zdilay Reviews

Ruben Brandt, Collector (2018)

A Great Surprise - one of the best movies I've seen in awhile!

[10/10 · 3 December 2018]

First of all I haven't write a review for a long time but this movie definitely deserves more than one review, since it was artistically perfect, maybe your style or not but it was done right, worth to check it out if it is shown anywhere near you.

I watched this movie during Festival on the wheels in Ankara, and fell in love with it right away from the start, but I have to tell it is a bit of an acquired taste, it takes a while to get used to the esthetics and physical appearances of the characters. The story is solid and interesting, it starts fast and pulls you in right away. The director balanced everything just fine, a little bit of fun here and there, sometimes a smile and other times a good chuckle. There are scary, creepy elements in this too, so definitely not for the faint hearted.

Without giving any spoilers, it is a very internationally culture references packed animation, lots of art, lots of cities with a nice background music. Overall I don't want to spoil any bit of it, since it takes whatever you know and recreates in its own universe. I salute the director for creating such a good piece of art himself by melting known art in his own pot. Good job!

Of Snails and Men (2012)

better than expected, funny and full of soul

[8/10 · 14 June 2014]

I went to this movie's screening as not my choice, somebody wanted to see and I was coming along. Though I was sitting in that theater expecting for some boredom, something else happened, it really opened an era in my cinematic life plans, now I want to watch other Romanian movies. What I liked about this movie is, it has good balance, between being funny and still also giving right information and director's own interpretation of it. Another fact this movie showed me was how workers everywhere around the world face similar problems, although Turkey has never had a communist era -but hey we had the military coup and other stuff, so still we have been taking in some punches too- I was still be able to relate to the problems Romanian people facing at the start of 90s. This is a movie for anyone from East Europe, feels like this movie is not just Romanian, but it spoke for a region and an era. Thank you for the pleasing 93 minutes!

Büyük Oyun (2009)

well hidden gem, funny but not hilarious, sad but not soul wrenching

[9/10 · 7 April 2013]

Today I watched this very well kept secret and I'm really surprised about not hearing about it before. The plot is both very known and distant. It is about a Turkmen girl who lost her family and trying to find her way through in life. She leaves now deserted village with an aim, to find her brother. So it is mostly a road movie. What I really liked about this movie is, it's very subtle and simple, the reality shown in the movie is not poking your eyes, like a documentary, you just accept it. Maybe the final twist is a bit of a far stretch, but still acceptable, and even lightens the heavy plot. There are other balancing moments in this movie which you smile and even laugh, so unlike most movies about middle east you don't feel horrible after it ends. Also if you liked Homeland you should give this movie a chance. You might notice a surprise.