My fourth and fifth Has films were quite remarkable and it started with this, an elegant and reflective parable of time. The film starts as Magdalena reaches her grandfather's house for his funeral, a place she left many years back, a place from her youth. As she tries to relate the place to her imagination, she finds that the people have changed, realities no more correspond to her memories, and it is hard to return after leaving your roots. Coming from an urban life, Magdalena finds it hard to be comfortable under the constant attention. A cold war slowly develops around her, as people play games to satisfy their own goals. Meanwhile, Magdalena finds herself attracted to a handsome and carefree youth whom she had met on the train even as her relatives try to get her married to a boy of their choice. Misunderstandings slowly develop, and the conclusion is an understated masterwork. Has uses B&W to great effect as usual, the majestic house aiding him to create an antique atmosphere that invokes melancholy. But here, I was impressed with the content more than the technique, how perfectly Has manages to say a lot without actually saying it, in the way capturing the real pathos of farewells. Yes, the film justifies its name 'Partings' without a doubt, as Has beautifully rolls up various levels and forms of goodbyes in this mellow episode – leaving a house, leaving one's childhood, a man leaving a woman, a woman leaving a man, and last, but not the least, a train leaving a station. Drenching experience
