THE COLLECTOR

THE COLLECTOR (KOLEKSİYONCU), 2002
Turkey | HDD, Color, 46| Turkish
Director: Pelin Esmer
Cast: Mithat Esmer

This first documentary by Pelin Esmer is a documentary which she completed in a total of three months. She not only directed it, but also produced it and did the camerawork herself. In the film, she paints an intimate portrait of her real-life uncle, Mithat Esmer, who, since his childhood, had been collecting objects that he found interesting, and acquired not just one, but two of everything. The director shot this film to get to better know this intriguing character and take a closer look at his hobby, which he placed at the center of his life. The film follows Mithat Esmer as he looks for new items for his collection every day in the most crowded and busy parts of Istanbul such as the Polish Market and the Grand Bazaar, and the neighborhoods of Kadıköy, Fener, and Galata. The film participated in many national and international festivals and won the “Best Documentary Award” at the 3^rd Rome Independent Film Festival.