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“Vavien” is the third feature-length film by Yağmur Taylan and Durul Taylan, known as the Taylan Brothers. The screenplay is by Engin Günaydın, who also stars in the film. The term “Vavien,” by its literal meaning, refers to an electrical circuit that allows a lamp or a group of lamps to be turned on and off with the help of two different switches. Therefore, from the perspective of the film, it has both a technical and symbolic meaning.

The film focuses on the life of an unhappy family in a small town. Celal (Engin Günaydın) and Sevilay (Binnur Kaya) have an unhappy marriage and a son, Mesut (Nedim Suri). While Celal struggles with deep dissatisfaction with his current life and marriage, Sevilay appears to be striving to win her husband’s love and attention. As Celal’s attention constantly shifts outward, to other women and other aspects of life, Sevilay takes on the role of a loyal and supportive spouse, working to keep the home and family together. The lack of communication and disagreement between the couple is evident. Each member of the family has their unique secrets and hidden lives. The secret compartments of their home are the spatial reflection of these hidden lives.

The film opens and closes with credits that highlight the cyclical “on-off” mechanism, which is the main theme of the story, presented to the audience. This situation forms the basis symbolized by the continuous opening and closing of an automatic car door.

Celal’s unhappiness stems from his indifference to his wife and the life he leads. He seeks peace by looking at a photograph representing nature and sees domestic life as a form of torture. This emotional state is symbolized by the sound of dripping water in the bathroom.

Throughout the film, Sevilay, who has a contrasting personality to her husband, consistently defends Celal against her own father and, conversely, protects their son Mesut against Celal. What one destroys, Sevilay gathers; what one mistreats, Sevilay supports. Even when Celal threatens with divorce, saying, “I will divorce you,” she steps back and stops questioning.

Celal’s shift of attention to another woman and his distancing from home represent the theme of “leaving,” while his return to his wife and beginning to accept his current life represent “coming back.” This cyclical movement is physically and metaphorically associated with the Vavien concept throughout the film. Throughout the movie, Celal struggles to understand how a Vavien connection works and is made, reflecting the reality that the couple cannot complement or satisfy each other. However, the scene where Sevilay indicates she does not want the money marks a turning point in their relationship. From this moment, with the help of his brother Cemal (Settar Tanrıöğen), Celal begins to resolve both his inner conflicts and the family dynamics. Learning how the Vavien is connected can be seen not only as acquiring a technical skill but also as gaining the ability to achieve harmony and balance in relationships. This learning process symbolizes the improvement of Celal’s relationship with Sevilay.

Engin Günaydın and Binnur Kaya perform so well that they showcase their dramatic acting skills are just as strong as their comedic ones.

The film has gained the status of a cult film with its inclusion of black humor and dramatic elements. The cinematography and color craftsmanship also provide a rich viewing pleasure to the audience.

Engin Günaydın and Binnur Kaya perform so well that they showcase their dramatic acting skills are just as strong as their comedic ones. Settar Tanrıöğen also deserves praise for his performance, especially in the scene where he plays a saz solo in sync with Neşet Ertaş, conveying loneliness very effectively. Actors like Serra Yılmaz, Ercan Kesal and İlker Aksum also accompany them in their performances.

The admiration that directors Yağmur and Durul Taylan have for the cinema created by the Coen Brothers is clearly visible in “Vavien.” The film is dominated by an atmosphere that includes the Coen Brothers’ characteristic sense of black humor.

The admiration that directors Yağmur and Durul Taylan have for the cinema created by the Coen Brothers is clearly visible in “Vavien.” The film is dominated by an atmosphere that includes the Coen Brothers’ characteristic sense of black humor. This is evident within a narrative structure enriched with unexpected twists and the absurd situations in which the characters find themselves.

“Vavien” is a film that takes a realistic perspective on town life and its people without romanticizing them. The characters and events it contains encourage a deep inquiry into family dynamics.

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