You are here:

On the Count of Zero

Name: On the Count of Zero
Director: Gökhan Yorgancigil
Released: 2007

Representation Score

6.1/10

Good

2007

Director

Gökhan Yorgancigil

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

On the Count of Zero presents a localized Turkish perspective on psychological mysteries. It successfully centers a female protagonist's internal struggle and mental health journey, providing a degree of neurodivergent representation through amnesia. However, the film adheres to traditional power structures, placing a male figure in the role of scientific expert. The narrative lacks broader social commentary or explicit LGBTQ+ identities, maintaining conventional dramatic structures. Ultimately, while it avoids Western-centric clichés by using a Turkish setting, it remains a focused psychological study rather than a vehicle for broader social commentary.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does On the Count of Zero have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships. Relationships focus on female friendship and professional interactions.

How does On the Count of Zero portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on female empowerment through the characters of Aslı and Nevin. However, the male psychiatrist holds a traditional position of scientific authority.

How racially and ethnically diverse is On the Count of Zero?

Fair

As a Turkish production, the film offers a non-Western cultural setting. It focuses on a localized narrative without emphasizing diverse ethnic backgrounds.

How does On the Count of Zero represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative explores the tension between personal experience and scientific rationalism. It leans towards a psychological mystery rather than addressing social or anti-traditional critiques.

Does On the Count of Zero include disability representation?

Good

The plot centers on a character dealing with Dissociative Amnesia, offering a platform to explore mental health and neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

Centers female empowerment through the protagonist's cognitive and emotional struggles.
Provides meaningful representation of mental health and neurodivergence via Dissociative Amnesia.
Offers a non-Western cinematic perspective through its Turkish cultural setting.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight character arcs.
Relies on traditional gender hierarchies by positioning the male character as the scientific authority.
Does not engage with broader multi-ethnic or social themes.

Official Synopsis

Aslı is a senior at the Fine Arts Faculty, majoring in painting. She borrows an antique, original book from a professor she greatly admires. That day, she loses her bag, which contains the book. However, she cannot remember where or how she lost her bag. Her closest friend, Nevin, a senior at the Faculty of Medicine, takes Aslı, who is becoming increasingly depressed as she tries to remember how she lost the book, to a psychiatrist. Psychiatrist Dr. Melih is a scientist with strict scientific ideas. As soon as he sees Aslı, he makes his diagnosis: Dissociative Amnesia. And he wants to apply the treatment that best responds to this diagnosis. Hypnosis... Aslı initially hesitates but eventually agrees to undergo hypnosis.

How are these scores produced? →