Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

BeSummers Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

Maleeha Vincent It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "Auf der anderen Seite" was writer and director Faith Akin's next project after the very successful "Gegen die Wand" and this one here is once again about German-Turkish relationships, probably to an even bigger extent (in terms of the Turkish impact) than his previous work. Lead actor Baki Davrak is not even known here in Germany anymore really, but his film here still managed impressive success with awards bodies all over the world. The hype around Akin has decreased a bit in the last couple years, but here back in 2007, it was pretty much at its peak.The story is about a Turkish man living in Germany and about everything that happens to the people he encounters and most of it is not particularly pleasant. "Auf der anderen Seite"" or "On the other side" is a title that refers to Turkey/Germany, but also to the afterlife in terms of this film. One example would be the man accidentally killing his woman when he hits her to the head with something heavy, a story arc Akin included in a similar manner in "Gegen die Wand", something that changes everything for victim and offender.As a whole, I was missing moments of true greatness in this film here, moments that had my eyes glued to the screen, but the collection of stories and characters was nonetheless fairly interesting in my opinion. I enjoyed the watch, even if I am a bit baffled by all the awards attention this film and Hanna Schygulla got for her performance. The rest of the cast were at least as good. If you have an interest in foreign cultures and culture clash or just German films in general and are not scared by the bleakness of the film, these almost two hours here are certainly worth checking out. Good writing and good acting, overall a success.

elasmarhadi This is one of my favorite movies of all time. "Fatih Akin" succeeded to mix different characters and stories and even cultures to create a superb film that will make you admire the subtle crossroad of the stories evoked in such great dexterity. This movie deals with love, hope and freedom in a unique and clever way - not in a shallow "deja-vu" way.Although there's many different characters, these pieces of the story create a single magnificent puzzle of emotions and stories- one could call it fate. Akin will keep you mesmerized during all the movie with a great cast that radiate energy and truthfulness. you'll certainly be attached to all of them and to all of their stories. The script is very well written and elaborated along with a remarkable cinematography. But what makes you truly fall in love with this movie is for sure the ending. A creative and well thought ending that will not bring much to the story but at the same time will make it so rich and unforgettable. It will keep the story running in your mind and make you wonder about how every meeting with someone, is a crossroad - or even a turning point in your life. I've said earlier that this movie is about love, hope and freedom, but what really this movie is about life - or it is the same thing, isn't it?

platinumpyrrs This movie has some powerful scenes. Lotte running through the streets in the stark sunlight, chasing someone she does not know because she is so in love. Found that unforgettable. Had not seen the actress playing Lotte before; she has a great face for cinema. Great casting here, all the actors faces under the microscope, most actors faces showing depth and compassion. Especially Yeter and Lotte. Also, Susanne and Nejat, the ones who find mutually satisfying relationship in conclusion. My kind of movie, I must say. Believable, honest, emotional, driven by the longing of the human heart.PS. Also liked the scene where Nejat is driving through tunnels; the first one has light at the end. Then he enters one that is dark and the scene shifts. He is taking a risk to change his life away from the mundane, to find connections to his heart. He is a likable character, balanced and patient, but also brave. Also liked Yeter's deep dignity under her protective surface. Actress playing Yeter is superb on the bus when accosted by two #$$*oles. Memorable.

thecatcanwait Was this going to be a keeper or be binned?Its all symmetrically constructed and contrived. A thick interwoven political seam is tying the film tidily too together. Narrative is jigsawed into precisely fitted – i.e engineered – plot pieces. Turkey bits slot into Germany bits and Germany bits get stuffed neatly into the Turkey bits (Lol)When a story gets to be too structured by coincidence it feels artificial. Life – authentic vitally lived life, in the raw, in the real – isn't scripted into tight predetermined plots.Seeing this confirmed a prejudice: the Turkish male attitude towards women (ok, thighbooted Turkish whores) is "I own you" = I'll slap you. Or we'll throw The Koran at you. Typically patriarchal and unsurprisingly chauvinistic. Therefore let Turkish women radicalise themselves, be running amok with guns. And love only women.(male Turkish Professors reading German are excepted, as they've liberated themselves via Goethe )The Turkish/Germany divide is suitably, equally, uniformly, intertwined. Commendable it is. Which is another way of saying worthy. But dull. Ken Loach would be proud.It's in the bin.