There are many crossings or cross-overs here - crossing borders, countries, families, communities, societies, mentalities, genders, sexes. It is a brilliant title.
And Lia is an amazing woman with many layers that are slowly peeled off, to her surprise as well sometimes. She does most of the crossing here and it is beautiful. She emerges at the end as the wisewoman of her village, her region, her community and a mother figure to both Achi, the young boy left behind as a child by his mother and Tekla, the niece she had neglected long ago, when she still cared about appearances and people's judgements.
This is how you make an honest movie about a very sensitive topic in a highly conservative and patriarchal society that can actually reach some people who may be undecided on the issue. It shows us things as they are, raw, awkward, funny, uncomfortable, weird, warm, heartbreaking, but maybe most of all believable and to some extent even relatable. You can relate to Achi, who clings to Lia, but is also just a teenager who needs to eat, drink and have fun without thinking about the consequences, Evrim who wants to help people who can't help themselves or are self-destructive for whatever reason, but Evrim also needs somebody to love her and help her, and Lia who is a retired aunt, respected in her small community, but has just realized she is all alone and her only remaining relative is a child she has failed to protect and care for.
And despite all the worries, mishaps and trouble they run into in the big city of Istanbul, there is always a party around the corner to ease your sorrows or somebody to help you out. There is a great deal of warmth in this movie with quite a few bleak moments. And I was ready to embrace that Deus ex Machina ending, only it was too good to be true and my heart broke for Tekla.
Again, this is how you make a movie without pushing an agenda down people's throat. With real people and real reactions and real dialogue.
