Günesi Gördüm

Popular Turkish arabesque singer-songwriter turned actor-director Mahsun Kırmızıgül ("The White Angel") followed this sceptically received freshman melodrama with this equally sceptically received sophomore melodrama which topped the Turkish box office and took an unappreciated trip to the Academy Awards selection committee.

Davut (Altan Erkekli) and Ramo (Mahsun Kırmızıgül) head two wings of an extended Kurdish family forced from their village by the conflict in Turkey's south-eastern region with one resettling in Istanbul and the other attempting to illegally enter Norway as the driving force of this epic melodrama of interwoven story lines.

Mahsun Kırmızıgül remains true to his arabesque roots with a demagogic central performance whilst more stoic support comes from veteran character actor Altan Erkekli ("O... Çocuklari" & "Waiting for Heaven"), stunning starlet Demet Evgar ("Shattered Soul" & "Banyo") and Yeşilçam award-winning up-and-comer Cemal Toktaş ("Black Dogs Barking").

The emerging director still suffers from the excess of sentimentality that lead his debut film to box-office success and critical drubbing but here he has a wealth of story lines worthy of his didactic style as his cardboard characters espouse messages of tolerance to a sweeping musical score that even the most cynical can't help but be moved by.

"You rarely ever see the sun here."

How the movie started, you expect a war movie. But it was not more then the reason for the consequences what could occur. Everything what could occur, only just one family suffered very much, at the cost of the trustworthiness. Leaving your homeland concerned all families and all other consequences were forced. Although this is not a political movie stones were thrown to politicians.

The casting was almost the same like in other films where Kurdish people are involved. Sometimes it is boring. In this movie the great actors were under their level. No facial emotions only physical presence. But shouting women were touching.

The name of the movie has been also explained. A minor issue cannot carry the title, it is misleading not because of director's creativity but the story is not set right. Who lives in Turkey knows a lot about this subject. This knowledge will fill in when it is not right. The intention will be understood.

Further, technical things are in conformity with standards.

Mahsun Kirmizigul was a good singer. Why did he decide to become a director?

But this movie is the best of its career. His other movies are all alike, but I liked the plot and process of this movie.

"Günesi Gördüm" unfolded like a tapestry of emotions, weaving a tale of family, love, and the complexities of human connection. The acting was a standout, with performances that resonated with authenticity and depth. The film editing seamlessly navigated through timelines, creating a poignant narrative that unfolded with grace. The musical score, though not overpowering, complemented the storytelling, enhancing the emotional impact of pivotal scenes. The film's strength lay in its ability to capture the essence of Turkish culture and the intricacies of familial bonds. The cinematography beautifully depicted the landscapes of Istanbul, providing a visual feast for the audience. With a rating of 7/10, "Günesi Gördüm" is a testament to the power of storytelling, offering a heartfelt and nuanced exploration of the human experience.

The link between war, development and poverty is unequivocally demonstrated in this Turkish movie about the long standing Kurdish insurgency in the country's eastern provinces. Most people just wish to get on with their lives and have no time for nationalisms or 'isms' of other sorts. Indeed, ask the transvestite character in the film, and it's clear most of us have many of our own problems without taking on the burdens of others onto our own shoulders.

Nonetheless, humans cannot be divorced from the realities around them. Hence, the individual who joins a political movement infused with the idealism of youth. Pitted against him is his brother who believes in the power and strength of the state to deliver services, e.g. education and healthcare. As these two fight, innocent farmers and shepherds who happen to live in villages in the battleground suffer.

To suffer means economic destruction and even death.

This is the story of one such family caught up in Turkey's Kurdish insurgency. Simultaneously, the movie reveals the conservative and male dominated nature of rural Turkish society.

It's a sad movie - prepared to shed tears. But 'I Saw the Sun' is a social statement which provides powerful insights for any student of Turkish society. The movie provides few answers but forces us to ask the right questions.

A must watch for anyone interested in Turkish society.

In Turkish with English subtitles.