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.

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.

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.

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.