Turkish Films stand out for their attention to detail. Melancholy is an inherent feature of their films and you often find human emotions portrayed sensitively. Equal attention is paid to visual landscapes, art and colours. And a surfeit of emotions. All the ingredients required for a heart rending love story.
ASHOK’s FIVE reviews the Turkish film from Director #Oztekin on #Netflix, this one is tilted #MiracleinCellNo7. The original is based on a South korean story and the film is a co-production with a Korean version also available.
This is the story of a mentally challenged father who has been wrongfully imprisoned for the death of a senior army general’s daughter. The six-year-old-daughter comes in search of her father and the love of the father-daughter overcomes all hurdles.
Towards the end of the film, there is one scene where the two wardens at the prison exchange a glance after the good deed they have done. That sums up the message of the film - what really matters in life is the relationship between human beings and what we do for each other. In these pandemic ridden times this is so very crucial - how we relate to each other, how we talk to each other, the small gestures, acts that we do for someone around - this is what we live for and this is what we must celebrate.
Watch #MiracleinCellNo7 for the fantastic portrayal of the father-daughter duo from #ArasBulutIynemli and #NisaSofiyaAksonger; the former plays Memo the mentally challenged dad and the latter is six-year old Ova. She is aware of her father’s condition and believes that she knows more than him. That creates some tender moments where she feels strongly for him. They play a silly game calling out “Lingo, Lingo, Siseler, Siseler”. The film juxtaposes the emotional quotient against the breathtaking locale on the banks of the Aegean Sea, with the water, mountains and greenery.
The film meshes the father-daughter relationship between three pairs deftly. On the one hand there is Memo and Ova. That one scene where Ova comes to the prison and calls out to her father on the other side of the high wall is a tear-jerker; the prison guards are bewildered and caught unawares as to how to deal with the situation. On the other hand, there is the Army General Aydan who dotes on his little daughter. When she falls off the cliff, he turns violent and vindcitive. And finally, there is Yusuf , an inmate who believed the wrong people and exacted punishment on his own daughter. The story lies at the fine intersection between these three relationships and as the web untangles, you marvel at the simplicity of the plot.
The film, like most Turkish dramas, is also centered on artefacts. On the one hand, there is the Heidi bag which Ova is enamoured with. Then there is the silver cigarette box that Yusuf presents Ova with. And finally, the mysterious painting on the wall next to Yusuf’s bed. How these three things contribute to taking the storyline forward is something you must watch out for!
Back to emotions; the scenes inside the prison cell are beautifully done. The change in heart of the prison inmates is narrated very well - the power of love to create change in outlook of the most hardened criminal is what the story is all about.
Amidst the overdose of emotions, the little girl remains an ocean of calm and maturity and this is fascinating. The other characters also put in commendable performances, especially #DenizBaysal as the teacher and #IlkerAksum as Askorozlu, the leader of the cell. #CalileToyoUysal plays the grandmother.
#MircleinCellNo7 is one of those rare gems that seem to have gone out of style in recent times. Truly, a moving love story for our times!
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