IDIL BIRET: THE PORTRAIT OF A CHILD PRODIGY

documentary, 60 min, 2015

directed & edited by Eytan Ipeker

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Synopsis: Idil Biret was five-years-old when she played piano to the Turkish President. Two years later, the Congress passed “Idil’s Law” which allowed her to study in Paris. Away from her friends, in an alien city, the little kid was now working under the strict supervision of Nadia Boulanger. Her path crossed with legendary pianists such as Alfred Cortot, Wilhelm Kempff and Arthur Rubinstein who later recalled, “the first time I heard her play it brought tears to my eyes’’. And yet, Idil dreamed of running away to Siberia, becoming free again.

 

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• 34th Istanbul International Film Festival

• 9th Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival

• 8th Documentarist Istanbul Documentary Days

• Golden Horn Vancouver Turkish Film Festival

• Istanbul Modern Museum

• 27th Ankara International Film Festival

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11th Boston Turkish Film Festival (Special Mention Award)

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Review by Gubse Tokgöz - filmloverss (Turkish) / June 14, 2015

Review by Yaprak Gülbahar - Benim Sinemalarım (Turkish) / April 9, 2015

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CREDITS
Written, Directed and Edited by Eytan Ipeker

Produced by Kamara & Böcek Yapım • Supported by Vehbi Koç Foundation

Cast: İdil Biret, Yves Riesel, Claude Samuel, Sun Kan, Şefik Büyükyüksel

Poster Design: Selin Estroti

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