Yaman Okay Movies

Xavier Koller's fact-based drama chronicles the hardships suffered by a family of Turkish farmers who sell all of their worldly possessions in order to fund an escape to the greener pastures of Switzerland. En route, they fall prey to a group of smugglers, who direct them to access Switzerland via an illegal and dangerous mountain pass. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

The title of this German film translates to Vatanyolu -The Journey Home. Like many films of the late 1980s, Vatanyolu dramatizes the trials and tribulations of foreigners living in contemporary West Germany -- in this instance, a Turkish laborer. Offered a great deal of money if he'll return to his old job in his native land, our hero finds that his family is dead-set against moving back. Despite the plotline's darker aspects, Vatanyolu-Die Heimreise is essentially a comedy. Whether or not its appeal will extend to American audiences is best left up to those audiences. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this well-photographed drama from director Serif Goren, a young Turkish widow (Hulya Kocyigit) lives near the Greek border and goes to work in the rice fields after her husband is murdered. She tries to make a living for herself and her young son, ignoring the male workers who obviously lust after her in spite of the fact she is newly widowed. When a former suitor returns after he is released from prison, her life becomes even more complicated. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

With good guidance from director Zeki Okten but an uninspired script, this story of a brother and his Turkish family influenced by old and new traditions is somewhat uneven. Bilal (Tarik Akan) is devoted to the art of wrestling, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who were both champions at the sport. Aside from his interest in wrestling for its own sake, Bilal has a chance to win a provincial wrestling contest and thereby bring home a considerable cash award for his efforts -- and so his days are spent in training for the event. Meanwhile, his brother and sister-in-law and their daughter have come back home after living in Germany for 12 years and are finding the adjustment to their cultural roots a bumpy ride. As long scenes of well-oiled and slippery wrestlers in action prepare viewers for Bilal's big event, the struggle of these men is reminiscent of the struggle of Bilal's family to come to grips with a world they may not be able to accept unconditionally.
~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi