For those of you who enjoyed 'Homeland', finally another good show in similar vein: The - already- controversial new Netflix series, which is going to be talked about a lot, as it touches such subjects as religion, politics, war, refugees, humanity, the end of the world and the coming of the Judgement Day.
The central theme is the appearance of a mystery man in the war torn Middle East who could be the Messiah, a prophet, the Antichrist, a conspirator or simply a con artist who plays on people's needs and dreams.
No matter what the answer to this will turn to be, the description of our society, with all its plagues, with all the pain endured by human beings, is painfully realistic and accurate
To me, having seen 5 of the 10 episodes, it seems that the series manage to keep the fragile balance of equal distance that it is needed when dealing with those flammable issues and at the same time to be highly entertaining while giving food for thought.
Reviews
7 Reviews
The Perfect Circle
(1997)
A song to humanity
11 February 2014
This could have been a very depressive movie depicting the pointlessness, destruction and despair of war. In a war torn, besieged Sarajevo, society disintegrates, people's lives are shattered and normalcy becomes a dream.
Instead this film is an elegy to humanity that manages to beat the odds and survive through acts of love and compassion. Of course, there are many films like that, but in this one, the director manages, shorty after the end of the war, while the wounds are still fresh, to avoid to focus on any political or ethnical issues and is concentrating on the human factor and this is what makes this film so powerful. People, all sorts of people are trapped in the hell that is Sarajevo, friends and enemies alike.
The plight of the innocents to survive, each hour, each day and night, escaping random and senseless indiscriminate dying is heart rending, but there is hope expressed by the two children and contrasted strongly with the despair of the poet, that cannot find a solace in his art: "who cares about art now?", he wonders. Or "how can nightmares be worse than what we are living through now?".
Very good acting from the main characters, especially from the children, fine directing and haunting photography of a ruined Sarajevo. A must see!
Instead this film is an elegy to humanity that manages to beat the odds and survive through acts of love and compassion. Of course, there are many films like that, but in this one, the director manages, shorty after the end of the war, while the wounds are still fresh, to avoid to focus on any political or ethnical issues and is concentrating on the human factor and this is what makes this film so powerful. People, all sorts of people are trapped in the hell that is Sarajevo, friends and enemies alike.
The plight of the innocents to survive, each hour, each day and night, escaping random and senseless indiscriminate dying is heart rending, but there is hope expressed by the two children and contrasted strongly with the despair of the poet, that cannot find a solace in his art: "who cares about art now?", he wonders. Or "how can nightmares be worse than what we are living through now?".
Very good acting from the main characters, especially from the children, fine directing and haunting photography of a ruined Sarajevo. A must see!
Almanya: Welcome to Germany
(2011)
Excellent!
7 December 2013
Heart-warming movie, who manages the balance between comedy and drama very well. It's a tribute to the first immigrants from Turkey to Germany and the difficulties they faced to adapt and built a life in a foreign environment and culture and how those facts forged the character of the third generation, their grandchildren.
The story is too familiar, i guess, to all the people of the southern countries that left them in the 60'ties to seek employment in the industries of the rich North: Germany, Belgium or even farther to the United States and Australia. At that time, the immigrants were needed, invited and welcome. One is tempted to compare to the current situation in Europe,who cannot support or welcome the todays immigrants anymore.
This film could have been easily a "heavy" one, but it avoids that trap. There is no deep analysis of the difficulties and the problems they dealt with there. Instead it has a light-hand, tender touch, dealing with both joy and sorrow, mourning and adaptation. It is as the young boy says at the end of the movie: "Life is the ups and downs". Music and bright color photography contribute in emphasizing that.
Very good direction, screenplay and excellent acting from all concerned. The little boy who is the last link in the family chain, the one for whom the story is told and who will in his turn re-tell it to his own descendants, is played by a very charismatic child actor, that will steal your heart.
Another great film from the Turkish film industry.
The story is too familiar, i guess, to all the people of the southern countries that left them in the 60'ties to seek employment in the industries of the rich North: Germany, Belgium or even farther to the United States and Australia. At that time, the immigrants were needed, invited and welcome. One is tempted to compare to the current situation in Europe,who cannot support or welcome the todays immigrants anymore.
