Fünf Minarette in New York

Despite a few clichés, the movie is not, first of all, a predictable one. It starts like any other Hollywood picture, with secret agents and the most fresh subject: Muslim and terrorism. But further more we find that it is about religion, about the fact that there is only one God. We find that the fundamentalist's of Islam are not tolerated by the Islam itself. We can see a dialog between a fundamentalist priest and a true one, despite the fact that they are dressed in ... white and black, suppose a lack of inspiration. We find that the destiny is inevitably. We find that there is love and forgiveness in both - in all of religions.

This movie spared all effort to put into perspective the authority pursuit of terrorists across the Atlantic. It successfully depicts that despite the claim that war against terrorism is not war against Islam, when vengeance underscore motivation, vindication transcends borders of respects. For a movie, it was well directed, well acted, and the presentation quite successfully moved the audience to experience the multitude of human emotions that filled and colored the characters portrayed in the movie. All in all, this movie is a gem that will give the audience an alternative scenario and perspective in the fight against terrorism, especially given the the theater is filled to the brim with the Hollywood version of anti-terrorism, that are often distorted and certainly one-sided.

This movie attempted to put into light the true Islam, albeit there are fundamental differences to what some may argue as to the 'truer' teachings of Islam would otherwise preach, as opposed to the more secular and somewhat liberated Islam as Turkey is practicing. While the attempt is commendable, the less informed audience may presume this is true of Islam. Case in point, Turkey is about the only country that accepts Muslims marrying Christian. But the well spoken message that a terrorist is automatically a non-Muslim, deserves an applaud.

Needless, this movie is not about teaching. And for the entertainment value, this movie is an outright winner.

It was worth viewing for me as a Turkish language learner, though I have seen way better Turkish films. It does not lack the positive message, the peace and acceptance toward other religions, some kind of motif related to the return of prodigal son, mother son relationship, vengeance and a surprising unexpected ending. Those familiar with Mustafa Sandal the singer will recognize him in the person of one of the agents, the other one is played by the director himself. The main character is impersonated by Haluk Bilginer who until the mid nineties acted in Britain. Also one can see other familiar faces, like Robert Patrick, Danny Glover. I can't write full quotes, but I can tell some views of Hadji which contain something like every religion is the love of God which brings to Him, killing will make you go to hell, dying brings you to meet God. He shows full acceptance of Christians, his wife is Christian and her daughter marries a Christian.

NEW TORK'TA BES MINARE starts off in familiar fashion, as two Turkish cops travel to New York in pursuit of an alleged terrorist from Turkey who has been living in New York for thirty-seven years. There they encounter a group of FBI agents with innate prejudices against foreigners, and Muslims in particular. The two cops are drawn into a complex world, presided over by Islamic convert Danny Glover, where they seem apparently powerful to act. As the film unfolds, however, so the story becomes more complex. Hadji (Haluk Bilginer), ostensibly the prime suspect in the case - whose capture the Turkish cops are entrusted with - turns out to be completely different from what we, as the audience, expect of him. Director Mahsun Kirmizigul's film turns out to be a meditation on extremism, irrespective of religious difference: some Americans, as well as Turks, seem incapable of adopting either a moderate or a tolerant point of view. The film has a surprise ending, where we discover the true reason why Hadji went to America, and what kind of a person he actually was. Both noble yet self-aware, he remains a figure to admire in a complex world. NEW YORK'TA BES MINARE is an unexpectedly complex work, tautly filmed and grippingly told.

The script and story is a direct link to how society and government views the Muslim nation after 9 11.

A captivating story of the search for a supreme leader in the terrorist organization with ties to Turkey. One of the Turkish officers is hiding a decades old secret and God sees all as is parlayed throughout the film. A direct homage to the faith true Muslims share and what we as Americans fear.

The film is written by and direct by Mahsun Kirmizigul who also portrays the lead Fyrat. Good performances by Gina Gershon as the wife to Hadji and Danny Glover as Marcus. I found the fil strikingly captivating and well rounded. I give this a solid 7out of 10