The Blue Wave

Set in the Turkish provincial city of Balikesir, MAVI DALGA (The Blue Wave) tells of the agonies experienced by teenager Deniz (Ayris Alptekin) who is faced with the dilemma of what to do when she finishes high school. What subject(s) should she choose to specialize in; where should she go to university; and does she have to do what she wants, or what her parents and her culture expects her to do? Zeynep Dadak and Merve Kayan's drama shows just how difficult it is for people like Deniz to follow their desires, and how much pressure is often exerted on them by well-meaning parents and teachers who sadly do not understand how they feel. Deniz develops a crush on teacher Firat (Onur Saylak), who appears to understand her; but sadly her dreams are doomed to fail. Ultimately those most charged with the responsibility of helping her - teachers, parents - actually let her down. The film's title refers to a project designed to provide Balikesir with nonstop water and gas; unfortunately it turns out to be unsuccessful. The blue wave turns out to be more like a ripple or two. Likewise Deniz's life represents a series of broken dreams. In the end all she can do is to trust in the love of her friends, and the hope that she will be able to continue her relationship with fellow-student Kaya (Baris Hacihan). Sometimes the action of MAVI DALGA tends to flag a little, but it nonetheless remains a no-nonsense analysis of the realities experienced by the majority of teenagers and young adults in contemporary Turkey, with a quite remarkable central performance by Alptekin.