This film could have been easily a "heavy" one, but it avoids that trap. There is no deep analysis of the difficulties and the problems they dealt with there. Instead it has a light-hand, tender touch, dealing with both joy and sorrow, mourning and adaptation. It is as the young boy says at the end of the movie: "Life is the ups and downs". Music and bright color photography contribute in emphasizing that.
Very good direction, screenplay and excellent acting from all concerned. The little boy who is the last link in the family chain, the one for whom the story is told and who will in his turn re-tell it to his own descendants, is played by a very charismatic child actor, that will steal your heart.
Another great film from the Turkish film industry.
Populaire
(2012)
Worth to watch!
24 June 2013
OK, it isn't a masterpiece, but it's a very decent and pleasant movie to watch. The film captures perfectly the 60's romantic comedies spirit in everything: from the credits in the beginning, script, music, costumes and settings to direction and, of course, a happy ending.
It could have easily Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the leading roles. Halfway in the film, my partner who had no idea what the film was about, asked me if actually the movie was done in the sixties.
If you are tired from the many angst-creating movies of today, this is a very good pick to relax and just enjoy.For people of my generation it will revoke many pleasant memories of innocence.
It could have easily Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the leading roles. Halfway in the film, my partner who had no idea what the film was about, asked me if actually the movie was done in the sixties.
If you are tired from the many angst-creating movies of today, this is a very good pick to relax and just enjoy.For people of my generation it will revoke many pleasant memories of innocence.
In the Nick of Time
(2005–2007)
Excellent!
3 April 2013
Recently, i watched for the second time the whole of his series. I found myself equally fascinated by it as i was the first time, despite knowing the plot. This is by far the best series ever in the long suffering Greek television history. The series were hugely successful in Greece and i think that there were two reasons for that: first, a brilliant script that managed to match in equal balance carefully adapted measures of mystery, thriller, comedy and drama and secondly, exceptional performances from all concerned. The characters were lovable, sympathetic, but not perfect and perhaps that was the secret of success, that they were realistically human. The scriptwriter, George Kapoutzidis managed even to touch the bigger questions about Good and Evil, Life and Death, Friendship and Love, without ever losing the series lighter touch. Its a pity that the series were constricted only to Greek speaking audiences, undoubtedly they would have been equally appreciated in other countries. I give them whole-heartedly a 10 out of 10!
What If...
(2012)
Finally!
13 March 2013
Finally, a decent mainstream Greek movie and by that i mean a movie that hasn't artistic pretensions, i.e. isn't difficult to watch, her message is understandable and deals with everyday matters that concern everybody. I confess that i wasn't excited about Papakaliatis previous work in television, but this was a fine surprise!
I also loved the reference to the golden age of the Greek cinema by the clever association with a well known and beloved,old Greek movie, that will unfortunately be lost to foreign audiences.
As mentioned by others here, the movie owes an artistic debt to "Sliding Doors" the 1998 movie by Peter Howitt, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, as it deals also with the effect that individual choices have on our future reality, no matter how insignificant they seem at the time we are making them.
I also loved the reference to the golden age of the Greek cinema by the clever association with a well known and beloved,old Greek movie, that will unfortunately be lost to foreign audiences.
As mentioned by others here, the movie owes an artistic debt to "Sliding Doors" the 1998 movie by Peter Howitt, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, as it deals also with the effect that individual choices have on our future reality, no matter how insignificant they seem at the time we are making them.
My Father and My Son
(2005)
A Must See!
9 December 2012
Having seen a lot of Turkish films, I do agree with someone writing in this site that this is perhaps the best Turkish movie ever and one that can hold proudly its place amongst the best worldwide. Everything is perfect, direction, photography, acting, you cannot help but feel for its characters and identify with them, especially if you share the same location in the map, similarities in history and personality traits.
I loved the child actor, he can make you smile and cry, but also the whole movie is about feelings, pain, sadness, anger, love, forgiveness and most important the joy of life.
Another strong point is the music, made by the Greek composer Euanthia Reboutsika. Gave the movie wholeheartedly a 10 rating! I wish there were more of its kind.
I loved the child actor, he can make you smile and cry, but also the whole movie is about feelings, pain, sadness, anger, love, forgiveness and most important the joy of life.
Another strong point is the music, made by the Greek composer Euanthia Reboutsika. Gave the movie wholeheartedly a 10 rating! I wish there were more of its kind.
Tell Your Friends