I saw this back at the 2005 Palm Springs International Film Festival and of the 14 films I saw then I ranked this as high as #5. I really enjoyed this film and so did the audience. Actor George Corraface was on hand to introduce the film. There is a beautiful artistic style to this film that immediately is as flavorful as it's title. Wonderful cinematography, staging and set design to this movie. A great story with interesting characters and some tasteful humor thrown in as well. This was Greece's biggest ever domestic box office feature and it's broad appeal transcended well to an American audience. You'll enjoy the entrée, main course and dessert of A Touch of Spice. I rate it an 8.0 of a scale of 10 and would highly recommend it.
44 Reviews
Yummie
aristofanis8 January 2004
This movie has become the biggest box office hit in Greece ever with more than one million tickets already sold. So the money spent were well spent. It is about the "Polis" (Constantinoupolis) the City. The polis, namely Istanbul, has its images, sounds, smells and of course its unbelievable cuizine. Greeks and Turks long for it and cannot live away from it. Cought in political turbulence, the Greeks of Istanbul are deported to mainland Greece bringing with them the art of cooking that awakens memories of a past long gone. A will for reconciliation prevails when the deported child returns to Istanbul many years later. It is worth watching for some delightful stage design and beautiful music as well as for turning on ones appetite. Some of the missed opportunities of this film include mediocre acting from some of the characters and the very few takes from Istanbul that should have been more.
Cinnamon, cumin, astrology and gastronomy
jotix1002 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Fanis, an astrophysicist, has lived most of his life in Athens with his parents, after they were deported from Turkey in the 1960s. His grandfather Vasilis stayed behind. The old man, an early influence on Fanis, was the man that was instrumental in guiding him in his career and his love of cooking with the right spices. After all, Vasilis owned one of the best shops specializing in those rare spices that, according to him, were the cause of many wars.
Fanis, learning his grandfather is dying, rushes back to Istambul, the city where he first met Saime, the daughter of his mother's best friend. Even in spite their separation, they had kept in touch by the cards she sent him. The grandfather Vasilis was always planning to go to Athens for a visit, but it never happened. Fanis gets to the hospital too late, but he gets to meet Saime, now a grown up, unhappily married woman. Sparks fly as the two meet again, but Saime decides to save her marriage for the sake of her young daughter.
Tassos Boulmetis directed this nostalgic account of a fragmented family, separated by the hatred between their countries. The screenplay is sentimental as befitting a loving look at the past. A hit in Europe, but it did not find an audience in America. Georges Corraface plays the adult Fanis. The lovely Basak Koklukaya is the adult Saime. Tassos Bandi plays the grandfather.
Fanis, learning his grandfather is dying, rushes back to Istambul, the city where he first met Saime, the daughter of his mother's best friend. Even in spite their separation, they had kept in touch by the cards she sent him. The grandfather Vasilis was always planning to go to Athens for a visit, but it never happened. Fanis gets to the hospital too late, but he gets to meet Saime, now a grown up, unhappily married woman. Sparks fly as the two meet again, but Saime decides to save her marriage for the sake of her young daughter.
Tassos Boulmetis directed this nostalgic account of a fragmented family, separated by the hatred between their countries. The screenplay is sentimental as befitting a loving look at the past. A hit in Europe, but it did not find an audience in America. Georges Corraface plays the adult Fanis. The lovely Basak Koklukaya is the adult Saime. Tassos Bandi plays the grandfather.
Surprisingly Good Greek Film
prod7414 February 2005
I kept putting off seeing this film, because there was so much fuss about it, I was sure I was going to be disappointed. Well, I finally watched it last night and I was pleasantly surprised: This film is actually as good as most people say it is. At first glance it seems to be a film about food (which is not bad - hey, I love food), but turns out to be so much more. The reasons I liked it? Well, read on.
First of all, it is a way above average production for Greek film standards. Music, camera-work, photography, CGI, script,acting, everything is very well done. Some people complain about the CGI used, saying that it looks fake, that it looks more like a painting (mostly the shots of Istanbul), that it looks unrealistic. Well, they are probably right: it does look a bit unrealistic, but I think this is intentional. We see someone's memories and memories tend to be polished and larger than life.
