Losers' Club (2011) User Reviews

Hello, beloved listeners of Kent.

[Reno-Rangan · 8/10 · 16 October 2013]

Based on the true story of the two Turkish radio jockeys (RJs) from the 90s, who are the talk of the late night. It was more like a Turkish version of 'The Boat that Rocked' but the thing was the radio station and programme were legal. I found the movie was a little slow in pace but deals with an interesting thematic plot.

The movie tells the story of Kaan and Mete, the radio show hosts. The two ordinary guys with a boring daily livelihood suddenly become colourful once theirs late night radio programme called 'Loser's Club' instantly becomes a hit. They become the celebrities as well as threats from the religious people. One of them finds his dream girl. Whatsoever they are not ready to change themselves to the current situation. They want left alone like everybody else, so what happens to their fame is the ending part of the movie.

Both the lead actors were executed simple performances but looked so powerful. The lead lady, called Zeynep, was also a good and looking cute. Most of the movie shot at the night time, I mean almost, so the light was used very wisely. The movie was simple as its look and complicated to get at first glance. One of a fine Turkish drama I have seen, quite resembles the quality and style of the German movie 'The Lives of Others'.

7.5/10

could be better

[bosizm · 7/10 · 1 April 2011]

Tolga Ornek is a very successful documentary producer. "Kaybedenler Kulubu" could be a better documentary than a movie. The pace of the movie is sometimes so slow that you lose your concentration. The dialog is sometimes hard to follow and not very interesting at some other times. In the end, I do not find the characters sincere and the radio program they are serving worthwhile to listen. The love in the movie does not get enough electricity but more than enough sex scenes which obviously aim to attract audience to the movie. At the end, I give an OK grade to the movie but easily understand if others love it. (it all depends if you like the characters and the radio show)

So-So Analysis of Meaningless Lives in Mid-90s İstanbul

[l_rawjalaurence · 6/10 · 6 March 2016]

KAYBEDENLER KÜLÜBÜ (THE LOSERS' CLUB) is director Tolga Örnek's contribution to the cycle of contemporary Turkish films criticizing contemporary life in the metropolis. Others include Çağan Irmak's ISSIZ ADAM (ALONE) (2008) and Zeki Debirkubuz's Dark Tales trilogy of YAZGI, İTİRAF and MASUMİYET.

Örnek's film concentrates on a pair of single men, Mete (Yiğit Özsener) and Kaan (Nejat İsler) whose day-jobs are far from fulfilling: Mete spends much of his time in bars, collecting vinyl LPs, or talking to his mother (Serra Yılmaz), while Kaan runs a publishing house issuing coffee-table books that seldom sell. The two men have a thrice- weekly radio show "The Losers' Club" on Kent FM, an independent radio station, where they talk mostly about sex and existentialism, with sex assuming most importance. From modest beginnings the show becomes a cult hit, reaching No. 1 in the charts with a devoted listenership of people from all walks of life - learners, single men, potential suicide victims, artists.

Yet despite their aural celebrity, Kaan and Mete lead empty lives, comprised mostly of casual pick-ups, drinking in bars, and pretending to work. Their radio show might be popular, but they do not seem to derive any pleasure from it - apart from a misogynist delight in persuading their female listeners to reveal their sexual secrets on air.

Örnek's cinematic style in this film is very different from his previous work. He makes extensive use of the split screen technique, interspersed with sequences comprised of fast cuts and the use of subtitles to highlight some of the characters' dialogue. Such techniques are redolent of American and British films from the so-called "Swinging Sixties," where such techniques illustrated the new-found freedoms - cinematic as well as sexual - enjoyed by young people at that time. In KAYBEDENLER KÜLÜBÜ these techniques emphasize the artificiality of the protagonists' lives; there is nothing beneath the surface of either of them.

This emptiness is also evident in their radio show: much of the existential chat is pure bunkum, incomprehensible to most of the listeners. The reason why the show becomes such a cult is because of its unpredictability: the two presenters are continually challenging the borders of acceptability, much to the station controller Aslı's (İdil Fırat's) chagrin.

