Cert 15
95 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong sex references
How topical that on the night of the attempted coup in Turkey I should be watching a movie which reflects the contradictions of a beautiful country,
Deniz Gamze Ergüven's film was nominated for an Oscar and will live long in the memory - thanks to its beauty and thought-provoking content.
It shows a country which, as the failed coup demonstrated, is struggling to be comfortable with itself.
It is the story of five vibrant sisters who live with their grandmother (Nihal G. Koldas) in a traditional seaside community.
She has let them have a loose reign while growing up since the death of their parents but this has meant they have become free spirits, loving life but loathing rules.
This is a hefty problem in a society where girls are brought up simply to be married and serve men.
So, when neighbours complain that their behaviour, which would seem simply carefree in the West, is unseemly, their uncle (Ayberk Pekcan) enters the fray and there is a conveyor belt of potential husbands.
Is it not said how old the girls are but even the eldest looks no more than 16. The girls are appalled at the prospect of marrying and as the match meetings progress the more they dissent.
Much of the movie is focused on the youngest of the girls, Lale (Günes Sensoy), who cannot understand why she is prevented from doing the things she loves the most (such as watching football) and why her sisters are being taken away from her.
Therefore, the feisty youngster leads the rebellion.
Mustang is an attractive film. The girls are all very pretty and look so much like each other I was convinced they were real-life sisters (they are not).
The countryside in which they live is an idyllic place to grow up which is ironic when their 'bad behaviour' means they are kept indoors.
It is incredible to think that Turkey which has become a major holiday destination and wants access to the European Union should still be wrestling against traditions which would be seen as barbaric in the west.
Girls are being 'given' to husbands who are much older because that is the way it has always been.
Mustang shows clearly why people are not happy.
PS I still don't know to what the title refers.
Reasons to watch: barbaric tradition seen through the eyes of the young
Reasons to avoid: could be accused of repeatedly going over the same ground
Laughs: couple of chuckles
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Star tweet
Jake Macapagal @DGErguven I just watched your film- Im a huge fan @mustangfilm is heartbreakingly beautiful.
No comments:
Post a Comment