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Xalko

Directed by Hind Benchekroun and Sami Mermer
Canada, 2018 (documentary, 100 minutes, colour, Kurdish / Turkish)
Xalko
Image: © Les Films du 3 Mars

Film Description:
"This documentary tells the story of my native town, Xalko, one of the very few Kurdish villages in the heart of Turkey's Central Anatolia. Deserted by its men who have gone to Europe or America, Xalko still survives to this day thanks to those who keep the fort: mothers and children who do what it takes to keep it alive while they wait and hope for the return of their husbands, their absent fathers who too often do not come back. This documentary follows the ongoing daily life of Xalko and questions its future, threatened by a continuing exodus and by desertification. Ultimately, Xalko takes a look at migration from the unexpected point of view of those left behind."
-- Sami Mermer (source)

Film Description [in French] :
"Le film raconte l'histoire de Xalko, village natal du cinéaste Sami Mermer, l'un des rares villages kurdes situé au coeur de l'Anatolie centrale en Turquie. Aujourd'hui déserté par ses hommes qui ont tous émigré en Europe ou en Amérique, Xalko existe encore grâce à celles et ceux qui gardent le fort tout en espérant le retour de leurs maris et de leurs pères absents, qui parfois ne reviennent jamais ou alors pour quelques jours seulement en été. Ce documentaire observe la vie qui se poursuit à Xalko et questionne l'avenir de ce village menacé par l'exode. Ultimement, Xalko porte un regard insolite sur la migration du point de vue de ceux qui restent."
-- Québec Cinéma (source)


Film Credits (partial):
Written by: Sami Mermer
Produced by: Sami Mermer, Hind Benchekroun
Cinematography: Sami Mermer
Film Editing: René Roberge
(sources)

Award won by Xalko

Notes about Xalko

(sources)

Web Sites about Xalko


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