Second, it is probably the only Greek film I've seen that, while dealing with a subject that only Greeks and Turks can really relate to, you don't have to be a Greek to enjoy it. It's easy on the eyes, it's touching, it's well written. And, amazingly, it deals with Greek-Turkish relationships without passing blame: it provides the facts but avoids passing judgment (this is actually very rare, as both Greeks and Turks tend to blame each other when these events are mentioned).
Finally, you end up feeling better (and hungry) after watching this film, which is reason enough to watch it. Highly recommended to everyone, I give this film 10 out of 10.
First of all, it is a way above average production for Greek film standards. Music, camera-work, photography, CGI, script,acting, everything is very well done. Some people complain about the CGI used, saying that it looks fake, that it looks more like a painting (mostly the shots of Istanbul), that it looks unrealistic. Well, they are probably right: it does look a bit unrealistic, but I think this is intentional. We see someone's memories and memories tend to be polished and larger than life.
Second, it is probably the only Greek film I've seen that, while dealing with a subject that only Greeks and Turks can really relate to, you don't have to be a Greek to enjoy it. It's easy on the eyes, it's touching, it's well written. And, amazingly, it deals with Greek-Turkish relationships without passing blame: it provides the facts but avoids passing judgment (this is actually very rare, as both Greeks and Turks tend to blame each other when these events are mentioned).
Finally, you end up feeling better (and hungry) after watching this film, which is reason enough to watch it. Highly recommended to everyone, I give this film 10 out of 10.
moving, sensitive & sensible
geeskcat23 November 2004
Here are some reasons why I profoundly enjoyed this film: I like movies where you get to know people - people you like, that you remember, that you keep with you. I also like it when the guy in the uniform is NOT the hero, but here it's even better - the guy in the uniform is wrong, but not quite all bad... I like when the Turks don't get all the blame. I like it when the Greeks don't get all the blame. I like spices and stars and complicated smells and honest, complex people and I like dreamers and slowly, carefully told tales about human people.
If they don't seem very good reasons, please consider that the whole is much, much more than the sum of the parts.
And by the way... I am proof you that you don't need to have any Greek ancestors to be moved by this movie.
If they don't seem very good reasons, please consider that the whole is much, much more than the sum of the parts.
And by the way... I am proof you that you don't need to have any Greek ancestors to be moved by this movie.
Do not miss
panouli6 December 2003
See this film. You don't have to be Greek or Turkish to be touched. Do not expect a complicated scenario. It's a simple story that moves between funny and dramatic to touch sensitive chordes of your sentiments. Not boring. Gives you a better mood than when you enter the theatre. Eat well before viewing.
A very interesting movie
besherat27 June 2018
The first scene of this incredible movie is worth the whole richness. For a long time, since I was achild, I wanted to be a male. There is only one thing that makes me happy in my feminine skin, which I felt intensely as I watched this first scene in the movie. As the mother of four children, I can say that breastfeeding is the greatest feeling for us . The beginning of the film give me a great magic, and later, emotions flowed smoothly like water.
One subtle story, whose guiding line from the beginning to the end is love, will surely be pleasant to all of us. In some movie frame, we dive into the world of fairy tales, which carried us with a red umbrella. And some wonderful impression give me a walking scene in the most beautiful mosque, in the most beautiful city in the world, lace mosque in Ortakoy in Istanbul.
Most touching.. and realistic
MikeK-420 April 2004
Having strong bonds with the story behind this movie I have to say that it is one if not the best Greek movie I have watched in my life. It touches sensitively on subjects that by many can be considered wrong to talk about and presents them in the nicest way without diverting from the history. The political turmoil as well as the relationships of people living in Polis (Istanbul) are highlighted and the key figures although play minor role in the events that happen around them still steal the interest by presenting how simple yet "rich" in taste their life was. Coming from a family that was as well deported (using a modest word here for what really happened) from home lands, the movie touched me in so many ways. I think it deserves a 10/10 and is highly recommended.. not only for the Greeks that can relate to the story but for anyone who can appreciate a good story.
