The Gün a.k.a. Gold Day

Video, 6:08 min
2018

A colorful story of a women’s social gathering during the time of Turkey’s political shift toward a more conservative government ruling. Told from the perspective of a distressed daughter, the film presents "The Gün", a common tradition, while touching on the contested headscarf issue. The Gün is a system of gift exchange and constructing female space and networks; when women gather in the host’s flat to have food, tea, and conversations, each bringing the hostess a gold coin (~$70). Participants take turns hosting, gathering a considerable sum of money later used on household needs. Inspired by my childhood in Turkey, the story starts with the mom stealing her daughter’s napkin collection for her Gün event and takes a surreal turn when the visitors use them for prayer. I made this in After Effects by collaging drawings, images, typography, and green-screened footage. I created everything including the screenplay, props, filming, performing, editing, and the soundtrack.