Istanbul Beneath My Wings (İstanbul Kanatlarımın Altında)

Istanbul Beneath My Wings is a 1996 Turkish film written and directed by Mustafa Altıoklar and produced by Umut Sanat with support from Eurimages and the Ministry of Culture. Set in 17th-century Istanbul during the reign of Murad IV, it follows Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi and Lâgarî Hasan Çelebi, who believe humans can fly like birds, alongside figures such as Evliyâ Çelebi and Bekri Mustafa.

Franceska, the mute daughter of an Italian captain who becomes Hezârfen's beloved, aids their research using Leonardo da Vinci's drawings. Hezârfen carries out his famous flight from the Galata Tower on artificial wings while Lâgarî ascends by rocket, but the Şeyhülislam's incitement leads to both men being exiled. The cast includes Ege Aydan, Okan Bayülgen, Beatriz Rico, Haluk Bilginer, Savaş Ay, Zuhal Olcay and Burak Sergen; Tuluyhan Uğurlu's score was also released on cassette and CD.