While KAYBEDENLER KÜLÜBÜ is obviously concerned to make social criticisms, its plot in truth is quite slight: perhaps the film could have benefited from a shorter running-time. Örnek's characterization is also quite weak; we learn little about the protagonists' off-air existence, except for their fondness for alcohol and sex. Perhaps less time could have been spent on the use of ostentatious cinematic devices and more on developing the script in greater depth.

will make you remember its delicious taste...

[ipekakin · 9/10 · 28 March 2011]

One of the best Turkish movies done in the recent years... Very real dialogs, very sincere characters and most of all good performances of all actors. It can easily create a very intimate relationship with the audience and can catch you from the first moment. The characters and casting is very successful and the love story throughout the movie does not pile on the agony but will affect you truly and deeply. Especially the performances of supporting actress Serra Yılmaz(Mete's mother)and supporting actor Rıza Kocaoglu (Murat)are worth watching. The soundtrack of the movie is also very successful containing a large variety of different styles and reflecting a pleasant taste. In summary,it deserves its place as a cult movie in modern Turkish cinematography.

perfect...

[secilkarabiyik · 10/10 · 29 March 2011]

This is the best Turkish movie I've ever seen.. It's extraordinary and marginal. Namely, full of art.. If I had one word to explain this movie , it would be "perfect".. I was impressed deeply. Whole characters in the movie are so real.. It describes loneliness in an ingenious way.. Moreover ,this movie's humorous is really high.. I enjoyed so much..I was touched, laughed, self-questioned while watching this movie.. Additionaly,soundtracks had been chosen compatible. I would like to thank Tolga Ornek for presenting us such a special movie..I think everyone can find a lot of things closer to oneself in this film.. I recommend "Kaybedenler Kulübü" to all movie-lovers.

Standard

[jack_o_hasanov_imdb · 7/10 · 14 August 2021]

I loved this the first time I watched it. But as I went, I started to dislike the movie, I don't know why? I started to dislike it less and less, but the first time I watched it, I kept my rating a little higher because it was different.

I never heard this much truth in a movie before

[inancyuce · 10/10 · 8 April 2011]

As a youngster who grew up in Kadıköy, I heard many familiar words, I saw many familiar places while watching this awesome masterpiece.

The thing, that distinguished this movie from the trivial ones, was the way it connected all these familiar places and words to construct an overwhelming composition of thought and emotion rewriting the philosophy of love according to the contemporary male manifest.

I doubted that this movie would be that good before seeing it as I saw many negative comments about it as well as a few positive ones. After seeing it though I have no doubt that this was the best Turkish movie ever made, even better than "Issız Adam". It kept me thinking for hours and it brought me to tears sometimes.

If you think that you are lonely; this movie will show you another way of being lonely which is no better than being the usual loner anyhow. It will cause you to go swinging in opposite directions like a pendulum until you are completely lost and decide that there are many lessons to be taken but no absolute truth at all.

And finally you will find yourself wandering in the streets of Kadıköy, where the movie is shot, after so many years contemplating about your past while trying to create a better future and being in between, losing both. Welcome to the losers' club..

unexpectable, independent, good

[dsfeelgood · 10/10 · 3 January 2017]

Today was the third time I saw this movie. It is quite different from any European and US film, coz of it's main characters: Two men who just talking to each other without a drop of falsehood or hypocrisy. They are speaking the language of soul and you almost can hear it. They are sincere, they are kind, they are the truth-seekers, they are bacchanals... They are what they are and this simplicity fits perfect to romantic and philosophical atmosphere of the film seasoned with a pinch of humor.

