The action takes place on Lesbos, a Greek island of the Aegean Sea. The movie is rather messy, although well interpreted, and deals head-on very different topics : mourn a mother died a year earlier, and manage the migration crisis from Syria. As a synthesis: disappointing.
2 Reviews
A fine mix of comedy and drama
storemenow3 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
A deep, emotional and thought-provoking movie, with some welcome comedy moments, about loss and love.
Most of the movie is seen through the eyes of a young woman, Elena, who has to deal with some inheritance on the Greek island of Lesbos after her mother's death, and who brings two buddies from France for support. Things get more tense as the French youths encounter a Syrian migrant of their age trying to leave the island to find his mother.
Many themes and feelings are skillfully intertwined in this coming-of-age story as the young protagonists struggle with their past, trying to find their roots, their identity or a lost relative. The acting is really good, Elena has heart-wrenching moments when she deals with her mother's death, and her two friends are thankfully bringing in a lot of joy and humor to provide some comic relief in many occasions, turning the movie into a fine mix between comedy and drama. The filming is slick, alternating between realistic and contemplative images without ever becoming showy.
I went to see this movie after reading a very positive review by the demanding "Le Canard Enchaîné", and I was pleasantly surprised indeed! Films that manage to make you laugh, cry and think at the same time are more than rare nowadays, and Meltem is definitely one of those.
Most of the movie is seen through the eyes of a young woman, Elena, who has to deal with some inheritance on the Greek island of Lesbos after her mother's death, and who brings two buddies from France for support. Things get more tense as the French youths encounter a Syrian migrant of their age trying to leave the island to find his mother.
Many themes and feelings are skillfully intertwined in this coming-of-age story as the young protagonists struggle with their past, trying to find their roots, their identity or a lost relative. The acting is really good, Elena has heart-wrenching moments when she deals with her mother's death, and her two friends are thankfully bringing in a lot of joy and humor to provide some comic relief in many occasions, turning the movie into a fine mix between comedy and drama. The filming is slick, alternating between realistic and contemplative images without ever becoming showy.
I went to see this movie after reading a very positive review by the demanding "Le Canard Enchaîné", and I was pleasantly surprised indeed! Films that manage to make you laugh, cry and think at the same time are more than rare nowadays, and Meltem is definitely one of those.
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