CHASING THE WIND/ Rüzgara Birak

Turkey, 2025, 96 minutes, Colour.

Hande Ercel, Baris Arduc.

Directed by Engin Erden.

If this film American, many people would take it for granted as a romantic comedy in the world of big business. However, it is a Turkish film and audiences may be curious to see how these themes are handled from a Turkish perspective. On the one hand, still very American, while on the other hand, local colour, business issues and some drama.

The two central characters are quite the opposite, one a playboy with business interests, especially in Istanbul, the other a young woman, business talent, family interests, but living in a coastal town. And questions of development in the town, discussions, deals, and the two falling in love.

Light entertainment and introduction to the affluent life in Turkey.

1. The title, literal surfing, the winds are big business and choices?
2. A Turkish story, characters, universal?
3. The settings, Istanbul and offices, the coast, the water, the town, the cliffs, the restaurant, homes? The musical score?
4. Asli’s story, in business, the influence of her father, skill at her work, her relationship with the lawyer, the meetings, the situation, her past with Ege, the self-confidence, going to the town, the meal and her arrogant manner, complaints about the food, her extensive wardrobe, going to the beach to meet Ege, surprise at who he was? Her attempts to undermine his status, suspicions, investigations, his clean reputation financially, his helping his friend, director of the company, against the rules, giving the information, then trying to suppress it, its coming out into the open?
5. Asli’s story, self-confidence, glamour, the interactions with Ege, discussions, the surfing and training, the experience, the outings, the mastic Grove, with the old couple, staying the night, her change of heart, helping the artist with her exhibition, facilitating the reconciliation, friendship with people in the town? Trying to suppress the information, her phone calls to her secretary, the meal with Ege, the night, the consequences? The arrival of the lawyer, his denunciation, Ege and his disappointment with Asli?
6. Ege’s story, reputation, alleged Playboy, his family, the revelation of the back story, his mother, the treatment by his father, his return, the restaurant, the surfing school, popular, environmental concerns, his friend at the restaurant, the architect and helping him with his failing business, talking to his estranged wife, the would-be surfer and the coach, knowing who Asli was, the meal, the discussions, the tensions, the issue of the sale, his refusal? Asli and the surfing, the growing bond, the art exhibition, the mastic Grove, the old couple, the lady telling the story? The attraction, the meal, the night together, his disappointment at the truth?
7. The meeting, the discussions about the plan resort, Asli and her difficulties, Ege and his arrival, his explanations, his father and embezzlement to mortar, the confrontation, the preservation of the environment?
8. Asli, her return, the happy ending?