Martha Vonk Goes Istanbul

Everyone who has has been to Istanbul knows the carpet traders who tempt tourists inside with apple tea. One of them, Ahmet, reveals his sales techniques. A few little lies are all part of it. At the start of the film, Ahmet goes down on his knees: "I apologise to the people of the Netherlands that I lied a little for my carpet shop." Ahmet seems to ensnare mostly Dutch tourists by telling them that he has a Dutch wife, Martha Vonk, but when the unsuspecting tourists enter his shop, she has always just nipped out. Does Martha Vonk really exist? In the meantime, we get to know this charming, but anguished carpet seller, who struggles to survive among the fierce competition. His sales tricks are impressive: he has learned lots of street names by heart so that he can tell visitors from Groningen that his family runs a small restaurant near the Grote Markt. He asks them to say hello for him, and then to visit his shop, where he can write down the address. Once inside, he uses all his imagination to sell a carpet. Often, he succeeds, leading to some tragicomic scenes. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)