On the surface, no single film by director Reha Erdem seems to resemble one another. His latest movie is, likewise, a surprise for film enthusiasts.
But each detail in his filmography shows that all of his films, in some way, are complementary pieces or nods to one another. Recurring themes and motifs make more sense with each new movie, which makes watching the older ones a brand new experience.
After watching Erdem’s debut feature, A Ay (Look, the Moon) of 1998, and his 2006 coming-of-age drama, Beş Vakit (Winds and Times), recently, his last two films, Hayat Var (My Only Sunshine) and the most recent, Kosmos (Cosmos), make more sense. They now appear to be distinct films, with visual and narrative gems coming to the surface on their second viewing. And that, I guess, is the ultimate testament to the greatness of a director.
