TWO ANDROGYNOUS MEN COMPETE IN A TURKISH OIL WRESTLING MATCH. Starring Germany’s Snapchat icon and fashion blogger Riccardo Simonetti and designer & performer Leni Bolt, two gender bending individuals – seemingly intertwined in a romantic act – become opponents accompanied by patriotic verses of announcers during the traditional Turkish Oil Wrestling tournament recorded in 2015.
Staging the sensual and archaic resemblance of Turkey’s most famous national sport, this video piece not only blends boarders between documentary and fiction, fashion and art but also stretches those between culture, gender and tradition.
Official Selection:
. Berlin Fashion Film Festival 2017
. London Short Film Festival 2017
. Istanbul Fashion Film Festival 2016
. Nominated for ELLE’s Choice Award
“Pehlivan / Wrestler” is the fourth part of Harun Güler’s MAQAM video series. Director: Harun Güler Cast: Riccardo Simonetti & Leni Bolt
DOP / Editing: Harun Güler
Hair Stylist: Dominic Keller
Make Up Artist: Meilynn Lindlar
Stylist: Saskia Juliane Kummle
Sound Designer: Candas Erdener
Colouring: Simone Schreiner
First AD: Regina Wiebe
Assistants: Luisa Rodriguez, Josepha Kirchner, Sascha Jörres, Bastian Dömel
Shot in Berlin, May 2016.