A good film, but don't expect more
Angeneer10 February 2005
Politiki Kouzina created a big fuss in Greece because of its production standards, which were higher than any previous Greek movie. Although a variety of filters and effects is evident, it still lags compared to an average Hollywood production. Especially striking is the inability of the actors to dub their lines properly!
The beginning of the film is poor, using some childish gimmicks and cheesy dialogues. It later takes off when we are transferred to Istanbul. The city by itself generates a sentimental reaction in the soul of every Greek. The story though is rather silly. Some food-related metaphors are thrown in the mix here and there, but we see neither a coherent plot nor a main idea. There's a continuous effort to evoke emotions by playing the nostalgia card, although only partially in the movie is the reason of the nostalgia really established.
Corraface is annoying (and what kind of spelling is that anyway?). I never liked him and he just reaffirmed why. He's fake, plain and wooden with just a nice smile. He should better become a TV presenter. Or perhaps he cannot act when he speaks Greek, because his English speaking scenes are actually acceptable. By far, the best performances were from Michaelidis and Louizidou. Absolutely top class and the main reason I rated this movie a 7. Both being from Salonica and with an immigrant background must have helped them absorb the protagonists psyche and manners. No wonder they are both good comedians as well (a good comedian is always a good actor). Second to them, Stelios Mainas and Tamer Karadagli are doing a great job. These four guys save the movie. Tasos Bandis and Basak Koklukaya are not convincing. They could unleash much more emotion through their roles. The two kids were okay but not something special.
The beginning of the film is poor, using some childish gimmicks and cheesy dialogues. It later takes off when we are transferred to Istanbul. The city by itself generates a sentimental reaction in the soul of every Greek. The story though is rather silly. Some food-related metaphors are thrown in the mix here and there, but we see neither a coherent plot nor a main idea. There's a continuous effort to evoke emotions by playing the nostalgia card, although only partially in the movie is the reason of the nostalgia really established.
Corraface is annoying (and what kind of spelling is that anyway?). I never liked him and he just reaffirmed why. He's fake, plain and wooden with just a nice smile. He should better become a TV presenter. Or perhaps he cannot act when he speaks Greek, because his English speaking scenes are actually acceptable. By far, the best performances were from Michaelidis and Louizidou. Absolutely top class and the main reason I rated this movie a 7. Both being from Salonica and with an immigrant background must have helped them absorb the protagonists psyche and manners. No wonder they are both good comedians as well (a good comedian is always a good actor). Second to them, Stelios Mainas and Tamer Karadagli are doing a great job. These four guys save the movie. Tasos Bandis and Basak Koklukaya are not convincing. They could unleash much more emotion through their roles. The two kids were okay but not something special.
A cinematic masterpiece of the 21st century ... Tastefully done!
rintintina200420 September 2004
One of the BEST films (Foreign or English-speaking) that I have seen in the last decade! Hollywood take note, this is one Oscar-worthy Greek film with breathtaking cinematography, beautiful music, a clever screenplay and a great cast. In a nostalgic way, it will remind the moviegoer that both food and life require 'a touch of spice' to achieve that extra flavor. A heart-warming yet bittersweet story about a special bond that forms between a grandfather/mentor and his grandson, when he was a little boy, which lingers throughout his life as a teenager and, finally, as an adult ... with a mix of politics during those times. And the pretty young girl, who dances for him ... It will make you laugh; it will make you cry and, most likely, you will also leave the cinema wishing it did not end.
winning hearts with a pinch of spice
dr_araman19 April 2012
A TOUCH OF SPICE:
Food plays a prominent role in bonding generations and this story of a Greek boy learning the subtle art of 'spice to please' from a tender young age, from his grandfather, is a marvelous piece. The movie is full of scenes that delight us, in spite of the political tensions in the background arising out of a nation in conflict. Istanbul in its lively roadside shops full of life and and the people who fall in love with it are shown in a well knit story that touches the heart and makes us feel sorry for the way circumstances affect those who lead normal lives by moving them far apart due to no fault of theirs. A satisfying movie, well directed and beautifully filmed.
