Category Archives: Turkish
The Edge of Heaven (2007)
“I’m a lady of easy virtue.” Lives intersect and create permanent changes in the wonderful film The Edge of Heaven (Auf Der Anderen Seite) from writer/director Fatih Akin. Akin was born in Germany but is of Turkish descent, so his … Continue reading
Filed under German, Hanna Schygulla, Turkish
Monsieur Ibrahim (2003)
“They spin around their hearts.” A young, motherless Jewish boy, Moses “Momo” Schmitt lives with his dour, unpleasant father in a Parisian slum. Moses is left to his own devices for most of the time and as an ex-facto housekeeper, … Continue reading
In July (2000)
“The sky is blue wherever you go.” It’s summertime in Hamburg, and while it’s a time for most people to go away on holiday, Daniel (Moritz Bleibtreu), a serious young teacher, is stuck at home. A bohemian young woman named … Continue reading
Journey to the Sun (1999)
“I swear I’ll go back there one day.” Journey to the Sun from writer-director Yesim Ustaoglu is an unwavering examination of the treatment of the Kurds. The story is set in Istanbul and concerns Mehmet (Newroz Baz), a young man … Continue reading
Filed under Turkish
Harem Suare (1999)
“The Sultan likes happy endings.” Director Ferzan Ozpetek sets his film Harem Suare (Last Harem) in the twilight days of the Ottoman Empire. The story revolves around Safiye (Marie Gillian), a harem dweller who was sold to the Sultan at … Continue reading
Filed under Ferzan Ozpetek, Italian, Turkish
His Secret Life (2001)
“I don’t know who he was.” Antonia (Margherita Buy) and Massimo (Andrea Renzi), childhood sweethearts, have been married for 15 years, when he is suddenly killed. They appeared to have a happy, settled, and successful marriage, although there are warning … Continue reading
Filed under Ferzan Ozpetek, Italian, Turkish
Head-On (2004)
“Are you Turkish?” When a young Turkish woman, Sibel (Sibel Kekilli) sets her eyes on fellow Turk Cahit (Birol Unel), she knows he is the man for her, and she immediately proposes. Both Sibel and Cahit are in a German … Continue reading
Steam: The Turkish Bath (1997)
Falling in love with a country … In Steam: The Turkish Bath Francesco (Alessandro Gassman), an Italian interior decorator inherits property from an aunt who lived in Istanbul. He leaves wife, Marta (Francesca d’Aloja) and business partner, Paolo (Alberto Molinari) … Continue reading
Filed under Ferzan Ozpetek, Turkish
Distant (2002)
“It’s not so hard when you don’t have much to leave behind.” The Turkish film Distant begins with a solitary figure trudging through the snow of a barren landscape. Far off in the distance is a small village. This silent, … Continue reading
Filed under Turkish
