Mustang (2015) Movie Review | Foreign Film Friday

▴Foreign Film Friday is the first Friday of every month where we review a New Release non-English movie as suggested BY YOU! So leave your suggestions for next month down below in the comments ▴

MUSTANG Non-Spoiler Review ↓

LOGLINE: In a village in northern Turkey, Lale and her four sisters are walking home from school, playing innocently with some boys. The immorality of their play sets off a scandal that has unexpected consequences. The family home is progressively transformed into a prison; instruction in homemaking replaces school and marriages start being arranged.

Director: Deniz Gamze Ergüven
Writers: Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Alice Winocour
Cast: Günes Sensoy, Doga Zeynep Doguslu, Tugba Sunguroglu
USA release: November 20, 2015 (limited release)
Running time: 1 hr 37 mins

PREVIOUS FOREIGN FILM FRIDAY EPISODES:

Victoria (2015):

Jauja (2015):

Goodnight Mommy (2015):
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[canyildiz]

Im turkish and can honestly say that while the film dramatizes it abit, this is a very real problem in turkey. Eksi almalar does a better job in demonstrating the subtleties of this problem within our culture. But this film dives into it in a really impactful way

[chrisleegitfilms]

couldn't stop thinking about this film too after seeing it! definitely one of my top favs from 2015 :)

[boolocklock]

This movie just reminded me of The Virgin Suicides based on the trailer. Also in some part Dogtooth with the characters being trapped at home and not allowed to go to the outside world. I'm hoping to see this soon because I want to at least watch 3-4 of the foreign language film nominees for this years Oscars. Plus its nice to hear a female filmmaker having her first film being nominated which I think will bring her to better things in future films. Hope you can see Son of Saul in a future Foreign Film Friday. I recently watched that one and its one of my favorite movies of 2015.

[noramehzad]

I loved it more than the virgin suicides. I cant help agreeing with you that you cant stop thinking about it. It was just that emotionally capturing...

[DieWilWheatonDie]

I live in Turkey (moved here in 2009) and my girlfriend is Turkish. Despite the fact that she considers herself a feminist and a liberal she hated this film once I showed it to her, and I can understand why. It's extremely misleading, heavy-handed, preachy and over the top, it had the chance to showcase a real problem yet ended up being a black-and-white, on-the-nose and naive propaganda piece that is extremely painful to watch for anyone who actually been to Turkey and knows that it's nothing like that here.

[BernandoJS]

thank you for doing such this review for foreign movies. It's really helpful

[SGP]

Great review!! Saw this film a few weeks ago and it was really an emotionally overwhelming film! Saw Son of Saul too which also was good but emotionally, this film just hit me even more! One of the best films all year!

[TurkiyeCumhurbaskani]

I watched this movie and teared up too

[johnlewis]

Yes, love Foreign Film Friday! Perhaps a vintage film day too?

Sounds like a very honest film depicting the oppression of that region. I'll look for this film when it makes it to this region.

[whitejamie]

Here are some of my favorites: A Very Long Engagement (2004), Paradise Now (2005), Song of the Sea (2014), The Hunt (2012), A Royal Affair (2012), Let the Right One In (2008), Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

[moovvieofficial]

this movie was so beautiful man i hella cried, beautiful review

[brookesd]

only one of the sisters had acted before. amazing

[tahag]

Appreciate the review, well articulated 👍🏻. On the back of one of your comments it is however worth mentioning that these kinds of predicaments and oppressive behavior has, in reality, nothing to do with 'religious' or Muslim cultural practices. As a practicing Turkish Muslim I can assure you the liberties, as well as rights and responsibilities, afforded to women and men in Islam is quite amazing; especially in a day and age where people are increasing confused about gender roles, right and responsibilities etc. in terms of Turkish cultural practice, Turkish women are some of the most stoic, strong and liberated women on earth. The occurrences in this film are reserved for the few and far between village practices. Unfortunately people unfamiliar with turkey and Muslims in turkey may assume this is common practice; far from it !
Thanks again for the review

[mladenkulic]

My Foreign Film Recommendation
Sleep Tight 2011, Thesis 1996, The Man from Nowhere 2010, Populaire 2012, Like Father Like Son 2013, Headhunters 2011, Why Dont You Play in Hell? 2013, A Bittersweet Life 2005, Rare Exports A Christmas Tale 2010.

[Pdids]

I just watched the film and think it's fantastic. Such an emotional and memorable journey.

Enjoyed your review as well. I think we're of like minds about this one.

[RazorwireReviews]

Great review as always, I'd love to be able to concisely sum up my thoughts like this in a fairly short video buuut... nope. Loved the film, evoked quite an array of emotions, my heart was pounding towards the end.

[ImpressionBlend]

I can't wait to see this one! It's not playing anywhere near me, sadly, but sounds like an amazing film! Hopefully, after the Oscars it will get a wider release. Have you seen _Son of Saul_ yet? I highly recommend checking it out. Great review!

[CCStmac]

I'd be curious what you think of Embrace of the Serpent. I appreciate the review this movie connected for me too, strong young female characters are important and rarely done with the class and inspiration of Mustang.

[eshant]

This is really great getting to know more about these movies

[mel]

I would have missed this one without your review! Thanks you!