Food plays a prominent role in bonding generations and this story of a Greek boy learning the subtle art of 'spice to please' from a tender young age, from his grandfather, is a marvelous piece. The movie is full of scenes that delight us, in spite of the political tensions in the background arising out of a nation in conflict. Istanbul in its lively roadside shops full of life and and the people who fall in love with it are shown in a well knit story that touches the heart and makes us feel sorry for the way circumstances affect those who lead normal lives by moving them far apart due to no fault of theirs. A satisfying movie, well directed and beautifully filmed.
an emotionally charged gem
TheoM212 June 2004
Not since Cinema Paradiso have I seen a movie that put me through such an emotional roller coaster. I was laughing in one scene while the tears had still not dried up from the previous one. A cinematic masterpiece. A proof of the power of the human spirit and that of childhood innocence and purity that is often preserved in some adults.
The film is largely based on the real life experiences of the writer and director. This is the furthest from a commercial film in that it does not follow a canned script recipe. On the other hand, the quality of the production is outstanding: the CG sequences of Istanbul and Athens, crane and steady-cam shots...
The film is largely based on the real life experiences of the writer and director. This is the furthest from a commercial film in that it does not follow a canned script recipe. On the other hand, the quality of the production is outstanding: the CG sequences of Istanbul and Athens, crane and steady-cam shots...
Why oh why?!?
Koersel20 May 2006
This movie starts out lovely, but when the location moves to Istanbul the language switches from Greek to English. "So what?" I hear you think. "I don't understand Greek anyway". Me neither, but that's not the point. Firstly, the actors their English is very bad, yet they have to utter quite complicated lines. But even that isn't what ruins it. It's the ridiculously bad voice-dubbing! And what's even worse is that it's completely out of sync! Even a Bud Spencer and Terence Hill movie had better dubbing than this. If the movie would have been Greek all the way to the end, it would score an 8+ for sure, but now...even a 6 is a bit too much! What a waste...
Does this really deserve a score higher than 6?
miriam_garcia_m27 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this film a couple of days ago on TV, it was highly praised by critics in Spain when it was released in theaters... I wonder why. I can only think it was the kind of snobbish and European-focused celebration some of them put against the American way of movie-making. I found the movie utterly mediocre, although brimming with good intentions I must admit. But this is not enough to make a movie even acceptable. Bad acting, ridiculous effects, sometimes even confusing storyline for a non-Greek... The movie fails to convey the depth of the relationship between the little boy and his grandfather, supposed to be the cornerstone of the story, at least it did not work for me. I can't understand why they haven't seen each other for such a long time and I can't believe that a boy 5 years old keeps the same love interest for 30 years, come on... If you want to see in film a perfect combination of love for food and personal life, check out the Mexican "Como agua para chocolate".
Slightly flawed, yet touching and fair to all sides involved
Exiled_Archangel10 February 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I read all the comments about this movie before posting mine, and I happen to agree with a couple of them about some flaws in this movie. But I'm still giving it a 8,5/10 because it's pretty good in general. Oh and the Turkish actors are not dubbed, they're speaking English with their own voice. What's so unbelievable about that? Anyway..
Politiki Kouzina has the utmost political message ever: Politics is bulls**t, and it's only useful for tearing people and nations apart! I was really touched by the line "Turks are sending us away as Greeks, and Greeks are receiving us as Turks". I know that pretty well, because the situation with the Bulgarian Turks is pretty much the same and it was a very popular issue in the 90's. "Bulgarians hate us for we're Turks, and Turks address us as Bulgarians". I guess that's the way it goes, as much as it pains anyone with a heart. You have no problems with the place you're living in, you hardly consider yourself a foreigner at all, and all of a sudden someone says you have to "go home". And where the hell is that? A place you go to hear you're from some place else is home just because you come from the same race with its occupants? Doubtful.. This movie delivers the reality behind the Turco-Greek political tension without going into too much depth, and staying loyal to the facts. Moreover, it delivers them without hurting anyone, just the reality as it is. Did the whole Cyprus thing begin because of the evil Greeks or the evil Turks? Probably neither. As a Turkish proverb says "The wet burns along with the dry". Some nasty people decide to destroy peace, and the innocent ones who have the mental capacity to love everyone without checking their passport are the ones who get hurt. Politiki Kouzina depicts this issue oh so very perfectly! You don't need to be Turkish or Greek to enjoy the movie, but you really have to be one of those to get the feeling as it's supposed to be delivered. I can relate to the issue better than an average Turk or Greek, and less than a Greek who's been deported from Turkey or vice versa. My mother was brought up in a neighbourhood of Greeks and Jews. Her friends still send cards and call from Greece and Israel, and some still in Turkey. OK, Turkey and Israel never had problems, but this shows Turkey and Greece could very well overcome their problems too. I've been in Greece, loved the people. I've heard the same several times from Greeks visiting Turkey. What's it that people can't share then? I believe the director of this flick is also one with this sentiment, and fascists of both sides would be utterly disappointed by the movie. Istanbul or Konstantinopolis, Izmir or Smyrna.. Big deal? But it was a big deal for some people, so big that they couldn't even allow innocent children's sweet love to stay intact.
