Opening

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Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul

Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul (2005)

tomatometer

86

Average Rating: 6.9/10
Reviews Counted: 35
Fresh: 30 | Rotten: 5

Infused with cultural and political concerns, this film weaves together a rich tapestry of musical styles that celebrate the diversity that makes up contemporary Turkish life.

100

Average Rating: 7.4/10
Critic Reviews: 15
Fresh: 15 | Rotten: 0

Infused with cultural and political concerns, this film weaves together a rich tapestry of musical styles that celebrate the diversity that makes up contemporary Turkish life.

audience

85

liked it
Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 4,115

My Rating

Movie Info

The rich musical heritage of the Turkish metropolis located between the Orient and the Occident comes to the screen in director Fatih Akin's cinematic tribute to Istanbul's thriving music scene. In bringing both historic and recent expressions of Istanbul's unique legacy of music to the screen in a documentary that strives to both inform and entertain, Akin offers compelling insight into both the creative history of the city as well as the lives of the individuals who populate it. ~ Jason

Sep 19, 2006

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All Critics (39) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (5) | DVD (4)

Crossing the Bridge does more than offer a wide variety of entertaining and intoxicating Turkish music. It also uses music to paint a portrait of a vibrant, cosmopolitan city and provide a window into a rich and varied national culture.

August 18, 2006 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Even as Crossing the Bridge acknowledges differences, tensions, the provocative power music exerts on our hearts, it makes an elegant, head-bopping, hip-swaying argument that sound unifies.

August 4, 2006 Full Review Source: Denver Post
Denver Post
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It's a heady, occasionally free-floating mix, and a feast for music lovers.

July 28, 2006 Full Review Source: Seattle Times
Seattle Times
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Akin's documentary gets its legs from the subtle questions it raises about Turkey's politics, nationalism, religious identity, cultural integrity and international perception.

July 14, 2006 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
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An infectious (in a good way) documentary.

June 29, 2006 Full Review Source: Washington Post
Washington Post
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It's a tasty sonic apertif to an unfamiliar world, and likely to inspire more than a few folks to make a beeline for the world music browser at the music store.

June 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Newsday
Newsday
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Though its photography is keen and vibrant and its concept elegantly simple, the movie doesn't quite add up beyond its performances.

August 19, 2006 Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle
Austin Chronicle

A delightful survey of Turkish music's many intriguing variations, as well as a fascinating, if somewhat superficial, portrait of one of the most historic cities on Earth.

August 18, 2006 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News
Los Angeles Daily News

The music is gorgeous, and Akin's feverish camera shows an exile's love of the beautiful, crumbling but energized city as he pokes around its crevices, looking for recombinations of old and new, here and there.

August 17, 2006 Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly
L.A. Weekly

Though not nearly as exhilarating or illuminating as Buena Vista Social Club, this structurelss docu does capture the unique variety of sounds of Istanbul, a city strategically positied between East and West.

August 2, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com
EmanuelLevy.Com

Then-and-now footage of aging legends such as Erkin Koray and Sezen Aksu offers an insight into the musical continuum that bridges a rich heritage with a promising future.

July 27, 2006 Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

While Crossing the Bridge is sure to find an appreciative audience among world music aficionados, its crossover appeal seems limited at best.

July 6, 2006 | Comment (1)
Show Business Weekly

... an exciting introduction to a worthy musical world.

June 15, 2006 Full Review Source: Film Journal International
Film Journal International

You'll feel lucky for such a comprehensive introduction to Turkish music, and will no doubt be scrambling for a soundtrack album.

June 9, 2006 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Audience Reviews for Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul

This is a very interesting documentary for anyone who like music, culture, and the boundries that those things help us cross.
March 16, 2007
rockerotexano
Andru LEmon
Beautiful documentary about the music in the crossroads of Istanbul. The Turkish singer, Anya, is amazing.
December 26, 2006
Michael9636
Michael W
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Foreign Titles

  • Crossing the Bridge - The Sound of Istanbul (DE)
  • Crossing the Bridge: The Sounds of Istanbul (CA)
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