Kedi - Movie Review

Kedi is a Turkish documentary. While it is not uncommon for foreign language films to play at my local theater, I can't recall the last time I saw a foreign language documentary. I thought this film must be pretty good and planned to see it at the theater. I don't recall why I missed this film, but it was not in the theaters very long. I was pleasantly surprised to see the film on the entertainment menu of my recent flight to Los Angeles. While there were quite a films to select from, this was my first choice. The film documents the stray cats of Istanbul and their loving care-takers.

Istanbul, Turkey has been an ocean-trading seaport, located at the Bosphorus Strait that connects Europe with Asia. The city has existed since around 660 BC and was a pivotal city for many centuries. Many merchant ships docked at the Istanbul ports over that time. The legend suggests that sailors believed a cat on ship meant good luck. Those cats, inevitably, found their way onto shore and set up shop. While not mentioned in the documentary, I would also point out that Muslims venerate cats, although I would not suggest that as the primary reason Istanbul loves her cats.

The film is directed by Ceyda Torun, who takes a cat's eye view of the city. The narrative is drawn by the men and women who take care of Istanbul's cats. They are artists, bakers and sausage-makers. A cross section of the population who revere their regal residents with an owner-like commitment. But the cats decide who their humans are. The cats seemingly just appear at the doorstep, or on an awning, and decide to stay. The shop owners make provisions for the cats and the customers seem oblivious to the cats, other than instinctively feeding the cats when prompted.

Documentaries are often preachy. Or shaded. The opinions of the documentarian are often reflected in the material. To the detriment of the film. Kedi is apolitical. There is no "axe to grind." It is a feel-good documentary that examines the lives of cats that should have long turned feral. But these cats co-exist with their hosts in a symbiotic relationship. The cats are fed and often given medical treatment. In return, the cats hunt rodents or provide stress relief for their humans. The cats and humans are often seen sharing affection, which seems odd to me for cats that are not pets (for centuries).

The film follows several cats, viewing the city through the lens of the cat's eyes. The holes in their narratives are filled in by the humans who tend to them. When we hear the attributes of these cats, it is hard not to imagine that the humans are projecting their own sense of self onto the cats. We hear that the cats are the bravest or strongest. That they are stubborn or respectful. It is an interesting examination of people as much as it is the cats. The perspective provides a fuller picture of these cats, as there still exists a strong bond between cat and human. While not considered "pets," many of these cats have exclusive or semi-exclusive relationships with humans.

The stories in Kedi are stories we can all relate to. Without understanding the history of the cats in Istanbul, westerners might be quick to summarize the situation as an infestation. A cat population out of control. This film examines the common bonds of cat and human in a way that helps us understand the cat population in this historic city. It was an interesting film that was just long enough at 79 minutes. This was a worthwhile movie that I would have been happy to pay money for at the theater. But it is streaming free if you have a YouTube Red account. It may be a bit generous, but I am going with 8/10.