As for the cinematography and such, it's quite alright except for a few minor flaws. Many Turks have been acted by Greeks, that's so very obvious with the accent. Maybe that's a problem only to the Turkish audience, but it doesn't take an IQ of 500 to figure this movie was also meant for Turkish audiences. It can't be THAT hard to find someone who can speak both advanced Greek and basic Turkish, or vice versa. The acting by ALL the cast is really good. My favourite is the head actor, whom I've seen on Peppermint before and was impressed by. The kids are also doing great.
An exceptional story does not always suffice to make a good film, but this one seems to have added enough of the other ingredients to make it as interesting as the plot line would suggest. Recommended to everyone, and extra recommended to Turks and Greeks.
Politiki Kouzina has the utmost political message ever: Politics is bulls**t, and it's only useful for tearing people and nations apart! I was really touched by the line "Turks are sending us away as Greeks, and Greeks are receiving us as Turks". I know that pretty well, because the situation with the Bulgarian Turks is pretty much the same and it was a very popular issue in the 90's. "Bulgarians hate us for we're Turks, and Turks address us as Bulgarians". I guess that's the way it goes, as much as it pains anyone with a heart. You have no problems with the place you're living in, you hardly consider yourself a foreigner at all, and all of a sudden someone says you have to "go home". And where the hell is that? A place you go to hear you're from some place else is home just because you come from the same race with its occupants? Doubtful.. This movie delivers the reality behind the Turco-Greek political tension without going into too much depth, and staying loyal to the facts. Moreover, it delivers them without hurting anyone, just the reality as it is. Did the whole Cyprus thing begin because of the evil Greeks or the evil Turks? Probably neither. As a Turkish proverb says "The wet burns along with the dry". Some nasty people decide to destroy peace, and the innocent ones who have the mental capacity to love everyone without checking their passport are the ones who get hurt. Politiki Kouzina depicts this issue oh so very perfectly! You don't need to be Turkish or Greek to enjoy the movie, but you really have to be one of those to get the feeling as it's supposed to be delivered. I can relate to the issue better than an average Turk or Greek, and less than a Greek who's been deported from Turkey or vice versa. My mother was brought up in a neighbourhood of Greeks and Jews. Her friends still send cards and call from Greece and Israel, and some still in Turkey. OK, Turkey and Israel never had problems, but this shows Turkey and Greece could very well overcome their problems too. I've been in Greece, loved the people. I've heard the same several times from Greeks visiting Turkey. What's it that people can't share then? I believe the director of this flick is also one with this sentiment, and fascists of both sides would be utterly disappointed by the movie. Istanbul or Konstantinopolis, Izmir or Smyrna.. Big deal? But it was a big deal for some people, so big that they couldn't even allow innocent children's sweet love to stay intact.
As for the cinematography and such, it's quite alright except for a few minor flaws. Many Turks have been acted by Greeks, that's so very obvious with the accent. Maybe that's a problem only to the Turkish audience, but it doesn't take an IQ of 500 to figure this movie was also meant for Turkish audiences. It can't be THAT hard to find someone who can speak both advanced Greek and basic Turkish, or vice versa. The acting by ALL the cast is really good. My favourite is the head actor, whom I've seen on Peppermint before and was impressed by. The kids are also doing great.
