Last summer, filmmaker Therese Shechter headed to Turkey for a much-needed vacation. She also planned to interview young Turkish women for a documentary on feminism. Instead, she became fascinated with the men. And they were fascinated with her.

HOW I LEARNED TO SPEAK TURKISH chronicles one woman's obsession with Turkish men. Her attempts to understand their language, culture and psyche leads to a revealing exploration of cultural cliches, the 'exotic other' and the aphrodisiacal properties of a potential US visa.

This film was developed and produced through the Artist Mentor Program of Film/Video Arts in New York.

RECENT SCREENINGS

The Broad Humor Film Festival
Los Angeles CA

"Her Voice, Her View" Film Festival
 Shown with the Trixie Films documentary
"I Was A Teenage Feminist"  
Pioneer Theater, New York

Izmir Short Film Festival
Izmir, Turkey

FilmLichter
Detmold, Germany

ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL
(Winner Short Doc Jury Prize)
"What's Up Doc?" shorts program
Fulton County Central Library, Atlanta GA

Contemporary Screening Series: FIVE SHORTS
Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse NY

"COMMUNICATION: It's Not Always Easy"
Two Boots Pioneer Theater
155 East 3rd St (right off Avenue A) NY

Clip - Watch the trailer (Real Video/3.3MB) Download Real Player for free

Clip - Dancing at Cafe Vazgal (Quicktime/544K)

Clip - Hakan (Quicktime/144K)