"Zaman" tells the story of a seasoned middle-aged police inspector running into a variety of problems both of a private and a professional nature. Sadly it is not based on the most compelling or unique screenplay ever written. The ending too leaves a lot to be desired : I won't spoil it for you here, but it smells suspiciously like a case of writer's block or creative disagreement making its way unto the screen. The lack of climax, resolution or denouement will cause many a viewer to feel cheated in some way or another.
However, the acting is quite good. Moreover, "Zaman" is a marvellously atmospheric movie pulsing with movement and life. It is set in one of Belgium's most fascinating cities, to wit the great port city of Antwerp. The Antwerp setting (or rather Antwerp settings, plural) works like a charm, introducing the viewer to a variety of convincing environments and characters. Even if you, dear reader, are unsure where to find Belgium on a map, the movie will make you feel like you're in Antwerp yourself - walking next to the police inspector protagonist, navigating the mean streets and interacting with crooks, smugglers, eccentrics, snouts, ladies of the night.
"Zaman", by the way, pulls no punches when it comes to showing the drawbacks of a career with the police. Our protagonist may not be the nicest of men, but then he has to fight not only crime, but bureaucracy too. For every hour spent in useful work, he needs to spend ten hours typing reports. Moreover, there's the constant risk of his own superiors turning on him as soon as political or economic pressure is applied ; as in a pagan religion, people routinely get sacrificed in order to appease the gods. As a viewer, one rather gets why promising young men choose for a career as a travel agent, Latin teacher or opera singer...
However, the acting is quite good. Moreover, "Zaman" is a marvellously atmospheric movie pulsing with movement and life. It is set in one of Belgium's most fascinating cities, to wit the great port city of Antwerp. The Antwerp setting (or rather Antwerp settings, plural) works like a charm, introducing the viewer to a variety of convincing environments and characters. Even if you, dear reader, are unsure where to find Belgium on a map, the movie will make you feel like you're in Antwerp yourself - walking next to the police inspector protagonist, navigating the mean streets and interacting with crooks, smugglers, eccentrics, snouts, ladies of the night.
"Zaman", by the way, pulls no punches when it comes to showing the drawbacks of a career with the police. Our protagonist may not be the nicest of men, but then he has to fight not only crime, but bureaucracy too. For every hour spent in useful work, he needs to spend ten hours typing reports. Moreover, there's the constant risk of his own superiors turning on him as soon as political or economic pressure is applied ; as in a pagan religion, people routinely get sacrificed in order to appease the gods. As a viewer, one rather gets why promising young men choose for a career as a travel agent, Latin teacher or opera singer...