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Esra Saydam

Esra Saydam

Writing

Known For

Searching for Mr. Rugoff
7.0

The feature documentary Searching for Mr. Rugoff is the story of Donald Rugoff, who was the crazy genius behind Cinema 5, the mid-century theater chain and film distribution company. Rugoff was a difficult (some would say impossible) person but was also the man who kicked art films into the mainstream with outrageous marketing schemes and pure bluster. Rugoff's impact on cinema culture in the United States is inestimable, and his influence on the art film business-from the studio classics divisions to the independent film movement to the rise of the Weinsteins-is undeniable. Yet, mysteriously, Rugoff has become a virtually forgotten figure. The story is told through the eyes of former employee Ira Deutchman, who sets out to find the truth about the man who had such a major impact on his life, and to understand how such an important figure could have disappeared so completely.

Searching for Mr. Rugoff

2019
The Happy Sad
5.2

Two young couples in New York-one black and gay, one white and heterosexual-find their lives intertwined as they create new relationship norms, explore sexual identity, and redefine monogamy.

The Happy Sad

2013
Across the Sea
4.7

Damla reluctantly returns to her Turkish summer town with her American husband. Her bitter past is soon to be unveiled.

Across the Sea

2014
Her First
7.2

Two film school graduates intimidated by the gender stereotypes that pervade film industry decide to make a documentary to explore the issue. The two women spend two years shooting, make 5000 kilometers, talk to established women directors and record every moment of this journey of discovery and self-discovery. But the real journey is just about to begin.

Her First

2019
I Am John Wayne
N/A

An young urban cowboy copes with the death of his best friend.

I Am John Wayne

2012
Öte
N/A

Öte is a Turkish word that means beyond. Lela, a Black woman, backpacking across Turkey connects with locals more deeply than she expected and finds herself drawn to stay.

Öte

2023