Garbage in the Garden of Eden (2012)

Garbage in the Garden of Eden of Fatih Akin is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Apart from the obvious qualities one expects from this movie species (well documented facts, a spherical approach to the subject with different views etc) there are some unique qualities.
It feels a lot like a usual movie. The photography, the beauty of the place, the people filmed, the way scenes follow one another, all of that plus the love of the people for the village radiate a totally different atmosphere from a typical documentary.
Then it manages to display so eloquently the shortsightedness, non-accountability and indifference of the people responsible for the creation of the garbage dump next to this paradise.

Why do such things happen? Because Camburnu is not the only place and Turkey is not the only country with such cases.

It is certain that if the people taking the decisions for the creation of the dump in Camburnu

• had their home in that village or
• were accountable for their actions, regarding the preservation of the environment, the health of the people leaving near by

the dump would not be there.

It is also probable that if the same people had loved nature since they were kids, understood its beauty and power it has over our lives, they would have thought a lot more before creating this mess.

A unique film you should not miss.
My rating:  9/10

Head-On (Gegen die Wand) (2004)

 Despair, Passion, Dead-Ends. The struggle of two people who come together because of the “wall” the face. A “wall” that because of their character differentiates them from their social environment. A “wall” with which they are always on a head on collision… Being together may solve some issues but creates many more. The “wall” does not forgive.
Outstanding performances, a direction efficiently communicating the character’s anguish and frustration, realism to the extreme.

My rating: 07/10

Soul Kitchen (2009)

There are movies that make you feel like home. Home is a different place for different people. Fatih Akin made such a movie … A proof that nationalities do not matter: souls do!

The story reminds us of the old saying “when  it rains, it pours” for the main character who tries to survive against all odds. An optimistic, funny film, full of the Greek spirit written and directed by a German of Turkish parentage. Life is full of surprises!

My rating: 08 / 10