Stambul Garden (2021) User Reviews

Great achievement in all departments!

[lafilmgroup · 10/10 · 2 September 2021]

This is an impressive film with some incredibly good acting by the young actors who are given language that feels natural and relatable.

Camera work is outstanding in some sequences!

The pacing works well, the characters decisions make sense and the setting both in Germany and in Istanbul is great!

I'm not sure if drug use is really so normal amongst teenagers, it wasn't when I was a teen.

If you get a chance, watch this coming of age film, you won't regret it!

Excellent coming-of-age film.

[johannes2000-1 · 9/10 · 21 April 2022]

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. Based on the synopsis I expected some sort of LGBT coming-out film, but it turned out slightly different, having in fact nothing to do with whatever gay issue (or only in the most indirect way), but all the more with coming-of-age, with experiencing how a friendship can be tested by trying circumstances.

The close friendship of Janik and Samuel at the start of the movie exists in spite of huge differences in background and social status. When Janik thoughtlessly lets himself be carried away by the advances of Samuel's unstable and addicted mother, something in their relationship cracks. They still embark on their long time planned backpack-trip to Istanbul, where Janik has to watch how Samuel drifts away in the euphoria of feeling freed of his troubles at home, and being surrounded by new (supposed) friends and vague family members, in the process also hoping to find his invisible father. He more and more loses control, and although Janik does his utmost to be supportive and understanding, their differences only pile up to finally reach an unavoidable climax.

Director Ilker Çatak lets the story unfold in a mostly slow, thoughtful and by that very effective way, and gives both young actors ample room. Especially Emil von Schönfels was impressive, with his attitude and facial expressions making his helplessness towards his friend palpable in a very convincing and even moving way.