Muhtar Davut: Some people have eyes in their hearts. They see the world through those eyes. They see everything through those eyes.
When I sat down to have lunch two days ago and zapped through the channels I saw the commencement of today’s featured movie Mucize (The Miracle) on the Film and Arts Channel. It intrigued me, but my intention wasn’t to lock-in and watch an entire movie. But the more I watched of the Kurdish culture the more I felt immersed into the story. Heck, it’s not every day a Turkish movie comes on and propels me into the customs and culture of a life, one entirely distinct from my own. Giddyup.
The last time I saw a Turkish movie was Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da (Once Upon a Time in Anatolia) (2011) and that was over a decade ago, which reminds me I need to revisit this co-winner of the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. But I’m not just going to invest my time watching something because of my zest to be more learned and cosmopolitan; I really have to like it, and that was certainly the case with The Miracle. As each scene unfolded I knew I was in the hands of a skilful director with exceptional attention to detail. After about 10 minutes I buckled in…going for the long haul. It was really difficult for me to whisk away even for a bathroom break such as it held my attention.
IMDB Storyline:
1960s Turkey countryside. A newly assigned teacher finds out that the solitary village is missing a school. He gets fond of the village people and especially a disabled man. The teacher helps the village to build a new school and educate the children and the disabled man.
As per what the quote heading this article infers, this movie encapsulates most poignantly the power of love in humanity, with nature, and love of country and its children. It’s truly epic. The Miracle starts as a journey, but takes to a different path centred on a remote mountain village in Turkey set in the 1960’s – a kind of “the middle of nowhere“. The cinematography of Eastern Anatolia in this film is something to behold. I have seen few (if any) movies which are so beautifully photographed. It’s so colourful (as captured in the poster of the movie above) and the scenes of both the mountainside and small towns, including both the interiors and exteriors of buildings are exquisite. The other aspect of the film that floored me was the outstanding music which doesn’t appear in the movie until 30 minutes in, and will feature here tomorrow.
It takes little time until you find yourself, not as a fly on the wall, but fully invested in this community and the fascinating characters we get to know. It feels so real life, more akin in some ways to a documentary. What is undoubtedly the crowning performance of this movie is watching the disabled man of the village Aziz played by Mert Turak. It was so natural, yet plunges us to his world and forced us to know him much more than the villagers did. His bond with his horse, which the actor is said to have lived for 3 months to make this possible; is something you just about don’t see in movies. In my estimation, Mert Turak’s acting here makes Tom Hanks portrayal of Forest Gump look mediocre.
In the first half of the movie there is just so much smart comedy and then in the second half; not losing its jocular charm – transforms in an emotional roller-coaster. I wonder how this movie is not more widely known. I highly recommend this film not only to enjoy with friends and colleagues, but especially with families. By the end I was blubbering mess – so get the tissues handy. I feel so grateful for having had this wonderful movie experience and with zero expectations. I can’t wait to see it with my children.
Updated: The entire film is presented on You Tube (free to view) below with respective subtitles. Strap yourself in.
References:
1. The Miracle (2015 film) – Wikipedia
2. The Miracle – IMDB
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
This is why we write reviews, Matthew! To share/expose a hidden treasure we wouldn’t otherwise know about! I’m very much interested in this one. (And, I’ll get the tissues ready…”blubbering mess,” haha! I could use a good cry. Sounds like a grand twist on the emotions! Thank you for sharing this.
My kids saw it and I wondered about if your daughters could see it. Probably not, since they are still young ens right? I think of all people you will be captivated by this movie. ‘The Héroes journey’. I feel like it’s treasure. Every scene feels like a painting. I could go on forever.
It’ll be one of many to add to the “when they are older” list, haha!