Review of Mustang (2015) by Everett — 15 Jan 2016

I was more moved by this film than anything I've seen this year, American or foreign - moved to laughter as well as tears. The beauty of the setting in captured in earthy detail, and the cultural restraints on this group of sisters - all fiercely loyal to one another - are depicted with astonishing force. But it's the sisters' spirit that astonishes most, especially Lale, the youngest. A lot happens in this brisk, well-edited film, some of it so powerful that I won't forget certain scenes. So well done!

I learned later that the director is a woman; I wish American women were allowed to make movies like this. There have been comparisons to "Virgin Suicides," also directed by a woman, which I've seen, and I also read the book it was based on. Both were quite good, but - to me, anyway - somewhat hampered by the male POV. This film - narrated by Lale - is truly about the girls - not how boys saw them, but how they saw themselves, and each other. Distinctive, enlightening. Highly recommend.