Watch When We Leave
- NR
- 2010
- 1 hr 59 min
-
7.5 (5,584)
When We Leave (Die Fremde) is a 2010 German drama film written and directed by Feo Aladag. It stars Sibel Kekilli, Nizam Schiller, and Derya Alabora in the lead roles. The film revolves around the theme of honor killing and explores the struggles of a young Turkish-German woman who tries to flee from her abusive and conservative family.
The story revolves around Umay (Sibel Kekilli), a young Turkish-German woman who leaves her abusive husband in Istanbul and moves back to her family in Berlin with her son Cem (played by various child actors). However, her family, which includes her parents Kader (Derya Alabora) and Ali (Settar Tanriogen), her brothers, and her sister, are all conservative and disapprove of her leaving her husband. They believe that Umay has brought shame upon the family and decide to send her back to Istanbul.
Umay refuses to go back and decides to stay with her son in Berlin. However, her family does not support her and tries to force her to return to Istanbul. When Umay's father Ali sees her with a German man, he becomes enraged and beats her. Umay decides to leave her family's house and moves to a women's shelter with her son.
At the shelter, Umay meets a social worker named Hannah (Katja Studt), who helps her to find a job and an apartment. Umay also meets a German man named Stipe (Nizam Schiller), who falls in love with her and helps her to build a new life. However, Umay's family is still searching for her and is determined to take her son away from her.
The film is a powerful portrayal of the struggles of Turkish-German women who face domestic violence and honor killing. It explores the conflict between tradition and modernity, and the challenges faced by immigrants who try to assimilate into a new culture while also trying to uphold their own cultural traditions.
The performances in the film are excellent, especially that of Sibel Kekilli, who delivers a powerful and emotional performance as Umay. The film's cinematography is also noteworthy, with the use of handheld camera adding a sense of immediacy and realism to the story.
Overall, When We Leave is a gripping and poignant drama that tackles some of the most pressing social issues of our time. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the struggles faced by immigrants and the challenges of cultural integration in modern society.