Boats Out of Watermelon Rinds is a 2004 Turkish feature film directed and written by Ahmet Uluçay. Produced by İstisnai Filmler ve Reklamlar, the film was released in Turkey on November 26, 2004. It was shot in the Tepecik district of Tavşanlı in Kütahya province, with a runtime of 97 minutes. The film is in Turkish and was produced in color using traditional, non-digital cinematic equipment.

Plot Summary

The story is set in the 1960s in a village named Tepecik and revolves around two boys, Recep and Mehmet, during their summer holiday. Recep works as an apprentice to a watermelon seller, while Mehmet works for a barber. In their spare time, they attempt to build a film projector in an abandoned barn using their own resources. Although their efforts, driven by a deep passion for cinema, are disregarded by the villagers, they receive support from a character named Ömer, who is labeled the “village madman.”

The narrative expands through the themes of the boys’ growing passion for cinema, their acquaintance with a woman named Nezihe, and their first experiences with love. The film reflects not only individual dreams but also the conflict between these aspirations and the social structure of rural life. It centers on the imaginative capacity of children within the constraints of limited opportunities, career paths, and the realities of small-town life.

Production Background

The film’s script is inspired by Ahmet Uluçay’s own childhood memories. Without formal training in cinema, Uluçay produced short films using amateur techniques and gradually gained recognition at national and international film festivals. Boats Out of Watermelon Rinds is his first feature film and serves as a semi-autobiographical narrative that illustrates his journey into filmmaking.

Cast and Characters

İsmail Hakkı Taslak plays Recep, Kadir Kaymaz portrays Mehmet, Gülayşe Erkoç appears as Nezihe, Hasbiye Günay as Güler, and Fizuli Caferof as Ömer, the “village madman.” Other cast members include Boncuk Yılmaz (Nihal) and Mustafa Çoban (Watermelon Seller Kemal). Director Ahmet Uluçay also appears in a minor role.

Critical Reception and Festivals

The film received the grand prize in the National Competition section of the Istanbul Film Festival and was screened at numerous festivals both in Turkey and abroad. It won a total of 13 awards and was nominated for 7 others. Produced during a time when cinematic resources in Turkey were limited, this work stands out for its narrative coherence and character depth despite its low budget and technical limitations.

Thematic Framework

Boats Out of Watermelon Rinds focuses on the capacity of individuals in rural areas to dream, create, and persevere despite limited means. Cinema is presented not only as an art form but also as a tool for coping with life and envisioning alternative futures. Through the perspective of children, the story addresses themes such as societal expectations, family structures, love, friendship, and occupational aspirations, blending them with the reality of the setting.

The film is considered one of the notable examples of Ahmet Uluçay’s personal cinematic vision and independent film production in Turkey. It is evaluated as a significant representation of rural themes in Turkish cinema of the 2000s, both technically and thematically. Although it had limited reach upon release, it has been regarded as an important film by critics and cinema circles in the long term.