Documentary · Germany · 1985 · 1h 28m

Melek Leaves

Die Kümmeltürkin geht

Melek Leaves poster
Director
Jeanine Meerapfel
Cast
Melek Tez as Self Gülcin Tez as Self Jeanine Meerapfel as Self (voice)
Crew
Johann Feindt — Director of Photography Klaus Volkenborn — Editor Jeanine Meerapfel — Writer Klaus Volkenborn — Producer
Synopsis

In 1970, Melek Tez came to Berlin as a young worker from Turkey. A confident woman, she first countered racist resentments and remarks with irony and wit. Jokingly, she even referred to herself as a "Kümmeltürkin", a derogatory German term for Turkish migrants. Yet after fourteen humiliating years, her fighting spirit has given way to resignation: Melek Tez is returning to Turkey. Blending documentary, interviews and re-enacted scenes, director Jeanine Meerapfel chronicles Melek Tez' life experience.

Mood & Themes
woman director
Key Collaborators
Jeanine Meerapfel Director Johann Feindt Director of Photography Klaus Volkenborn Editor Jeanine Meerapfel Writer Klaus Volkenborn Producer
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