Cert 12A
97 mins
BBFC advice: Moderate sex references
In my opinion, if I had ever visited Istanbul, Grant Gee's Innocence Of Memories would have resonated a whole lot more.
In fact I would go as far to say that this documentary is a must for those with a passion for the city and, in particular, the work of Nobel prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk.
But, for me, it left some unanswered questions about a city which appears too often in the worldwide headlines for tragic reasons.
Indeed, even Gee's film indicates that Istanbul is better enjoyed in the small hours of the night than during the turmoil of the day.
Innocence Of Memories is a strange but intoxicating mix of fact and fiction.
Its starting point is Pamuk's novel The Museum Of Innocence which tells the story of a doomed love affair between Kamal, the heir to a wealthy fortune, and Fusun, a beautiful shop girl, 13 years his junior.
The fictitious museum is created after the pair split up and is made up of a Kemal's collection of everything she touched.
This where artistic licence is most needed because one of the exhibits has thousands of her cigarette butts and another has her old underwear. No mention of stalking on a grand scale is ever made.
Anyway, Pandora Colin narrates as Fusun's closest friend who arrives back in Istanbul after a long interlude and visits the museum.
Sprinkled within her commentary are contributions from real Istanbul, including a taxi driver who tells what life is like in this city of many sides.
Gee's documentary is very pretty, exploring the beauty but also the grim underbelly of Istanbul.
But is also very arty. I admitted that much of one of his previous films, Patience (After Sebald) went over my head and I had to concentrate here to make sure the same thing didn't happen again.
Reasons to watch: a rich portrait of Istanbul
Reasons to avoid: jumps around too much between fact and fiction
Laughs; none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6/10