An exceptional story does not always suffice to make a good film, but this one seems to have added enough of the other ingredients to make it as interesting as the plot line would suggest. Recommended to everyone, and extra recommended to Turks and Greeks.
Good, very good
georgem423 January 2004
I just watched the film for the second time in two days and loved it. Initialy, you may be forgiven of thinking that the film is a testament to nostalgia, love, and the preocupation of the Greeks with good food. Nevertheless, although cooking is the main theme of the film, halfway through you realize that there is a serious story behind the gastronomy.
The production, computer graphics and sound could be better but that doesn't really matter. Cinema is about the whole product and in this case it is superb. Good casting with some splendid performances, great cinematography, excellent direction, great music. If that's not enough for you, the film communicates a fine and simple philosophy about life, the universe and everything - one that we used to identify with but sadly we are rapidly moving away from it.
I hope the film is distributed outside Greece. I wouldn't be surprised if it won a few international awards.
The production, computer graphics and sound could be better but that doesn't really matter. Cinema is about the whole product and in this case it is superb. Good casting with some splendid performances, great cinematography, excellent direction, great music. If that's not enough for you, the film communicates a fine and simple philosophy about life, the universe and everything - one that we used to identify with but sadly we are rapidly moving away from it.
I hope the film is distributed outside Greece. I wouldn't be surprised if it won a few international awards.
just a fabulous experience
Vincentiu10 May 2012
only review is silence in this case. because the flavor, the music, the acting, the dialogs, the images, the feelings, the force of gestures, the entire story of Fanis, the presence of his grandfather are out of words. a love declaration. a great exploration of food senses. a tale with Oriental touch . testimony of a profound tragedy. a city . The City. the most beautiful city of world. dance, astronomy as bone of gastronomy, levels of affection, drops of childhood wise, slices of delicate humor, a kind of Malena of Tornatore but in very special style. taste, flavor and emotion. meeting with a Istanbul as memory treasure. as perfect lover, pray and master.seduction and an old table as axis of magic as perfect shadow of a long and passionate search.
yumm
aristofanis11 November 2003
Politiki kouzina is a movie about the cuisine of the Polis and its people. The Polis (City) is no other than Constantinoupolis (Istanbul): "it was called the Polis because it was the most beautiful city of the world!" as exclaims the father of the protagonist. The film actually revolves around the attachment that people have to this city which goes beyond nationality or time period. The City has to do with images, sounds but also with smells and taste! When people leave it, they carry with them their memories from it through stories, customs and the art of cooking.
This movie has become a box office hit in Greece because of it's grand production for the standards in the country and because of it's appealing subject matter that deals with sensitive memories from recent history and...food!
The story is told through the innocent memories of a child, that mix fear, trauma and humor quite eloquently. The film achieves not to provoke while shedding light to a time long gone at a very personal and humane level.
While stage design and special effects are made beautifully, the film is let down somewhat by mediocre acting, inappropriate takes/angles, and to my opinion the middle portion (Fanis' childhood in Athens) is too long compared to the scenes in the Polis that I expected to see more of.
These lost opportunities deprive it from being excellent. I give a 7/10.
This movie has become a box office hit in Greece because of it's grand production for the standards in the country and because of it's appealing subject matter that deals with sensitive memories from recent history and...food!
The story is told through the innocent memories of a child, that mix fear, trauma and humor quite eloquently. The film achieves not to provoke while shedding light to a time long gone at a very personal and humane level.
While stage design and special effects are made beautifully, the film is let down somewhat by mediocre acting, inappropriate takes/angles, and to my opinion the middle portion (Fanis' childhood in Athens) is too long compared to the scenes in the Polis that I expected to see more of.
These lost opportunities deprive it from being excellent. I give a 7/10.
Strong emotions
nous17 July 2004
This movie explores a painful chapter of the recent Greek history; that of the Greeks of 'Polis' (Konstantinoupolis/Istabul) and their suffering because of the political turbulence that dominated Greek-Turkish relations of the 20th century.
