Mustang

[kevinknapman]

Saw this at the Picturehouse Central this afternoon, the debut film from Turkish-French director Deniz Gamze Erguven (which after Green Room and Everybody Wants Some!! continues a strong week of cinema releases).

The story of five orphaned sisters who are placed under virtual house arrest by their grandmother and uncle after they are seen innocently playing with a group of boys on the beach. As they all are coached for an inevitable arranged marriage, small acts of defiance lead to greater acts of rebellion.

A stunning film by any standards but even more so as it's a first feature.
Powerful, joyous, tragic, moving, often enraging and frequently funny, it's a film that confidently juggles a variety of moods.
It's also beautifully shot and directed with an evocative soundtrack by Warren Ellis (though the use of some of his work with Nick Cave from The Road and The Assassination of Jesse James... is a little distracting).
Best of all though are the extraordinary performances from the young actresses playing the sisters with special mention going to Gunes Sensoy as the youngest and most rebellious sister Lale.

Mustang is a strong contender for one of the best films of the year so far and is something truly special.
Though it's also available on demand it really deserves to be seen on the big screen.

[Nazerino]

Hope to add to my Lovefilm