If I Forget, It Whispers (Film)

Whisper If I Forget is a 2014 Turkish cinema film written and directed by Çağan Irmak, with lead roles shared by Farah Zeynep Abdullah, Mehmet Günsür, Kerem Bürsin, and Hümeyra. This romantic drama premiered in Türkiye on 29 October 2014.

Plot

The film centers on the story of Hatice, a young woman living in a small town during the 1970s. Known for her passion for music, Hatice yearns to transcend the limits of her provincial life. This desire leads her to leave her hometown and move to Istanbul to begin a music career. In Istanbul, she takes on the name Ayperi and rises to fame on stage. The film opens with Ayperi’s return to her homeland years later, exploring her confrontation with the past and her complex relationships with her family, especially her sister Hanife. Through a narrative that moves between past and present, the film delves into the inner worlds of its characters and the evolution of their relationships over time.

A Scene from the Film Unutursam Fısılda (IMDb)

Cast

• Farah Zeynep Abdullah – Ayperi (Hatice)
• Mehmet Günsür – Tarık
• Kerem Bürsin – Erhan
• Hümeyra – Ayperi (elderly years)
• Işıl Yücesoy – Hanife (elderly years)
• Gözde Cığacı – Hanife
• Gürkan Uygun – Kemal
• Köksal Engür – Erhan (elderly years)

Production Process

The film was produced by TAFF Pictures. Cinematography was handled by Gökhan Tiryaki. The editing was done by Emrullah Hekim, and the original music was composed by Kenan Doğulu. Throughout production, filming took place in over fifty different locations across various regions of Türkiye. Financially, it is described as Çağan Irmak’s most expensive film to date.

Thematic Structure

The film is structured around themes such as individual freedom, female identity, self-realization through music, family bonds, and confronting the past. It particularly examines familial dynamics and suppressed emotions through the relationship between two sisters. Additionally, it dramatically reflects the impact of Türkiye’s social transformation on individual lives.

Budget and Revenue

Unutursam Fısılda remained in cinemas in Türkiye for 29 weeks and reached a total audience of 1,720,895. During its opening weekend, the film was watched by 215,427 spectators and generated a total gross of ₺18,819,582.

Awards and Nominations

In 2015, the film won awards at the Sadri Alışık Theatre and Cinema Actor Awards in the categories of “Best Supporting Actress” (Işıl Yücesoy) and “Promising Young Actress” (Gözde Cığacı). It was also screened at numerous festivals and received positive critical reception.

Trailer for the Film Unutursam Fısılda (YouTube)