Hokkabaz

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.

This movie is perfectly told and acted with a sense of humor.One of the best Turkish movies in the last 10 years.Better than other C.Yilmaz movies.Screenplay,actors,photography,jokes everything is perfect.You are laughing all the time,its easy to follow,you don't understand how the time goes by.It couldn't be better...

But there is something I don't understand.The audience in Turkey didn't like the movie much.It is even underrated in IMDb.I thought people who know something about movies are voting here but I see they don't.Thats because they are just watching comedy and horror movies which you cant learn much about movies.I am sorry I respect other opinions but this movie is too good.I think they will understand what I mean if they watch some hundred movies...

There is an undeniable resemblance between this story and Cem Yilmaz's first movie Hersey Çok Güzel Olacak. I think Cem Yilmaz should have chosen a completely different story to avoid any competition between the two movies, in which this one will be the obvious loser.

For a genius comedian such as Cem Yilmaz, the story is unexpectedly weak. For most of the scenes the movie seems to rely on the performances of the actors, and it is really a good thing to have a bunch of well qualified actors in the movie. The script has some very beautiful peak points, and i don't know how Cem Yilmaz missed the opportunity to use them to the last draining point.

The movie makes you laugh, if this is what you are looking for in a Cem Yilmaz movie. And it helps you having a fun time, but when the movie ends, you feel like there is something missing in it, and if you think about it, you will see that it is the script as a whole is missing.

At first glance, Hokkabaz is not a comedy movie. We are guided wrong by media and by advertisement. There are tragedy and dram in the body of Hokkabaz. If you expect to see comedy, you will probably get disappointment, because the movie is not comedy. If we separate laughing problem, Hokkabaz is a successful movie from strong story to talented players.

Cem Yilmaz was quite talented in his role as Iskender - as loser magician. Mazhar Alanson was like from one of us, his play was warm. Ozlem Tekin should progress herself a bit more in playing, but she is really beautiful. Tuna Orhan as Maradona, my favorite football player, number ten, I will remember you with electronic organ.

I would be much more happy, if we see more preview from Canakkale – Dardanelle, Sehidlik. I know story did not permit this request, just see it as a wish.

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.