Beyaz Melek - Weisser Engel

Popular Turkish arabesque singer-songwriter and sometime T.V. actor Mahsun Kırmızıgül ("Aşka Sürgün" & "Zalım") made his directorial debut with this sceptically received melodrama which picked up the Remi Award for Best Foreign Film at the 41st WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.

Ali (Mahsun Kırmızıgül) and Reşat (Sarp Apak) bring their ailing father Ahmet (Arif Erkin) for treatment to Istanbul where they encounter the titular Melek (Yıldız Kenter) and the other wacky residents of an old people's home for a east-west culture clash which highlights the emptiness of Western values.

The ethereal and somewhat overly theatrical Yıldız Kenter heads up an all-star cast of veteran Turkish character actors which includes a powerful performance from Arif Erkin, a suppressed comic turn from Nejat Uygur and the ever present Erol Günaydın, while Mahsun Kırmızıgül and Sarp Apak remain in the background.

The debut director was not warmly welcomed by the Turkish film critics who viewed his star-laden debut vehicle as little more than a commercial enterprise but despite the unintentionally hilarious excess of sentimentality also present in his musical output he has managed to craft an acceptable first film with the promise of greater things to come.

"And did you know that there are angels in every raindrop that falls from the sky?"

Beyaz Melek really astonished me with strong story, skillful actors and actresses and most of all inexperienced director Mahsun Kirmizigül. If we take into consideration that both the story and directing made by him, then I should congratulate him beyond extra.

The film is based on the sad happenings in the retirement home. We see the old people were beaten, were said bad words, were forgotten by their families. A social problem was reflected well with Beyaz Melek.

In story we can also see the destruction of the big earthquake, fantastic view of salt lake, living traditions of eastern sides of Turkey, patriotic angles related with military, friendship, solidarity, difficulties of city life like economic problem.

Yildiz Kenter as the leader, Cezmi Baskin, Erol Günaydin, Toron Karacaoglu, Gazanfer Özcan, Nejat Uygur, shortly there were too many values played in the movie. I like the parts in east of Turkey views and traditions which I am not familiar much.

I hope this movie will be helpful for correcting social problem in all retirement houses. Watching a successful movie and see its correcting affects will be multiple factor which is required from art and culture.

Firstly I would like to admit, I entered the theatre to watch this movie with only one thing on my mind; "this is a Mahsun Kirmizigul movie so expect nothing too good". But the reality couldn't be any further from my expectations.

For those non-Turks a bit of history about the writer/director/producer Mahsun Kirmizigul; he is a famous singer in the genre known as Arabesk/Fantasy. His attempts at acting to date having proved (for the lack of better words) bad. This movie was, in away, his statement that he has the talent it takes to succeed on the big screen and I'd argue he has.

The movie is about the changing culture in Turkey with the adaptation of the Western civilisation into the metropolitan cities. It depicts the great harmony that exists between all cultures within the Turkish Republic and to name them specifically, Turkic, Kurdish and Greek. The main concentration is on the family values that are common to all Anatolians and that have inevitably shifted with the western way of life overpowering those cultural values that once were.

The story revolves around an elderly home where people from all walks of life cross paths as they wait for their eventual end (death). The joy and cruelty that exists within the walls of this sanctuary are based on true events that made headlines in Turkey when caught on camera by a national current affairs program in the 90s.

There are some remarkable camera and directing work, especially coming from someone as unexpected as Mahsun Kirmizigul. The introduction scene and horse scenes are ones to really enjoy from a technical point of view, and the actors in general make the drama hit you where it hurts and your tears will be the evidence of the wonderful acting.

Fantastic movie. Mahsun has done a great job in bringing a very touching story to the cinema. The delusional turd that commented that the movie is pure propaganda needs to get the poll that wedged up his rear end removed asap.

I did not know anything about the movie when i went in to watch it, however within 20 minutes found myself pleased with the decision to go see it.

The performances were great and true to the culture of traditional Turkey, wonderful. The slow and question start to the movie is long forgotten by the time the end credits begin. Once again, fantastic movie, job very well done.

I highly recommend.

I just finished watching this film, and I'm absolutely touched.... The message is clear and very effective....

I loved everything about it... Cultural diversity, horrible truth about senior homes, conflict between good and evil... I'm more impressed by Mahsun Kirmizigul who wrote and directed it than any experienced director... The cast is amazing...Acting is very powerful... They make you feel the characters...

It's become one of my favorites... When you watch it, I suggest, you should bring some tissues... Oh, and enjoy the beautiful Turkish music in certain scenes....