Writer/director Faith Akin had a whole lot to live up to with The Edge of Heaven. His previous work, Head On, cut a swathe through awards ceremonies and critics lists all over Europe, catapulting him to wunderkind status in the world of foreign language cinema and unofficial poet laureate of the cross-cultural immigrant experience. Fortunately for him, and us, his latest offering largely succeeds in cementing that reputation.
Nejat, a German born ethnic Turk, is initially dismayed when his lonely widower father Ali invites prostitute Yeter to live with him, but soon thaws when she reveals that she is only in her line of work to provide for her daughter Ayten back in Turkey. After her sudden death, he decides to travel to Turkey to track her down, not knowing she has already made her way to Germany to escape political persecution and is lodging with student Lotte and her disapproving mother. And these are only the initial events of the intricate storyline that unfolds. The Edge of Heaven won best screenplay at last year’s Cannes festival and it is easy to see why.
Although some of the initial scenes veer dangerously close to contrived coincidence in their efforts to set up later developments, once it hits its groove it immerses you in a slow burn of plot twists and emotional responses that don’t let up until the credits roll. It takes the multi-narrative approach to storytelling, not as a flashy gimmick but as a method to juxtapose and parallel, often simultaneously, events, locations and characters so that the themes of inter-generational and cultural difference are laid bare. Furthermore, it tells a story of how rebirth emerges from death and consequently how love must walk through life hand in hand with heavy sadness. This may appear depressing on the surface, but is handled with such a slight of touch that the conclusion points to a hopeful way forward in the future without resorting to cliché.
Ultimately, the script is a vehicle to maximise the time spent with, and the understanding of a range of richly drawn, well-directed characters. All the cast members are excellent in their portrayal and inhabitation of the characters, but the star that shines the brightest belongs to Ayten (Nurgul Yesilcay.) She has both the distinctive look and acting ability that could easily see her cross over into mainstream Hollywood stardom.
If you’re a fan of complexly plotted human drama, you’re in for a treat.
