Aysha (Jiyan Akaygün) is rebellious, young, passionate–and she lives in a society that expects her to wear a full-body veil. But Aysha is different from everyone else–and she has plans of her own. When Aysha and her sister (Ecem Türkmen) are put through a religious test, she knows that it’s time to take a stand, to express her beliefs, and put an end to the struggles that she faces each and every day.
Short and unwilling to waver from the clean-cut narrative present throughout, Aysha is nearly perfectly linear, without ever veering from one, singular storyline. That works wonders for the film, because to some degree there will be a disconnect between content and viewer. For those of us that don’t exist in the same community as the characters on screen, it can be challenging to understand what’s taking place; that linear narrative, and not overcrowding the film, allows viewers to remain focused and follow along. This is such a simple decision, but it’s one of the main reasons why the film is able to appeal to such a large audience.
That’s just one part of why the narrative works for viewers. The things that occur throughout Aysha are groundbreaking–truly unlike things that typically find their way into cinema. These themes, however, help to keep the film moving forward, help to keep viewers engaged, and help to express to viewers that Writer-Director Cengiz Akaygün is a brilliant filmmaker. He’s willing to take risks, and those risks pay off. Throughout the course of the film, as the narrative builds and viewers get more and more of the story, it becomes abundantly clear that C. Akaygün understands how to both create and capture themes that keep pace with the way in which Hollywood and society as a whole are trending and that are capable of challenging (even fracturing) that mold.
J. Akaygûn is a little ball of fire. Jiyan attacks every instance with passion and vigor–and regardless of the tone of any given moment, Jiyan ensures that it reaches viewers. Throughout the course of Aysha that intensity never relents, and Jiyan’s ability to convey emotion only strengthens as the film drives forward.
Aysha is a project that, again, has the potential to create a disconnect, as it doesn't necessarily cover a topic with which everyone is familiar. C. Akaygün makes a series of unique choices, ones that allow the film to remain as narratively simple as possible, helping to bridge the gap between viewer and story, and creating something accessible. Aysha is full of passion, and that passion is realized early on in the film–refusing to falter. Aysha is a stunning coming-of-age piece created and delivered in a way that the world shouldn’t be able to understand, but does.
Written & Directed by Cengiz Akaygün.
Starring Jihay Akaygün, Halima Ilter, & Ecem Türkmen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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