Viaje a la esperanza

"Journey of Hope" (Turkish, 1991): A strong, clear, direct, honest, and sad film, without a hint of schmaltz. Join a contemporary Kurd family trying to leave Turkey for the perceived "paradise" of Switzerland (based on a postcard they get from a family member). Their journey is not spectacular, it is common, and in its commonness, we see its power. It is easy to forget you are watching actors that are not actually caught in these circumstances. "Journey of Hope" was given the Academy Award for Best Foreign film – and it was deserved. You'll probably have some things to discuss with your kids after-wards, if you watch it together…and I think you should.

This is as powerful as a drama can possibly get! It's a story that in real life has probably repeated itself over and over again. The origin of the people may have changed. The location of their treacherous journey may have changed. But essentially, the drama remains the same, be it 20 years ago in the Swiss Alps, or today somewhere in the Mediterranean between Northern Africa and Italy.

Those fleeing from Political turmoil, from war or simply from poverty, will do anything to find a better life, and hope is what is driving them. And along the way they are more than likely to come across scrupulous criminals whose sole interest is to make money out of the misery of those poor souls trying to find "paradise".

I cannot think of a movie that would portray this better than "Journey Of Hope". It's extremely powerful and comes across as very believable all the way. No wonder, as the story repeats itself in reality time and time again. Only the outcome may vary.

I can only recommend this film!

Tragically heart wrenching drama about a Turkish couple and son who cross the Swiss Alps illegally in search of a new life. Realistic. Moving. Sad. Unforgettable. Won the 1990 Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film.

As in Argentina, France, Italy, Spain and United States, among other, they suffer of the illegal immigration. This movie transports us toward Switzerland, country recognized by its neutrality and hospitality toward the rest of the world. The main characters are a family of Turks that they yearn to be able to go to the earth of their dreams: Switzerland, to feel well, since Turkey is not very economically and labor. All clever one so that Haydar and their wife can carry out their dream, carried out passports, passages... but they will have a complication, they will take to one of their children: Mehmet Ali. Of a supposition trip of pleasure toward the "earth of their dream" will go by unexpected situations, as to travel in an export craft or to try to enter to Switzerland in hidden truck, since Mehmet Ali doesn't possess neither passage neither passport. They will be in the same situation that other immigrants that want to enter there; they will go by the Alps, a beautiful place but at the same time cold and where they will happen totally unexpected situations. Xavier Koller obtains with "Journey of Hope" an astonishing realization that makes us see that each one has the dream of being able to go to the place that offers them peace, but that they will also go by unexpected moments, with an end that could be unexpected for the spectator. Deserved of the Oscar like Best Foreign Language Film 1990/1991. My opinion: Wonderful, Human, One of the Best Foreign Film Oscar winner. Don't get lost it.

"Journey of Hope" tells of a poor Turkish family and their odyssey of hope which spirals downward into despair as they travel to Switzerland in search of prosperity. Although this Oscar winning film is fairly well crafted, it is lacking in substance and has many implausibilities. Much of the film's 1.7 hour run time is get on the bus, get off the bus, get on the boat, get off the boat, get in the van, get out of the van, etc.; time which could have been better spent or left out completely. The story has a predictable conclusion, especially for those who have an awareness of the common crime of trafficking in illegal immigrants. A worthwhile and reasonably entertaining watch but over-rated.