Sen Aydinlatirsin Geceyi

This is certainly not an easy film. With a metaphorical language that often borders on surrealism, the viewer is faced with a permanent challenge to distinguish the real from the figurative, or even imaginary, although in the end, the essential message of the film is transparent, with relative clarity.

There is a violent denunciation of a hypocritical and sexist morality, which attacks women's sexual freedom. Men abuse their power, to use women sexually and then repudiate them, due to the alleged indignity of behavior, for which they were mainly responsible.

All this is presented with great creative freedom, fantasy and emphasis on violence, used deliberately to symbolize the violence that Turkish sexist society exerts on women, especially in smaller and traditional towns.

Eloquent but difficult. It is certainly not a film for all tastes, even the most cultivated.

"There used to be a bird you shot, right? It's not there anymore, is it?" Cemal says. What would have happened if we had never existed? What would change? Does our existence in this world mean anything or should it? Philosophical questions abound in this movie. While watching Cemal, the audience feels as if they are being abstracted from their surroundings and constantly residing in the realm of thoughts as if they were Cemal himself. Superheroes have superpowers. But these superpowers don't create characters who live without worries or as if they've come to this world to have fun. Cemal has a concern, and this concern doesn't seem like it can be resolved with superpowers. These concerns are related to very basic things, the existence of life. This concern is about love and the delicate balance of love.

Cemal is a very contemplative and thoughtful character. His thoughtfulness is constantly reflected as worry to himself. He doubts small things, experiences his emotions. He is a person "created from worry." These worries push him towards inquiries that will develop him as a human while also causing him to engage in behaviors he does not want and will regret. He beats the woman he loves (Yasemin). Then he reads her poetry. Cemal is confused, his actions are contradictory. Just like all of us. Even if he could see inside the walls and pass through them, he would not be able to overcome the emotional wall with Yasemin, drowned in his worries and obsessions, which have taken over his entire life.

The cinematography of the film is important in understanding the characters' inner worlds. Cemal's scenes shot with a fixed camera show his eyes and what's behind them to the audience. The poetry scene on the balcony is a nod to Romeo and Juliet. Cemal, the guilty lover trying to win his wife's heart, reads poetry to her. Light shines on his face as if it is from Yasemin, her light giving meaning to his life, he can't do it without her, but his worries are also visible on his face. Cemal stands below the balcony, looking at Yasemin as if she were a goddess. A goddess he can never reach, a goddess who will "definitely" betray him or leave him.

Don't we all have a bit of Cemal in us, after all? Cemal "lives in the church in our ribs."

I felt i had to write this review because the movie was kinda misunderstood. So the real intention of this review is, bringing an important correction under the lights.

It is an extraordinary movie, filmed totally in black and white. I never thought i would be able to watch a black and white movie till the end but this movie was absolutely worth it. The disturbing reality mixed with the real texture of a small Aegean town. Ignorent people, shy female male interactions, romance, a great story which is partially given and you need to solve the other parts.

Let's make one point obvious; this movie has nothing to do with supernatural powers or super heroes. The protagonist is suffering schizophrenia. Some people are real, some people are not and some people are being seen different through his eyes.

This one had a high rating so i was expecting it's good but it was even better than i expected. Of course, it's not for anyone. It works at many levels, one might think this is surreal and bizarre, but i think it's multilayered. It's more of symbolic/allegorical than surreal. There is depth here, it's a meaningful movie, daring and provocative. At times, it was even brilliant, i stood in awe watching some amazing scenes. It's obviously that the director & writer of this movie is intellectual but this is not some kind of artsy and pretentious movie. There is a strong fantasy element but simultaneously, it's grounded in reality.

A fragile and deeply flawed person and the struggles he faces in his life, after a tragic incident occured. A village so real and so magical simultaneously. Acts of violence, acts of love, tragedy and hope, mistakes and forgiveness.

Be patient at the beginning, this didn't start great but it was getting better by the minute.

A great (comedy?)/drama/fantasy movie.

I must watch...a hidden jewel.

It may be hard to access since it has not been widely released but if you somehow see it in a local festival don't hesitate to buy a ticket. I feel lucky to be one of the minority who was able to watch it thanks to "Baska Sinema" in İstanbul.

I am a big fantasy science fiction fan. I was surprised to see that most of the characters in the movie have special powers but this not a superhero movie. The film is about ordinary people with superhuman powers who live in a small town and live their standard, boring lives. They are all extremely naive and even the most extraordinary incidents and behaviors are being easily accepted by the townspeople.

I think this is all I can say without giving any spoilers but I know that I left the theater with a smiling face and a broken hard at the same time.

If you want to watch an extraordinary and amusing film, don't miss it.