The timing of Selam:Bahara Yolculuk was just terrific if you ask me. This film made the cinema goers incredibly happy, totally relieved. The reason why they feel so delighted is because of the awfully socio-political period the Turkish people have been going through. The recent appalling hatred-based speeches by the ruling party caused a lot of polarization among people, widened the gap, damaged the peace- making bridges and harmed people mentally. The Gov't dishonored a lot of 'Hizmet-followers', besmirched their opinion and called them (the most patriotic and peaceful people) liars. Surely that was an outrageous slander! Particularly at this point, this film became medical.
The first Selam film was shot in three different countries and focused on three different stories. Actually all events in those countries were more or less the same thing. It depicted the difficult lives of three different teachers who had to struggle with the hardship of their lives in foreign cultures they were living in. Unlike the first film Selam: Bahara Yolculuk is based on only one touching story. An amazing story of a family, its commitment and success to establish a school in a godforsaken place in Kyrgyzstan.
Like the first part of Selam, all the facts and events are completely based on a true story. The places, the knotty problems, the misery, the pitiable situation of the family and the family's devotion are reflected to the big screen nicely. Of course it isn't a documentary film about a family's survival story. On the contrary, this film's got an extremely compelling story, superbly crafted by Hamdi Alkan, the director.
Even though it is a film that actually introduces the audience ''The Gulen Movement (Hizmet)'', but all film fans would like it whether they have some preliminary information about ''Hizmet'' or not. For instance, Fethullah Gulen's humble abode, the '5.floor' in Altunizade Istanbul is shown in the very beginning of the film. It is a well- known place for the 'Hizmet' followers, yet, it might have never been heard from many people in Turkey. But it really doesn't matter. Everybody enjoys it. It's just not these parts which make you the most amazed, it's honestly the whole movie. Hence the reason I give full marks to Hamdi Alkan for directing a film which made me (a Hizmet follower) and everybody else feel touched.
There's just one little hair in the soup. The acting isn't one of the best thing in the movie. The performances aren't Oscar-winning enough however the main Turkish and Kyrgyz characters are impressive. I only had problem with the background cast with minor roles but all in all I can tell I saw a decent acting from the actors.
Just imagine, well-educated youngsters who gave their words, their promises, their sacred vows on the 5.floor to Allah the Almighty in front of Fethullah Gulen. Gulen's advice is greatly valued by his lovers/followers and these young men with great sight gave their words to travel anywhere 'fate' is going to appoint them, gave their promises to do nothing but goodness for humanity regardless their religion/language/color/culture, gave their sacred vows not to gain anything, not to ask anything in return, not to follow their desires but work for others and live for others and establish moral values in the entire world. These young Anatolian people have the heart to make people to get to know each other better and establish bridges of dialog. Imagine that! What I'm going to say is that Hamdi Alkan manages to squeeze all the significant aspects of 'Hizmet' delicately in a 126-minute-film, which is why this film is so exceptional.
During the entire movie you witness the heroic sacrifice, heart- wrenchingly sad moments, and tearful commitments. Let me get this straight, you travel to a godforsaken country where there's no infrastructure, left abandoned after Soviet Union's collapse, where there's famine, even the dwellers hate to live there. They question the teacher's good intention, asking like 'now what in the creation would you want up at this place fella?' One of the touching scenes is that when the small child spends his time playing with insects instead of toys or friends. Or the altruistic mother who has been diagnosed with brain tumor, delays her surgery so that she doesn't cause further delay of the construction of an old school building. And the dialog with the doctor will definitely bring tears in your eyes and make your pulse beat thickly in your throat. She asks the mother, quote: ''What can be more important than your health?'' I can't shake that line! I wouldn't wish it on anyone but these are only two samples to make you feel what these great people have been through.
I'd also like to add that one of the memorable moments you will see are, that even the simplest chores we do in our daily lives, become impossible to do. We are talking here about the 90's, not the 30's. The circumstances were far from ideal but there were no complaints!
Well, all the above-mentioned samples might sound nothing but fairy tales to most of us. However these are facts. And Hamdi Alkan, the director, without doubt succeeded pointing out these commitments in his film. It's just so very well written and the reality that is shown in this film is very well done and makes you cry. These scenes become totally heart-rending with the powerful theme music that leaves you inspired, touched, amazed.