The whole movie seems to be an allegory and addresses things through the particular cooking habits (and abilities) of the Greeks of Polis. It has it all: sweetness, bitterness, love, pain. The main actors perform very well but this is not the case for a couple of the supporting ones. The music is discrete and effective and serves its purpose very well in the nostalgic atmosphere.
In any case, the movie achieves to evoke strong emotions and does not deviate from its course for a happy ending. Highly recommended!
The whole movie seems to be an allegory and addresses things through the particular cooking habits (and abilities) of the Greeks of Polis. It has it all: sweetness, bitterness, love, pain. The main actors perform very well but this is not the case for a couple of the supporting ones. The music is discrete and effective and serves its purpose very well in the nostalgic atmosphere.
In any case, the movie achieves to evoke strong emotions and does not deviate from its course for a happy ending. Highly recommended!
an enjoyable spectacle with some reservations
aslihansenel18 March 2006
This is an amazing film in terms of well thought pictures, humorous details, and dream-reality mixture of its content. I laughed a lot! The story is of a Greek family having to leave Istanbul in 1960s, and the little son longing for his girlfriend and Istanbul. It is based on the displacement of characters and their way of finding identity through cooking. Spices in cooking are very important because they have the power to affect relationships between people who cook and eat the food. The film is arranged into three parts: appetizers-the part the little boy is in Istanbul, main course-the migration to Greece, and desserts-the boy became a lecturer and returns to Istanbul to find his grandfather on his death bed. Since most of the film is a fantasy world full of symbolic details, I wasn't sure if the historical details were distorted to emphasize the sentimentality. For example, you see a royal sign at the back of the immigration officers in Istanbul in 1960s. But then Turkey is a republic! There is no record of Greeks deported in those years, escorted by soldiers (neither in official history books, nor in unofficial histories, novels...). But this theme gives the film its sentimentality, so I assumed it was a filmic tool of the director's. I loved the scenes of the city and the camera views capturing the intimacy of interiors, although the image of Istanbul is given from a male foreigner point of view, with Orientalist features (dancing female figure, mosques, spice bazaar with no indication of modern metropolis)and preference of the old name of the city, 'Constantinopolis', instead of its name since 1923, 'Istanbul'.
We need more
Iustinian1 April 2005
People before me have already written about the movie, its technical structure, historical facts, etc. I don't have so much to add to them. It is a good movie. Congratulations to everyone who had a place in the production. Performances of Turkish artists are pretty good. Tamer Karadagli showed that he can do better than he did in some TV series. Anyway, that's another story.
As some other people said, you don't need to be a Turk or Greek to enjoy this movie. Even though such bitter-sweet, somehow mellow movies are not my kind of movies, I loved this movie.
This movie is a humanist answer to all those Turk, Greek, English and American politicians and strategists who wanted to create hate between two nations.
And... We, Turks and Greeks, need more movies like that.
As some other people said, you don't need to be a Turk or Greek to enjoy this movie. Even though such bitter-sweet, somehow mellow movies are not my kind of movies, I loved this movie.
This movie is a humanist answer to all those Turk, Greek, English and American politicians and strategists who wanted to create hate between two nations.
And... We, Turks and Greeks, need more movies like that.
Movie about Greek citizens of Istanbul and their deportation out of the country.
aandac1 June 2005
When i first saw the Movie, it was completely in Greek, so i wasn't able to understand it entirely since my Greek is a little bit "rusted" ;) But i saw that it was excellently made, and was overwhelmed when i saw "Tamer Karadagil".
So it had my interest. After seeing it in the cinema, in German, it conquered also my heart. Such a fantastic movie about Love, Politiks, Meals, Old Men, Astronomy, Gastronomy, and the enduring pain of homesickness even after so many years.
Without spoiling: The acting of Fanis Father (Ieroklis Michaelidis) is so beyond fantastic, that you wish the whole movie was made again from his perspective! A great contribution to the Turkish-Greek relations, and hopefully it will finally find its ways to the Turkish cinemas, as far as i know it wasn't shown there yet. It surprises me by the way, that it came nearly 2 years after the premiere into German theaters. Why so extremely delayed? And why in some Countrys even not? For example Turkey ;)
Great thanks to my Greek neighbors for this great movie. And by the way good luck in 4th of June in Istanbul ;) (WM Qualification 2006).
