filozof Reviews

Black and White (2010)

What the doctor orders: where is your crown King Nothing?

[26 April 2010]

The first feature film of director Ahmet Boyacioglu, and it is like a glass of cold beer! Congragulations! Such a realistic depiction of characters who are regular-goers of the bar Siyah Beyaz in Ankara. Ahmet delves into the depths of modern souls: five lonely persons who befriended each other in Siyah Beyaz bar. Each has their own taste of sweet nothing! So they have different choices of drinks. Maybe what you drink is important. The director would prefer beer, I know that :) Siyah Beyaz is cool! Ahmet is not in a hurry to deliver messages, he directs the film like someone drinking his beer in a corner of the bar observing the place. The camera-work is nice and natural. The director opens an agnostic hole in the wall! :) Everything works well, visuals and sound, but I think there are problems in acting. But as it is said this much fault could happen to a judge's daughter! I recommend the film. 7 out of 10.

Honey (2010)

I sell butter, I sell honey, my master died, so I do it!

[5 April 2010]

Bal (Honey) is the last film of Semih Kaplanoglu's Yusuf Trilogy. When I first read the script I was convinced that this one shall be the most powerful of the trilogy, and the result seems to confirm me. It is an exquisite film in all senses: the story, acting, visuals, and sound. The kid is superb. Well, it deserves a Golden Bear in Berlinale. I organized a special screening of the film for some European film professionals in Istanbul. Everybody was quite impressed by the masterful naivite and simplicity. The film skilfully manages to portray the kid's world and perspective. There are strong symbolic references waiting the viewers to decipher. The best thing to do is to watch the film. I'm sure you'll not regret it. Just some questions: lets all of us just think why the bees are dying. What kind of a relation do we have with the nature that we cause the bees to die? What is missing? Honey: a sweet thing which is a natural product of the bees. If the bees all die, where shall we find the honey? BAL poses a calm question to our modern civilization, to our modern selves.

Ata (2008)

Simply beautiful!

[5 April 2010]

Ata is the 26 min short film of co-directors Cagla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti. I met this young couple in 2009 during the Istanbul Film Festival. I'm looking forward to their first feature-film. Ata tells the story of Turkish girl Ceyda and Uygur Turk Ahatjan and their friendship. Ceyda goes to France to meet her boyfriend. Her boyfriend has to travel and leaves her alone in his flat. The next building is being refurbished and an illegal immigrant Uygur Turk Ahatjan is working there. He left his family behind escaping political problems back in China. The two isolated souls find in each other a father-daughter relationship. The story itself is touching and the beautiful visuals make it even better. Watching the short I thought it could well be a wonderful feature-length. I hope the duo could shoot their first-feature film soon.

Çarpisma (2005)

Umut gives hopes!

[3 April 2010]

Carpisma (Crash) is the 17 min long short-film of Umut Aral. Watching the film though I mostly felt that the short is rather a promo-trailer of a feature-length. It is still a nice film and beautifully shot. Umut is a promising director, and I'm sure he'll soon shoot his first feature-film (and to my knowledge he prepares for one nowadays). Carpisma has a clever plot where the story brings three crooks together by a twist of fate. Musta is hired by a local godfather to kill Cem. He waits Cem in front of Central Station, while Ali is being chased by police and he bumps into two of them. They become a trio and start working together. But nothing is as it seems. Ali thinking of himself as a crime master-mind doesn't have even the slightest idea what kind of men he is dealing with. And the past and hidden agendas is not that easy to leave behind. Fate or plot? What brings the characters together? Or is fate something plot-like? Umut gives hopes that he will do good things!

Pandora'nin Kutusu (2008)

Das Nicht selbst nichtet!

