AYSHA
AYSHA (10) a small, rebellious girl wearing a full-body veil, and her SISTER(9) are put to a religious test in a backyard in Afrin (Syria) by a covered WOMAN. However, the strong head Aysha is struggling with identity and secrets and takes a stand.
Interview with Director Cengiz Akaygün
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! I like themes that are connected to the question of identity and the oppression of cultures and genders. I am Kurdish myself, so it was natural for me to deal with this topic.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you want to see a film in 12 minutes that entertains, surprises, moves emotionally, informs and gets to the heart of a serious big world issue in the shortest possible time, then you should watch this film
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the two are connected. But I like to tell about the personal level, the microcosm of the little people. That's where I draw the line to the big theme. AYSHA is about a little girl who doesn't want to recite a religious sura and doesn't want to wear the clothes that are forced on her by the patriarchal system because she has a good reason for it. The argument between mother and daughter in the backyard of a house is actually about the oppression of cultures and genders.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The basic idea and the bracket of how the story begins and ends was actually clear from the beginning. There were only subtleties that made up what made the story stronger. I thought a lot about the characters and kept making changes. I think in three months or four months the book was sitting. Then there were small changes every now and then during the preparation and again later when we had to change the motif.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Mostly very good so far. It is not only well received by the jury, the audience has also always celebrated the film.
A nice feedback came from the former Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick himself. I would like to share it here: "He has brought big themes to the screen in a very short time," Kosslik praised. "Aysha has many dimensions, told in an absolutely unobtrusive but absolutely impressive way." To tell with the least means of something that reflects the greatest forces of our world," "In our eyes a short film cannot do more, especially since the film covers the whole spectrum of feelings and also thoughts in a detailed and sensitive way."(Dieter Kosslick)."
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No, it shows me that the film works and that it has achieved its goal.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Like everyone else, I want the film to be heard. Because this topic is close to my heart. Your site is a great way to do that. Thank you very much for that.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Everyone you name is involved in distribution, sales and publication. That is why they are all important. My film represents the standpoint of humanism, human rights and equality. That's why it's even more important to make the film visible in these times.
AYSHA
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Since it is a short film, we all know that it is more difficult to distribute or market. Because it reaches fewer people, the impact is also not as high, I would argue. Because the feature-length film is a medium that is more established in society. That's why it's all the more important to give the film a platform that makes it visible. In our case, that means festivals or important prizes. For example, it would have a very different effect if the film were nominated for an Oscar or maybe even won. That's what I would like to see. Even if it is not easy.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Good Questions. I would imagine that the question about whether it is sometimes better to subordinate or conform for a certain purpose in order to survive in a system that is fascistic or to fight against such a system even if you have to die for it.
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you for your Interview and the good Questions. Please keep your fingers crossed for Aysha that it makes the shortlist for the Oscars and maybe even gets nominated. That would be a dream.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
At the moment, the big goal for everyone is the feature-length film.
Interview: October 2022
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AYSHA
Length:
13:00
Writer/Director/Producer
Writer, director and producer Cengiz Akaygün was born in Stuttgart in 1979. He grew up as a Kurd in Turkey and returned to Stuttgart at the age of seven. After graduating from high school, he studied communication and media sciences in Duisburg. Since 2014, Akaygün's works have focused on socially critical themes. He has received numerous awards for his short films. In 2020, he was nominated twice for the Human Rights Film Award in Germany.
For his last short film AYSHA he received the Short Film Award at the 55th HOF International Film Festival in Germany. Whereupon further national and international nominations and awards followed. Currently, Aysha is in the pre-selection for the German Short Film Award. Now, this ground-breaking film is in consideration for an OSCAR®.
Key cast:
Jiyan Akaygün, Halima Ilter, Ecem Türkmen
More info: