Mustang

I will be building Yasin a statue. This is without a doubt one of the best films I've ever seen. <i>Mustang</i> is a powerful and deeply emotional exploration of the complexities of youth, freedom, and tradition. Visually, the film is absolutely stunning, capturing the contrast between the beauty of the Turkish landscape and the grim, shit atmosphere of the home. The opening sequence alone features some of the most beautiful shots I’ve ever seen (they're 100% going in my notes about my favorite shots ever in film). Where <i>Mustang</i>'s true strength lies is in its story -- a tale of the loss of innocence. It’s evocative but subtle. It's a devastating story, inspired by true events, that genuinely had me in fucking shambles for 1/3 of the runtime. There’s a scary sense of loss in the film that will stick with me forever, especially after the final scene cuts to black. This story wouldn’t work without the transparent bond the girls share, which is so clearly evident through the screen. Like bro, there’s no way they aren’t related 😭. Their relationship felt genuine -- constantly standing up for each other, loving each other's company, and bickering every once in a while. To do all of what I talked about in a one-hour-and-thirty-minute movie is fucking insane. I love when a film like this sneaks up on me and just blows me away.