Mert Gurel is a Turkish film enthusiast who has a special interest in documentaries that capture the spirit of Istanbul. Living and working in this vibrant city, he works as a fixer for video productions, arranging locations, permits, local crew and resources for foreign and domestic teams. In short, he brings together the practical pieces that allow a film or documentary to be made in Turkey.
Mert prefers documentaries to books because he believes the people who live in Istanbul have both shaped and been shaped by its chaotic energy and rich cultural mix. To highlight the city’s many faces, he has selected his favorite documentaries about Istanbul—films that tell compelling stories and offer a meaningful look at life in this metropolis.
Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul (2005)
Directed by German musician Alexander Hacke, Crossing the Bridge journeys through Istanbul’s musical landscape. The film explores a wide range of musical styles and the communities that sustain them, while also painting a broader portrait of the city’s history and everyday life. It captures how Istanbul exists between East and West, and how music reflects that tension and fusion. This is a recommended watch for anyone who loves Turkish or Mediterranean music.
Kedi (2016)
“Hundreds of thousands of stray cats roam the streets of Istanbul. They are a distinct part of everyone’s life. This is the story of seven of them.”
If you have visited Istanbul, one of the most striking impressions is the abundance of street cats. Kedi is a beautifully shot documentary that follows seven of these animals as they navigate the city and form relationships with the people who share their neighborhoods. The film celebrates the everyday interactions between humans and animals and shows how these cats have become woven into urban life. Kedi received international recognition and remains a touching portrait of the city’s more intimate, humane side.
Innocence of Memories (2015)
Innocence of Memories, directed by Grant Gee, is inspired by Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk’s novel The Museum of Innocence. Set against Istanbul in the 1970s and 1980s, the film approaches Pamuk’s signature melancholy from a European documentary perspective. It explores themes of memory, loss and longing through the lens of a city undergoing social and cultural change. Orhan Pamuk participates in the film, giving it particular resonance for readers of his work and anyone interested in literary reflections on Istanbul.
Ekümenopolis: City without Limits (2012)
Ekümenopolis offers a critical look at Istanbul’s rapid, often unplanned expansion. With a metropolitan population that rivals entire countries, the city faces major environmental and structural challenges. This documentary examines the pressures of real estate speculation, the proliferation of shopping malls, and the social and ecological consequences of unchecked growth. It is a sobering, necessary film for viewers who want to understand the urban forces reshaping modern Istanbul.
Author: Mert Gurel has worked with a video production company in Istanbul for over seven years. He hosts and assists foreign TV and documentary teams producing short and long-form films in Turkey, helping projects come to life by coordinating local logistics and creative support.