Hilmi Sözer Movies
The Turkish diaspora in Germany proves the catalyst for this noir-flavored drama concerning the unlikely friendship between a veteran of the Afghan-Soviet war and a middle-aged Turk in need of a helping hand. Returning home for his mother's funeral when he happens across a business associate to whom he owes a sizable debt, Thomas (Benno Fürmann) subsequently stumbles into intoxicated Turk Ali (Hilmi Sözer) while fleeing in haste. Ali has nearly driven his van into a local canal, and now he needs a driver to chauffeur him around his modest kingdom of crumbling snack bars. Recognizing the opportunity to make some quick and easy cash, Thomas agrees. But Thomas doesn't know that Ali is an intensely jealous and distrustful man, two traits that threaten to spell tragedy when Thomas enters into a passionate affair with Ali's gorgeous German bride (Nina Hoss). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Benno Fürmann, Nina Hoss, (more)
When the owner of a Turkish food stand hires his nephew to film a commercial in hopes of bringing in new business, the competition between the Turkish stand and an adjacent Greek food stand finds family tensions rising in director Anno Saul's darkly comic family drama. Though the aspiring filmmaker's catchy commercial does little to increase the profits of the struggling Turkish food stand, the owner of the nearby Greek stand sees the potential in advertising and soon places a request for his own commercial with the eager young director. Though his disapproving uncle makes it undoubtedly clear that he vehemently disapproves of the endeavor, the filmmaker drives a sizeable wedge between himself and his family when he sets about shooting the advertisement regardless of their objections. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Denis Moschitto, Nora Tschirner, (more)
- 2003
A crew of construction workers simultaneously initiate a young architect into their midst while literally trying to diffuse an explosive situation in German director Peter Thorwarth's 2003 work comedy, Was Nicht Passt, Wird Passend Gemacht (If It Don't Fit, Use a Bigger Hammer). Crew leader Horst (Willi Thomczyk), with his two underlings Kalle (Ralf Richter) and Kummel (Hilmi Sözer), is ordered by their boss, Werner Wiesenkamp (Dietmar Baer), to work with the young architect Philipp (Thorwarth). Horst takes this personally, especially when the architect starts hitting on Horst's daughter Astrid (Alexandra Maria Lara). Playing a number of humbling pranks on Philipp whilst on the scene of their newest work site, the builders discover an unexpected complication: an undetonated bomb from World War II lying where the foundation of the building is to be laid. Based on the student Oscar-nominated short film of the same name -- and by the same director -- If It Don't Fit, Use a Bigger Hammer was selected as an entry for the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Can a gay man pushing 50 find happiness as the guardian of a girl just edging into her teens? Zeki (Hilmi Sozer) is a middle-aged cabaret performer who has been doing his flamboyant song, dance, and comedy routine in gay clubs throughout Europe ever since he left his native Turkey nearly two decades ago. After a gig in Amsterdam, Zeki gets word that an old acquaintance has died, and he travels to Germany to attend the funeral. However, after the memorial service, Zeki is informed that his friend had a 13-year-old daughter, Senay (Ozlem Blume), and that he's been asked to look after the girl until her mother, an exotic dancer, can be located. Taking care of children is hardly second nature for Zeki, and it isn't long before he discovers Senay's mother isn't especially interested in being reunited with her daughter; while they hardly get along at first, Zeki and Senay become close as they travel across Europe looking for her mother, with Zeki scoring the occasional club engagement along the way. Auslandstournee was directed and co-written by Ayse Polat; it was his first feature. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hilmi Sözer, Ozlem Blume, (more)
- 2000
Self-conscious German-Turkish hipsters and petty crime rule the day in this gangland piece, the main focus of which is Ertan (Luke Piyes), a young punk who wants to be a bigtime player in his town's drug scene. "Kanak" is a derogatory term for immigrants. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyron Ricketts
- 1998
This German-Finnish comedy-drama road movie is the directorial debut of former production manager Peter Lichtefeld, known for his short films. Beer deliverer Hannes (Joachim Krol) is a trainspotter who obsessively studies timetables. Told he can't leave his job for the world's first International Timetable Competition, Hannes punches his boss and hits the road, unaware that he's become a suspect after the accidental death of his boss and a robbery of the company safe. Shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joachim Krol, Outi Mäenpää, (more)