[1 April 2010]

Don't ask me what Heidegger has to do with a European co-production by Turkish director Yesim Ustaoglu, winner of Golden Seashell at San Sebastian with Pandora's Box. The film depicts the story of aging and Alzheimer diseased Nusret (Tsilla Chelton who acts superb) a cute and sweet curse. One day she is lost in the mountain where she lives alone. They say there is no country for old men:) in modern society! Nusret's disappearance puts her children Nesrin, Guzin and Mehmet (all lost in their city-life, who is lost then? Mother or her children?) on a journey to their native country. En route, the pandora's box of the family is opened, and their life shall not be the same again. They find the mother and take her with them to Istanbul. But Nusret suffering Alzheimer gives them every sort of difficulty. Believe me it is difficult, I can tell this as someone who has similar experiences in his family. This side of human experience is strange! And you know what: an ancient philosopher Philo says ''Why should we not call madness death, seeing that by it mind dies, the noblest part of us?". Shame on him, I say, if he meant what he said! In Istanbul, Nusret longs for the mountains back in her home, she is like a nightingale in a golden cage, as it is said. She is not the only one feeling like this in the circuits of nihilistic life. There grows an understanding and communication between her and her grandson Murat, a most unlikely friendship in a way. Nusret with her hurricane like nature, with her Alzheimer and with her longing for the mountains plays the final act of her personal existential drama to teach a lesson to sons, and daughters, and grandsons, and to all of us! Nothing nots.. Listen to a certain song of Turkish rock-band DUMAN before you watch the film! Read Heidegger or Derrida of hedgehogs.. You gonna love this film, if you get what I mean! 8 out of 10. Highly recommended...

Gitmek: Benim Marlon ve Brandom (2008)

The farthest end you can travel is yourself!

[1 April 2010]

"Gitmek": first-feature film of Huseyin Karabey. He is one of the powerful story-tellers of new Turkish cinema. Huseyin tells us a story about Turkish actress Ayca and Iraqi local artist Hama Ali who met each other first in a movie-set. Hama Ali sends her video-taped love letters to Istanbul. They are torn apart by the war in Iraq. The affection grows and Ayca decides to GO to Iraq. She decides to do something about her personal suffering and the suffering in Iraq. She decides to break the chains of indifference. There is war in Iraq, the second Gulf War. When she leaves Istanbul, she immediately faces completely different and painful realities. Going to Iraq is not that easy! Going to Iraq for love and with love is not that easy! You can go to Iraq to bomb but you cannot go to Iraq for love! Paradoxical or tragi-comic? Huseyin tells a delicate story and invites us to think about the reasons that make us move. If 'Gitmek' is telling something, it is this: not only going to Iraq, but to find in yourself the reasons to go there is the most difficult and important thing! If you are moved by this movie, think about this point! So I highly recommend the film.

Sonbahar (2008)

Falling like Autumn leaves...

[30 March 2010]

A poet says 'To one thing on the earth my heart burns for / those who passed away in the spring of their life'. And it is Autumn: Sonbahar which in Turkish means the last spring. Ozcan Alper's debut is about the evils the seasons do against the political prisoner Yusuf who was released for health reasons. Because of his socialist convictions he spent the spring-time of his life in prison. He comes back to his hometown. His mother takes care of him. He meets a Georgian girl and they fell in love. She suffers from the post-socialist conditions in her native country and is left with no other option than prostitute. Two victims of the same ideology, two lonely and tortured souls find a sheltering love in each other. But Yusuf's days are countable! Shot in beautiful locations in the Black Sea region which is also my hometown, the visuals of AUTUMN are simply magic and breath-taking. The Black Sea is the heart and inner world of Yusuf. Black Sea is an angry and rough, undulated sea. It is a rebellious sea as you'll see in one of the most beautiful scenes of the film where Yusuf walks over the sea on the small breakwater. The film has a sad end, the characters fall aside like Autumn leaves.. What else to say: the film is a beauty like a black pearl! It was also a box-office success in Turkey for an art-house film. Just see the film to discover more! 8 out of 10...

Mommo (2009)

Oo sweet childhood, where art thou?

[25 March 2010]

They say the first is from your heart, be it a book, or be it a film. This beautiful film Atalay Tasdiken's debut, will catch you directly from your heart, and it will leave you with a sweet and bitter taste paradoxically. Like time itself. The past was once, we were kids once. But no longer. The film depicts the holding/together of two siblings, one boy and one girl. The elder brother is taking care of his little sister. Their father married to another woman doesn't care about them. Their grandfather is desperate and helpless as he cannot take care of them properly. The boy's strong stance in the face of everything that hurts and comes over them is heroic. Too human, too minimal in a small corner of the world in Turkey, Konya in a village. But if you see the film it is going to open the doors of universal human condition before your eyes into your heart. It is pure poetry and the visuals are stunning and without exaggeration. Just see the film, and remember that once we were kids, that we had unconditional love for our brothers or sisters, that we are fragile! Mommo is one of those films with magic touch and sense of masterful simplicity! Listen to the music of simple and bare life. Sad but sweet! Enjoy it...

