We watch as Katalin, a Budapest housewife, goes through her daily marketing chores at the local market. She is not ready for the shock she is about to receive when her husband, a college professor, tells her point blank, he is leaving her for another woman. What makes it even worse is the fact the other woman is one of his students.
Katalin is shocked. Suddenly, her somewhat comfortable life is thrown into despair. She decides she has had it, so the following day she walks out of the house, wearing her nightgown, bare feet and nothing else. She boards a tram and ends at the terminus. Wandering around, she meets a Romanian truck driver, who offers her a ride. Unfortunately for Katalin, the man had other things in mind.
Luckily for Katalin, she is able to bard a bus heading for Turkey, her arrival in the city seems to awake in her a side which she did not know existed. Asking about a hotel where to stay, a merchant recommends her a modest place. Suddenly, Katalin begins exploring the city with all it has to offer. The neighbor, Halil, a handsome man, seems to be interested in more than just a casual acquaintance.
Back home, her son begins to worry about his mother, as well as a daughter who is about to give birth. The husband, in turn, is dumped by the much younger lover. It is decided Katalin's son will go to Istambul to bring her back. Katalyn has another thing in mind with the new man she has met. Halil has promised her to take her to Cappadocia, a beautiful region of Turkey.
"Isztambul", written and directed by Ferenc Torok, was a rare find when it showed up on an international cable channel. At the center of the story is Katalin, a woman who has given her all to raising a family and finds herself abandoned by the man she married. This woman instead of falling to pieces, feeling sorry for herself, decides to head for a place she probably would not have gone, had she not run into a bus that was going in that direction.
It is clear Katalin has been sexually starved by an uncaring man. Halil, the man at the hotel makes it clear he is married from the start, but he likes what he sees and decides to take a chance on an affair that probably will end when he realizes he has a family and he is doomed in starting something new with this stranger. Yet, they show both care for each other. The surprising end is heart warming because Katalin has found happiness and peace, at last.
Beautifully acted by Dutch actress Johanna Ter Steege, in a role that requires her to go through all her emotions and make something out of her life. Ms. Ter Steege is wonderful and makes no false moves throughout the film. We also enjoyed the Halil of Yavuz Bingol, a virile man that matches his co-star well. The acting is first rate, an achievement by Mr. Torok. The film is lovingly photographed by DAniel Garas which blends well with the musical score created by Lance Hogan. The beauty of Istambul comes shining through.
Katalin is shocked. Suddenly, her somewhat comfortable life is thrown into despair. She decides she has had it, so the following day she walks out of the house, wearing her nightgown, bare feet and nothing else. She boards a tram and ends at the terminus. Wandering around, she meets a Romanian truck driver, who offers her a ride. Unfortunately for Katalin, the man had other things in mind.
Luckily for Katalin, she is able to bard a bus heading for Turkey, her arrival in the city seems to awake in her a side which she did not know existed. Asking about a hotel where to stay, a merchant recommends her a modest place. Suddenly, Katalin begins exploring the city with all it has to offer. The neighbor, Halil, a handsome man, seems to be interested in more than just a casual acquaintance.
Back home, her son begins to worry about his mother, as well as a daughter who is about to give birth. The husband, in turn, is dumped by the much younger lover. It is decided Katalin's son will go to Istambul to bring her back. Katalyn has another thing in mind with the new man she has met. Halil has promised her to take her to Cappadocia, a beautiful region of Turkey.
"Isztambul", written and directed by Ferenc Torok, was a rare find when it showed up on an international cable channel. At the center of the story is Katalin, a woman who has given her all to raising a family and finds herself abandoned by the man she married. This woman instead of falling to pieces, feeling sorry for herself, decides to head for a place she probably would not have gone, had she not run into a bus that was going in that direction.
It is clear Katalin has been sexually starved by an uncaring man. Halil, the man at the hotel makes it clear he is married from the start, but he likes what he sees and decides to take a chance on an affair that probably will end when he realizes he has a family and he is doomed in starting something new with this stranger. Yet, they show both care for each other. The surprising end is heart warming because Katalin has found happiness and peace, at last.
Beautifully acted by Dutch actress Johanna Ter Steege, in a role that requires her to go through all her emotions and make something out of her life. Ms. Ter Steege is wonderful and makes no false moves throughout the film. We also enjoyed the Halil of Yavuz Bingol, a virile man that matches his co-star well. The acting is first rate, an achievement by Mr. Torok. The film is lovingly photographed by DAniel Garas which blends well with the musical score created by Lance Hogan. The beauty of Istambul comes shining through.
