The Turkish film Bal, which translates as ‘Honey’, is a 2010 autobiographical drama directed by Semih Kaplanoğlu. The third and final part of the ‘Yusuf Trilogy’, coming after Yumurta (‘Egg’) and Süt (‘Milk’), Bal explores the early childhood of Yusuf. The trilogy runs backwards chronologically. It won the Golden Bear award at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival in 2010.
At a press conference, Kaplanoğlu said of his work, ‘In these three movies, I have tried to uncover my character Yusuf through time, in a retrospective way. The first film is on his life during his 40s, the second movie is on his life during his 20s… and finally ‘Honey’ is on his life during the age of six. These films, in a way, had been a journey through a lost heaven, through purity… where people coexist with nature in harmony.’
Bal is one of the most delicately tender and beautiful films I have ever seen, with visually stunning cinematography, a dream-like natural setting in the Turkish mountaintops, and minimal dialogue. The story tells of the young child Yusuf, his incredible shyness, his wish for approval at school, his love for his father. His mother picks tea and his father harvests honey of wild bees. The defining moment happens quietly and truthfully. The mesmerising magic of this film is the mystery of him; his silence, how he can only read when he is alone, how he can only speak to his father, and even then, only in whispers. Deep and meditative, Bal is one of my favourite indie films.
I watched this film back in July 2010 at the New Zealand Film Festival and have been meaning to rewatch it when I track down the DVD sometime. I'd also like to find the first two parts of the trilogy.
