Anyone who spends time in Istanbul notices the same thing. Before the history, before the Bosphorus, before the skyline, there are the cats. They move through the city with an ease that feels almost ancient, as if they have always been here and the rest of us are simply passing through. The documentary Kedi captures this presence with an honesty that resonates deeply with anyone who knows the city. Cats are not a curiosity in Istanbul. They are part of its emotional landscap

One of the most striking observations made by early European travelers in the Ottoman Empire was the remarkable level of compassion shown toward street animals. While many Europeans found the presence of stray cats and dogs unpleasant, people in Ottoman society viewed the care of these animals as a moral and religious responsibility. This care was rooted in faith and shaped daily life in a very visible way. “The animal on the street is God’s creature” The guiding belief was s