Director: Merzak Allouache
Cast: Boualem Benani, Aziz Degga, Farida Guenaneche
Algeria, 90’, 1977, color
Arabic, French with Turkish subtitles

A watershed film, Omar Gatlato holds a mirror up to Algerian male culture...and the mirror cracks. The title refers to the expression ""gatlato al-rujula""—or, roughly, ""machismo killed him""—and the film's mordant insights into male posturing and alienation in Algerian society animate this bit of folk wisdom. In mock documentary style, a young man recounts with wry commentary a typical day in his life in the Bab el-Oued quarter of Algiers, while the camera playfully shows a different story. In following Omar and his friends in their pursuit of happiness, the film examines with shrewd humour the gang values of urban youth—their passion for popular culture (soccer, ""Hindoo"" movies, Rai concerts); their hidden fear of women; their social insecurity in an environment where they are marginalized.

Chronicle of the Year of Embers

Chronicle of the Year of Embers

A Suspended Life

A Suspended Life

Date Wine

Date Wine

Omar Gatlato

Omar Gatlato

Umm Kulthum, A Voice Like Egypt

Umm Kulthum, A Voice Like Egypt

The Broken Wings

The Broken Wings

Alexandria Trilogy Alexandria, Again and Forever

Alexandria Trilogy Alexandria, Again and Forever

Alexandria Trilogy Alexandria, Why?

Alexandria Trilogy Alexandria, Why?

Alexandria Trilogy An Egyptian Story

Alexandria Trilogy An Egyptian Story

Game of Mangala

Game of Mangala

Three figures in Eastern dress are shown in repose against an exotic landscape, smoking pipes and playing mangala. Inventories of the royal collections from 1739 identify the members of this group as the royal eunuch Matthias and two odalisques. 

Reminiscences of Motifs

Reminiscences of Motifs

As artisanship became a part of artistic practices with the blurring of art and craft, the use of traditional motifs has also flourished. In this context, how are these motifs currently structured or designed beyond their traditional connotations? 

Midnight Horror Stories: Pollens, Photosynthesis & Rock ‘N’ Roll <br> Murat Başekim

Midnight Horror Stories: Pollens, Photosynthesis & Rock ‘N’ Roll
Murat Başekim

Pera Museum Blog is launching a new series of creepy stories in collaboration with Turkey’s Fantasy and Science Fiction Arts Association (FABISAD). The Association’s member writers are presenting newly commissioned short horror stories inspired by the artworks of Mario Prassinos as part of the Museum’s In Pursuit of an Artist: Istanbul-Paris-Istanbul exhibition. The third story is by Murat Başekim! The stories will be published online throughout the exhibition. Stay tuned!