Kosmos

While almost all Turkish so-called directors/producers want to create something which can be understood easily, with the most popular way and scenarios, and with no any effort to bring something new to Turkish cinema.. this guy -on the contrary- prefers to walk towards very strong tides, he knows that this kind of films would not make him any more richer or more famous, as this film is not for %95 of Turkish people (hope i am not too much optimistic)...unfortunately our people tends to watch slow and easy-to-understand things, or so-called comedy films full of slang and cheap jokes, or films/soap operas full of out-of-line relations, there is no any preparation in acting nor any deep meaning in story, just cheap characters with poor conversations, nothing to edit, nothing to worry about...So, as a Turkish citizen, i must thank Reha Erdem for this incredible film, not only because i like this movie, but also because really i am proud of him as a Turkish director. I don't want to talk about the film, there are plenty of explanations, but, whatever is told, this film is a must-watch for Turkish People first because Reha Erdem made this film with many difficulties and has brought something new no doubt, there is no any other such film you can compare with, whats more, its really good.

I've never seen like this film before. Really.

I think, Kosmos is a first scream about Turkish modern rebellion. You think like that it is politically, but not. Kosmos bound up with poetry revolt, post-modern disobedience, divinity individualism, valueless of values. In a nutshell, Kosmos is a literary uprising.

Battal, Kosmos, is an outlander and take refuge in a small town where is in Kars, a forgotten city in Turkey. Kars' people want to be remembered and due to this reason they wish the borders must open. Because the small town is too far from both country and city. They feel like derelict and therefore they choke in daily routines, especially a female teacher, feeling be assigned by force to her job, a butcher, being thought of slaying animals, and his daughter. Everybody think that Kosmos is an answer their problems and he have a extraordinary power, being thought of curing their illness.

In reality, all of them wants a clue about their existence but Kosmos doesn't. He does not interested in their pursuits and does not realize he is an answer. He seeks for love and his own god like Spinoza.

I appreciate Reha Erdem as he made a movie discussing very philosophical and mentally confusing arguments. If you have a chance to watch this movie, you must enjoy listening Sigur Rosian musics ( A Silver Mount Zion and Rachel's) and disturbing movie effects.

Reha Erdem's Kosmos is a barren land, a desolate white town inhabited by ghosts, ghosts that are as real as you and I. In this cosmos, chance encounters have the power to throw things in and out of their orbit, and miracles are just as imminent as death.

Through the masterful camera-work we follow the main character Kosmos (remarkable performance by Sermet Yesil) as he wanders through the snow-laden wilderness in eastern Turkey. His presence has a prominent role in the villagers lives, lives that are so wrapped up by borders and boundaries, real and imaginary, that never have come to grasp their true selves.

The strength of the film largely benefits from the expressive performances from all of the cast. Thank you Reha Erdem and everyone involved with this spellbinding film for restoring my faith in Turkish cinema.

I think the director was so obsessed with the underlying theme, he forgot about the story needs to be on the screen. I gave it 5 out of 10, because I don't know what happens in the second half. But from what I've seen in the first half, I know not much is on the way.

I think this is one of those movies in which the theme is so complex (philosophical) that even the actors can't get it. A good movie needs to have a good story that can be followed by an average audience ,and needs to have mind challenging subtext for more complex viewers. In case sub text precludes the story, I'd say it might be a better idea to write a philosophical book ,since such a load of ideas can not be gotten across audience via a movie through two hours. Second, movies must have story , when the subtext comes in the first place in terms of importance, this also obliterates the reason for making a movie.

It is a sad sight when a talented filmmaker allows themselves the luxury of their own vanity.

This film is unfortunately within that category. A mishmash of previous efforts and constant spoon feeding of style without substance, the viewer can hardly follow the plot line. Such an experienced filmmaker should have known that visuals and atmosphere is nothing without a solid plot line.

Erdem's previous efforts were better, but Kosmos unfortunately is catered to the inexperienced standards of Turkish film-goers as an art film. For those of us in Europe and America however, it is mediocre at best.