Elsewhere
Ekim 2026 - Ekim 2027
MUĞLA
Elsewhere is a documentary that offers, for the first time, an insider's perspective on one of Türkiye's most debated subjects: the Sabbatean legacy. Challenging the conspiracy theories and culture of secrecy surrounding the community, the film introduces a new perspective on its history, identity and heritage.
As the Sabbatean community to which she belongs undergoes fragmentation, the director embarks on a deeply personal and historical journey. Tracing the legacy of the messianic movement initiated by Sabbatai Zevi and his followers in 1666, she travels across a wide geographical landscape, including İzmir, İstanbul, Thessaloniki, Spain, Amsterdam and Jerusalem. In each location, she uncovers new clues about her ancestors and the community's past.
For the film, the historical facts are as significant as the spiritual insights and underlying beliefs that shaped the movement. Through family stories gradually revealed with the help of Super 8 footage, photographs and slides, Melis Birder explores the transformative role of women across generations. Advocating an understanding of the fluidity between Jewish and Muslim identities, she approaches the subject through the lens of freedom of belief and religious plurality.
By revisiting a heritage woven with secrecy and contested narratives, Elsewhere seeks to challenge established perceptions and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the past and its place in collective memory.
Melis Birder
Melis Birder is an independent documentary filmmaker and producer. She holds an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research.
Her filmography includes The Tenth Planet: Alone in Baghdad (2004), which received the Jury Special Award at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in 2005, and Visitors, a Sundance-supported documentary that received the Jury Special Award at the New York Urbanworld Film Festival and the Best Documentary Award at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.
Co-directed with Berke Baş, Ties, also supported by the Sundance Institute, received awards at the Sarajevo Film Festival and !f Istanbul International Independent Film Festival. In 2016, it was named Best Documentary of the Year by the Turkish Film Critics Association (SİYAD).
Alongside her filmmaking practice, Birder directs the BodrumLokal YouTube channel, which produces short documentaries exploring regional culture and maritime heritage.
Connections:
www.instagram.com/melisbirder www.instagram.com/elsewhere_doc