‘DJ Ahmet’ is Filled with Humor and Depth
Arif Jakup and Agush Agushev in DJ Ahmet
Fifteen-year-old Ahmet (Arif Jakup) has to navigate life in a small North Macedonian village, experiencing the tension between modernity and their traditions.
We watched this movie at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) and absolutely loved it! What impressed me most about this film is its ability to balance humor and depth. It doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts of life or the challenges that Ahmet and his brother have endured, but it also makes plenty of space for levity. This is one of those rare films that will make you laugh and cry and laugh again, exploring universal themes that transcend culture and language.
This film is also technically impressive, with the sound design and visuals giving us so much insight into who Ahmet is and how he processes the world around him. Throughout the film, we’ll have a moment where we are immersed in the music and the exciting visuals of the moment. Then, suddenly, we are taken out of that highly immersive and stylized moment and back to reality. Each time this makes for a laugh, but it also shows us a glimpse into the inner life of Ahmet. For a few seconds, we can see the world as he sees it, with imagination that is easy to lose as adults.
Naum Doksevski’s cinematography beautifully shows the wonder and the challenges of living in such a remote location. There are many soaring overhead shots of the town and Ahmet’s family farm, helping to position us in this world. I also love how the camera is used in introducing us to Aya (Dora Akan Zlatanova), Ahmet’s love interest.
When we first see her, we only glimpse parts of her. We see the back of her head, then the side of her face. We catch parts of her features, but never see her face straight to the camera until later in the film. This reminded me of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, which employs a similar technique to create intrigue and highlight the beauty of this mysterious person. By waiting longer to show her face, we also experience some of that curiosity that Ahmet is feeling upon first meeting Aya.
Cast of DJ Ahmet
DJ Ahmet is a coming-of-age film, but it’s also about so much more. It works as a comedy and a family drama, while exploring so many relevant themes, whether you’re living in North Macedonia, the US, or somewhere else. The film highlights the role of grief in our lives and how we process through trauma differently. We also experience art and dance as a form of resistance and how collective effort is necessary to effect change. The film also explores how we integrate technology into our lives and the difficulties of adapting to new ways of relating and connecting with one another.
What’s amazing is that this film does this in a 1 hour and 39 minute run time. It’s so packed full of humor, well-paced emotional beats, and important themes that I can’t wait to watch this one again.
If you have a chance to see DJ Ahmet, I highly recommend it.