My grandfather (Aziz Ozen) was a locally known artist in his youth in Izmir, Turkey.
This song was composed by him, with lyrics written by my grandmother (Stanislava Ozen).

Their words and music inspired me to create this video — a small tribute to both of them.
It was filmed in the home they’ve lived in for over 40 years, intercut with footage from my parents’ wedding video — moments leaping across time.

An excerpt from the lyrics:

One night, we met in secret,
Your silk-like hair
Was being caressed by the moonlight.
Our hearts were full of joy,
We were waiting for dawn,
Hoping to feel the happiness of a new day.

As the leaves of love
Cried with us,
Did storms come
To sweep away our love?
Did rain fall
On the fire of our love?

Was sorrow all that remained
From our love?

With hope and patience,
Shaped in the moonlight,
The monument of our love —
Is it melting now?

Lifeless, joyless,
In the middle of the night…
Night: love.
Morning: hope.
Are all we have left
Half-formed memories?