NEFES: VATAN SAGOLSUN Review
[Many thanks to Serdar Kokceoglu for the following review.]
Turkey's ever-changing political agenda bears a significant impact on the lives of its people And the use of visual and written media are the most effective way of communicating this political agenda.
Whilst it could be argued that these media tools are effectively bridging the political world and the society, they are certainly more likely to be used for control and manipulation. Secondary political issues not addressing the immediate needs of the people could easily be over-broadcast and prioritised to set a new agenda, while an urgent matter of utmost priority could be brushed under the carpet without much acknowledgement of its existence. The expected function of the media is giving an opportunity for people's voices to be heard; however, more often than not, they're notorious for sparking the crowd's emotions.
An illustrative and recent example of such "adjustment" has been the fairly moderate media coverage of what was easily seen as a very important step towards resolving the never-ending war and terror reigning in the Southeastern Turkey. A group of 34 PKK militants entered Turkey and surrendered themselves to the local authorities - a very important milestone indeed to cease the continuing bloodshed in this part of the country. And in an equally encouraging display of restraint, the group was not put under arrest by the authorities, as if to send an encouraging message to other PKK groups to follow suit.
Whilst it was too much to bear for the martyrs' families to witness this PKK group given the right to enter the country freely with no resistance, and thus sparking some protests, the vast majority of people witnessed this event unfolding with silent hopes; hoping that this war does end, one way or the other. Such is the wish of the people, us, who have nothing to gain from it.
The movie "Nefes:Vatan Sagolsun/Breath" certainly caught the eye of the world's media and the timing of its release to the box office is certainly not a surprise. This government has sought an increasing interest in establishing a policy commonly referred to as the "Kurdish Resolution"; and, as it turns out, this policy may turn out to be positive towards ending this war. The movie took three years to shoot and took a considerable amount of effort to be completed. And whilst the timing of its release may bring added benefits and interests in such a sensitive diplomatic climate, it may also bring frowns on the faces of the more concerned audience. And without any doubts, certain scenes in the movie, as well as some press releases and most importantly its second title 'Long Live the Homeland' will be nothing short of being reminiscent of a mass-mediated militarist vendetta.
Still, it would not be entirely right to describe it as a dark military movie, setting an agenda for some sort of nationalist emotional blackmail. It depicts the tale of Turkish soldiers posted in a small patrol station, waiting for their near-certain death by the insurging PKK threat. And other than the appearance of a commander, subtly personalising the war theme, not a single death machine can be seen throughout the entire movie. Solely based on this approach, it could even be even said that this movie shows a realistic and humanistic side to it.
Having said that, "Nefes:Vatan Sagolsun/Breath" appears somehow "out of touch" when considering the recent political events. Three years ago, it could have possibly been a stronger movie, making a much bigger statement. However in promising times when PKK militants in mountain outfits surrender themselves, this movie sends a light, unhelpful message to the people, appearing somehow "dephased" with the current reality.
Even though the movie does succeed in creating this great patrol atmosphere, with visually striking special effects and unique combat scenes unseen in the history of Turkish movies, it still could not receive full marks from the prominent movie critics.
And those in the audience in cinemas who were among the people, who protested against the PKK and senior army officers, did give their full approval to this movie.
Review by Serdar Kokceoglu
Turkey's ever-changing political agenda bears a significant impact on the lives of its people And the use of visual and written media are the most effective way of communicating this political agenda.
Whilst it could be argued that these media tools are effectively bridging the political world and the society, they are certainly more likely to be used for control and manipulation. Secondary political issues not addressing the immediate needs of the people could easily be over-broadcast and prioritised to set a new agenda, while an urgent matter of utmost priority could be brushed under the carpet without much acknowledgement of its existence. The expected function of the media is giving an opportunity for people's voices to be heard; however, more often than not, they're notorious for sparking the crowd's emotions.
An illustrative and recent example of such "adjustment" has been the fairly moderate media coverage of what was easily seen as a very important step towards resolving the never-ending war and terror reigning in the Southeastern Turkey. A group of 34 PKK militants entered Turkey and surrendered themselves to the local authorities - a very important milestone indeed to cease the continuing bloodshed in this part of the country. And in an equally encouraging display of restraint, the group was not put under arrest by the authorities, as if to send an encouraging message to other PKK groups to follow suit.
Whilst it was too much to bear for the martyrs' families to witness this PKK group given the right to enter the country freely with no resistance, and thus sparking some protests, the vast majority of people witnessed this event unfolding with silent hopes; hoping that this war does end, one way or the other. Such is the wish of the people, us, who have nothing to gain from it.
The movie "Nefes:Vatan Sagolsun/Breath" certainly caught the eye of the world's media and the timing of its release to the box office is certainly not a surprise. This government has sought an increasing interest in establishing a policy commonly referred to as the "Kurdish Resolution"; and, as it turns out, this policy may turn out to be positive towards ending this war. The movie took three years to shoot and took a considerable amount of effort to be completed. And whilst the timing of its release may bring added benefits and interests in such a sensitive diplomatic climate, it may also bring frowns on the faces of the more concerned audience. And without any doubts, certain scenes in the movie, as well as some press releases and most importantly its second title 'Long Live the Homeland' will be nothing short of being reminiscent of a mass-mediated militarist vendetta.
Still, it would not be entirely right to describe it as a dark military movie, setting an agenda for some sort of nationalist emotional blackmail. It depicts the tale of Turkish soldiers posted in a small patrol station, waiting for their near-certain death by the insurging PKK threat. And other than the appearance of a commander, subtly personalising the war theme, not a single death machine can be seen throughout the entire movie. Solely based on this approach, it could even be even said that this movie shows a realistic and humanistic side to it.
Having said that, "Nefes:Vatan Sagolsun/Breath" appears somehow "out of touch" when considering the recent political events. Three years ago, it could have possibly been a stronger movie, making a much bigger statement. However in promising times when PKK militants in mountain outfits surrender themselves, this movie sends a light, unhelpful message to the people, appearing somehow "dephased" with the current reality.
Even though the movie does succeed in creating this great patrol atmosphere, with visually striking special effects and unique combat scenes unseen in the history of Turkish movies, it still could not receive full marks from the prominent movie critics.
And those in the audience in cinemas who were among the people, who protested against the PKK and senior army officers, did give their full approval to this movie.
Review by Serdar Kokceoglu
Nefes
Director(s)
- Murat Onbul
Writer(s)
- Mehmet Ilker Altinay
Cast
- Tansu Biçer
- Murat Onbul
- Erkan Erten
- Nevbahar Hakverdi
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