To put it in a nutshell, the story of 'Hizmet' is suffering, self- sacrificing, caring, loving, educating, building bridges, establishing harmonious relationships and commitments. I'm sure 'The Gulen Movement' entails a lot of stories. There are hundreds of real life stories waiting for writers to publish them in their books, for film-makers to make film. I believe even the Hollywood directors who harbor no ill will against Muslims or 'Hizmet' will one day produce films based on 'The Gulen Movement'.
The first Selam film was shot in three different countries and focused on three different stories. Actually all events in those countries were more or less the same thing. It depicted the difficult lives of three different teachers who had to struggle with the hardship of their lives in foreign cultures they were living in. Unlike the first film Selam: Bahara Yolculuk is based on only one touching story. An amazing story of a family, its commitment and success to establish a school in a godforsaken place in Kyrgyzstan.
Like the first part of Selam, all the facts and events are completely based on a true story. The places, the knotty problems, the misery, the pitiable situation of the family and the family's devotion are reflected to the big screen nicely. Of course it isn't a documentary film about a family's survival story. On the contrary, this film's got an extremely compelling story, superbly crafted by Hamdi Alkan, the director.
Even though it is a film that actually introduces the audience ''The Gulen Movement (Hizmet)'', but all film fans would like it whether they have some preliminary information about ''Hizmet'' or not. For instance, Fethullah Gulen's humble abode, the '5.floor' in Altunizade Istanbul is shown in the very beginning of the film. It is a well- known place for the 'Hizmet' followers, yet, it might have never been heard from many people in Turkey. But it really doesn't matter. Everybody enjoys it. It's just not these parts which make you the most amazed, it's honestly the whole movie. Hence the reason I give full marks to Hamdi Alkan for directing a film which made me (a Hizmet follower) and everybody else feel touched.
There's just one little hair in the soup. The acting isn't one of the best thing in the movie. The performances aren't Oscar-winning enough however the main Turkish and Kyrgyz characters are impressive. I only had problem with the background cast with minor roles but all in all I can tell I saw a decent acting from the actors.
Just imagine, well-educated youngsters who gave their words, their promises, their sacred vows on the 5.floor to Allah the Almighty in front of Fethullah Gulen. Gulen's advice is greatly valued by his lovers/followers and these young men with great sight gave their words to travel anywhere 'fate' is going to appoint them, gave their promises to do nothing but goodness for humanity regardless their religion/language/color/culture, gave their sacred vows not to gain anything, not to ask anything in return, not to follow their desires but work for others and live for others and establish moral values in the entire world. These young Anatolian people have the heart to make people to get to know each other better and establish bridges of dialog. Imagine that! What I'm going to say is that Hamdi Alkan manages to squeeze all the significant aspects of 'Hizmet' delicately in a 126-minute-film, which is why this film is so exceptional.
During the entire movie you witness the heroic sacrifice, heart- wrenchingly sad moments, and tearful commitments. Let me get this straight, you travel to a godforsaken country where there's no infrastructure, left abandoned after Soviet Union's collapse, where there's famine, even the dwellers hate to live there. They question the teacher's good intention, asking like 'now what in the creation would you want up at this place fella?' One of the touching scenes is that when the small child spends his time playing with insects instead of toys or friends. Or the altruistic mother who has been diagnosed with brain tumor, delays her surgery so that she doesn't cause further delay of the construction of an old school building. And the dialog with the doctor will definitely bring tears in your eyes and make your pulse beat thickly in your throat. She asks the mother, quote: ''What can be more important than your health?'' I can't shake that line! I wouldn't wish it on anyone but these are only two samples to make you feel what these great people have been through.
I'd also like to add that one of the memorable moments you will see are, that even the simplest chores we do in our daily lives, become impossible to do. We are talking here about the 90's, not the 30's. The circumstances were far from ideal but there were no complaints!
Well, all the above-mentioned samples might sound nothing but fairy tales to most of us. However these are facts. And Hamdi Alkan, the director, without doubt succeeded pointing out these commitments in his film. It's just so very well written and the reality that is shown in this film is very well done and makes you cry. These scenes become totally heart-rending with the powerful theme music that leaves you inspired, touched, amazed.
To put it in a nutshell, the story of 'Hizmet' is suffering, self- sacrificing, caring, loving, educating, building bridges, establishing harmonious relationships and commitments. I'm sure 'The Gulen Movement' entails a lot of stories. There are hundreds of real life stories waiting for writers to publish them in their books, for film-makers to make film. I believe even the Hollywood directors who harbor no ill will against Muslims or 'Hizmet' will one day produce films based on 'The Gulen Movement'.