Private Project

The Fountain

What happens to ordinary people when an empire collapses? 30 years ago, the Gagauzian minority living in the northern regions of the Black Sea was left abandoned in the middle of opposing political powers of Russia, European Union, Ukraine, Moldova, and Turkey. Today, Gagauzians have nothing other than their bonds to each other.

The Fountain is about the ceasing culture and language of the Gagauz people. It portrays the effects of the rise and fall of the Soviet Union on different generations while displaying the consequences of the vast social assimilation by following the daily lives of local families. The tradition of the Gagauz community is unique and preserved almost intact for centuries. However, it is rapidly fading now, as the elderly pass away. Unfortunately, the fountain flows weaker and weaker through the new generations.

  • Ilayda Işeri
    Director
  • Daradur Family
    Key Cast
  • Mutaf Family
    Key Cast
  • Petiş Family
    Key Cast
  • Ilayda Işeri
    Composer
  • Ilayda Işeri
    Editor
  • Ilayda Işeri
    Writer
  • Ilayda Işeri
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Çeşme
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 15, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Turkey
  • Country of Filming:
    Moldova, Republic of
  • Language:
    Russian, Turkish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - The Koç School
  • Directed by Women Turkey
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    September 17, 2021
    World Premiere
    Youth View 1st Prize
  • International Usak Short Film Festival
    Uşak
    Turkey
    December 4, 2021
    Best Documentary
  • 42nd IFSAK Documentary and Short Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    March 7, 2022
    Finalist
  • Akbank Short Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    March 21, 2022
    Mention Award
  • 6th Kısadan Hisse Short Film Competition
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    October 18, 2021
    2nd Place
  • Sinepark Short Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    May 10, 2022
    High School Category Finalist
Director Biography - Ilayda Işeri

Ilayda Iseri is an 20-year-old aspiring director and composer from Istanbul, Turkey. She graduated from Koc High School with an IB Diploma in 2021, where she took film classes. Her short documentary "The Fountain" received awards at Directed by Women Turkey, Usak International, Kissadan Hisse, Akbank, and New York Deep Focus festivals. It was chosen as a finalist at short film festivals including IFSAK, Sinepark, Antakya, Toronto International Women, Moscow Shorts.

She is currently studying physics and philosophy double majors in Boğaziçi University. She participates in the sets of TV commercials and series as the director Tolga Karacelik’s assistant while working on her first fiction short film, which is supported by Turkish Ministry of Culture. The screenplay of this project won the first prize in Akbank Film Forum Competition, honorable mention in Izmir Film Lab, and it will be co-produced by TRT TV Channel in summer 2022.

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Director Statement

The Fountain comprises an approach of shooting in the observational documentary style. In other words, the camera is a “fly on the wall” and does not intrude on the course of events. There is no voiceover and interviews. The story flows through the characters’ conversations, interactions with each other, and their environments. The editing is preferred to be calm and slow-paced. Any pretentious judgment is avoided within the context. Instead of conveying the messages by didactic narratives, the story unfolds gently by displaying the details in modest real-life examples. With this neutral position, I tried to open a creative space for the audience to make their comments and stand on their subjective points of view. I believe this type of artistic manner is the best way to showcase contemporary social issues.