Sibel

Here is a wonderful, sober little tale of a young girl, Sibel, but not just any young girl. A survivor of segregation. A fond and brave being, full of sensibility and with a compassionate heart that fights for her own voice - the only one that speaks the truth, the only one the world has tried to keep from our befuddled senses. Somewhat introduced as a lost and wild soul, she turns out to be the most dedicated spirited human in her land. Damla Sönmez captures us from start to finish, in a movie that flows through its story in a breath of an absolute and beautiful realism.

In a rural Turkish environment, the film describes for a few days a young mute woman (Sibel) who is rejected by an inhospitable and rough village community, and confronted with customs of another time. The overall result is a little bland: 5/6 of 10.

This film reminded me of Mustang, another award-winning movie about the oppression of women and other evils of the Turkish countryside. Although the facts regarding this issue is true, cinematic representation of these facts requires literal artistry and Sibel is a total failure in this case.

Technical details aside (dialogues are badly written, acting of the amateurs are slightly better than terrible, while some villagers have strong rural accent, some others speak perfect Istanbul Turkish etc.), the movie has serious flaws from the beginning to the end. The movie aims to depict the condition of women in Turkish countryside, and problematizes the social mechanisms within. However, these social mechanisms are mainly women-borne, so as to say that "a woman is a wolf to other women."

This is the exact point this movie totally fails. Their "goal" for shooting this movie appears to be singling out their "fellows" in these rural communities (those who have potential to be bourgeois, though stuck in the countryside) and motivate them to fight back. Against whom? Against the oppressive women around them, instead of building a feminist consciousness and solidarity altogether.

Apparently this is all because the directors' strong bourgeois codes do not let them get into (and grasp the essence of) the real rural life, so they had no chance but to represent what they already had on their minds about it.

From the heart of the forest in ancient times a farseeing and intrepid woman returns with a magical fire that draws the other women of the community. The bad spells that are cast over them are broken and together the women shine. There is no telling when this mysterious woman might appear.

Because she is mute Sibel is considered bad luck and is bullied by the other women in the village including her little sister. Sibel's pariah status is partially a blessing in that it grants her an unusual independence. In her spare time she roams the forest with a rifle looking for a wolf to kill. A dead wolf would improve her status with the other women and so the hunt consumes her. Sibel communicates by whistling, an ancient language understood by many in the community including her single father, sister, and an elderly recluse she befriends. When Sibel stumbles upon an injured fugitive in the forest she risks her safety, independence, and family honor by helping him, yet she is too lonely to let him go.

This enthralling story of female empowerment unfolds in Turkey's resplendent mountain forests of ancient spruce, mist, and patches of sunlight. The story loosely parallels that of the Scarlet Letter where a shunned woman becomes a positive source of wisdom and inspiration for other women in the village. There are many touching scenes such as when a hopeful Sibel shows up at a dance in a sparkly, flowery dress handmade by her reclusive friend, and she is shamed by her little sister. This powerful and encouraging story of feminine prowess is needed in all places, even in America, where women shun enlightenment and education in favor of pleasing men who treat them with disdain. The film is not a showcase of acting skills or cinematography, but it is believable and heartening.

Damla sönmez.. The woman plays with her eyes. She is impressive and inspiring.