Bergen (film)

Bergen is a 2022 Turkish biographical film. The film stars Farah Zeynep Abdullah as lead singer Bergen, who has become one of the symbols of violence against women in Turkey.

Bergen
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMehmet Binay
Caner Alper
Written bySema Kaygusuz
Yıldız Bayazıt
Produced byMine Şengöz
StarringFarah Zeynep Abdullah
Erdal Beşikçioğlu
Tilbe Saran
CinematographyMirsad Herović
Edited byErhan Özen
Music byMazlum Çimen
Distributed byCJ ENM
Release date
  • 4 March 2022 (2022-03-04)
Running time
145 minutes
CountryTurkey
LanguageTurkish

Cast

Production

The filmmakers initially planned to shoot the movie in 2019, but this was delayed due to casting problems followed by the COVID-19 pandemic. At first, Serenay Sarikaya was accepted to play Bergen, but due to shooting delays, she decided not to be involved in the movie.[1] Following Sarikaya's withdrawal, Farah Zeynep Abdullah accepted the role of Bergen. Production had to be completed in secret due to death threats against the producers.[2]

The film was shot in Istanbul, Ankara and Mersin in the fall of 2021.

Release

The film's release in Turkey earned over US$10 million. By 29 July, it had become the eight-highest grossing domestic feature film in the country.[3] Its release throughout West Asia also found widespread success, earning US$4.8 million between 16 June and 22 July, and it was described as the most successful Turkish film in the region.[4][5] Bergen was also the first Turkish movie to be released in Saudi Arabia.[6]

Following its release, Halis Serbest, the murderer of Bergen, filed defamation lawsuits against the film's creators. In response to this and other threats, the opening gala in Istanbul had to be protected by riot police. The mayor of Kozan, where Serbest lives, banned showings of the film on the basis of being inappropriate for children; however, major Turkish cinema associations and unions condemned this decision and claimed it has actually been done to appease Serbest.[2][7]

Reception

In Turkey, the film was seen as an exploration and condemnation of violence against women and femicide in the country.[3] This was partly attributed to purposeful decisions made in the film, such as refusing to show Bergen's murderer as a "fully realised character" but rather a stand-in for the perpetrators of patriarchal violence, with his name only being shown once during the end credits. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party, stated that "Everyone who rejects violence against women must watch this film" and used it to advocate for Turkey's return to the Istanbul Convention.[2]

References
  1. "Serenay Sarıkaya, Bergen projesinden ayrıldı! Yerine Demet Evgar mı gelecek?". Haberler (in Turkish). 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  2. Sharpe, Kenan Behzat. "Femicides in Turkey: a film honours Bergen, the "Woman of Sorrow"". OBC Transeuropa. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  3. Ravindran, Manori (29 July 2022). "'Bergen' Directors Mehmet Binay, M. Caner Alper Sign With CAA (EXCLUSIVE)". Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  4. Vivarelli, Nick (22 July 2022). "Turkish Biopic 'Bergen,' About Pop Singer Blinded With Acid and Slain by Husband, Breaks Box Office Records With Arab Moviegoers". Variety. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  5. Sukkar, Youmna (July 26, 2022). "Turkish Blockbuster Bergen Takes The Region By Storm". Harpers Bazaar Arabia.
  6. "'Bergen' makes box-office record as most successful Turkish movie in Middle East". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  7. "Film about murder of Turkish singer 'Bergen' canceled in southern city". Duvar English. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
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