Celebrating the classics of Asian cinema and beyond, Restored is a regular series showcasing Asian films that have been meticulously preserved and restored by different institutions from across the world. The platform revisits these classics in a new light and allows them to be appreciated by new generations of audiences.

A take on the Cain and Abel story, about passion and greed that is universally relevant to this day, Dry Summer is one of the most important legacies of Turkish cinema. Discover it in its restored glory at Oldham Theatre this June. 

Directed by: Metin Erksan
Runtime: 75 minutes
Country: Turkey
Language: Turkish with English subtitles
Rating: PG13 (Some Sexual References)

Showtimes

Sunday, 20 June 2021, 5pm
Saturday, 3 July 2021, 4pm

Please scroll to the bottom of the page to see the showtime listing pages. Friends of AFA members may select the “Friends of AFA” option and enter your membership number if you wish to redeem your remaining complimentary tickets.

For assistance, please contact us at ticketing@asianfilmarchive.org 

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Full Synopsis

Dry Summer, a village story whose source is the struggle over land and water, is one of the most stunning examples of the clash between good and evil in Turkish Cinema. Repeating the success he achieved with The Revenge of the Snakes, a Fakir Baykurt adaptation shot in 1962, Metin Erksan’s Dry Summer shows the confrontation between two brothers, Osman and Hassan. Osman surrounds the water that springs from their lands with barriers to prevent the village from using it. A moral man, Hassan argues that the others should also use the water. After confessing to a murder actually committed by his brother, Hassan is convicted and sent to jail. Once released, he learns that Osman used deception to take away his wife and marry her during his imprisonment. Hasan loses control. In the ensuing fight between the brothers, he drowns Osman in the water and then clears away the barriers.

About the Director

Metin Erksan was born in Çanakkale, Turkey, in 1929. He studied History of Art at the Istanbul University and started very early on in life collaborating as film critic in several newspapers and magazines. In 1952 he shot his first film The Life of Poet Veysel written by Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu. He directed social realistic films such as Beyond the Nights (1960) and The Revenge of the Snakes (1962), forming his own style in later works like Dry Summer (1964) and Time to Love (1965).

In 1964, Metin Erksan won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival with Susuz Yaz, other awards came from the Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia for Yılanların Öcü (1962) and the first edition of International Adana Golden Boll Film Festival for Kuyu (1968). From 1970 on he directed several films for television.

Metin Erksan was a prolific filmmaker, directing 42 titles, 29 of which were based on his own scripts. He was highly recognized by his contemporaries and fellow filmmakers as well as by the international film community abroad.

He passed away on August, 2012 at the age of 83, in Bakırköy, Istanbul.

Restoration Notes

The restoration of Susuz Yaz used the original 35mm camera negative and the original 17.5 mm sound negative and recaptured the black and white film’s tonal nuances. The film’s producer, Ulvi Dogan, provided the prints.

An interpositive preserved at the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Stiftung in Wiesbaden was used for the negative’s last missing reel. The opening and closing credits, missing from all available sources, have been digitally reconstructed.

Restored by the World Cinema Project at Cineteca di Bologna/ L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in May 2008.

(Information provided by the World Cinema Project)

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Important Notice:

Do note that Oldham Theatre does not play ads and screenings will start promptly. Arrive early so as not to disrupt the screenings. All patrons are encouraged to purchase your tickets online to be able to secure a seat. Seats are limited due to social distancing regulations. If you choose to purchase tickets or merchandise at Oldham Theatre’s box office, cashless payment is preferred.

Measures will be taken to ensure the health and safety of all patrons at Oldham Theatre. This includes wearing a mask at all times for both staff and patrons, temperature taking, SafeEntry logging and observance of social distancing around the theatre. Doors will open 20 minutes before showtime, so  arrive early to register, take your temperature and find a seat.

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T&Cs

Concession tickets apply to Students (Local & Overseas), Full-time National Servicemen (NSF), Senior Citizens (55 years and above) only.

Please check film ratings before purchase of tickets. Please note that you may be asked to present your ID at the door (this applies to concession tickets as well).

Upon confirmation of your order for Tickets, no exchange of Tickets will be made under any circumstances and Tickets are not transferable. No refund on Tickets will be made under any circumstances except due to cancellation of the event. The resale of Tickets at any price is prohibited.