'Namuslu' is a word close to 'honest' and 'reliable' in English, and it is a word that sums up a man or a woman with integrity. It is not a bad or insulting word. Unlike a phrase like 'simple-minded' or 'innocent', it can't even be used in a condescending way in certain contexts in Turkish. Yet, it is generally used in this film as an insult against the protagonist. This is an early sign that the work is satirical. One of the complaints about 'globalization' is that it (whatever 'it' is) promotes the spread and domination of a human type that is dishonest, greedy, opportunistic, ruthless, etc. --even in cultures that had long managed to keep such people under social control. This, of course, is yet another complex issue that a simple word like globalization can't possibly cover. Although this film makes no reference to international influences on Turkish society, it represents a serious attack on a trend that gained momentum in the '80s and continued unabated to our day: The spread and legitimation of greed. The shock value of this dark comedy reaches its height in the personage of the mother-in-law of the protagonist, played by the veteran actress Adile Nasit. This venerable old lady who usually stands for respectable (and lovable) women appears to have completely bought this 'alien' greedy outlook, and fully expects the son-in-law to steal left and right. Lady Macbeth characters are not common to Turkish literature or movies. What is even less common is elderly people who are less than exemplary. (Stupid they may be, but evil?!) The arrival of a character like this is a clear signal that something is indeed rotten in Turkey. The plot and the comedy may not be insuperable. However, the film is a respectable effort, and holds a mirror to many people who are currently busy eroding one of the bases of a good economy anywhere: Trust. Those who are familiar with the centuries-old humor of Nasreddin Hoca will hopefully have a greater appreciation of the film.
3 Reviews
see how people's opinions changes about you if they think that you became rich
tarona8 September 2004
Sener Sen has an excellent performance in this movie,especially at the part of the film after "ali riza" (sener sen) accepted that he stole the money himself.
it's really amazing to watch that how people behaviors to someone changes,after all of them think that "ali riza" stole much money from his company and then the neighbors,friends,relatives,workpals and even his wife and child started to change and be very nice and lovely to him after the robbery thing happened and they thought that the thief was "ali riza". "ali riza" didn't accept that he stole the money at first but after having so much appreciation that he never had before from the people,he decided to accept that he stole the money himself.
this movie really makes you re-think about people who are around you,and what are they looking for.maybe all of them are expecting something from you,which in that movie is "money".
it's really amazing to watch that how people behaviors to someone changes,after all of them think that "ali riza" stole much money from his company and then the neighbors,friends,relatives,workpals and even his wife and child started to change and be very nice and lovely to him after the robbery thing happened and they thought that the thief was "ali riza". "ali riza" didn't accept that he stole the money at first but after having so much appreciation that he never had before from the people,he decided to accept that he stole the money himself.
this movie really makes you re-think about people who are around you,and what are they looking for.maybe all of them are expecting something from you,which in that movie is "money".
A cleverly written and expertly delivered satire
ufster-228 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is not just the story of a (once) honest man who is forced to commit fraud (almost) against his will and the radical transformation of his morals but a delicious slice of the degeneration story of a a society, from one which puts a high value on honesty, integrity and hard work to one which puts the acquisition of material wealth at any and all costs to the individual and those around him/her as the primary objective of life.
It is admittedly written from a left politics point of view but that doesn't in any way negate the accuracy with which it describes the sudden shift in Turkish society after the 1980 military coup and subsequent economic liberalization policies which incentivized both public and private sector actors to do whatever it takes to make money. These policies resulted in widespread corruption, a squandering of government funds which were delivered as credit to so-called businessmen and industrialists that were never made to be paid back causing nouveau riche figures to spring up like mushrooms. The general public followed suit in their own little ways to keep up with the Joneses. This movie is as much about the corrupting effect of those policies as it is about the story of our protagonist.
Our protagonist begins the movie as a hard working and honest government clerk whose "antiquated" notions of dignity and work ethic, to the point of being boastful about his integrity when his own not-so-loving wife questions his worth as a husband and father, gets him nowhere in life. His family, co-workers even the butcher and grocery store owner in his neighborhood view him as incompetent and worthless because he refuses to abuse his position in office to solicit bribes thus he is constantly in debt, late to pay his rent and generally struggles to make ends meet. This, all despite his job requiring him to handle large sums of money.
One day during the delivery of a big payment, he is robbed and the hilarity ensues as we watch him transform from an honest clerk with as it turns out to be not-so-unshakeable morals to a crook who has no qualms lying and deceiving his own family, all the while people line up to suck up to him and do him financial favors under the false assumption that he stole the money. The recurring theme from these exchanges is quickly established as "you'll pay it in time" as he violently denies stealing any money thus having none to pay back. The insinuation being that he stole the money but is holding on to it until the heat cools off. He has a nervous breakdown because nobody believes in his honesty and as he is forced to give up on any hope of him ever being viewed as an honest, dignified man, he starts to plot to con the very people who robbed him of his chances of living the life of a man with integrity.
