When We Leave (2010) Reviews

Beautifully shot and acted bilingual film, with a subtle and haunting soundtrack by Max Richter. This is a quiet film despite the tension it generates, both on screen and within the person watching.

Umay (Sibel Kekilli) has left her abusive husband, taking their small son Cem along with her. Yet every step she takes to live a self-determined and dignified life turns out to further despoil her family's "honour". A man like Umay's uncle who thinks for himself is to be admired; a woman who thinks for herself and does not submit to patriarchal rule is a whore - and there's no way back, even as Stipe (a rather unconvincing love interest, it must be said) tries to help as best as he can.

In the end, we see how trauma and violence are passed on from one generation to the next in a cycle that only ever continues, because those who try to break free must disappear... or be made to disappear, at any cost.