If you’re thinking about whether you should watch DJ Ahmet, don’t think anymore – watch it immediately. The young Macedonian director, Georgi M Unkovski, is undoubtedly a filmmaker whose work we should follow closely.
Let’s see why DJ Ahmet is worth watching and what makes it unique. Of course, without any major spoilers, although don’t read if you don’t want to know anything.
An Authentic Story
Today’s worldwide cinema is going through a serious issue of producing mainly mainstream movies and avoiding independent films. However, there are hidden gems you can discover, and one of them is DJ Ahmet by Georgi Unkovski.
Here are some of the key elements that make this film authentic:
- The number one aspect is its story. A young village boy finds modern music extremely beautiful and magnetic amidst all the private, social, and conservative challenges he must face.
- Even though the entire film is set in Macedonia, it is in a Turkish dialect, as the plot takes place in a Yuruk village.
- Most of the main actors aren’t actors, and it’s their first movie ever. Nonetheless, they’re excellent.
- Unlike many Macedonian movies, DJ Ahmet addresses the ‘’being poor’’ moment, but it’s not the main focus.
DJ Ahmet Breaks Clichés, But Differently
What’s so surprising about art breaking taboos? You’re right, nothing.
However, the difference here is that they’re broken in a different way. It isn’t something you’ve seen before, since I bet you’ve never seen a film with this theme.
The main character’s love of music and DJ-ing while living in a village is certainly the main focus. Still, there are many other addressed themes. How a family deals with the loss of a parent, the forbidden love, the struggle of the poor against the rich, etc.
One more, as my title suggests, is the connection of the old with the new world. Unkovski shows us two main points. First, we live in an illusion, thinking that young people from small villages are unaware of the ongoing internet tech revolution, with an emphasis on social media. And second, that we’re wrong in thinking that it’s impossible to have an iPhone and be a shepherd. Well, watch this film, and you’ll realize you’re massively wrong.
Every Movie Has Some Cons
There aren’t many films you can say are 100% perfect. And that’s entirely normal since masterpieces should be made rarely, otherwise they wouldn’t be masterpieces. Also, cinema is one of, if not the most complex, art forms. It’s hard to make a bad movie, let alone a great one.
Nevertheless, DJ Ahmet doesn’t have many flaws, even when you analyze all elements, from directing to costumes, and everything in between. Still, there are, paradoxically, cliché moments. You’ll notice the usual tricks of the characters being funny and likable. A tough father who turns soft, a love affair between a poor boy and a rich girl, a rebellious daughter who refuses her arranged marriage, etc.
As mentioned above, the differences and one of the pros of this film is that even the usual tricks are made differently.
Nominations and Awards Won by DJ Ahmet, So Far
Here are some of the crucial film festivals where this film got major nominations and awards, so far:
- Sundance Film Festival
- Stockholm Film Festival
- Shanghai International Film Festival
- Sydney Film Festival
- Seattle International Film Festival
- Miami Film Festival
- Filmski Festival Herceg Novi – Montenegro Film Festival
- Milwaukee Film Festival
- South East European Film Festival Los Angeles
- Jecheon International Music & Film Festival
- Desertscape International Film Festival
Final Words on DJ Ahmet
We’re continuously witnessing why European productions beat Hollywood more and more, and this movie is another example. And by beat, I mean artistically.
If you want to watch something authentic, funny yet serious, modest yet ambitious, watch this film by Unkovski. Here’s an official DJ Ahmet trailer to get you hyped up before you go to the cinema.
Last but not least, don’t forget to turn your phone off before the movie begins!
framebyframecritic 