aGLIFF Opening Night Feature: The Edge Of Heaven

Typical European excellence defines this beautiful story of six characters in Turkey and Germany. As usual, the Euros have a strong eye and ear for reality and a penchant for politics. This one convincingly crosses international borders, as we follow the philosophy professor, Nejat and his dad, Ali, who's just asked a prostitute to live with him; a young Turkish revolutionary (the prostitute's daughter), and a German mother and daughter.

The film plays with the micro and macro duality so common now in European film. The small events are what make the plot turn, influencing its tone and politics, not the other way around. Coincidence and chance play strongly in there as well. As for the politics, the film's got a few: Turkey and the European Union, Turkish traditions and religions. The sort of stuff all of us should know more about, but it never distracts from the drama.

Overwhelmingly though, we come away with a few things: the stunning beauty of Turkey (and Europe as a whole), and an appreciation for great drama. Don't miss this one.