Directed and written by Nevzat Pesen, this is based on the stage play by Maxwell Anderson and, of course, the incredible Mervyn LeRoy-directed 1956 movie. Rhoda and her mother Christine Penmark are played by actual daughter and mother Alev and Lale Oraloglu, which adds to the drama of the story. And it stays closer to the play yet keeps the moralistic ending of the American film. Rhoda's name is Alev, just like the actress playing her.
The major differences? Well, unlike the 1956 version, you actually get to see Claude Daigle - Cemel - get murdered, which is a shock. And while the class struggle is a subtext in LeRoy's movie, the differences between the Penmarks and Mrs. Daigle's role (Nedret Guvenç) seem even more pronounced. Poor Cemel, not only does he have to be wiped out, but he actually has a crush on Alev/Rhoda. Trust me, I've been there, little Cemel, mean girls are just so much forbidden quince. Or grapes, Turkey is known for both those fruits for this pun.
While most Turkish cinema of the time focused on comedy and drama, this outright horror story of a young girl obsessed with getting what she wants by any means necessary had to blow minds. Keeping with Turkish cinema's disregard of copyright law when it comes to music, it also has moments of "Maria" from West Side Story.
I also dug the scene between Alev/Rhoda and the Leroy character, played between a toy train, as he informs her that he knows that she's a bad little girl.
This needs to somehow be released on blu ray because much like other foreign versions of classic films,it allows you to see a movie that you worship in a whole new light when seen through another set of eyes.
The major differences? Well, unlike the 1956 version, you actually get to see Claude Daigle - Cemel - get murdered, which is a shock. And while the class struggle is a subtext in LeRoy's movie, the differences between the Penmarks and Mrs. Daigle's role (Nedret Guvenç) seem even more pronounced. Poor Cemel, not only does he have to be wiped out, but he actually has a crush on Alev/Rhoda. Trust me, I've been there, little Cemel, mean girls are just so much forbidden quince. Or grapes, Turkey is known for both those fruits for this pun.
While most Turkish cinema of the time focused on comedy and drama, this outright horror story of a young girl obsessed with getting what she wants by any means necessary had to blow minds. Keeping with Turkish cinema's disregard of copyright law when it comes to music, it also has moments of "Maria" from West Side Story.
I also dug the scene between Alev/Rhoda and the Leroy character, played between a toy train, as he informs her that he knows that she's a bad little girl.
This needs to somehow be released on blu ray because much like other foreign versions of classic films,it allows you to see a movie that you worship in a whole new light when seen through another set of eyes.
