IDIL BIRET: THE PORTRAIT OF A CHILD PRODIGY

IDIL BIRET: THE PORTRAIT OF A CHILD PRODIGY (İDİL BİRET: BİR HARİKA ÇOCUĞUN PORTRESİ), 2015

Turkey | DCP, Color, 56’ | Turkish

Director: Eytan İpeker

Idil Biret’s musical career began when she gave a recital to the Turkish President Ismet Inönü. She was only 5 years old. Thanks to a special law passed in her name, she suddenly found herself in Paris, undergoing a strict musical education in an alien city. Biret’s path crossed with many legendary pianists, including Arthur Rubinstein who would later say: “The first time I heard her play it brought tears to my eyes”. Yet Idil dreamed of running away, far from everything. A sincere portrait of Idil Biret, from her childhood pictures to her atonal improvisations.