Jin, like in Cosmos, is a cinematographic masterpiece! The nature, the colours, music, and everything else... However... The however lies in the dialogues. In the film the girl is a PKK run-away, thus she is a Kurd. However, when she speaks Kurdish, you know that she does not know the language. This might not be a big deal for many, BUT IT THROWS ME RIGHT OFF! When I see this, I remember the Turkish movies from the 70, where in trying to speak like the Kurds, the actors would sound horribly wrong. This same problem existed in the movie Eastern Promises. The guy who speaks Turkish sounds like he is an Iranian, and you know it, because you know the language. In short, although I enjoyed Jin a lot, I could not get this problem, till the last minute.
5 Reviews
Innocence Lost - or an Innocent Girl to Save the World?
two-rivers31 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
17-year-old Jîn takes part in the Turkish-Kurdish conflict as a Kurdish guerrilla fighter. But she wants to leave it all behind and seek refuge in another part of the country...
But more than a documentary observation about an actual war conflict, "Jîn" can be taken as a universal story
According to the director's own declarations in the Q&A session following the screening of the movie at the 63rd edition of the Berlin Film Festival the title giving name has two different meanings: in Kurdish "Jîn" means "Life", while in Turkish, although without the circumflex, it means "Woman".
Therefore an explanation of the film could be given on various levels. Of course, Jîn, although not yet of age, is first of all seen as a woman, and, more than that, as a Kurdish woman, who - traveling alone – is considered an easy prey by the males that surround her. Several attempts of rape occur, and it is significant that Jîn always defends herself like a fierce animal in order to keep her innocence intact.
Innocence is lost nevertheless. This, however, is shown not by the girl herself, but by the landscape in which she has to survive. Being on the run and having no friends to save or protect her, Jîn is often seen as a lonely inhabitant of the forest or the mountain. But these apparently inhospitable places, in which for any human soul it would seem difficult to stay alive, develop into a kind of enchanted realm in which a secret communication takes place between the protagonist and its local dwellers: birds, sheep, turtles and even a bear. It is in this kingdom of animals that Jîn finds the protection that the human world cannot offer her.
The destruction of war, however, does not stop at the frontiers of paradise. When the detonations of artillery and bombs strike the remoteness of the land, we witness the bewilderment of the animals – as if they could not believe their eyes. Paradise all of a sudden is smeared by the sin of human insensitivity. Is all hope gone?
Fortunately Jîn, this time with the circumflex, is the owner of a speaking name and therefore opposed to the forces of death and destruction. She shows this by not killing the Turkish soldier, when she is alone with him in the forest. Her taking care of and eventually healing him, which took her a great deal of pain and effort, was not understandable to some parts of the audience: Why did she not take the chance to take revenge? After all, her father was killed by the Turks, when she was only two, and all the trouble of her life started back then!
But such an action would just provoke a continuation of the spiral of violence and not lead to a good end. It is thanks to film makers like Reha Erdem and the fictitious character invented by him that we are shown a pathway into a better world. Jîn, that innocent girl, at the end of the movie – though heavily wounded – is not dead. It is only up to the people in the world to revive her – so that she finally will get what she always wanted and what she fully deserves: a "Life".
But more than a documentary observation about an actual war conflict, "Jîn" can be taken as a universal story
According to the director's own declarations in the Q&A session following the screening of the movie at the 63rd edition of the Berlin Film Festival the title giving name has two different meanings: in Kurdish "Jîn" means "Life", while in Turkish, although without the circumflex, it means "Woman".
Therefore an explanation of the film could be given on various levels. Of course, Jîn, although not yet of age, is first of all seen as a woman, and, more than that, as a Kurdish woman, who - traveling alone – is considered an easy prey by the males that surround her. Several attempts of rape occur, and it is significant that Jîn always defends herself like a fierce animal in order to keep her innocence intact.
Innocence is lost nevertheless. This, however, is shown not by the girl herself, but by the landscape in which she has to survive. Being on the run and having no friends to save or protect her, Jîn is often seen as a lonely inhabitant of the forest or the mountain. But these apparently inhospitable places, in which for any human soul it would seem difficult to stay alive, develop into a kind of enchanted realm in which a secret communication takes place between the protagonist and its local dwellers: birds, sheep, turtles and even a bear. It is in this kingdom of animals that Jîn finds the protection that the human world cannot offer her.
The destruction of war, however, does not stop at the frontiers of paradise. When the detonations of artillery and bombs strike the remoteness of the land, we witness the bewilderment of the animals – as if they could not believe their eyes. Paradise all of a sudden is smeared by the sin of human insensitivity. Is all hope gone?
Fortunately Jîn, this time with the circumflex, is the owner of a speaking name and therefore opposed to the forces of death and destruction. She shows this by not killing the Turkish soldier, when she is alone with him in the forest. Her taking care of and eventually healing him, which took her a great deal of pain and effort, was not understandable to some parts of the audience: Why did she not take the chance to take revenge? After all, her father was killed by the Turks, when she was only two, and all the trouble of her life started back then!
But such an action would just provoke a continuation of the spiral of violence and not lead to a good end. It is thanks to film makers like Reha Erdem and the fictitious character invented by him that we are shown a pathway into a better world. Jîn, that innocent girl, at the end of the movie – though heavily wounded – is not dead. It is only up to the people in the world to revive her – so that she finally will get what she always wanted and what she fully deserves: a "Life".
Turkish film "Jîn" confirms its creator Reha Erdem's immense talent.
FilmCriticLalitRao27 January 2014
Although his first film "Oh Moon" was a huge success, Turkish director Reha Erdem firmly established his career in cinema with enormous worldwide success of Kaç Para Kaç/"Run for money". In "Jîn", he has chosen to portray the intrinsic nature which human beings share with animals. This film scores well in all departments especially photography which is highly close to nature. Animals and birds have been captured vividly to such an extent that one cannot help wondering whether they are really more natural than some of the most famous popular actors. Despite its overt political message for peace, "Jîn" begins with the portrayal of a young girl on the run. How is she able to conquer all obstacles and emerge a winner appears to be the film's main theme. Although it presents viewers with some idea about what is happening to people living in remote parts of Turkey, one cannot fail to marvel at the realistic depiction of the life of Kurdish people. This is one of the principal strengths of this film.
Bold and beautiful
Can_Beker30 January 2021
This movie can share the title of "Reha Erdem's masterpiece" with Kosmos. However, this precedes Kosmos by daring to touch on a sensitive political element in Turkey and adding a strongly humanitarian dimension to its well-crafted cinematography. Reha Erdem proves himself as arguably the best contemporary Turkish director with this movie.
enchantingly beautiful actress and scenery
senorsilencio1 February 2014
this lovely film moved me to post my first review. I usually prefer movies with lots of dialog. Turkish films generally don't have what I look for. Leaving the politics aside; I was spellbound by this character and the mountains were magnificent. This film was so moving that any criticisms I would have seem insignificant. The Kurdish cultural perspective was a nice refreshing point of view. The only movie I can think of to compare this to would maybe be "Into the wild." I would probably be happy to watch this actress doing just about anything. And the mountains of Turkey seem like a fairy-tale location. Thanks for letting me gush
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