This is a great movie. In my opinion, it particularly deserves credit for pointing at how difficult it was to talk in and of Kurdish in Turkey at the time (1983). In the movie, no one speaks Kurdish, but it's presence is definitely felt - particularly in the interactions between the teacher & the children and the teacher & the women. So, the movie not only points at the state's ignorance of Kurdish in its education system, but also at the hardships of shooting a movie that recognizes the presence of Kurdish in Turkey. I would strongly advise "On the way to School" (2008) to those who are interested in the subject of linguistic rights and in particular of Kurdish in Turkey. Juxtaposing the two movies would help understand how much it has changed since 1983 - at least in terms of talking of Kurdish if not in Kurdish- considering that Kurdish is still not taught at schools.
3 Reviews
The harshness and beauty of life in the deep mountains
zehunter_99 April 2024
As a western viewing this movie I enjoyed it immensily. Being a foreigner i Turkiey, but knowing a tiny bit about its costumes and recent history, I was amazed by this depiction of a village lost in the interior of Turkey, close to the border with Syria. It shows the habits of the Kurdish population, and how a teacher that comes from a big city like Istanbul faces a culture shock. Above all, I think this movie is very beautiful, shows a reality we rarely seen, the lifes and struggles of the misfits the humbleness of poor people but also how they are humans. A great piece of history and culture.
It is obvious that it is a different movie.
CursedChico1 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It is obvious that it is a different movie. A cold geography among the snow. In a creepy way. Adapted from the novel. Genco erkal young. He played great.
It's not like other movies with teachers going to the East. I expected it to be that way throughout the movie. I mean, because there may be things like opposition to the teacher, bigotry, but it's hard to happen because there are people who are thirsty for the teacher for the doctor.
In fact, anyone who comes to the teacher's room enters the house without knocking. I guess he's single.
Why can't the villager eat, while the teacher can eat oranges, I wonder if he has no money. I do not fully understand there because the teacher salary is not that high. The happiness of Aladdin when he wanted and bought orange was really sad.
Snow lasts for months. Hence the quarantine. They've been there alone for months. They are alone even when there is no snow. For example, there is no doctor. There are no possibilities.
The last speech of the teacher when leaving was nice. When the inspector came, I realized that he was exiled. I thought it was compulsory service. What could be the reason for going into exile, I wonder if it is political.
No internet, no television. He always writes and reads in the gas lamp. 40 years ago after all. Is the situation different now, I do not think.
Did anyone else come after the teacher left, I don't think so. There were perhaps some people there who had the talent for painting, but because of the circumstances, because of what was taught, they couldn't even step out of the village for years. There is no possibility.
Halit was the murderer, I guess. He was going to adana, on the last reserved line. He said I took orders, killed things. Why would anyone order to kill the peasant in his own way? I could not understand them.
It's not like other movies with teachers going to the East. I expected it to be that way throughout the movie. I mean, because there may be things like opposition to the teacher, bigotry, but it's hard to happen because there are people who are thirsty for the teacher for the doctor.
In fact, anyone who comes to the teacher's room enters the house without knocking. I guess he's single.
Why can't the villager eat, while the teacher can eat oranges, I wonder if he has no money. I do not fully understand there because the teacher salary is not that high. The happiness of Aladdin when he wanted and bought orange was really sad.
Snow lasts for months. Hence the quarantine. They've been there alone for months. They are alone even when there is no snow. For example, there is no doctor. There are no possibilities.
The last speech of the teacher when leaving was nice. When the inspector came, I realized that he was exiled. I thought it was compulsory service. What could be the reason for going into exile, I wonder if it is political.
No internet, no television. He always writes and reads in the gas lamp. 40 years ago after all. Is the situation different now, I do not think.
Did anyone else come after the teacher left, I don't think so. There were perhaps some people there who had the talent for painting, but because of the circumstances, because of what was taught, they couldn't even step out of the village for years. There is no possibility.
Halit was the murderer, I guess. He was going to adana, on the last reserved line. He said I took orders, killed things. Why would anyone order to kill the peasant in his own way? I could not understand them.
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