjane quite a lot. In my response to Mira Nair's film the Namesake, I wrote about not feeling at home outside of Turkey but also not feeling quite right in Turkey either. With AK Party in government and at the President's seat, I worry that my country is headed to a direction that she has avoided since its foundation. Even if AK Party has no intention to bring sharia law to Turkey, I'm not sure if they can fully control the extremists who are definitely taking advantage of the chaotic situation. It's scarier when the people who started the snowball, thinking they can control it, lose control. If the snowball becomes an avalanche, Turkey will change into another Iran where our basic liberties, the right to choose and secularism will slowly fade into the not-so-distant past. After having read many newspaper columnists, I am not only scared, I'm alarmed, as these long-tenured columnists who have always stood by a secular and modern Turkey are slowly giving up on our country...

There are so many variables determining Turkey's future that it's very hard to say what will happen. I do believe that we should relax our ban on headscarves so women who wear them by will or by force can get education and hopefully decide for themselves whether or not to wear it in the future. I do believe that this will also make us more democratic and secular, as the sole existence of a religious symbol's ban by the government is against secularism by definition. However, with the headscarf, comes the possibility of a social clampdown where women who don't wear them are looked down upon by those who do. Slowly, this could create enough social pressure that all women will start wearing headscarfs, not by will, but by social pressure. The same pressure could spread to other areas of our lives very easily, even if the government doesn't pass any laws on anything. It's a slippery and risky slope, which is why Turkey has so far been reluctant on changing the headscarf ban.

The only way we can stop such social pressure is to educate people and increase understanding of each other. Tolerance will need to be a shared virtue for all Turkish people, devout Muslim or not, if we are ever to overcome the weight of Islam on our proud Republic and really succeed in marrying secularim and a mostly Muslim public together in a true democracy. I'm still hopeful but I believe people like me need to start taking some steps to contribute to this hopeful vision before it's too late. I just don't know where or how to start...

Yalin makes it BIG in Bollywood

17 Feb 2008 11:03 am CST Chicago, IL: Variety reports that famous singer based in the UK, Yalin Solmaz, has made it big in Bollywood. The rumor has it that Solmaz has signed an exclusive deal with a major studio in Mumbai to star in four of their upcoming line-up in 2009. When asked about his sudden success, Solmaz mentioned a few names who have helped him along the way, the director Jimmy being the most prominent for his Bollywood endeavours.

Below is a clip of Solmaz's award-winning performance from "Indian Cowboy" directed by Jimmy with famous co-star Natasa Gligoric.

Depp moves into Fleet Street with Success

Sweeney Todd - 4,5 stars

Burton's screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Broadway hit is extremely polished, fascinating and entertaining. Considering it's Burton, these qualities shouldn't surprise anyone as he is one of the most creative and detail-oriented directors out there. From the camera work to the color scheme, the period costumes to the eery make-up, Sweeney Todd is a wonderful film to watch, albeit a bit bloody.

His almost-exclusive relationship with Johnny Depp, which started with the Corpse Bride and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, seems to be paying off as the pair keep putting out high-quality work. With the addition of Helena Bonham Carter, who also starred in the Corpse Bride, the cast is top-notch, and boy can they sing! I also want to add how great a pair Depp and Carter make on screen so I hope to see them together in other films (hopefully directed by Burton again!).

No one else could have attempted to match Burton's take on the famous serial killer and his partner-in-crime and make it such a success at the box office too. The way he tells their stories, dreams and desires prove to be emotionally strong accompanied by the musical pieces. Burton effectively manages not to be bound by the music but to use it to his advantage for full effect. As a director who uses music extensively in his work, he has become a master at integrating it in his films and has proven once again that he should be watched closely. I can't wait to see his take on Alice in Wonderland due to be released in 2010. I wonder if Carter will play the little Alice herself...

Cancun - Little America

Having spent almost a whole week in Cancun, Mexico, I can now join the ranks of vacationers everywhere who descend upon this Caribbean spot during the winter. 27-30 C temperatures for winter sound great to me. No humidity, white sandy beaches, palm trees and drinks at the pool...and not to forget, the jet skis. Aaahh, the resort hotel experience. My one concern about Cancun is that it doesn't feel like you've left the US at all. All the American chains (food, coffee, clothing, you name it) are in Cancun, they accept dollars here so no need to get any Mexican pesos, the tourists are segregated to 20 odd miles called the Hotel Zone outside of downtown. The experience is pampering but there is no Mexican culture involved in Little America, Cancun. They don't even collect your US departure card when you leave for Mexico for less than 30 days. It's as if you've never left the US, even for the government!

After days of meetings in the hotel (work function), I made sure that I spent enough time at the beach, saw the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, and ate as much Mexican traditional and fusion food as possible. All in all, this was a successful and relaxing time. All I needed before enduring another month of snowy Chicago. The crazy snow storm that hit the city today meant that my flight had to be rerouted to St. Louis for refueling and waiting until the Chicago airport reopened. Chicago never fails to make my trips more adventurous than they should be. :)

Check out the photos!
http://picasaweb.google.com/ysolmaz/CancunMexicoFeb2008