delasalsa Reviews

My Father and My Son (2005)

The Mediterrenean way of life..

[9/10 · 12 January 2008]

This is a very good movie without any doubt! During the recent years there have been made some movies that clarifying Turkey's 70s - 80s. As a person who has been experienced those years, the film became a very big sentimental burden for me. Those were the tough days for many. It is a very touchy story..

However, it is not that what makes this film good one.. You don't need to know all Turkish history to feel the movie.. You don't need to be Turkish either.. This is emotion.. This is life.. The Mediterrenean way of life.. I guess in a Mediterrenean perspective the movie would appeal to many. I myself watched a lot of Italian movies with similar scenario. The life from a 7-8 yo kid's eyes gather things in a three-generational dimension.... There are many scenes that are going to be remembered long.. The first encountering of the kid and grandfather is really touchy.. The blood is thicker than water.. This is what so called about a FAMILY..

By the way… for the international audience.. Deniz is name of Turkey's one of the most famous leftish youth leaders in 70:s with a great charismatic personality. So, that's why the name of the kid is not at all a coincidence..

Balalayka (2000)

The Turkish - Russian Connection

[9/10 · 12 January 2008]

This film was surprisingly good after seeing at least 5 Turkish movies during the last week! The movie is based on a very realistic story and all players act in a very professional way. This is something I was missing in other Turkish movies that I recently watched. All players seem to be chosen from ordinary types from Turks are Russians, though some of them are really professionals. The director Ozgentürk is well-known with some other good films in Turkey and he seems to manage to make a nice composition from both cultures. The movie is rather long, which is almost 2 h, but you will love to follow every detail. Well done and congrats to all cast!