Karaoglan (2002)

A missed chance: perhaps a "Sinbad" or "Xena"-like series would come out!

[29 April 2003]

"Karaoglan" is a TV adaptation of Suat Yalaz's famous novel character of a Turkish hero. I was expecting a good TV show. Yesilcam had made "Karaoglan" films, but it was a first timer as a TV series with a new generation to act. Tugba Unsal was quite good as Bayir Gulu, and Ozlem Tekin acted well as the dark princess Zenka. But the same old story: 1. Turkish cinema sector has a serious problem with writing. The plot is not good. It is not moving: the story has not an inner tension unfolding with unexpected developments and still having a continuity. Time is not used effectively. 2. What else? We need professional assistance for action choreography. It is not working anymore with the old action masters of Yesilcam. The main character "Karaoglan" should have been trained for ex. for action scenes.

There might emerge a "Sinbad", or "Xena", or "Hercules" out of this story, and might have a chance for international market. Despite all these criticisms, I regard "Karaoglan" as a correct project, but I cannot say "Well done!" for it. A good idea is just an idea, you cannot make people watch an idea. What matters is the quality of the work - how you perform it on the screen. Put some more money, get professional assistance for action choreography, and only pay for the talent (being handsome is not enough to get the main role).

Inch'Allah dimanche (2001)

Flow of memories..

[9 October 2002]

It had been a while since I saw a good film. Watching "Inch'Allah dimanche" has ben refreshing. I am writing this comment while I listen to the closing music the fourth time, left with a taste of cinema and a feeling of sweet sadness. Man looks for a peaceful dwelling on the earth. Homesickness is a characteristic of human existence. We belong to where we feel at home.

I must admit that there seems to be flaws in story and some problems with character development. However this originates from the nature of narrative style the director Yamina Benguigui prefers. You must have heard the literary writing style called "flow or stream of consciousness" to which James Joyce's "Ulysess" shown as an example. In the same manner, the film tells the story as a "flow of memories", most probably from a child's point of view. Reading an interview with Yamina Benguigui, I learn that the texture of the work is personal.

Childhood memories are sometimes clear and sometimes obscure. And a child's perception of the events is mainly based on images. So this explains the power and emotional impact of some scenes in the film: for ex. Zouida's breaking the window with bare hand. Or think of the old French couple's garden. They compete for the best garden award. On the other hand, the Algerian family's garden is caotic. And the garden is not their own yet, the children can not play there as they wish. Around the symbolism of garden, we get a from-inside look at the emigrant psychology in its naive form through a child's eye.

Anyway I don't want to go much into details. I recommend the film, hire it and make your own reading. It is worth to see. Acting is good, the music touchs. What else?! Congragulations to Yamina.

Men of War (1994)

A difficult combination managed successfully..

[22 May 2001]

I have seen most of Dolph's films. Especially I like "Showdown in Little Tokyo". However "Men of War" is Dolph's only film which makes a print in my mind. The plot has philosophy, heart and also you get sufficient amount of action, fighting, etc. It is difficult to put action and clever story together in a film. But the "Men of War" team seems to have managed this.

Nick Gunnar and his men first hired by businessmen to vacate a village of natives, then a change of heart happens and Nick decides to fight against the ones who hired him. When you learn why businessmen wants this village, you'll have mixed feelings. Yeah, I love this film.

Reptile 2001 (1999)

An OK monster movie..

[19 May 2001]

A Shaman legend comes true when Yonggary - a millions years old giant dinasour wakes up from its long sleep with the aid of some ailens. It is determined to destruct the earth. CG effects are quite succesful. Of course it is not a Jurassic Park or any other big-budget film and so don't expect much. However Yonggary is still entertaining. If you have time, take a look.

