Normally here at “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict”, both Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. However, here and there they will be taking the reins in a solo outing. For this installment, it’s Joseph with a solo review of Turkish revenge flick Sayara by Can Evrenol, courtesy of the Dark Nights Film Festival.
Synopsis
When her older sister Yonja (Özgül Kosar) is brutally murdered by gym owner Bariş Ataberk (Emre Kizilirmak) and his thug mates Emin Abi (Caner Atacan) and Baran (Dogan Bariş Yaşar) — with actor friend Deniz (Batuhan Büyükacaroğlu) not participating but also not intervening — whose political connections prevent them from being prosecuted, Saýara (Duygu Kocabiyik), the gym’s quiet janitor and daughter of Soviet Sambo champion Şamil (Zakirjan Bazarov), puts her after-hours training to deadly use, executing a most savage, nihilistic retribution.
The Good
Writer/director Can Evrenol goes for the throat — along with most of the rest of the body, as well as the mind — with Sayara. More than a mere rape revenge movie — some of which are aiming for nothing more than simple exploitation fare — Sayara tackles issues including abhorrent treatment of women by men and of immigrants by a country’s citizens, the patriarchy, how the law rarely applies to the privileged, and more. Although these topics are presented by a filmmaker commenting on situations in his homeland of Turkey, they are certainly applicable worldwide. Saýara’s brutal, methodical revenge can be viewed as literally and figuratively beating down those aforementioned oppressive powers, but also begs the question, can there be true catharsis in a situation such as the one presented here?
You won’t be able to take your eyes off of the film — although at times you may feel like it. Politics and social issues aside for the moment, the fight choreography and denouements of characters range from jaw-dropping to over-the-top, and there is certainly no shortage of either bloodshed or graphic, gruesome practical effects. The cast members give terrific performances throughout, but Duygu Kocabiyik as Saýara gives a phenomenal lead performance. From her calmer moments to her frenzied attempted annihilation of everyone involved with her sister’s murder — and a few peripherally related men, as well — Kocabiyik’s facial expressions and demanding physical performances are phenomenal.
The Bad
I don’t approve of rape scenes and gratuitous graphic violence toward female characters in films, and feel the need to let potential viewers know that there is an elongated sequence in Sayara that is highly uneasy to sit through. That said, Evrenol is attempting to deliver messages about the exploitation of women and immigrants, so whether potential viewers who also tend to avoid those elements wish to make an exception for this film will assuredly vary individually.
The Verdict
Sayara is a discomfiting, demanding watch. Evrenol has crafted a film that is blunt in its brutality and harrowing. It is certainly not for everybody, as its ultraviolent approach calling for attention to the social issues it addresses is undeniable, but it is sure to make an impact on the film festival circuit and beyond.
Sayara
Directed By: Can Evrenol
Written By: Can Evrenol
Starring: Duygu Kocabiyik, Emre Kizilirmak, Özgül Kosar
Run Time: 1h 38m
Rating: Unclassified 18+
Release Date: June 21, 2024 (Turkey)
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