"Dondurmam Gaymak is a local movie, having a universal content." A favorite description of the movie "Ice Cream, I Scream" made by the Turkish media, and it's true. The movie is filmed using, almost an entirely nonprofessional cast and natural locations. People living in Mugla helped the crew at their best, by supplying food, drink, transportation and accommodation. Also a native of the filming location, director Yuksel Aksu, wanted to put the warmth, life style and energy contained in the hearts of Aegian people of Turkey...
But underneath it all, there lies an important aim. The director explains that, he tried to behave like Italian Neorealists, using nonprofessional actors. He also films a realistic life in Mugla. The religious education, respect to older people, naive residents, political restrictions, somehow funny devotion to religion (they stop drinking alcohol when an ezan (call to prayer) begins then continues after it finishes)... All these are presented in a way that, the director doesn't try to point out something exactly, but he just show what's there, and leaves the rest to the viewer.
The production is not bad, actor-ship is quite acceptable (very intense and funny sometimes), flow of the story is well balanced (from thrilling scenes, to dramatic or really funny ones). The already-lost-war against capitalism is unbelievably fresh. It's living characters really warm the scene and I can be sure that any Turkish viewer would have a great time watching it. Although there are some mistakes with sound production or a very quick reveal in the peak scene.
It should be noted that, this movie was chosen to represent Turkey in Oscars. It was chosen among movies from directors such as Zeki Demirkubuz, Nuri Bilge Ceylan or Reha Erdem or a movie like Babam ve Oglum which was highly successful at box-office. It's a choice i can support 100%. Because, maybe not as artistically competent as the others, "Dondurmam Gaymak" is completely Turkish, yet universal at a reasonable level. A must see for 2006...
