“A Masterstroke”: Rated 3.6 out of 5, this is a must see movie this week!

The Turkish drama Yurt, which hit our theaters last Wednesday, was well received by the press attending AlloCiné, with an average rating of 3.6 out of 5. It’s the top movie of the week, ahead of Days Before (3.5) and It’s Raining at Home (3.4).

This partly autobiographical black-and-white learning story, by Nehir Tuna (who is directing his first feature film for the occasion), has also been noticed at festivals, notably in Venice, Saint-Jean de Luz, Marrakesh, Gothenburg and Istanbul.

What is it about?

Turkey, 1996. Ahmed, 14, is devastated when his family sends him to a religious boarding house (yurt). For his recently converted father, it is a path to redemption and holiness. It’s a nightmare for him. During the day he studied at a secular and nationalist private school; In the evening, he discovers his overcrowded dormitory, long hours of Koran study and bullying.

But thanks to a friendship with another resident, Ahmed defies the strict rules of this system, which only aims to recruit young people.

What does the press think?

According to Ouest France:

“A brilliant portrait of a rebellious teenager.” (Pascal Vergero) 5/5

According to Les Echos:

“In his first film, Nehir Tuna evokes the political tensions that plagued Turkey in the 1990s. One of the most beautiful discoveries of the moment.” (Olivier de Bruyne) 4/5

According to Le Journal du Dimanche:

“This first personal and masterful feature film is a wonderful surprise and captures the era with great sophistication.” (Baptist Theon) 4/5

According to the Prime Minister:

“Not shying away from any stylistic temptations (the image’s intense black-and-white space gives way to the film’s brighter colors), this reconstruction of the era with still vivid results impresses with its energy and its sensory breadth.” (Damien LeBlanc) 4/5

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According to aVoir-aLire.com:

“An excellent debut feature about the ravages of religious fundamentalism and a nuanced portrait of the horrors of adolescence. This first effort is masterful!” (Gerard Crespo) 4/5

According to L’Obs:

“Black-and-white fiction, promising, faithful and angry, which sometimes lacks confidence and weighs down its line with unnecessary symbolism.” (Xavier Leherpeur) 4/5

According to Télérama:

“A beautiful learning story and a sour picture of Turkey.” (Guillemet Odicchino) 4/5

According to Cahiers du Cinéma:

“Despite some powerful scenes condemning the brutality of corporal punishment inflicted on students, the whole is characterized by a smooth aesthetic (black and white and striking color alternation) that serves its theme and trivializes the film.” (Ariel Schweitzer) 2/5