The Chaos Class (1975) Reviews

''In 1 month's time we'll leave a whole term behind, with it's sweet and not so sweet memories.''

A high school drama focusing on the story of the Hababam class and the teachers whom fall victim to their tricks and jokes. A comedy from Turkey.

Münir Özkul: Kel Mahmut

The opening quote sums up Hababam sinifi with it's sweet memories and not so sweet memories. Nostalgia of trickster class mates with their failures and successes against their peers; All the scenes and storytelling adds up to a relative success especially with it's indigenous people and characters. Turkish people love this film simply because they can relate to it, and it's part of a historical comedy genre much akin to Western English Carry On films back in the days of the 50s, 60s and 70s.



Directed by Ertem Egilmez, Writers: Umur Bugay and Rifat Ilgaz whom wrote the novel which inspired the film's creation have created a heart felt piece which still fares pretty well in today's World cinema.
The cast all newly acquired tastes for me, equally perform well with distinctively outlandish temperament and overt looking poise.
Kemal Sunal, Münir Özkul, Tarik Akan, Adile Nasit, Hafize Ana...A few of the cast members who add spice to the proceedings, whom add laughs galore with scene after scene of fun and high school shenanigans.
When clever jokes arise with the students tricking their teachers that they are soldiers and he is back in his youthful days fighting a war, or when a cat is rocketed into a chaotic room of blurry hurricane students, or even when a contest begins and they have ear pieces to cheat, you know this is going to keep your attention and entertain you throughout the venture. This is an ordeal which you will wish to repeat and experience time and time again.

What's lovely about Hababam sinifi is that it teaches us moral lessons concerning growing up and taking responsibility for our prerequisite actions. It makes us fall in love with the characters and relate to them, to the teacher Mahmut the bald, whom tries so hard to help every pupil he teaches. It's lovely to watch indeed. When one of the students is discovered to have a child on the premises what does Mahmut do? He sympathizes and tries to help. Really Mahmut is the friend and parent these young students never had. He cares in a way which is truly inspiring and loving to comprehend and envisage.

Let's face it. Hababam sinifi may not be a masterpiece but it's obvious it isn't trying to be, it's just being itself and being fun and a laugh without the need for complexities. Sure it has flaws but these flaws grow on you, prosper and love.
Hababam sinifi is a Turkish treat which I feel outsiders as well as native Turks will enjoy if you love these kind of stories. It's a lovely way to finish the day and unwind with characters whom are everyday people who yes maybe are slightly lazy, maybe they are no saints...But end of the day again they aren't trying to be anything but themselves.
It's also morally educational and evolutionary explanatory of human behaviour thus we see the changes and journey of all the characters through the term which is duly clever and prosperous to the venture.

Thus Hababam sinifi is an honest, comedic account of young men reminiscent of perhaps If or as earlier stated Carry On flicks.
Overall, my advice would be to check Hababam sinifi out. You never know? You may be pleasantly surprised you didn't miss this joyous occasion.

''And who are they?''
''Your future pupils, sir.''