The Quest (1996)

A fine example of "film d'martial arts"..

[19 May 2001]

The Quest is certainly one of JCVD's best. It has a quite good epic story and style which generally you cannot see in a martial arts movie. Come on people, this is action and so evaluate it in its genre. Emancipate yourselves from "film d'art" complexes. Give its right, this is an exquisite "film d'martial arts"..

The Family Man (2000)

Nick Nico Nicolas...

[9 February 2001]

I saw the film at its Turkey premiere. The plot have many resemblances to ME MYSELF I (1999) starring wonderful Australian actress Rachel Griffiths as Pamela Drury. In the same style we can call the film as "Nick Nico Nicolas". Though the plot is a little bit over-explanatory, it is more realistic. It has really funny parts and dialogs with a good sense of humor. Yes it is a "feel good movie", but who can reject a second chance for some uncompleted things in past especially if it is with breathtaking Tea Leoni. I enjoyed it. So will you.

Her Sey Çok Güzel Olacak (1998)

Thanks God, a Turkish movie without complex!

[8/10 · 7 February 2001]

So simple, so good. This film is a milestone in Turkish cinema. You will not see the so-called "art film" syndromes or "avant-garde absurdities" in this film. But this doesnt mean that it lacks of depth. No way buddies, this is a pretty good film: entertaining, giving cinema pleasure, and having depth in plot. Cem Yilmaz acts wonderful. Mazhar Alanson of famous band MFO which I am a fan of, is quite good together with Selim Nasit who died shortly after this film. Good plot, good acting, good songs. You'll certainly enjoy it! I give 8 out of 10.

Pirates of the Plain (1999)

What a pity that this movie wasn't released theatrically!

[10 January 2001]

I am a program buyer for a TV channel and when I saw the film I never hesitated to acquire it. In our country the film made its premiere on our channel. Though the intro parts are held a bit longer, it has a genuine and entertaining story. Pirates from the past caught in a time-storm come to our time in search for a treasure and a young imaginative boy lives an exciting home alone time. Tim Curry is quite nice as pirate leader Jezebel Jack who will discover that there are treasures in life more valuable than gold.

The 13th Warrior (1999)

You'll find all-in-one!

[10 January 2001]

It is certainly one of my movies. Keep Banderas out, the cast is humble but makes a great job. I loved its style which gives a real cinema pleasure. But what I liked most in this movie is that the story is rich and beyond cliches. You find all in one: Vikings, battles, horses, fear, courage, action and adventure. For me it sounds very sympathetic to see a muslim hero ( Antonio Banderas as Ahmad Ibn Fadlan ) in a Hollywood film. Don't miss it!

Mousehunt (1997)

Laurel and Hardy vs. the mouse

[9 January 2001]

Smuntz brothers are Laurel and Hardy type buddies inheriting an old house from the father. They discover that the house is a real classic and worth millions. However the current houseowner, one little mouse will give them a hard time.

Smuntz brothers'war with the mouse is really great fun. Christopher Walken as the Exterminator Caesar with his weird mouse hunt equipment is wonderful.

Don't hesitate to see this film. Though it is rather for kids, it has still much to entertain all. Enjoy it.

Vizontele (2001)

Yilmaz Erdogan gives good impressions in his first directorship exam.

[8/10 · 8 January 2001]

Yilmaz Erdogan's first film which is about the introduction of TV to a village in Southeast Anatolia. People's first encounter with TV technology is told in a humorous way. Yeah, it is fun. The cast is basically of theatre origin - Yilmaz Erdogan's famous BKM players who are acting in the hilarious TV show "Bir Demet Tiyatro" for years. And of course the incredible Cem Yilmaz. Visual editing is nice.The dialogues are entertaining. I recommend it, you'll not be disappointed.

Güle Güle (2000)

Veterans unite forces for a heart-touching story.

[8 January 2001]

Zeki Okten makes a wonderful return to cinema after 11 years. Gule Gule has a heart-touching story. 5 buddies all of them over 60 unite in their homeplace island where they spent their childhood. Galip ( Metin Akpinar ) has an interesting love affair with a Cuban woman he saw her only once 35 years ago and then their only relation is letter-correspondence. Galip decides what he should have done more earlier: go to Cuba and see his life's love. But there is a small problem: money. The friends come together to help Galip and make a great plan: bank robbery. The cast is veterans of Turkish cinema, all of them act perfect in a heart-touching story. The film has been the third most watched film in the history of Turkish cinema. What to say, it deserves that.

