Kayikçi

A deaf-dumb Turkish boatman living in Çesme in Turkey meets and falls in love with a Greek girl from the island of Chios who is visiting Turkey as a singer in a cultural festival. The girl is attracted to the young man and soon she too falls in love with him. However, she must return to Greece and he cannot go with her. The ancient Greek myth of Hero and Leander is counterpointed with the story of the two modern lovers. The film explores the construction of a bridge of understanding between two countries that have been traditional enemies, although communication between their two people is hampered by concerns that have little to do with the unifying human element inherent in their commonality. The film attempts to bridge that gap and there are a couple of sub-plots based on greed and betrayal of friendship, however, the story remains a superficial romantic one. Katerina Moutsatsou looks young and fresh, but her acting is still immature, while Mehmet Ali Alabora looks sultry and handsome, but doesn't get much of a chance to have his say! A few of the supporting actors give good performances.

The places in this movie are something like a dream, where you can see some beautiful mediterranean islands with their typical way of life. In this peaceful feeling a great love story between a turkish guy and a greek girl is beginning. The two main actors are good but the other ones don't look realistic at all. That is the same critic about the love story, as the guy doesn't speak very much and so it's hard to understand his feelings. The girl, even if she's greek, looks beautiful but instantly wants to get married. I think that the director should had taken more time to show the birth of their love. This movie deserves to be seen only for the real great gameplay of the two main actors and the mediterranean sea.

I saw this movie in 2000. I rented it by mistake at my local videoclub. It stars greek actress Katerina Moutsatsos who falls in love with a turkish fisherman. The fisherman is deaf and Katerina Moutsatsos wants him very much to listen again. Near the end of the movie, she shows him her nude body but he doesn't "hear" anything. I have to say that the owner of the videoclub was kind enough to give me my money back.