Roaming the streets of Istanbul are thousands of street cats that are neither feral nor tamed. These cats come and go as they slide through rats-filled alleys and trespass into the cozy houses of locals. Directed by Ceyda Torun and shot by her partner Charlie Wuppermann, Kedi is a documentary that focuses on seven cats, namely Sarı, Duman, Bengü, Aslan Parçası, Gamsız, Psikopat, and Deniz. The duo showcases the unique characters of each ‘protagonist’ through delicate camera work that mimics a cat’s point of view as they stroll for food or hiss to assert territorial dominance. These shots of cats are interlaced with interviews with their chosen humans which further highlight the interactions between them.

The film offers a beautiful portrait of Istanbul while expressing concerns about the diminishing habitat for both its human and feline inhabitants. Faced with multinational corporation invasions and shopping malls being built under rapid urban development, will Istanbul lose its identity as street cats disappear, or will people rekindle these little moments of joy when one comes to your feet and meows? Nonetheless, Kedi is an exquisite documentary for cat lovers of all ages or someone who wishes to see felines close up on the silver screen.

Ceyda Torun (b. Türkiye) is a director and film producer known for Kedi (2016). Born in Istanbul, Torun spent her childhood with street cats before relocating with her family to Jordan at the age of eleven and later moving the United States for high school. She has always longed for her feline companions in Istanbul. Kedi won Best First Documentary and was nominated for Best Documentary in the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards in 2017.