Le saltimbanque

I just came out of it -- it is quite a brilliant movie. There are very few actors, some glances at the amazing background of Istanbul and Çanakkale and some village that is celebrating a marriage. There are an endless number of jokes that will make you laugh, but the film takes its quality from a hidden, dark drama that unfolds slowly but inevitably. Apart from the story, I think it has a quiet message that resonates after the film.

Iskender makes a living by being a wizard (sihirbaz) -- or an impostor (hokkabaz), if you ask his father, Sait. His friend for life Maradona, has eyes as bad as his, and both decide to make a tour in order to afford a laser operation that will finally free them of their glasses. They borrow the caravan of his brother-in-law, under the condition they relieve them of Sait, a veteran, by driving him to the memorial to the battle of Galipolli.

There is a sense of melancholy, and the accordion music when the wizardry happens on stage are only the tip of the iceberg. With very original storytelling, Cem Yilmaz highlights the drama of 'normal people' that try to deal with difficult situations in their life, family members, lack of money, lack of recognition, lack of sight and a certain form of loneliness.

I went to theater to laugh, since Cem Yilmaz is one of the best comedians of Turkey but this is more a drama. the screenplay is quite impressive. and players are doing their bests. especially Mazhar Alanson and Ozlem Tekin is going great job although they are not professionals(both of them are musicians)

Directing is very good though its the first directing trial of Cem Yilmaz. He got a lot of help from the second director of the movie who is a much more experienced director: Ali Taner Baltaci. Ali Taner Baltaci directed movies Vizontele and Vizontele Tuuba perfectly before. Cem yılmaz was starring in Vizontele.

I could say 7 up to 10. worth to see.

This movie is underrated in Turkey because the expectation of most people is to watch a comedy of Cem's way ....... and they get disappointed.A real figure with plans, problems like all common people. Speaks, laughs, acts in a normal way. Not a super hero.A loser. This picture can be considered as a perfect work when compared with former works of Yilmaz. His partner are well selected. especially Mazhar Alanson proofs his wonderful talent as an actor. He is very well known as singer and becomes a great actor as old as he gets. But as far as I see Cem has reached the limit of his talent as an actor. In any way staying at such a level will be a great presence in Turkish Movie world. Congratulations Cem.

first of all ask yourself what are your expectations about this film. because, people who wait a comedy will be disappointed. this is not a comedy but it has a particular humor. when i compare Hokkabaz to Gora which was Yilmaz's recent script i can see the big difference between scripts. this difference is about being tactful(for Hokkabaz's script). anyway actors are also successful and convincing, especially Mazhar Alanson. this film is Yilmaz's first experience on the director seat so you can't say it is a masterpiece but it is watch worthy and sophisticated drama i think.

7/10

I watched the film in cinema about 3 days ago. It was amazing, i and my friend liked it so much. Because Cem Yilmaz had made a much more different film than everyone expected. There wasn't only comedy, drama was the main genre of the film.

I think everyone must see this film, especially in Turkey.

It was about a conjurer's life. Cast is very good chosen, especially Ozlem Tekin fits her character so much. This movie is her second film, after "O simdi asker". I want to watch her in other films, although she made an explanation about this, that she will act in movies. So this is a happy news for her fans.