Hamam - the Turkish Bath [VHS]

This is a first feature film and its concept is brilliant. It subverts itself effortlessly and is never quite the film you think it is. It manages a switch of perspective halfway through which I didn't notice initially. What also makes the film remarkable for me is when you re-watch it you see a quite different film, as the twist that is so surprising on first viewing, is written cleverly though each preceding scene. A true tour-de-force by the writer.There are a few problems outside of the plotting and script though. The DVD has subtitles but you have to find them using your subtitle button otherwise the film plays without them. The picture quality of the DVD is pretty poor to - I'm not sure if that's the directors intent or just a really poor transfer. Also it isn't a particularly 'gay' movie so although it has a smouldering same sex plot-line it doesn't live up to the expectations that its publicity & the idea of a 'hamam' might arouse.The director clearly loves Italians, Filipino maids, Turkish working people and even unscrupulous middle men and particularly the gentle eroticism of the hamams. There is an obvious 'orientalism' underlying the plot that some may find disagreeable. However in scene by scene it feels like a non-judgmental journey into people's lives as they seek to survive and blossom in a harsh world. It's an honest and moving film full of delightful touches and a respect for life and love.

Unexpectedly enthralling, unexpected twists make this sad - an Italian / Turkish take on a love story. Definitely worth watching.....

An excellent film. Much underrated and rarely seen. It is very difficult to purchase this film in Europe for whatever reason. Video copies may be found - largely by accident. It is a wonderfully evocative film with an excellent soundtrack. The story rings true to life - many men have settled for married life rather than live a full gay life. This wife only discovers her husband's other life partner by accident.The Director is quite gifted and experienced so the film benefits from his touch. His recent film 'A Magnificent Haunting' shows these skills even better. The original title for the film is Hamam and you may be able to find it under that.Having lived in the Istanbul and enjoyed all that it has to offer I can assure you that the film is accurate - even down to the meal time arguments. It is a much neglected jewel believe me and if you can get you hands on the DVD then watch it.

A city-slick young Italian man inherits a Turkish bath in Istanbul. He goes there to wind up the estate and his whole world turns inside out. The story is charming and gut wrenching, the characters compelling and the scenes and settings artistic masterpieces. A gem of a movie.

Nothing like I was expecting

Beautiful

As others have said this film works best as a love letter to Istanbul, and its evocation of place is very beguiling. When it was released in 1997 it made me want to go there; now, seeing it again, it has renewed that desire, as I still haven't been. It's a film that takes time to reveal the meaning of a place, its atmosphere, and significant objects, and it suggests how these affect the people who live there in a very positive sense. The opening section in Rome is disjointed and jumpy, but after a while the rhythm relaxes and it is clear that we were not meant to feel any connection to the opening, reflecting as it does the characters' alienation from their own lives. In leading us into the mystery of the city and the hamams, which are intensely cinematic, Ozpetek is entirely successful; however I would have liked a couple more scenes of the central gay romance, which was really underplayed in my opinion. Even the scenes we do see are without dialogue, almost as if the screenwriter couldn't flesh out their contact. Yet the chemistry could be so wonderful, you feel, and the sole kiss is beautifully staged. I also was not keen on the ending, which was compounded by too much ground then being covered in a very short space. It tied up the ends and created parallels in ways that the story really didn't need. But for the magic of the place and the warmth of the Turkish family, and the fine looks of Alessandro Gassman, who also acts with considerable subtlety, the film is well worth catching. The traditions of hospitality are beautifully rendered and I found all the family members very engaging (Mehmet, the secret lover of the main character, is actually the one who says the least), and the presentation of food in the film is delectable - I've never seen such an amazing breakfast on or off screen! It's just frustrating that overall it wasn't better still.

Good film but i could not get the english text