A Strange Colour of Dream

The retired architect Ertil lives in an apartment complex in the center of Istanbul. He still mourns the death of his beloved wife, but spends his days productively completing imaginary assignments, designing buildings in a digital drawing program. His digital 3D models of his dream mosque, music theatre and resort are developed in detail, thanks to Ertil’s precise nature, which at university earned him the nickname “master of complications”.

His granddaughter Yasemin Akinci, the filmmaker, followed this engagingly passionate octogenarian over ten years, at his home or on the streets of the city, where criticizes the ugliness of dubiously realized building projects. They also visits his own projects—those that still exist. Family photos of his work and life reflect the turbulent developments of modern Turkey.

As new buildings arise around him, the gap between Ertil’s dream world and the reality of the city deepens. Then one day he is informed that his own apartment building is going to be demolished, because it would not be able to withstand an earthquake.