Saadet Işıl Aksoy Shines at the Berlin Film Festival with ‘Confidente’
Saadet Işıl Aksoy, known for her roles in films showcased at prestigious festivals like Venice, Cannes, and Toronto, graced the gala of her starring film ‘Confidente’ at the Berlin Film Festival. The film premiered at the Panorama section of the festival, marking its global debut.
The Turkish cinema icon Saadet Işıl Aksoy starred in ‘Confidente’ (Confidant), directed by Çağla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti, at the Berlin Film Festival. A collaborative production between Turkey, France, and Luxembourg, the film tells the story of a woman working on telephone lines in the 1990s whose life takes a dramatic turn.
The plot of ‘Confidente’ revolves around a young man contacting Saadet Işıl Aksoy’s character Arzu, played by the actress, claiming to be trapped in the wreckage and seeking help. The film, with cinematography by Eric Devin, features a talented cast including Erkan Kolçak Köstendil, Muhammet Uzuner, Nilgün Türksever, İlber Uygar Kaboğlu, Osman Alkaş, and Elit Andaç Çam.
Following the success of the 2018 film ‘Sibel’ at various festivals, director duo Çağla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti’s latest project ‘Confidente’ has generated significant anticipation. Saadet Işıl Aksoy shared insights into the rapid production process, stating, “We shot the film in a very short time with a minimal crew in a single location. Our directors Çağla and Guillaume, along with our cinematographer Eric, approached me with this unique project after working together on ‘Sibel,’ and when they said, ‘Let’s get started,’ everyone sprang into action, and we began shooting in no time.”
When asked about the film’s festival aspirations, Saadet Işıl Aksoy revealed, “During filming, we had festivals in mind, as our directors and team had prior festival experience with their previous works. However, the journey of films showcased at festivals is often lengthy, starting from the pre-production phase. Unlike our previous projects, this time, we attempted a faster and more proactive filmmaking approach, which suited the project well with its screenplay and single-location setting. We couldn’t predict how festivals would receive our film in this format. But after completing the filming, the involvement of our French producer and distributor gave us hope. We experienced the film’s validation at that point.”
The renowned actress also announced the film’s upcoming release in France, with a gala planned in Paris. Reflecting on her career, Saadet Işıl Aksoy emphasized the significance of global film festivals, stating, “Participating in numerous international projects has been pivotal for me from the beginning of my career. My debut film ‘Egg’ premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and ever since, whenever I participate in film festivals, I feel incredibly fortunate to be in this profession.”
In conclusion, Saadet Işıl Aksoy’s journey with ‘Confidente’ at the Berlin Film Festival showcases the dedication and talent of Turkish cinema on the global stage, promising a captivating cinematic experience for audiences worldwide.