Mrs. Salkim's Diamonds

I'd seen the movie in its premiere. I must say it is a good period dramatization and camera work impressed me. For its public appeal the film owes much to famous star Hulya Avsar and Zafer Algoz who catched the fame with Okan Bayulgen's talk-show ZAGA.

However what makes "Salkim hanimin taneleri" interesting is rather the story which deals with one of the most problematic era of recent Turkish history when heavy taxes were imposed on people and non-Muslim citizens had to pay it at highest rate. Through the tragedy of one non-Muslim family, you also get an idea about minority psychology and their survival strategy.

On the other hand, through the greedy character Durmus and his dirty plans to possess non-Muslims' wealth the director blows a heavy criticism to official history and to new Turkish capital owners, and also examines the problem of peaceful living together of different ethnicities and religious backgrounds.

In many ways it is an interesting film worth to see, and I highly recommend

it especially for those who are interested in history and for those who love the song Sari Gelin.

I think the movie is over the average of Turkish films. But the subject of the movie is exaggerated and distorted. The movie dishonour the Turkish ethics by showing Turks as raper or murderer or Turks can do everything for money. I think there is some other things apart from this movie. I think some people wanted corrupt people by distorting the truth.

A Great movie to see... A big tragedy of Non-Muslims to pay high rated taxes during the second world war in Istanbul. Its realistic and objective approach to Turkish history makes the movie privileged. Nicely drawn characters, big performances of actors. I advise everyone to see it. Surely the best Turkish movie of this year. A great work of Turkish female director. Its soundtrack is also incredible. I recommend everyone to see it.

The biggest success of this Turkish movie, a big hit thanks to its popular stars, is that it is the sole film ever made on one of the darkest and least openly discussed era of Turkish history. The mandatory "super tax" imposed in 1940s on everyone, but most exercised on the non-Muslims was publicly made known to the Turkish people through the eye of a female director, experienced in making documentaries for the Turkish state TV.

The dialogues, the acting and some of the landscapes are truly amazing, but the sound department fails.

With its ups and downs, this movie will still be one of the best and the most controversial Turkish movie in 1999.