Umut Da? | Austria | 2011 | 93’ | In German, Turkish | Dutch subtitles
First feature film by Umut Da?, Austrian director of Kurdish origin, is a family drama that paints an intriguing picture of the chasm between old Turkish traditions and modern times. Da?, who studied under Michael Haneke, mainly focuses on the psychology of his characters. With the support of his excellent cast he manages to convey a fascinating and pointed portrait of the lives of Turkish people in a European city.
The film opens with a colourful gathering of the four protagonists in a dimly lit house in a small rural village in Turkey. It is 19-year-old Ayse’s (Begüm Akkaya) most important day of her life as she is to be married off to attractive Hasan. Soon after the big day the newly-weds leave the sweepingly filmed Turkish countryside behind to travel with Hasan’s family to an overcrowded apartment in Vienna. Hasan’s mother Fatme, who runs the Vienna household, turns out to have quite quaint ideas regarding her son’s marriage. She is very ill and primarily concerned with continuing the family line. Ayse works hard to fit in in her new surroundings, but Hasan’s sisters are acting rather hostile. Tensions grow.
Screenings:
Location: Rialto
FRI 17 AUG - 19:30 | 
SUN 19 AUG - 19:15 |
Location: De Balie
SAT 18 AUG - 19:45 |
Director is present during the screenings and available for Q&A.
