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Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul

Play trailer Poster for Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul 2005 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Filmmaker Fatih Akin examines diverse music performed by the denizens of Istanbul, Turkey. Rap, experimental music, street music and other forms bring the city alive with rich sounds, including performances by musician Orhan Gencebay and singer Sezen Aksu.
Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul

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Critics Consensus

Infused with cultural and political concerns, this film weaves together a rich tapestry of musical styles that celebrate the diversity that makes up contemporary Turkish life.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek A superb sociological and musicological essay, Crossing the Bridge opens door after door of musical revelation. Mar 14, 2018 Full Review Marrit Ingman Austin Chronicle Though its photography is keen and vibrant and its concept elegantly simple, the movie doesn't quite add up beyond its performances. Rated: 2.5/5 Aug 19, 2006 Full Review Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Crossing the Bridge does more than offer a wide variety of entertaining and intoxicating Turkish music. It also uses music to paint a portrait of a vibrant, cosmopolitan city and provide a window into a rich and varied national culture. Rated: 4/5 Aug 18, 2006 Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog Recommended to open-minded music lovers with a high tolerance for unctuous Germans. Rated: 3/4 Jul 1, 2024 Full Review Bob Strauss Los Angeles Daily News A delightful survey of Turkish music's many intriguing variations, as well as a fascinating, if somewhat superficial, portrait of one of the most historic cities on Earth. Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 18, 2006 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Though not nearly as exhilarating or illuminating as Buena Vista Social Club, this structurelss docu does capture the unique variety of sounds of Istanbul, a city strategically positied between East and West. Rated: 3/5 Aug 2, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Murat S Great trip through the versatile musical landscape of todays Turkey. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/24/22 Full Review Audience Member I really liked the 'film'. I liked that someone dedicated time to show how many influences there are in this 'two continents city. And I liked that through music, someone can understand the political and social problems in Turkey (e.g. why Kurdish people protest and demand things). It's not from A to Z (this would need 100 hours or more), but it is a veeery nice and compact attempt. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member This documentary about Istanbul's music scene gains its merit by portraying a variety of music and underground bands, but lacks vision or connecting thematic. Honestly, I expected a more in depth presentation of this interesting and rich music heritage. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Great movie, too short in my opinion, should have been as a series. But Brenna Mc Crimon here is really one of a kind, and the pilgrimage from one side of the bridge to the other is really fantastic. Made me go there by myself ... Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member I knew that Istanbul has such diversity of people, culture and music! But this movie is just beyond anything what you can imagine about that city! And I bet there is more! I am so in love with sound of this film! Cannot wait to hear all these notes this summer! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Documentário meramente rotineiro e competente sobre música turca. De qualquer maneira, apresentou-me alguns músicos interessantes, portanto valeu a pena ver... Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Fatih Akin examines diverse music performed by the denizens of Istanbul, Turkey. Rap, experimental music, street music and other forms bring the city alive with rich sounds, including performances by musician Orhan Gencebay and singer Sezen Aksu.
Director
Fatih Akin
Producer
Fatih Akin, Klaus Maeck, Andreas Thiel, Sandra Harzer-Kux
Screenwriter
Fatih Akin
Production Co
Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) [de]
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jun 9, 2006
Release Date (DVD)
Sep 19, 2006
Box Office (Gross USA)
$70.5K
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital