Pek Yakinda

Being one of the best comedians of our time (if not THE best) and an incredibly talented actor, Cem Yilmaz surely makes one go to the cinema with great expectations, and with Pek Yakinda, he certainly does not disappoint. His directorial debut is a heart-warming, carefully crafted movie which delivers all the laughter the audience expects, along with quality acting by a fantastic cast and a good story which involves friendship, family and the cinema industry in Turkey. It also shows the wide range of Cem Yilmaz's acting skills, and the movie is full of surprising guest stars in addition to the main characters, each and every one of whom deserve major applause for their parts. In particular, Caglar Corumlu's performance exceeds expectations and makes him the shining star of the movie! Long story made short, I cannot imagine anyone who'd regret seeing this film, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who's interested in a good Turkish movie filled with elements of fun and love on top of Cem's genius work.

Pek Yakında is the best of Cem Yilmaz movies in my opinion. It is funny, gives messages, includes many topics, has some references to a few popular Hollywood movies such as Avatar, Fight Club, Oceans 11. I don't like every movie but I recommend this to everyone. The music in the film belongs to the group, MFO and perfectly fits the subject, the rhythm is great. You don't get bored during the film, instead final of it is not easily predictable. Caglar Corumlu is very funny as always and Ozan Guven acts so naturally. The scene in the hospital where main characters argue about finding a new actor for their film is nice and surprising in that they make fun of themselves and Yilmaz Erdogan appears suddenly in the scene..

Those who need to sort movies into various categories, who see drama as a baddies versus goodies game, who think heroes are only deadly serious supermen on a mission to save the world, those who think that digital effects can substitute the absence of creative imagination and that improvisation and clowning around pertain only to stand-up comedies... those people should not try to understand this wonderful film. Because nothing is as it seems in the world of cinema, only the people involved in it are real, their fates and their professional objective to complete the project. "Pek Yakında" was made by clever people for a creative audience and leaves a lot open to interpretation. Each cast and crew member find their own way, and the theme grows and matures without losing its integrity. There are no minor roles in the usual sense. Two characters, Zafer and Boğaç, seem to be pivotal to the plot, oscillating between self-deception, self-destruction, flight of fancy, despondency and a fatal love of their profession. Cem Yılmaz' and Ozan Güven's splendid acting performances make these characters natural and convincing, and create them with an engaging self-irony, far from any showy pathetic effects. Well plotted, creatively done. Directing, music, camera and so on, deserve respect. One of the most inspirational films about filmmaking and the people around it.

The new feature film by Cem Yilmaz is about a man who was an unsuccessful background actor who sells pirated DVDs who wants to save his marriage. That is the curious background of the main actor, Zafer (Cem Yilmaz), finally decides to make a movie to save his relationship. The film they're making is actually an old script, written in 70s, never had a chance to put in act, for various reasons. Therefore, the movie has some funny (and also sad) references to Green Pine era.

The basic idea 'film inside of a film' is often used in world cinema, if not in Turkish cinema. Nevertheless, Mr. Yilmaz manages to bring some fresh ideas which makes the movie good and original. He knows when to make people laugh, when to cry; and he uses time almost perfectly. I cannot simply say that there was any flow in the script. Mise-en-scene is great, which is an issue in New Turkey Cinema I often criticize. The use of a Turkish Cinema Museum is so original that I've heard people talking about it after the movie. I saw the movie with my 14-year-old cousin, who of course knows nothing about Turkish movies before 2000. He said now he has great interest about these old movies. I'd say Cem Yilmaz has done something great for not only artistic issues, but also inspirational purposes. The youngsters who are fan of great comedian now have a desire to know the things that inspired Cem Yilmaz. Acting is also adequate. Suat character (Cengiz Bozkurt) may be the coolest character in the movie, a really bad guy and you cannot simply get mad at him. (You will know when you see it) Cem Yilmaz uses actors who are familiar to him, several years, so many films together... This is something I approve because he know what they can do, and what they cannot. He also used references to his previous works, which are the 'alienation effect'. This is consistent with the idea of film inside of a film. Lastly, there might be one thing to be critical about the film. That is, using so many commercials during the film. Yet, he handles the issue with alienation effect, that make people laugh. One of his conversations, Yilmaz stated that there is an issue of making a budget- free film, but you have to make sacrifices, like the whole crew eating cheddar bread sandwiches in the film set (kaşar-ekmek) when you ran out of money. This is something Yilmaz disagrees. He uses sponsorship delicately. You may be disagree with him. You may be idealistic filmmaker, but then again, Kaşar Ekmek...

Let me start by saying this movie is pretty darn good. Good acting, amazing cast, and the best of all are those tiny details that make you chuckle. This movie is by no means is just a run off the mill cheap comedy or a stand-up show.

Watch it and pay attention to details.. You will at least like it if not truly enjoy it. Especially if you grew up in Turkey and know the "Yesilcam" culture. I loved all the references made those movies we all watched and loved as kids.

Some of the reviews I read on this site was really unfortunate. I couldn't help but notice most of the bad reviews was also written in not so good English. Not trying to be mean or anything but please; just stop!!! (Not "Green Pine" like some idiot said. Seriously??? Do you call Hollywood "Kutsal Odun"?) What's with you people?

Anyway, bottom line is; I really enjoyed this movie and would recommend everyone to watch it. Keep up the good work Cem :)