So it had my interest. After seeing it in the cinema, in German, it conquered also my heart. Such a fantastic movie about Love, Politiks, Meals, Old Men, Astronomy, Gastronomy, and the enduring pain of homesickness even after so many years.
Without spoiling: The acting of Fanis Father (Ieroklis Michaelidis) is so beyond fantastic, that you wish the whole movie was made again from his perspective! A great contribution to the Turkish-Greek relations, and hopefully it will finally find its ways to the Turkish cinemas, as far as i know it wasn't shown there yet. It surprises me by the way, that it came nearly 2 years after the premiere into German theaters. Why so extremely delayed? And why in some Countrys even not? For example Turkey ;)
Great thanks to my Greek neighbors for this great movie. And by the way good luck in 4th of June in Istanbul ;) (WM Qualification 2006).
nice try.
fountosto28 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
good but nothing special.. it's more interesting if you're Greek. the story is not bad but seen too many times.. the little kid who grows next to an important father/grandfather figure (seen beautifully in "nuovo cinema Paradiso" ) the ambiance here is not the cinema but the kitchen. it has some political points to it but unfortunately they cannot be understood if you're not Greek or Turkish-will help to see this movie with a Greek friend! the scene with the tanks i.e. will not be understood by someone that knows nothing of Greece during the 60s and 70s for example..
the first half of the movie is better, the second one gets boring.. the relationship of a 5 year old boy with a Turkish girl which lasts after 30 years(!) is not convincing at all.. computer graphics at the change of scenes should be avoided-they don't look real at all and it's a pity for the film..
Ieroklis Michaelidis (Savas Iakovides) delivers a wonderful performance and so does Tassos Vandis (Grandpa Vassilis) and the boy Markos Osse (little Fanis); i'd expect more of Georges Corraface (Fanis Iakovides)-he doesn't seem to fully enter to his role..
good original score too! it's a good film but for a limited audience..
the first half of the movie is better, the second one gets boring.. the relationship of a 5 year old boy with a Turkish girl which lasts after 30 years(!) is not convincing at all.. computer graphics at the change of scenes should be avoided-they don't look real at all and it's a pity for the film..
Ieroklis Michaelidis (Savas Iakovides) delivers a wonderful performance and so does Tassos Vandis (Grandpa Vassilis) and the boy Markos Osse (little Fanis); i'd expect more of Georges Corraface (Fanis Iakovides)-he doesn't seem to fully enter to his role..
good original score too! it's a good film but for a limited audience..
the spice tell the truth...
kayabay6 April 2007
A wonderful movie that perfectly tells about the drama of Greek-Turkish relations, which two nations are "one" as people and apart-ed by "politics". The same extra-ordinary cousin, the spice and warm-hearted people forced to be away from each other in time with the eager politicians still trying to preserve the distance.
Very good cinematography, colors & shots mixed with a beautiful music and people on a historic number of decades which gets your eyes wet.
I would prefer all the conversations to be in their original languages and no English allowed though.
One more movie on one of the most beautiful cities of the world, Istanbul, and with two of the greatest neighbors in heart, Greek and Turkish people.
Very good cinematography, colors & shots mixed with a beautiful music and people on a historic number of decades which gets your eyes wet.
I would prefer all the conversations to be in their original languages and no English allowed though.
One more movie on one of the most beautiful cities of the world, Istanbul, and with two of the greatest neighbors in heart, Greek and Turkish people.
Immaculate film
mashoua8 January 2007
This is my all time favourite Greek film. Great acting, lovely scenes and truly, truly magnificent dialogs. It's the first time I watch a film where I can see how the Greeks and the Turks once lived in piece and harmony, sharing cultures and lives. It saddens me to see that all that has turned into hatred for political reasons. Even after all the troubles and the hatred, the hero is still in love with the Turkish woman, which goes to show that love makes people see beyond nationality, race, religion or colour. This movie should be watched over and over again, so that the Greeks don't forget their roots and the Turks don't forget their once upon a time brothers....these are words coming from a Cypriot who longs to see her country united once again...
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