A Bluffer's Guide to Gezi: "what happened in the streets."

Turkish film director Michael Önder's first feature film "Taksim Hold'em" made its world premiere at the Tokyo Film Festival, followed by the Vilnius Film Festival and the Istanbul Film Festival.

The name of this ironic film comes from Texas Hold'em, a variation of poker. The subject of the movie stems from a discussion held by a group of young men from the "ruling class" who develop an opinion about the 2013 Gezi Park protests, the biggest demonstrations against Turkey’s ruling Justice Development Party since it came to power in 2002.

The elements of the script draw inspiration from aspects of playing poker and player psychology and the way they build on each other such as the way that bets are divided into big blinds and small blinds, placing bets, folding, and going all in.

Poker players watching the movie will probably be able to understand right away the events of Gezi and how people were affected. Those who are not poker players can read a couple of paragraphs online about the rules of the game - which is what I did.  

But it is not necessary: Taksim Hold'em is not about poker, but instead critiques well educated, middle-class Turkish men with social democrat or liberal leanings. The film is also a critique of those who are expected to follow in the footsteps of their parents. 

In his first film, Michael Önder does not fall into the trap of in-depth sociological and psychological analysis. Without carrying the preteens of a philosophical text, the film touches upon the contradictions of the tendencies for conformism, cynicism, nihilism, and hedonism.

He observes, from an insider's point of view, his surroundings and the oppressed behaviour shown by his generation in the context of the events witnessed.

We can say that the critique Önder brings to the film is self-criticism, particularly by pointing out hypocrisy, but he does not take a judgmental stance. Önder entertains the audience with irony and sarcasm by showing that each character has the capacity for right and wrong, playing devil's advocate at times, and knowing his own faults before blaming others for theirs.

Among the positive aspects of the film are meticulous cinematography and editing, which thanks to the single indoor location, are able to serve the script and the actor's performances.

Taksim Hold'em explains the experience of four friends who were gathered for a night of poker on the first night of the Gezi protests, and they are unsure of whether or not they should play the game or go out to protest. The film also describes their experience of protestors coming to the house.  

The Gezi demonstrations began in the summer of 2013 when a group of activists opposed the government's plan to build on Gezi Park, in one of Istanbul's busiest districts, Taksim. The protests spread throughout the country over the following months, fed by anger at government-sanctioned unfettered construction, but put down baton-wielding police who made hundreds of arrests.

The film opens with Alper, the owner of the house, ironing a green tablecloth while listening to a lively song. The screen on the laptop shows images of police throwing gas bombs. Alper is either unaware or unconcerned by what is happening.

The Turkish audience knows the events of Gezi quite well, and to us, it is obvious that what is being shown are the Gezi protests. But the film does not come out and say it as it does not specify the date or the event, but instead focuses on the thoughts of the characters. When activists clashed with police and started heading towards the apartment, we understand that the apartment is close to Taksim.

By looking at the characters in the movie, we can conclude that they are in Cihangir, a neighbourhood close to Taksim and a centre for intellectuals, writers, and artists. The group of men in the movie represent the middle class and social democrat intelligentsia - and they all work in the media.  

Alper, played by Kenan Ece, is inclined toward earthly pleasures, making him seem like a hedonist but his insensitivity leads him to the brink of nihilism. Even though it seems like Alper might be a conformist, we find out that there are many things he actually worries about. Fuat (played by Berk Hakman) comes out as a surprise rival to Alper in the third part of the film, and Alper eliminates him, revealing the true colours of both.

The mysterious Fuat, who challenges Alper, in saying the players are who they criticise emerges as a true player, in poker, and in life! The conflict between the two is more important than the moral weaknesses of the other characters.  

The same song that Alper was listening in the opening of the movie is played during the credits, and the lyrics punctuate the film. It is also interesting to note that Hakman wrote the lyrics and composed the song.  

While the next-door neighbour is constantly yelling at his wife and having a breakdown, Alper's fiancee Defne proposes they go together to a press conference. Alper, who will not budge an inch, instead goes out for a business dinner. 

One of the poker players, Kaan, is a family man and lawyer who will be celebrating his child’s third birthday the following day and is intent on raising a child who will be a productive member of society. But we learn throughout the film that he has major problems with the law in both the public sphere and in his private life.

Then there's Altan, played by Emre Yetim, who is more than happy to stay at home and who insists that his friends go out and protest. He constantly tweets and gives Alper's address out as a safe place for activists to take refuge. But he is also subjected to the worst criticism for his cowardice.

On the subject of Twitter, there is an episode involving pizza that is worth every penny! Rafi, who is played by Tansu Taşanlar, resigned from his job at a television channel out of principle, and he takes action when he makes a decision. Even though he is the least talkative character, heis the only courageous "activist".

The dialogue in the film is made up of accusations tossed around by the players at each other such as "You stay in the house and let the people fight for your rights" and "If we don't resist today, when will we?" or "When you go to work, you don't follow the law, then don't be surprised when the police break them." The film finally gets to the poker table in the last act.

The film ends with a game played by poker-faced Alper, deceitful Kaan, bluffer Altan, Defne, and Fuat, as well as a fight with the neighbour.

The film, which includes good performances by each actor, seems like it would resonate with people who like the Coen Brothers or The Big Lebowski. As for questioning the events with humour, the film is reminiscent of Corneliu Porumboiu's absurdist comedy called "A fost sau na fost," which roughly translates to "Was There or Wasn't There?" The English name of the film is called "East of Bucharest," and the film explores how much the revolution that overthrew Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu impacted (or didn't impact) a small town in Romania.