Why are there so many cats in Instanbul? A documentary seeks answers

There are cats-galore in Istanbul. Any visitor there will notice the millions of them wandering the streets.

Even President Obama stopped to pet cat Gli, one of dozens of cats living in Hagia Sophia when he was there visiting there in 2009, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Visitors to the city can also dine at one of several cat-theme cafes or stay a night at the Stray Cat Hostel. The WSJ has a long story exploring the historical and cultural reasons why the city so loves the cats.

A new documentary called Nine Lives.

Nine Lives – Cats in Istanbul is a documentary feature focusing on the millions of street cats that live in one of the world’s most populated cities and the people who love and care for them.

The documentary is a profile of an ancient city and its unique people, seen through the eyes of the most mysterious and beloved animal humans have ever known, the Cat.