DJ Ahmet
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“I like that you don’t know how to lie”
Overview
In a remote North Macedonian village, 15-year-old Yuruk boy Ahmet (Arif Jakup) lives with his grieving father (Aksel Mehmet) and little brother Naim (Agush Agushev), who has not spoken a word since their mother died. Forced out of school to shepherd the herd that is their livelihood while their father takes Naim to various healers, Ahmet works dutifully until his life is upended by a chance discovery of a rave in the forest, where he meets headstrong Aya (Dora Akan Zlatanova)- but this new world of thumping bass and freedom is jeopardised by his father's controlling will and Aya's arranged marriage.
“DJ Ahmet is a revelation”
“Gentle realism, paired with luminous cinematography and a superb young cast”
“With a deep respect for community and history, Unkovski weaves a sense of time and place throughout”
Why See This Film
With his assured debut DJ Ahmet, Unkovski has shown remarkable skill in bringing the best out of young talent: as the taciturn lead, Arif Jakup achieves incredible interiority with just a smile and a wistful look, while Zlatanova brings a freshness to her potentially cliche role as a modern girl forced into tradition. Deftly balancing the humour and pathos of this village tale (in part thanks to cinematographer Naum Doksevski shimmering golden fields and dark forests), this is a charming crowd pleaser with heart.
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