HEADS AND TAILS

HEADS AND TAILS (BAŞTAN BAŞA), 2019
Turkey | DCP, Color, 57’ | Turkish, Hebrew, English
Director: Aylin Kuryel, Fırat Yücel

Heads and Tails follows the journey of human hair sold by suitcase traders in Turkey to wig makers in Israel; from the bargaining that takes place during this trade to the final stage when the hair is made into a wig and reaches its new owner. Coya and Sima moved from Turkey to Israel at a young age and when they found out that the hair available in Turkey was of good quality, they chose this job as their means of livelihood. Forming the backbone of the documentary are the negotiations between the sellers in Turkey and these two women, who have by now become experienced hair traders. Also notable is the way in which the world's current political climate is reflected in the dialogues that take place during these negotiations. The journey from hand to hand of the hair, whose actual source we never see, offers a glimpse into a world about which little is known.