At - Mein Pferd

As a Turkish-American and someone who has studied Turkish cinema substantially, I have a very biased (but, I believe) accurate view that when it comes to selecting foreign-language films for distribution in the USA Turkish films - as well as Egyptian, Morrocan, and Tunisian films- are seriously overlooked. THE HORSE was released and is available from Kino Video. Like most Ali Ozgenturk films (HAZAL, BAALAYKA) it is a moving film featuring a journey and a family whose life is in desperate turmoil. There is deep symbolism, involving radio announcers and canary cages, which is a standard in not only Ozgenturk's films, but also in those of his mentors, the late Yilmaz Guney and Serif Goren. The Guney/Goren collaboration of YOL, considered by many to be the best Turkish film, is a sterling example of this as well. The streets of Istanbul look no different than the village of the title characters in this film, which illustrates another theme in many Turkish films in that 'paradise,' whether it is Istnabul or Germany, is no different than the 'koy' (village) where you came. I recommend this film, though in many aspects the harsh aspects presented in this film have become the topic of more social awareness in Turkey since this film was made 20 years ago.

Rather depressing Turkish movie that details a impoverished father trying to make a better life for his son. He decides to move himself and his son to Instanbul to try to eke out a living so that the father can afford an education for his son and yes, buy a horse. Things of course do not go so well for him, as he is forced to become an illegal street vendor, stay in squalor, and try to enroll his son into school, even though the state run school has strict requirements about getting in. Let me tell you one thing, Instanbul is not a place I'd want to live in. Seemingly male dominated and crawling with people talking to themselves, the director creates a devastating portrait of modern day Turkey, and apparently got thrown in jail for his efforts. The film itself is alright, I guess. Though the film is rather depressing and most people would skip right over this one. Finally, I can't finish this review without mentioning how much the lead actor looks like Torgo from Manos, The Hands Of Fate. You're half expecting when the father leaves his village for Torgo to show up and spurt "I take care of the house when Master is away!"