Hamam (1997)

Director:

Ferzan Ozpetek

Writers:

Ferzan Ozpetek (story)
Ferzan Ozpetek (writer) ...

Release Date:

25 November 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

What he inherited was a sexual awakening...

Plot:

Francesco and Marta are husband and wife running a small design company in Rome. When Francesco's long forgotten Aunt Anita dies in Istanbul...

Plot Keywords:

Bath | Turkish Bath | Adultery | Unfaithfulness | Running A Company

Awards:

6 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Alessandro Gassman	...	Francesco
Francesca d'Aloja	...	Marta
Carlo Cecchi	...	Oscar
Halil Ergün	...	Osman
Serif Sezer	...	Perran
Mehmet Günsür	...	Mehmet
Basak Köklükaya	...	Fusun
Alberto Molinari	...	Paolo
Zozo Toledo	...	Zozo
Ludovica Modugno	...	Voice of Aunt Anita (voice)
Zerrin Arbas
Necdet Mahfi Ayral
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Murat Ilker
Alper Kul	...	Italian

Also Known As:

Hamam: The Turkish Bath (UK)
Hamam: el baño turco (Spain)
Il bagno turco (Italy)
Steam: The Turkish Bath (USA)
The Turkish Bath: Hamam
The Turkish Baths (USA)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

Italy | Turkey | Spain

Language:

Turkish | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Italy:T | Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 | Peru:14 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Istanbul, Turkey

Company:

Asbrell Productions

An ordinary extraordinary film this is

First off the bat, the homosexual suggestive advertising of this film is misleading: it was not the central theme nor occupy any more than a second's brief moment.

This film actually has a very poignant way of telling a story, which is set in Istanbul (this was what drew me to see this film as I remembered my visit to Turkey and fascinated by the city of Istanbul), and Istanbul is really the central backbone of this movie. Story unfolds in a very ordinary everyday way, and through out the film, yes, things just unfold and nothing is presented elaborately – no fuss no emphasis – they all come across in subtle nuances. One recurring activity is eating: breakfast, family dinner at home, dining at a restaurant -- the colorful food on the table, and the people at the table --- it's all happening in a casual simple everyday manner. Yes, it's like you're there with them -- the ‘regular' streets and neighborhood of Istanbul the city that tourists do not see. Meanwhile layers of emotions subtly unraveling and the central characters: Francesco and his wife, Marta, each of their own feelings go through stages of change…through each of their experiences of Istanbul and Francesco's aunt Anita's words… It all come together…and you will enjoy this film. An ordinary extraordinary film this is.