The Third Page

In Istanbul Isa tries to earn a living as novice extra and stuntman. Things are not going his way. He has just been beaten up by a gangster who demands fifty dollars back from him and threatens more violence if the money isn’t produced within a day. Instead of money, Isa finds a gun. He decides that death is the only way out. Just as he is about to pull the trigger, his landlord turns up to demand his rent. Even more reason to end it all, but in a fit, he walks into the landlord’s flat. Before he realises what he is doing, he shoots him in the chest and faints beside the dying man. Next morning, Isa wakes up, amazed to find himself back in his own scruffy room. The police is investigating, but does not suspect him. Then the gangsters turn up demanding their money. The woman next door, Meryem, pays the money and saves him from a second beating. Isa is fascinated by this beautiful and idiosyncratic woman who has problems of her own. The Third Page is as controlled, exciting and oppressive as a thriller, but Demirkubuz’ is primarily interested in the influence of the economic and social situation on human behaviour. The driving force is the great psychological insight with which Demirkubuz sketches the looming demise of Isa. The result is a moving parable in no uncertain terms.