The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

Berlin Film Festival 2016

La Route d’Istanbul (The Road to Istanbul)

Berlin Film Festival 2016: La Route d’Istanbul (The Road to Istanbul) | Review
25 February 2016
James Ager
Avatar
James Ager
25 February 2016

Movie and show review

James Ager

La Route d’Istanbul (The Road to Istanbul)

★★★★★

Links

FacebookWebsite

Special event

Berlin Film Festival 2016

11th to 21st February 2016

The latest in a long parade hard-hitting, emotionally draining topical stories to screen at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, La Route d’Istanbul (The Road to Istanbul) is a poignant drama about a Belgian mother, Isabel, whose daughter converts to Islam and sets out to contribute to the war in Syria. Isabel consequently embarks on her own mission to bring her daughter, Elodie, home. It’s a very simple premise but one that is laden with both dramatic and political significance. Foregoing sensationalism, the film presents a relatively reasoned view of the scenario; though told from the mother’s perspective, it is skilled at presenting both sides of the conversation, never demonising those who choose to go. It is textbook in its ability to foment intelligent discussion while still delivering emotional gut-punches time and again.

The lynchpin around which the drama of The Road to Istanbul revolves is lead actress Astrid Whettnal, in the role of Isabel, who demonstrates astounding emotional range, and is more than capable of bringing to life the perfect mix of steely determination and desperation that feels incredibly genuine. At times, especially through the first 30 minutes, the script can seem a little forced or unnatural, but when given a chance to shine, Whettnal is heartbreaking in a performance that can only be described as virtuosic. The rest of the cast are competent, of course, but largely unremarkable, and ultimately eclipsed by that impactful central role and that incredible realisation.

In other respects, The Road to Istanbul is well executed, if not particularly noteworthy. The cinematography is impressive in its ability to balance wider shots, which preserve a strong sense of geography, and illuminating close-ups, which give ample opportunity to appreciate the depth and fidelity of the actors’ emotional portrayals. The stark contrast between the dark and cool colour palette of Belgium and the light and dry tones of Turkey is a tried-and-true but nonetheless effective way of differentiating the two domains. Other elements of the film largely fade into the background, very much playing second fiddle to the emotional heart that beats at the core of this drama.

★★★★★
 

James Ager

The Road to Istanbul does not have a UK release date yet.

Read more of our reviews and interviews from the festival here.

For further information about Berlin Film Festival 2015 visit here.

Watch the trailer for The Road to Istanbul here:

Please accept YouTube cookies to play this video. By accepting you will be accessing content from YouTube, a service provided by an external third party.

YouTube privacy policy

If you accept this notice, your choice will be saved and the page will refresh.

 

Related Itemsreview

More in Berlinale

A Little Love Package

★★★★★
Oliver Johnston
Read More

Sonne

★★★★★
Selina Sondermann
Read More

Gangubai Kathiawadi

★★★★★
Selina Sondermann
Read More

“I was always trying to find this equilibrium between improvising and following the script”: Carla Simón on Golden Bear-winning Alcarràs

Sarah Bradbury
Read More

A E I O U – A Quick Alphabet of Love: An interview with Nicolette Krebitz

Selina Sondermann
Read More

Berlinale 2022: Awards predictions and highlights from the festival

Selina Sondermann
Read More

Concerned Citizen

★★★★★
Oliver Johnston
Read More

So-seol-ga-ui yeong-hwa (The Novelist’s Film)

★★★★★
Selina Sondermann
Read More

Rimini: An interview with director Ulrich Seidl

Selina Sondermann
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Movie and show review

James Ager

La Route d’Istanbul (The Road to Istanbul)

★★★★★

Links

FacebookWebsite

Special event

Berlin Film Festival 2016

11th to 21st February 2016

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Ed Fringe 2022: Hungry
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Kasabian – The Alchemist’s Euphoria
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Tips for creating a peaceful home
    Feature of the week
  • Royal Ballet School students return to the stage for post-Covid performances
    Theatre
  • “Even people who’ve been through adversity might say ‘Well, I wouldn’t change anything because I wouldn’t be who I am'”: Eva Noblezada and Flula Borg on Luck
    Cinema & Tv
  • Kasabian – The Alchemist’s Euphoria
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Rita at Charing Cross Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Ed Fringe 2022: Hungry
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “Even people who’ve been through adversity might say ‘Well, I wouldn’t change anything because I wouldn’t be who I am'”: Eva Noblezada and Flula Borg on Luck
    Cinema & Tv
  • “Film offers a way of looking at the past, the present and the future simultaneously. That’s its wonder”: Sarah Beddington on Fadia’s Tree
    Cinema & Tv
  • Kasabian – The Alchemist’s Euphoria
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Rita at Charing Cross Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “Even people who’ve been through adversity might say ‘Well, I wouldn’t change anything because I wouldn’t be who I am'”: Eva Noblezada and Flula Borg on Luck
    Cinema & Tv
  • Nope
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Five Days at Memorial
    ★★★★★
    apple
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Berlin Film Festival 2016: Zona Norte | Review
Berlin Film Festival 2016: Manazil Bela Abwab (Houses Without Doors) | Review