Wonderfully made, deeply involving
Sometimes you just take a punt on watching a randomly selected movie, maybe because of the cast or the setting or the image on the poster. You go into the cinema (or switch on the tv) with no expectations and almost no knowledge about what you're going to see. Perhaps this is the perfect way to begin watching a movie, letting you set out on a journey of discovery with no more idea of what the characters are in for than they themselves have.
This was the case for my viewing of this. With no preconceptions, I was receptive in turn to the political, historical, philosophical, romantic and tragic strands that are woven into this marvelous Turkish carpet of a movie.
The performances of the main cast and the layered depths of their characterisations are magnificent. While the photography, music and art direction are all impeccable, convincing and skilled, they all support the story.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the low rating out of ten on the website, but it's a pity if it prevents people from discovering this rare and buried artistic masterwork from long ago...