If you want to have a rest from the things that surrounds you or find a cryptic answer inside your mind - this film is definitely for you. Please enjoy, and take care, friend.

standard

[hakok_ · 9/10 · 26 December 2023]

Kaan is a man who is chronically addicted to the euphoria that comes with the newness of people and situations. But this addiction of him causes him to be lost in a loop. This situation makes him an unpredictable and neglective man. In the relationship between Zeynep and Kaan, the beginning of it is full of passion and fun. However, in the long term, Zeynep, who has a goal to achieve, has conflicts with Kaan's perspective on life and expectations. Zeynep, contrary to Kaan, has high expectations of life and has problems with Kaan's belief that life is meaningless and empty. The oxymoron which is a factor that i love about this movie is that meaninglessness is a theme that processed with such quotes that sound meaningful and deep. Zeynep tends to change Kaan's point of view, but she fails. This effort of her is total nonsense, because the attractiveness and beauty of Kaan come from his perspective on life. She falls in love with him because of his attractiveness that comes with his rock n roll lifestyle and she tends to change the thing that has made her fall in love with him. Kaan is a man who is not going to change, and he doesn't want to. He enjoys the situation of being melancholic and lost on the streets of Kadikoy, the heart of rock n roll lifestyle in Istanbul.

That movie is something extraordinary...

[a-a-sahin · 9/10 · 26 April 2011]

I liked this movie. I think thats one of the best Turkish movies that I have ever met. Outstanding and outrageous movie... It has very calm and sincere characters and most of all good performances of all cast. Yigit Ozsener has the great performance of his career. The movie can also catch you from the first moment. Love story actually affects you very deeply. The supporting actor whom we know him from the series Ezel, Rıza Kocaoglu (Murat) is worth watching. The soundtrack of the movie is also great especially the last of scenes. As an abstract,it should have the first place in Turkish cinema history. Finally, please do not miss to watch because it is pure heroically marvelous movie..

nice shot

[omerefe94 · 8/10 · 27 March 2011]

nice film.the theme of this film comedy but this film is make thinking...

In film,there i 2 radio programmer,the difference of this programmers is they use a lot of rude words,and talking about sex.but also they talk about the life,the problems and the philosophy.

In they life he make all the time sex with the girls he don't know. But one day they are meet the girls who changed they life..

after he the film finished.but this the film every one must watch..if you are not live in turkey,you should get this film...

Nejat ısler et other person play so good.ı can't tell th end but end was so special.

Nejat Isler acting on another level

[cagataykugu · 8/10 · 3 November 2023]

The thing that makes this movie relatable to the viewer is the realistic acting of Nejat Isler. He fleshed out his character "Kaan" so well. As Kaan Caydamli told in a YouTube video about "Kaybedenler Kulubu", he mentioned that he met with Nejat before the movie shoot and talked him about his character. He directly realised that Nejat is him at the moment. I think this side of Nejat Isler's acting affects the movies that he acted so well. The other actors played their role well as you can guess. Pretty designed and analysed cast for this movie. It has been 12 years since it delivered, but still an impressive milestone in Isler's filmography.

A movie that leaves you pondering..

[sevincedikci · 8/10 · 28 December 2019]

Most Turkish movies evokes emotions and can be touching but you don't often come across a movie which makes you question. Certainly not to the extent of such deep topics of existence, life and our purpose here.

The two main characters lead an interesting lifestyle and don't take life seriously, at least not in the same sense of most of the society surrounding them. The movie focuses on living life according ones own terms and fulfilment not what society dictates. The characters actually host a radio station for free, because money is not a drive.

Loneliness is probably the key underlying theme, the main characters are lonely, and so are most of their listeners. People long for company and struggle to find people they can relate to, even if they live in a city with millions of other people. This in some ways explains the success of the radio show.

I think the movie explains this brilliantly and leaves viewers questioning their lives and what motivates them.

The character build up is so little that I think it leaves viewers desperate to know more but actually... does it even matter?

This movie is a must watch for the dialogue alone. Casting is just brilliant as Nejat Isler's voice can be listened to for hours even if he's talking BS.

i loved

[ziyat_aktepe · 9/10 · 29 May 2020]

One of most beautiful Turkish movie if you look for lines and catchwords quality may be the best one... you be come a one of Kent Fm listener so nice try good timing and beautiful ending as well.