THE EDGE OF HEAVEN
Directed by Faith Akin
Germany/Turkey, 116 mins.
Drama/Foreign
Sunday, 5:00 pM, The Elsinore
Full of surprising twists and turns and flawless performances, the cross-cultural, intricate intersecting of six intelligent, charismatic characters led director Faith Akin’s The Edge of Heaven to win a best screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival. Despite his grown son Nejat’s initial objections, a spry Turkish immigrant living in Germany falls in love with Yeter, a prostitute, and invites her into his home. But a tragic accident propels the emotionally wrought Nejat to travel to Istanbul in search of Yeter’s daughter, a rebellious political activist. She, in turn, has fled Turkey for Germany and falls into a romantic relationship with Lotte, the young woman who takes her in off the street. Akin masterfully bridges the gap, focusing on the widespread never-ending search for love that blurs the divide between cultures and generations.
Film Hosted by Chris Sproul and Nancy HullSelected Filmography: Head-On (04); Solino (02); In July (00); Short Sharp Shock (98)
Awards: Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival Special Jury Award; Bavarian Film Awards Best Director; Cannes Film Festival Best Screenplay; Cinemanila International Film Festival Lino Brocka Award; European Film Awards Best Screenwriter
