Act of Vengeance

I have to say I strongly disagree with Mz Haneke, This is a solid - almost - Hollywood quality action movie bringing up the Islamofoby issue which was probably orchestrated by certain policy makers to create a terrorist enemy that they could use whenever they need one. Story's good, most of the actors acted well, the scenery and the action scenes were very well shot indeed. The terrorist groups looked terrifying to us Muslims as much as they would to Non-Muslims and I believe what is told in the movie really touches to the reality. I watched it as I watched an episode of "24" and I'd like to congratulate all the people involved in the shooting of this film. And please... the multimillion dollar movie "The Expendables" -although I like every actor in that movie very much - were more a disappointment for me for it's storyline and acting. If that was a blockbuster, "Five Minarets in New York" is no less. And yes, I'm not a movie-critic, just a movie-goer but I do have a taste in films, I rarely admire much. Nice work!

Despite a few clichés, the movie is not, first of all, a predictable one. It starts like any other Hollywood picture, with secret agents and the most fresh subject: Muslim and terrorism. But further more we find that it is about religion, about the fact that there is only one God. We find that the fundamentalist's of Islam are not tolerated by the Islam itself. We can see a dialog between a fundamentalist priest and a true one, despite the fact that they are dressed in ... white and black, suppose a lack of inspiration. We find that the destiny is inevitably. We find that there is love and forgiveness in both - in all of religions.

NEW TORK'TA BES MINARE starts off in familiar fashion, as two Turkish cops travel to New York in pursuit of an alleged terrorist from Turkey who has been living in New York for thirty-seven years. There they encounter a group of FBI agents with innate prejudices against foreigners, and Muslims in particular. The two cops are drawn into a complex world, presided over by Islamic convert Danny Glover, where they seem apparently powerful to act. As the film unfolds, however, so the story becomes more complex. Hadji (Haluk Bilginer), ostensibly the prime suspect in the case - whose capture the Turkish cops are entrusted with - turns out to be completely different from what we, as the audience, expect of him. Director Mahsun Kirmizigul's film turns out to be a meditation on extremism, irrespective of religious difference: some Americans, as well as Turks, seem incapable of adopting either a moderate or a tolerant point of view. The film has a surprise ending, where we discover the true reason why Hadji went to America, and what kind of a person he actually was. Both noble yet self-aware, he remains a figure to admire in a complex world. NEW YORK'TA BES MINARE is an unexpectedly complex work, tautly filmed and grippingly told.

It was worth viewing for me as a Turkish language learner, though I have seen way better Turkish films. It does not lack the positive message, the peace and acceptance toward other religions, some kind of motif related to the return of prodigal son, mother son relationship, vengeance and a surprising unexpected ending. Those familiar with Mustafa Sandal the singer will recognize him in the person of one of the agents, the other one is played by the director himself. The main character is impersonated by Haluk Bilginer who until the mid nineties acted in Britain. Also one can see other familiar faces, like Robert Patrick, Danny Glover. I can't write full quotes, but I can tell some views of Hadji which contain something like every religion is the love of God which brings to Him, killing will make you go to hell, dying brings you to meet God. He shows full acceptance of Christians, his wife is Christian and her daughter marries a Christian.

At first i have to admit that i was prejudiced against Mahsun Kirmizigul before watching his movies like most people around me. "He is a singer , right? How come he could direct a movie and write its script at the same time? No way!" said several times. But after watching his movies, i am impressed with his talent. This film was criticized unjustly and it was wrong! Yes, there is some script holes so what? They are not disturbingly apparent... The action scenes were good,in emotional scenes i watched it with tears in my eyes and actor performances were quite good, especially Haluk Bilginer, Suna Selen (mother of Haluk Bilginer in the movie) and Gina Gershon . I really enjoyed watching it very much. What else do you expect by going to a movie anyway? I give 7 over 10 and i was worth it for sure...

Lastly, i really want to see this movie on the theaters outside Turkey. Because the issues in the movie is universal and they were handled quite well: prejudice against Islam, terrorism and the violence that changes lives.