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Broken Cassettes

In Istanbul's Unkapanı, a marketplace originally built for textile merchants and drapers becomes home to record sellers, and over the years, a subculture emerges, fueled by people dreaming of fame who flock to this area. However, the digital revolution in the music industry will fundamentally shake the dynamics of this subculture.

  • Talha İbrikçi
    Director
    V for İstanbul
  • Talha İbrikçi
    Edit
    V for İstanbul
  • Talha İbrikçi
    Producer
    V for İstanbul
  • Yusuf Yıldırım
    Producer
  • Furkan Pehlivan
    Camera
  • Burak Özkeskin
    Music
  • Talha İbrikçi
    Music
    V for İstanbul
  • Özlem Arda
    Advisor
  • Doğan Tekeli
    Key Cast
  • Haydar Güvercin
    Key Cast
  • Çağatay Kehribar
    Key Cast
  • Yusuf Yıldırım
    Transcription
  • İrem Mecit
    English Subtitles
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Kırık Kasetler
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    10 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Turkey
  • Country of Filming:
    Turkey
  • Language:
    Turkish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Talha İbrikçi

He discovered his interest in the arts at a young age when he first encountered the guitar in elementary school. Combining his passion for music with the stage, he performed in numerous musicals throughout his middle and high school years. His journey in music introduced him to acting, which led him to pursue theater and eventually cinema, bringing him to Istanbul University for further education.
In 2024, he completed his undergraduate studies and is currently working on his own music videos, short films, and documentary projects.

Education

• Biga Atatürk Anatolian High School (2020)
• Istanbul University – Radio, Television, and Cinema (2024)

Filmography

• V for Istanbul (Short Film) (2024):
◦ Institut français Türkiye, Fikirler Gecesi – Best Short Film (2024)

• Broken Cassettes (Documentary) (2024)

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My journey as a filmmaker began with my deep-rooted passion for music, which served as the gateway to the world of performance and storytelling. The emotional resonance of music led me to explore the visual medium as a powerful tool for conveying complex narratives and deep emotions. I see filmmaking as an extension of this artistic expression, where each project is like a melody composed of images, sounds, and emotions.

In my work, I am particularly drawn to themes of identity, memory, and cultural transformation. Similarly, in my short film "V for Istanbul," I explored Istanbul's historical and contemporary fabric, its ironic aspects, its culture, and the legacy it has left us, while questioning what kind of legacy we are leaving behind. Now, with Broken Cassettes, I explore the impact of digitalization on traditional music cultures and the tension between the old and the new.

This story is essentially a chain of coincidences. A marketplace that was originally built for a completely different purpose ended up being occupied by record sellers due to a series of coincidences. During this period, artists like Ferdi Tayfur, Müslüm Gürses, and Orhan Gencebay were gaining popularity in the music world. Inspired by these idols, people from all over Anatolia—mostly from the eastern regions—came to this marketplace in pursuit of fame, raising questions about the existence of a subculture worthy of being depicted in films.

However, for my generation, these dynamics have completely changed. It has become incredibly easy to produce music at very low costs and in very short periods, and even easier to distribute and share it. While this ease has increased the quantity of music being produced, it has also sparked new debates about the quality of the music.

This is a story that, by coincidence, extends from textiles to music. As a musician, I take great pride in having created a music documentary where I composed the music myself. Additionally, it was incredibly exciting to be the storyteller of a narrative filled with cultural and nostalgic elements.

As a director, I aim to create films that go beyond being visually compelling, resonating both emotionally and intellectually. I believe cinema has the power to transcend boundaries, connect people, and provoke thought. My goal is to continue exploring the ever-evolving relationship between tradition and modernity, individual and society, through the lens of my camera.