Melek Leaves poster
FilmDocumentary

Melek Leaves (1985)

Original title: Die Kümmeltürkin geht

1985-02-01 · 1h 28m · DE
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In 1970, Melek Tez came to Berlin as a young worker from Turkey. A confident woman, she first countered racist resentments and remarks with irony and wit. Jokingly, she even referred to herself as a "Kümmeltürkin", a derogatory German term for Turkish migrants. Yet after fourteen humiliating years, her fighting spirit has given way to resignation: Melek Tez is returning to Turkey. Blending documentary, interviews and re-enacted scenes, director Jeanine Meerapfel chronicles Melek Tez' life experience.

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Jeanine MeerapfelDirector, Writer

Keywords

Woman director

Movie DNA

Genre affinityDocumentaryTheme affinityWoman DirectorPacingShortDirector preference478930Country preferenceDeDecade preference1980

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Frequently asked questions about Melek Leaves

What is Melek Leaves about?

In 1970, Melek Tez came to Berlin as a young worker from Turkey. A confident woman, she first countered racist resentments and remarks with irony and wit. Jokingly, she even referred to herself as a "Kümmeltürkin", a derogatory German term for Turkish migrants. Yet after fourteen humiliating years, her fighting spirit has given way to resignation: Melek Tez is returning to Turkey. Blending documentary, interviews and re-enacted scenes, director Jeanine Meerapfel chronicles Melek Tez' life experience.

How long is Melek Leaves?

Melek Leaves has a runtime of 88 minutes.