Needless to say our protagonist is a metaphor for the larger Turkish society during the 80s. The author remains faithful to the notion of people being pure at heart but being corrupted as a result of circumstances surrounding them as our protagonist fails to escape this fate. You can't help but sympathize with him even as he cons people of their money, it almost feels well-deserved on the part of the greedy mob. It's fantastically ironic that the person whom they thought was a crook in the beginning was an honest man who didn't steal any money but one they turned into a crook who ended up stealing from them.
For a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, many of these characters, while being caricatured to a degree, ring very true and authentic. This also goes for the events described in the story. Corruption and unbridled greed has been such an integral part of our social psyche, to watch a movie which can so accurately summarize the essence of this widespread disease is a form of humor therapy.
It's not easy nor likely to get this sort of critique from many of the actors of modern Turkish cinema because there is a certain sense of numbness after living 30 plus years with this degeneration and perhaps because they are also part of the "business cycle" as most theaters and television networks are owned and operated by corporations and conglomerates which benefited tremendously from these very policies. Besides, poverty is depressing. Who needs that amirite?
Sener Sen has always had the ability to carry a movie and the supporting cast does an outstanding job helping him. Ertem Egilmez at this point having directed Banker Bilo, was already showing promise at directing movies with social themes, went on to direct another successful and worthy satire in Arabesk, but this time with the added elements of dark and absurd humor.
Finally, I give this movie a 9 out of 10, because of it's worth as social commentary, the excellent acting from many of the stars who took part in it, the creative storyline and the well toned delivery of comedic aspects.
It is admittedly written from a left politics point of view but that doesn't in any way negate the accuracy with which it describes the sudden shift in Turkish society after the 1980 military coup and subsequent economic liberalization policies which incentivized both public and private sector actors to do whatever it takes to make money. These policies resulted in widespread corruption, a squandering of government funds which were delivered as credit to so-called businessmen and industrialists that were never made to be paid back causing nouveau riche figures to spring up like mushrooms. The general public followed suit in their own little ways to keep up with the Joneses. This movie is as much about the corrupting effect of those policies as it is about the story of our protagonist.
Our protagonist begins the movie as a hard working and honest government clerk whose "antiquated" notions of dignity and work ethic, to the point of being boastful about his integrity when his own not-so-loving wife questions his worth as a husband and father, gets him nowhere in life. His family, co-workers even the butcher and grocery store owner in his neighborhood view him as incompetent and worthless because he refuses to abuse his position in office to solicit bribes thus he is constantly in debt, late to pay his rent and generally struggles to make ends meet. This, all despite his job requiring him to handle large sums of money.
One day during the delivery of a big payment, he is robbed and the hilarity ensues as we watch him transform from an honest clerk with as it turns out to be not-so-unshakeable morals to a crook who has no qualms lying and deceiving his own family, all the while people line up to suck up to him and do him financial favors under the false assumption that he stole the money. The recurring theme from these exchanges is quickly established as "you'll pay it in time" as he violently denies stealing any money thus having none to pay back. The insinuation being that he stole the money but is holding on to it until the heat cools off. He has a nervous breakdown because nobody believes in his honesty and as he is forced to give up on any hope of him ever being viewed as an honest, dignified man, he starts to plot to con the very people who robbed him of his chances of living the life of a man with integrity.
Needless to say our protagonist is a metaphor for the larger Turkish society during the 80s. The author remains faithful to the notion of people being pure at heart but being corrupted as a result of circumstances surrounding them as our protagonist fails to escape this fate. You can't help but sympathize with him even as he cons people of their money, it almost feels well-deserved on the part of the greedy mob. It's fantastically ironic that the person whom they thought was a crook in the beginning was an honest man who didn't steal any money but one they turned into a crook who ended up stealing from them.
For a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, many of these characters, while being caricatured to a degree, ring very true and authentic. This also goes for the events described in the story. Corruption and unbridled greed has been such an integral part of our social psyche, to watch a movie which can so accurately summarize the essence of this widespread disease is a form of humor therapy.
It's not easy nor likely to get this sort of critique from many of the actors of modern Turkish cinema because there is a certain sense of numbness after living 30 plus years with this degeneration and perhaps because they are also part of the "business cycle" as most theaters and television networks are owned and operated by corporations and conglomerates which benefited tremendously from these very policies. Besides, poverty is depressing. Who needs that amirite?
Sener Sen has always had the ability to carry a movie and the supporting cast does an outstanding job helping him. Ertem Egilmez at this point having directed Banker Bilo, was already showing promise at directing movies with social themes, went on to direct another successful and worthy satire in Arabesk, but this time with the added elements of dark and absurd humor.
Finally, I give this movie a 9 out of 10, because of it's worth as social commentary, the excellent acting from many of the stars who took part in it, the creative storyline and the well toned delivery of comedic aspects.
See also
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