Mrs. Salkım's Diamonds (1999)

Good period dramatization

[2 January 2001]

I'd seen the movie in its premiere. I must say it is a good period dramatization and camera work impressed me. For its public appeal the film owes much to famous star Hulya Avsar and Zafer Algoz who catched the fame with Okan Bayulgen's talk-show ZAGA.

However what makes "Salkim hanimin taneleri" interesting is rather the story which deals with one of the most problematic era of recent Turkish history when heavy taxes were imposed on people and non-Muslim citizens had to pay it at highest rate. Through the tragedy of one non-Muslim family, you also get an idea about minority psychology and their survival strategy.

On the other hand, through the greedy character Durmus and his dirty plans to possess non-Muslims' wealth the director blows a heavy criticism to official history and to new Turkish capital owners, and also examines the problem of peaceful living together of different ethnicities and religious backgrounds.

In many ways it is an interesting film worth to see, and I highly recommend

it especially for those who are interested in history and for those who love the song Sari Gelin.

Kahpe Bizans (1999)

Salad varie'

[25 December 2000]

Another bomb of laughter from the director Gani Mujde - a black comedy in the style of Hot Shots. Kahpe Bizans is full of ironic references to old Turkish films. The dialogues are clever and good examples of Turkish humour, but they will sound "Greek" to those who arent Turk. Why Turkish directors cannot overcome "locality"? Think of Asterix and Obelix versus Sezar: it is French, but still has something to say to all. Anyway if you have time to waste laughing continously, I recommend you Kahpe Bizans. 5/10.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Inside, we are free!

[9 August 2000]

Together with "Papillon", The Shawshank Redemption is the best prison movie ever. It is of the kind that makes a print in memory. There are many stories within one story without disturbing the unity: a perfect stream. The story unfolds in many ways. The stories of the lost souls of modern system..

Dufrane's innocence and neverfading hope, Red's friendship and wisdom, and other characters: all of them are equally important. Watch it several times, you'll find something interesting each time.

You'll think where is the prison: inside or outside? The modern system is such overwhelming, Dufrane cannot escape it even in jail. He has to pay the price of his innocence in such a world. But he decodes the system and prepares his individual salvation to go to the ocean which has no memory. Red is another story: he seems to sink into a total submission and a silent resignation till he sees the neverfading hope of Dufrane. The part where Dufrane plays an Italian song to all locking the door is perfect. And that big tree where Red goes to pick up the money and note Dufrane left: it is unforgettable.

The Matrix (1999)

"The Matrix" of Postmodern Messianism...

[9/10 · 8 August 2000]

Technically "The Matrix" is a happy marriage of Hollywood and Hong Kong movie techniques. The effects are wonderful and successfully makes a total impact of amazement: it conquers the audience taking into a compelling imaginative world. You really feel that your sense of reality is forced.

On the other hand, just in accordance with the polysemy of the word "Matrix", the script is open to multiple decoding. Personally I think that there is a great examination of religious ideas and mythology behind the script. I regard "The Matrix" as a postmodern expression of the new millennial messianism in a mixture of Hong Kong movie technique, Hollywood presentation, perfect cast and acting, and Jewish Kabbala...Hey these snobbish words dont mean a criticism. My vote for The Matrix: Simply one of the best sci-fi ever...

The Lover (1992)

Desiring The Other!

[4 August 2000]

L'Amant is a good literature adaptation. Shot in French Colonial Vietnam, a young French girl (Jane March) fall in love with a local man. They are hungry for each other's body,but it is not only a sexual desire. They hopelessly try to take shelter in the Body of The Other. But at the end it all turns into a Western fantasy in a remote exotic land. Leung has his traditional duties and March has her own existential limitations. And they cannot manage a break-through. The Other remains as an object of desire! Anyway. Jane March acts perfect, and she is just 18. It is worth to see in every respect.