Cahit, a Turkish immigrant living in Germany, has completely given up on life after the death of his wife. Cahit spends nearly all of his time abusing drugs and drinking himself into a stupor. One night, Cahit intentionally crashes his car head-on into a wall. Suspected of attempted suicide, Cahit finds himself in a mental hospital of sorts where he meets, Sibel, another Turkish immigrant who has repeatedly tried to commit suicide. Sibel lives in an incredibly oppressive household which leads her to ask Cahit to partake in an arranged marriage which could free her from her families unrelenting pressure. Cahit refuses at first, but eventually agrees to the plan. Fatih Akin's Head-On is a raw, fascinating examination of despair that manages to capture the darkness and hopefullness of these two lost souls who've hit rock bottom. What makes Head-On compelling is its two leads, each tortured, but incredibly important in helping the other one get better through a sense of companionship that eventually evolves into love. In the beginning of Head-On it's clear Cahit couldn't be any less interested in life, but slowly and surely he is given a reason to care as he starts to develop feelings for Sibel. Conversely, Sibel's deep despair comes later in the film, when she is left abandoned and alone after Cahit finds himself in prison. This circular motion of despair and renewal in these two characters is what makes Head-On both compelling and profound, illustrating how people are never beyond saving while simultaneously reminding us that everyone needs help from time to time. While my description may make Head-On sound a bit cheesy it certainly is not, with every aspect feeling exceptionally genuine and raw. Head-On is a riveting and unfliching love story that captures the joys and heartaches of life while simultaneously illustrating the solace which companionship brings no matter what agony may exist on an individual basis.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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