Propaganda (1999)

Based on a true story set in 1948, customs officer Mehti is faced with the duty of formally setting up the border between Turkey and Syria, dividing his hometown. He is unaware of the pain ... See full summary »

Director:

Sinan Çetin

Writers:

Gulin Tokat, Sinan Çetin

Stars:

Metin Akpinar, Kemal Sunal, Meltem Cumbul

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Metin Akpinar	...	Rahim
Kemal Sunal	...	Mehdi
Meltem Cumbul	...	Filiz
Rafet El Roman	...	Adem
Ali Sunal	...	Mahmut
Meral Orhonsay	...	Sahane
Nazmiye Oral	...	Azamet
Müge Oruckaptan	...	Nazmiye (as Müge Oruçkaptan)
Berfi Dicle	...	Melek
Kenan Baydemir	...	Hamdi
Nail Kirmizigül	...	Kopuk Yasar
Turgay Aydin	...	Cemil
Cem Safran	...	Abuzer
Zaven Cigdemoglu	...	Deli Selami (as Zaven Çigdemoglu)
Baycan Baybur	...	Komutan (as Babür Baycan)

Storyline

Based on a true story set in 1948, customs officer Mehti is faced with the duty of formally setting up the border between Turkey and Syria, dividing his hometown. He is unaware of the pain that will eminently unfold, as families, languages, cultures and lovers are both ripped apart and clash head on in a village once united.

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Plot Keywords:

border | syria | family relationships | gun | doctor | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | History | Romance

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Details

Country:

Turkey

Language:

Turkish

Release Date:

5 March 1999 (Turkey)

Filming Locations:

Hislihisar, Hatay, Turkey

Company Credits

Production Co:

Plato Film Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Funny and Touching, Wonderful Movie!

In 1948, the borderline in Eastern Turkey is drawn right through a small village. Friends and lovers are separeted, blind bureaucrats are taking over and everyone - even the bureaucrats - has too deal with this new age they are not yet ready for, in their naive way.

I really loved this movie and in my humble opinion it is one of the best turkish pictures ever. It depicts the warmth and passion of the Turkish temperament, although it is a sarcastic comment on stubborn bureaucracy, not only in Turkey but everywhere! The cast is great with the beloved Kemal Sunal (died much too early like all good people) and the wonderful Metin Akpinar. They both are comedians who are usually playing funny, often touching parts with a moral-lesson, like to learn what the really important things in life are.

It is indeed a realistic picture, because in the 1940's people who thought they were neighbours were separeted this way. Everyone handles this situation in a very naive way; even the officers do not really know what a passport looks like, because everything is so new. As for the pregnant girl who is still accepted by her family although she is not married: I am sure even in those days there were people who were not so dumb and stubborn to put family honor above love for the family members. The father-character portrait by Akpinar is a simple but wise man, who is loyal to his beloved ones.

The last point: This is a modern movie about old Turkey, so you get a bit of both worlds. Please do not rely too much to the stereotypes of Turkish people you might have. 60-70% of the Turkish people are modern, western-oriented people, who are aware of their own culture, but also open to others. The fanatic-islamistic people are just one part, but stubborn and intolerant people we have everywhere, and they will always be there as you see in this movie. So end all prejudices for a better tomorrow! Maybe this is a little too much, but: Peace for all, no matter what religion!