The Story of Karsu – 'Dutch Norah Jones' in Musical Globe

23.01.2013.

'Karsu' is an extraordinary documentary tale about a young jazz singer and songwriter from Amsterdam, who made her first steps in the music world by playing the piano in a family restaurant owned by her parents, Turkish immigrants.

From the last year's IDFA programme, ZagrebDox hosts Karsu (TRAILER), an intimate portrayal of a young Dutch jazz singer and songwriter, described as the Dutch Norah Jones. Twenty-two-year-old Karsu Dönmez made her first steps in the music world in a restaurant in Amsterdam owned by her parents, Turkish immigrants. For three years, director Mercedes Stalenhoef (Carmen Meets Borat, 2008) follows Karsu's journey through adolescence and the world of music.

She dreams of making a record, studies at the Music Academy and goes on holiday with her friends. Initially her parents, who grew up with traditional Turkish music, had to get accustomed to her music. But now they are proud of their beautiful daughter: they support and protect her and when she is invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York, the entire family accompanies her there. In the ensuing period, everything moves very quickly and requests for gigs and interviews puts a stress on the family. Karsu needs a manager, yet her parents fear a contract with unrealistic career demands…