Şellale – The Waterfall takes place in Harbiye town of Antakya just before the 1960 military coup d’etat. The economic and political crisis of those days are reflected by the both funny and sad story of a family. The story is told from the eyes of Cemal. Now a famous painter, Cemal goes back to his hometown years later and remembers his childhood. In those days Cemal’s father and uncle, member of rival political parties, are in a continious struggle with each other. The film depicts this absurd struggle and the strange stories of people in Harbiye together with the lyric story of the famous waterfall of the town.
Şellale (The Waterfall in English) is a Turkish film directed and written by Semir Aslanyürek and starring Hülya Koçyiğit, Tuncel Kurtiz, Aykut Oray, Ege Aydan, Enis Aslanyürek, Taner Birsel, Ali Sürmeli, Fikret Kuşkan, Nurgül Yeşilçay, Pelin Batu and Zeynep Bilgin. The film was released on November 16, 2001 in Turkey and on September 12, 2002 in Germany.
About Harbiye Waterfalls
Midtown Harbiye is about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) south of Antakya, the administrative center of Hatay Province at 36°07′50″N 36°08′40″E. It is situated in the valley of Asi (classical Orontes) with an average altitude of 240 metres (790 ft) The population was 25118 as of 2012 and it is higher than most other towns.
Dàphne (Δάφνη in Greek) was a resort port-town during Seleucid Empire, famous for waterfalls, daphnes, and residence buildings. However, it was also famous for earthquakes; many ancients buildings were demolished during big earthquakes.
Main economic activity is domestic tourism; hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops etc. The town is proud of the Daphne mitology. There is also a minor silk industry. On the other hand, owing to closeness some Harbiye residents work in Antakya.
Şellale – The Waterfall (2001)
Directed by: Semir Aslanyürek
Starring: Hülya Koçyiğit, Tuncel Kurtiz, Aykut Oray, Ege Aydan, Enis Aslanyürek, Taner Birsel, Ali Sürmeli, Fikret Kuşkan, Nurgül Yeşilçay, Pelin Batu, Zeynep Bilgin
Screenplay by: Semir Aslanyürek
Cinematography by: Hayk Kirakosyan
Film Editing by: Mustafa Presheva, Senad Presheva
Art Direction by: Levent Vehbi Uysal
Music by: Sunay Özgür
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: November 16, 2001
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