THE SCREENING IS FREE OF CHARGE. 

One of the classics of Turkish cinema, Aysel, the Girl from the Marsh Croft returns to the screen 90 years after its first release with a restored copy. The story follows Aysel, a young village girl assaulted by the master of the household where she works. Seeking justice in court, she loses her case. Left to raise her illegitimate child on her own, she is shunned by most of those around her. Ali, the son of one of the village’s leading families, is struck by Aysel’s honesty and offers her work in their home. Yet Aysel’s arrival begins to disrupt Ali’s relationship with his fiancée, Gülsüm.

Shot in the village of Çalı near Bursa, the film holds a significant place in the history of Turkish cinema as the first “village film.” Alongside professional stage actors, several amateur villagers also appear before the camera. The scenes depicting everyday rural life provide powerful and realistic images that serve as important documentary evidence. Directed by one of the pioneers of Turkish cinema, Muhsin Ertuğrul, the film also marked a milestone in the career of Cahide Sonku. Discovered by Ertuğrul and first appearing on stage at Dârülbedâyi, Sonku’s role as Aysel brought her immediate fame and established her as Turkish cinema’s first female star. 

*Restored in 2024 by Sinematek/Cinema House with the support of Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi.