heszy

As unlikely as a romance between two people who share no common language may seem, "Kozel a szerlemhez" provides an entertaining, if not wholly convincing, portrayal of how it could happen.

The naivette and utter ingenuousness of the main character carry the film along its unlikely path. The fact that his new love doesn't speak his language does not phase him in the least bit. The scenes where they attempt limited communication are charming and add to the warm lightheartedness at which the movie most succeeds.

There are a few abrupt, tense scenes which jump out from the main story, but overall I emerged from the theater with a smile on my face and fond thoughts of this delightful film.

Probably the best aspect of the movie is the cinematography. The scenes of Istanbul and south-eastern Turkey are magical. Another aspect that appealed to me is that although the film is obviously political, it does not present the situation in any direct way. The main characters are simple, apolitical characters whose lives become affected by the political events around them. By keeping the story focused on the immediate situation of the main characters, the background politics are all the more powerful because the director does not directly espouse or preach on behalf of any one point of view. It makes the viewer want to learn more about the complex nature of the Kurdish issue in Turkey.