2009

TURKISH FILM FESTIVAL

 

THE RATINGS

So far, A & O film critic Sylvain Richard has had time to see the following films. Here are his ratings, always out of 4, reserving 2.5 or more for a noteworthy film, 3.5 for an exceptional film, 4 for a classic.

________________________

Among Sylvain Richard's best ever films = (Historias Minimas; Smoking Room; Carandiru; Crimen Ferpecto; Un Dias Sin Mexicano; My Best Enemy; The Chair; Pan's Labyrinth; Silent Light; It Smells) .

3.1 -- CARS OF THE REVOLUTION ( DEVARIM ARABALARI), Tolga Ornek
Historically accurate account of the developement and building of the Devarim -- the first car to be manufactured in Turkey (the year is 1961). Well crafted scenario, exquisite score, good performances throughout. A compelling rendering of the productive synthesis of unity and determination.

1.9 -- MOMMY I`M SCARED (KORKUYORUM ANNE), Reha Erdem
Day to day look at Turkish society that does not quite engage despite low key humour. Rambling and unfocused.

2.7 -- ICE CREAM, I SCREAM (DONDURMAN GAYMAK), Yuksel Aksu
Social, political and economic comedy about a local ice cream vendor struggling to succeed against a huge competitor. Delightfully engaging characters. Amusing plot lines.

2.6 -- CLOUDS OF MAY (MAYIS SIKINTISI), Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Human drama about a film maker who returns to his village to shoot a film, which upsets the apparent happiness of his parents and relatives. Slow to engage but does seep in. Beautiful landscapes shots of Turkish countryside.

3.2 -- TAKVA - A MAN'S FEAR OF GOD, Ozer Kiziltan
Social drama exposing the potentially destructive power of religiously induced guilt. Although set in an Islamic context, this film has a universal application. A stricly devout and humble man is given a position of responsibility by a rich and powerfull religious group. This puts him in conflict with his concepts about his responsibilties towards God. Convincing performance from the lead.

2.6 -- DISTANT (UZAK), Nuri Bilge Ceylan
A photographer in Istanbul opens his home to his younger cousin from the country. Continuing with the themes taken up in the director's previous film, "Clouds of May," Ceylan's latest allows him to productively contrast city versus country life, which evolves into meditation on life. To great effect, he uses the same two actors, Muzaffer Ozdemir and Mehmit Emin Toprak.

2.8 -- THE INTERNATIONAL (BEYNELMILEL), Mulharrem Gulmez
Set in Southeast Turkey in the early 1980s during marshal law, this bittersweet, politically charged comedy centers on a group of musicians trying to make ends meet. The commander decides to draft them into serving their country. Humour is light-hearted but not immune to the uncertainty of the times. Ample use of Turkish folk music.