The Breath

The only fake part of film was the geography of the mountain.And we could disregard that because there is an ongoing war in its original geography. Cast was made of cinematography students, but they were playing themselves. Turkish people are much likely to enjoy the drama than others but the film has its own war atmosphere. Not like other wars, this war has much hide and seek tactics and ambush mechanics. Director himself is a soldier. He had duty on same mountains as well as characters. But its not a war film. Its a peace film. True dialog, true characters, true film. I wish i could see the war ended. This movie is not about the war. don't think about the terrorism in Turkey that about the movie. Nor militarist neither anti-militarist. Not just about the terrorism. This movie is about the life. Lifes, which lives in 40 different souls. This is about the love. to love someone, poems, dreams, and to love mainland. Just to protect their land for to go their sweet home.This is not a fake bravery story. you will see the fear in their eyes. You'll see the tears. And you will consider what is the meaning of innocent soldier. Watch it, you will not lose anything. You 'll gain a life. And you will do anything to protect your life. This movie will tell you what is the meaning of love, under the threats of bullets.

This is a must-see movie if you are somehow interested in PKK terror throughout the 90s. It is of further interest for those interested in how a successful movie can be produced with professional directing despite an almost-all amateur cast.

It is apparent that a good part of the scenario is based on real events: From personal experience, I recall reading about of the occasions and situations in the movie from the local media. The battle scenes are quite graphic and accurate. The characters feel quite real. They are not necessarily deep, but depth of character is not really necessary for the storyline, as this movie is about the lives of soldiers in an obscure, remote military post.

The camera use in the movie is excellent. In the opening scenes, the audience experiences the vastness of the landscape. The feeling of loneliness and being deserted is strongly conveyed. Further into the movie, the camera is used professionally to convey a feeling of urgency in the battle scenes, of which there are only a few. It is equally professional in conveying tranquility, and if you watch the movie, you will see one climax where this contrast is made very apparent.

In various connecting scenes, the passage of time and the feeling of timelessness is communicated through fast moving clouds, reminiscent of Donnie Darko.

On a further note, most of the actors are either amateurs or had very short acting careers. However, the director manages to offset this setback by using different camera angles where the audience does not have to see the faces of the actors to understand their feelings or mood. This movie is an excellent example of low budget casting can be more successful than many professional actors when good directorship is used.

Those being said, there are some unnecessarily long scenes in the second part of the movie, where the captain explains in head-aching detail his philosophy and thoughts as he becomes more and more suicidal. However, I do not take any points off my score for this setback, because long live the Turkish warriors. 10/10

The Breath begins almost as a Turkish version of Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket. A drill instructor berates a group of young soldiers; telling them that they will all die; especially if they sleep. He says that their mothers will cry when their bodies are sent home for burial. He asks one of the boys if he has a girlfriend. When he answers yes, the commander says, not anymore, and while you are fighting for your country, she will find a new boyfriend.

The platoon is sent to a dangerous mountain region at the Iraqi border to stop the radical Kurdistan Workers Party. The Turkish soldiers learn quickly that they are canon fodder for their government; a fairly universal theme everywhere. The battle scenes are well made and as military films go, The Breath is one of the better ones that I've seen. Director Levent Semerci make you really care what happens to the brave young men.

Wow... I didn't know what to expect when I watched this film. I was completely blown away by the story and the experience. When I discovered that it was based upon a true story, it only kicked me that much harder.

I've actually had people make comments to me about how they would love to be American after seeing a film like Air Force One. I never understood their desire until I saw this film... It made me wish I could be a Turkish soldier! I'm biased - what can I say? I have the utmost respect for the Turkish Asker. So much that I would lay down my own life to protect Turkey and each and every brother that defends her.

That said - this picture is powerful and moving. Forget the attitudes experienced in main stream cinema. This movie pulls out the feelings and the pride from within, no matter what your nationality may be.

It hurts to face reality of war. But imagine how the soldiers felt.

This movie is based on a an event of incursion of the small military stationery located at the top of the Mountains in Semdinli (Southeastern border of Turkey) by a PKK terrorist group in 1993. Despite of being a Azeri Turk, I tried to watch and discuss this movie objectively. Why this movie deserves to be watched? Because: This is a unique Turkish movie that incorporated humor, grief, reality, originality, art and most of all simplicity in performance.

The acting was pure and simple much like as an original Turkish soldier. A bunch of soldiers from different regions of Turkey connected in a quest. None of them actors were celebrities in real life. Made an impression that I would see and do the same things and have the same conversations if I were in military in some other place. I think nothing is exaggerated in the story and it has an objective opinion on the terrorism but explains it from the Turkish side of view. I've never seen such a pure and simple acting that made me feel in their shoes. The 'calling home' part of the movie is one of the greatest parts. In those couple of minutes I realized that it could be me, my friend (who is a doctor and made his military duty at the same region) or my relative. Don't know how other people would feel but every single Turk watching this movie will see a part of themselves in those soldiers' life. The director is very very successful in transmitting the atmosphere and he deserves a special mention for mastery in simplifying that movie which seems to be actually complicated in it's nature.

The artistic scenery especially from a photographic view is another thing that made me feel proud and happy as a photographer.

The music at the background successfully synchronized with the events and moods during the entire movie.

Finally, the movie is named as 'Nefes' which stands for 'the breath' and is explained in such a conversation that touched me deeply: 'In the fight what matters is breath: whether you 'take' it or 'give' at the end!'...

I'd advise anyone to watch this movie... You'll definitely like the cinematography, directing, acting and most of all this is one of the best achievements in Turkish cinema in my opinion...

Watch it!