A Filma-Cass release of a Filma-Cass (Istanbul)/Objektiv Film Studio (Budapest) co-production. (International Sales: S-Media 2000, Budapest.) Produced by Mine Vargi. Directed by Omer Vargi. Screenplay, Vargi, Cem Yilmaz, Hakan Haksun. Camera (color), Garry Turnbull; editor, Istvan Sipos; music, Mazhar Alanson; production designer, Zeynep Tercan. Reviewed at Berlin Film Festival (market), Feb. 16, 1999. Original title: Her Sey Cok Guzel Olacak. Running time: 106 MIN.
A big hit in Turkey, this slick comedy should rack up TV sales to Euro channels and attract video business wherever there are Turkish enclaves. Shrewd, handsome package toplines a couple of popular stars, and the mix of broad humor and a degree of suspense works well, although the formula is familiar to Western audiences and the production a bit too lowbrow to make the festival route.
Co-scripter Cem Yilmaz is funny as Altan, a wily rogue whose schemes mostly end in failure, and whose lovely wife (Ceyda Duvenci) has had enough. Things pick up when Altan discovers his stuffy older brother, Nuri (played by well-known Turkish rock musician Mazhar Alanson), is managing a pharmaceutical warehouse (which, unknown to him, is owned by the mob). With a stolen stash of drugs and an innocent brother in tow, Altan heads for a seaside resort to sell his loot. Initially slow pacing heats up when Altan and Nuri find themselves hunted by rival sets of gangsters. Pic is good-looking, thanks to crisp photography by Garry Turnbull and processing in Hungarian film labs. Alanson's bouncy music score is also a plus.
With: Cem Yilmaz, Mazhar Alanson, Selim Nasit Ozcan, Ceyda Duvenci.
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Date in print: Mon., Apr. 5, 1999