º»¹® ¹Ù·Î°¡±â ¸Þ´º ¹Ù·Î°¡±â

15th DMZ Docs(2023)

I AM DOCU



Blue ID

Vuslat KARAN, Burcu MELEKOGLU

  • Türkiye
  • 2022
  • 84min
  • 15 +
  • DCP
  • color

Asian premiere

Synopsis

A beaming Rüzgar Erkoçlar received his first testosterone injection in 2012 joyous moment of his gender affirmation. Formerly a well-known actor throughout Turkey, Rüzgar hoped he could lead a private life as a transman. But he was outed on Twitter and suddenly Rüzgar¡¯s journey is thrust onto the front pages. A media frenzy ensues, and the question of trans-rights grips Turkey, with Rüzgar the reluctant figurehead. We join Rüzgar, in his journey to live an authentic life and get his Blue ID. 

Review

 The film tells the transition journey of a famous Turkish actor. In a society of homophobic and transphobic attitudes, the transition journey could have been more dangerous for an actor whose face is widely known. The actor is also exposed to an environment where he is constantly judged and criticized by anonymous people. Still, the transition is a matter of irreplaceable self-determination. The actor successfully changes the legally assigned gender from pink to blue and takes a step forward. Meanwhile, the actor faces social risks too. The actor¡¯s news spread around social media, and gender issues became controversial. The actor and even his family members suffer from criticism and threats. How much time and courage will it take for his blue ID to become the actual sign that guarantees sexual autonomy? As the actor reveals himself and embraces all criticisms and support, his body gradually builds up muscles. The film spotlights how he walks confidently on the runway by expressing his identity freely. The protestors on the street also fight against gender discrimination and potentially release blue, pink, and countless spectrum of colors. The film points out that society shines more brightly when more people can feel such colors and express their own colors.

Director

  • Vuslat KARAN

    Burcu Melekoglu is a filmmaker based in Istanbul with a BA in Systems Engineering from UPenn and MA from UCLA School of Film and TV. Believing in the power of independent documentary film to change hearts and minds she founded Moxie, an independent production company in Istanbul.

  • Burcu MELEKOGLU

    Vuslat Karan is a filmmaker living in Istanbul with a BFA in Film and TV from Marmara University. She co-founded Moxie, an independent production company that released Blue ID winning the audience award at IDFA.

Credit