Crossing Istanbul

I really liked how the title explains perfectly what this film is about. It's about people who crosses to a different country, whose own lives crosses with characters that are nothing like them, and finally about people who are crossing genders on a quest to find themselves. The acting was superb, specially Evrim's character played by Deniz Dumanli. All the characters are complex and extremely interesting and I really loved how the movie has a slight twist making you expect one thing and delivering another. Istanbul depiction was beautiful but not in a postcard touristy way and it really showed the vibe of this huge, exotic, amazing city. What I liked the most was the connections that we could see forming between people who are unlikely to be hanging out. The music and cinematograpghy were also both very good. I strongly recommend this movie to any film lover.

Director Levan Akim has done it again. Made a very memorable film. And educational. The previous And Then We Danced took place in Georgia. Here the action takes place in the world metropolis Istanbul.

Like his previous film, Akim again addresses issues related to minorities, in this case trans women. Again, he manages to teach me at least a lot about what it is like to live as a trans woman in a challenging environment. But like in the previous film, this one is also full of charm and warmth. So it is not a black and sad film that we are watching. Here there is warmth and courage among those we follow along the way.

I see such clear parallels to the previous film, which was about a young gay dancer who was ostracized from his environment in Georgia. Here there is a touching story about a family member who is looking for a dear niece who was once just asked by her loved ones to leave, because of who she is. We read in the face of the aunt who is searching that she wants a reunion and that feelings about the loss of relationships are a hard burden to bear.

In the search for the niece, we encounter an incredible number of fascinating destinies in the metropolis of Istanbul. As I understand it, most of the characters in this film are newcomers and have little or no acting experience. What director Akim has managed to get them to perform is astonishing and eye-catching. Here, everyone delivers, and is believable and convincing.

And I also want to add, I love the scenes from Istanbul. Amazing city.

This film deserves a large audience.

I look forward to the next film from this incredibly fascinating director.

Levan Akin is a brilliant filmmaker and this film is flawless. Istanbul is beautiful and inviting yet can feel terribly lonely at the same time for a foreigner and this essence is so well captured in the background of this road movie. Every role is perfectly cast and the acting is superb. Multiple themes are addressed: Longing for family, regret, and the humanity in the diversity of all people.

The three main actors (in fact all the actors) gave nuanced performances that were so believable. There is very little sex and violence here. Great writing can imply it without graphically showing it. These types of interior films shot on location are not easy to produce but after seeing this, I need to see every film made by Akin.

Levan Akin's new film wonderfuly captures the essence of istanbul. The composition and shots combined with the strong chemistry of the main characters make up for a wholesome story. Mzia Arabuli is wonderful and her character is one of the best aspects of the movie. Storywise crossing features a fresh script by combining the modest lives of 3 people and creates an story that strongly bonds together by showing different aspects of each characters lives, coincidentally based in the same condition but with different purposes. The only exception in the film was the choice of music as it didn't make a strong impact and definitely could have been used better. Especially in the ending scene. But overall despite being a festival film(for people with bias), crossing takes its place as one of the greater movies of 2024 that should definitely be seen for its unique story and characters.

I was not sure I wanted to see this film at first as the opening shots seemed dreary. How mistaken I was. A story with heart develops that grips you as it goes along. The main character, a retired teacher in search of her niece (trans) is not an easy one and has issues herself although these are never explained but just hinted on as in real life. Her counterpart an aimless youth in search of a job (and a life) follows her much to her annoyance from Georgia to Istanbul, Turkey where her niece seems to have gone This search or the journey that Lia (the retired teacher) undertakes helps her understand more about herself, about letting go of prejudices or people's expectations of oneself and of reaching out to others.

As is poignantly observed 'Istanbul seems to be the place where one comes to disappear' . The disappearance of a self to discover a new self The film is shot in a matter of fact way with little camera tricks or beautiful angles despite the cities involved. Although the background looks dreary most of the time the life that is breathed therein makes it a vibrant one The closing shot of Lia on a ship in the middle of the sea, with the camera circling about her is a most telling one. Recommended.