Crude

When two American backpackers start running out of
money during their stay in Istanbul, they spawn a brilliant
idea on how to make cash. By getting an interview with a
terrorist from the South-Eastern part of Turkey, close to the
Iranian border, they figure they should be able to get money
from American TV-companies. After meeting and hooking up
with the wealthy Turk, Ali, they embark on a road trip, heading
southwards with a mission to find a terrorist. Only, none
seem to be found. So they come up with a new idea – to
stage a kidnapping that will bring them fame and fortune.

Using DV, and shooting entirely on location, director
Paxton Winters successfully blends documentary aesthetics
with punk-ish hand-held photography. An Istanbul resident
for seven years, America-born Winters manages to give the
film a playful authenticity. Not as harsh nor coarse as the
title may suggest, Crude instead comes out as an energetic,
clever and thoroughly entertaining multi-genre amalgam
with a sharp satirical edge. It plays with the global media
industry as well as cultural heritage, local customs and
patriotism. Crude is as contemporary as it gets.

Martin Wegeland

Medverkande
Paul Schneider, David Connelly, Yigit Ozsener: Producent
Mehmet Eryilmaz: Manus
Paxton Winters: Foto
Paxton Winters: Talat språk
English, Turkish